Uncover the art of creating your own embroidered piece using traditional stumpwork techniques. You will first explore a variety of three-dimensional and surface stitches through sampling, then take these skills into crafting an embroidered bird motif
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On this course you will gain the technical and creative skills needed to craft your own stumpwork bird piece. We will explore both the historical and contemporary contexts of stumpwork to enrich your understanding, while you experiment with a range of surface stitches—such as long and short, couching, trailing and French knots—alongside three-dimensional techniques including padding and wire work.
You’ll begin by playing with stitches on a sample frame to build confidence and fluency, before moving into developing design ideas and creating stitch plans. The course culminates in the making of your own unique piece of wearable embroidery. By the end of this course, you will have a thorough understanding of stumpwork embroidery to take forwards into future projects.
What will we cover?
An introduction to stumpwork: historical and contemporary practices
Designing and creating stitch plans
Transferring a design to fabric (prick and pounce)
Slips
Padding techniques (padded felt, Vilene)
Wire work, including outlining and wrapping
Appliqué
Surface stitches: couching, long and short stitch, French knots, pistil stitch, chain stitch, feather stitch and turkey rug
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
All students:
Identify different techniques used in stumpwork embroidery
Understand and work a range of stumpwork stitches
Produce a sample frame exploring and experimenting with a range of surface and 3 dimensional stitching
Feel confident using creativity to design a stitch plan
Complete a finished stumpwork piece.
Students with some experience will also:
Produce an advanced sample demonstrating a broader range of approaches
Demonstrate a high standard of design and craftsmanship
Elevate technical ability
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is suitable for all levels. Each stitch will be taught at a basic level for beginners, with the option to build on and refine techniques for those with more experience. Set designs will be available for beginners, while more advanced students will have the opportunity to develop their own. You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions to support demonstrations, handouts, and health and safety information. Please be aware that the class will include students with a range of experience levels. By the end of this course, you will have a thorough understanding of stumpwork embroidery to take forwards into future projects.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
This course will be mainly practical. It will include visual presentations supported by demonstrations and handouts, as well as individual tutorials, group discussions, and paired feedback. Using a sketchbook throughout the course will be helpful for taking notes and making sketches.
It may be useful to practice techniques or, work on your piece in your own time but, further extension exercises can be provided on request for you to complete at home.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Access to basic materials and resources will be provided as part of the course. Please bring a sketchbook and writing/drawing tools with you to make notes and illustrate your learning.
If you have your own sewing kit or materials that you want to bring in then you’re welcome to bring them. Your tutor can advise on suitability for this course.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
The techniques you will learn on this course can be taken forward in a multitude of ways. As a feature on a textile art piece, to a detailing on a garment or a piece of textile jewellery. City Lit offers a range of specialist courses in contemporary fashion and textiles where you can further develop the work created on this course. Experimental hand stitch, City Lit Textiles, Frame Loom weaving and Clothesmaking.
Please browse the website for our upcoming courses General information and advice on courses at City Lit is available from the Student Centre and Library on Monday to Friday from 10:30 – 12:00 then 15:00 – 17:00.
We’re sorry. We don’t have a bio ready for the tutor of this class at the moment, but we’re working on it! Watch this space.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/textiles-stumpwork-embroidery3011896Textiles: stumpwork embroideryhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/s/t/stumpwork_kingfisher_1_1_1.jpeg509509GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Art & design/Courses/Art & design/Fashion & textiles/Courses/Art & design/Fashion & textiles/Embroidery & stitch22851132115517301228511321155<p>Uncover the art of creating your own embroidered piece using traditional stumpwork techniques. You will first explore a variety of three-dimensional and surface stitches through sampling, then take these skills into crafting an embroidered bird motif</p>00https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/p/a/parakeet2a_1.jpghttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/s/t/stumpwork_kingfisher_wip_1.jpeg3011890Textiles: stumpwork embroidery509509https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/s/t/stumpwork_kingfisher_1_1.jpegInStockDaytimeMonKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-05-11T00:00:00+00:00May 2026Art & designVX332509509Textiles: stumpwork embroidery407331509Emily Masontextiles-stumpwork-embroidery/vx332-2526<p>Uncover the art of creating your own embroidered piece using traditional stumpwork techniques. You will first explore a variety of three-dimensional and surface stitches through sampling, then take these skills into crafting an embroidered bird motif</p>0000-Available|2026-05-11 00:00:00<p>On this course you will gain the technical and creative skills needed to craft your own stumpwork bird piece. We will explore both the historical and contemporary contexts of stumpwork to enrich your understanding, while you experiment with a range of surface stitches—such as long and short, couching, trailing and French knots—alongside three-dimensional techniques including padding and wire work.</p><p> You’ll begin by playing with stitches on a sample frame to build confidence and fluency, before moving into developing design ideas and creating stitch plans. The course culminates in the making of your own unique piece of wearable embroidery. By the end of this course, you will have a thorough understanding of stumpwork embroidery to take forwards into future projects. </p><p>Uncover the art of creating your own embroidered piece using traditional stumpwork techniques. You will first explore a variety of three-dimensional and surface stitches through sampling, then take these skills into crafting an embroidered bird motif</p><ul><li>An introduction to stumpwork: historical and contemporary practices</li><li>Designing and creating stitch plans</li><li>Transferring a design to fabric (prick and pounce)</li><li>Slips</li><li>Padding techniques (padded felt, Vilene)</li><li>Wire work, including outlining and wrapping</li><li>Appliqué</li><li>Surface stitches: couching, long and short stitch, French knots, pistil stitch, chain stitch, feather stitch and turkey rug</li></ul><p>All students:</p><ul><li>Identify different techniques used in stumpwork embroidery</li><li>Understand and work a range of stumpwork stitches</li><li>Produce a sample frame exploring and experimenting with a range of surface and 3 dimensional stitching</li><li>Feel confident using creativity to design a stitch plan</li><li>Complete a finished stumpwork piece.</li></ul><p>Students with some experience will also:</p><ul><li>Produce an advanced sample demonstrating a broader range of approaches</li><li>Demonstrate a high standard of design and craftsmanship</li><li>Elevate technical ability</li></ul><p> </p><p>This course is suitable for all levels. Each stitch will be taught at a basic level for beginners, with the option to build on and refine techniques for those with more experience. Set designs will be available for beginners, while more advanced students will have the opportunity to develop their own. You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions to support demonstrations, handouts, and health and safety information. Please be aware that the class will include students with a range of experience levels. By the end of this course, you will have a thorough understanding of stumpwork embroidery to take forwards into future projects.</p><p>This course will be mainly practical. It will include visual presentations supported by demonstrations and handouts, as well as individual tutorials, group discussions, and paired feedback. Using a sketchbook throughout the course will be helpful for taking notes and making sketches. </p><p>It may be useful to practice techniques or, work on your piece in your own time but, further extension exercises can be provided on request for you to complete at home.</p><p>Access to basic materials and resources will be provided as part of the course. Please bring a sketchbook and writing/drawing tools with you to make notes and illustrate your learning.</p><p>If you have your own sewing kit or materials that you want to bring in then you’re welcome to bring them. Your tutor can advise on suitability for this course.</p><p>The techniques you will learn on this course can be taken forward in a multitude of ways. As a feature on a textile art piece, to a detailing on a garment or a piece of textile jewellery. City Lit offers a range of specialist courses in contemporary fashion and textiles where you can further develop the work created on this course. Experimental hand stitch, City Lit Textiles, Frame Loom weaving and Clothesmaking.</p><p> Please browse the website for our upcoming courses<br/>General information and advice on courses at City Lit is available from the Student Centre and Library on Monday to Friday from 10:30 – 12:00 then 15:00 – 17:00. </p>Fashion & textilesEmbroidery & stitchvirtual407509331VX332NONEMon11/05/26 - 06/07/2610:30 - 16:3010:3016:308 sessions (over 9 weeks)85-10 weeksDaytimeWeekdayKSKeeley StreetEmily MasonAvailable courses2026-05-11T00:00:00+00:00May 2026Art & design509509Textiles: stumpwork embroiderytextiles-stumpwork-embroidery/vx332-2526<p>Uncover the art of creating your own embroidered piece using traditional stumpwork techniques. You will first explore a variety of three-dimensional and surface stitches through sampling, then take these skills into crafting an embroidered bird motif</p>0000-Available|2026-05-11 00:00:00<p>On this course you will gain the technical and creative skills needed to craft your own stumpwork bird piece. We will explore both the historical and contemporary contexts of stumpwork to enrich your understanding, while you experiment with a range of surface stitches—such as long and short, couching, trailing and French knots—alongside three-dimensional techniques including padding and wire work.</p><p> You’ll begin by playing with stitches on a sample frame to build confidence and fluency, before moving into developing design ideas and creating stitch plans. The course culminates in the making of your own unique piece of wearable embroidery. By the end of this course, you will have a thorough understanding of stumpwork embroidery to take forwards into future projects. </p><p>Uncover the art of creating your own embroidered piece using traditional stumpwork techniques. You will first explore a variety of three-dimensional and surface stitches through sampling, then take these skills into crafting an embroidered bird motif</p><ul><li>An introduction to stumpwork: historical and contemporary practices</li><li>Designing and creating stitch plans</li><li>Transferring a design to fabric (prick and pounce)</li><li>Slips</li><li>Padding techniques (padded felt, Vilene)</li><li>Wire work, including outlining and wrapping</li><li>Appliqué</li><li>Surface stitches: couching, long and short stitch, French knots, pistil stitch, chain stitch, feather stitch and turkey rug</li></ul><p>All students:</p><ul><li>Identify different techniques used in stumpwork embroidery</li><li>Understand and work a range of stumpwork stitches</li><li>Produce a sample frame exploring and experimenting with a range of surface and 3 dimensional stitching</li><li>Feel confident using creativity to design a stitch plan</li><li>Complete a finished stumpwork piece.</li></ul><p>Students with some experience will also:</p><ul><li>Produce an advanced sample demonstrating a broader range of approaches</li><li>Demonstrate a high standard of design and craftsmanship</li><li>Elevate technical ability</li></ul><p> </p><p>This course is suitable for all levels. Each stitch will be taught at a basic level for beginners, with the option to build on and refine techniques for those with more experience. Set designs will be available for beginners, while more advanced students will have the opportunity to develop their own. You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions to support demonstrations, handouts, and health and safety information. Please be aware that the class will include students with a range of experience levels. By the end of this course, you will have a thorough understanding of stumpwork embroidery to take forwards into future projects.</p><p>This course will be mainly practical. It will include visual presentations supported by demonstrations and handouts, as well as individual tutorials, group discussions, and paired feedback. Using a sketchbook throughout the course will be helpful for taking notes and making sketches. </p><p>It may be useful to practice techniques or, work on your piece in your own time but, further extension exercises can be provided on request for you to complete at home.</p><p>Access to basic materials and resources will be provided as part of the course. Please bring a sketchbook and writing/drawing tools with you to make notes and illustrate your learning.</p><p>If you have your own sewing kit or materials that you want to bring in then you’re welcome to bring them. Your tutor can advise on suitability for this course.</p><p>The techniques you will learn on this course can be taken forward in a multitude of ways. As a feature on a textile art piece, to a detailing on a garment or a piece of textile jewellery. City Lit offers a range of specialist courses in contemporary fashion and textiles where you can further develop the work created on this course. Experimental hand stitch, City Lit Textiles, Frame Loom weaving and Clothesmaking.</p><p> Please browse the website for our upcoming courses<br/>General information and advice on courses at City Lit is available from the Student Centre and Library on Monday to Friday from 10:30 – 12:00 then 15:00 – 17:00. </p>Fashion & textilesEmbroidery & stitchconfigurable
