Free Machine Embroidery : Making Pictures with Linda Miller 03/02/24

"I absolutely loved the machine embroidery picture course - it transformed my stitching skills and opened up a world of possibilities!" Jackie, Dorking

This Free Machine Embroidery workshop is designed for all - the novice or the more confident stitcher - who wishes to explore the numerous techniques and textures created by free machine embroidery to create pictures in machine stitch.

Bring with you your own sewing machine, a free machine embroidery foot, any sewing machine threads that you have and an image or picture that inspires you or use one of the templates supplied as inspiration for your own picture in stitches.

Using a sumptuous array of threads in a variety of colours and thickness you will learn how to translate your original design into your very own stitched picture.

All students will be able to work at their own pace whilst being guided through all aspects of free machine embroidery, how to create a design, placing imagery, incorporating a background and a fore ground into their design and how to finish and present their work to its full and deserved potential.

What you need to bring:

• An Electric Sewing Machine, in good working order which can drop the dog feed teeth or has a plate that fits over the teeth.
• Your sewing machine manual.
• Sewing machine accessories in case you need them (oil, screwdriver, etc.)
• A darning foot/free motion machine embroidery foot that is compatible with your machine.
• Size 80 needles.
• Bobbin spools that are compatible with your sewing machine.
• Hand sewing needles if you have them (but we have some here to borrow too.)
• Calico, medium/ heavy weight. (Approx. 50cm/half a yard)
• Note book and pen, pencil, paper, ruler. (We have some here too)
• 8”/20cm wooden embroidery hoop (We sell these if you don't have one)
• Embroidery/sharp scissors (We also have some in the studio)
• Any threads you have that you might like to use, machine embroidery thread or ordinary dress making thread or hand embroidery threads. Again - we have a small selection here and also sell them in the shop!
• 'Stitch and Tear' stabilising fabric (We sell this in the shop)

You might also like to bring reference materials such as: pictures, drawings, books, photographs, patterning- or any visual material that interests you.

IMPORTANT : Please remember :
It is very important that your machine is in good working order and that the feed dog teeth can be dropped, or that a plate can be fitted over the teeth and that you have a free motion machine embroidery foot/darning foot that is compatible with your sewing machine. And lastly remember to bring all your sewing machine leads, foot pedal, tools, and your sewing machine manual with you! All this helps to ensure very happy stitching! ;-)

Please bring as much as you can from the equipment list, if however, you do not have any of the list, Linda always bring everything with her, (except sewing machines and sewing machine feet) and charges a small fee to use them.

About Linda:
Linda studied textiles at Winchester School of Art and after graduating set up her studio practice in 1989. Working with her sewing machine Linda makes her one-off machine embroideries using her distinctive, unique style. Linda’s work is successfully exhibited and held in public and private collections such as those of the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Arts Council. As well as the author of two books, 'Creative Machine Embroidery' and 'Stitched Pictures', Linda regularly holds workshops for all abilities and ages she enjoys sharing her enthusiasm for textiles and her love for Machine Embroidery.

Other Information & Housekeeping : 

• There is free parking outside -  you will be shown where to park on arrival. Please share cars or get lifts where possible! :-) Thank you. There is a map and full address at the foot of our homepage.
• Tea, coffee, refreshments and afternoon cake are all included. Please bring your lunch with you - or nip out at lunchtime to get some if you prefer.
• You will also be entitled to 10% discount in our shop "The Fluff-a-torium" on the day of your workshop with Linda Miller.
• This course runs from 10am - 4pm. Please arrive 10 mins earlier so we can start promptly! You can look in the shop at lunchtime, or shop after the course as the shop doesn't shut until 5pm.

Please note : By booking one of our courses you are agreeing to our Terms & Conditions, which are as follows:

Booking a place on one of our courses is similar to booking a seat on a plane. It is not possible to swap and cancel and the "the plane must take off!"
Therefore should you need to cancel your place on a course for any reason, the cancellation charges are as follows: 

Cancellation within 31+ days of course date = 50% of course fee payable unless place is re-filled. 
Cancellation within 0-30 days of course date = 100% of course fee payable unless place is re-filled. 
(Sometimes courses are over subscribed so we hold a waiting list and MAY be able to re-fill a place, but if you are unable to attend you are welcome to send someone in your place. Please let us know your replacement's name, phone number and email address as soon as possible before the course date.)

You can buy separate Course Insurance Cover from various companies online if you would like to protect yourself against no attendance. (Eg : Cancelsure Insurance)

Overnight Accommodation & Local Places to Stay:
We are now located in Betchworth (near Brockham) in between Dorking & Reigate
Our favourite places to stay that we recommend locally are:
1) Brockham B&B - nearest to shop
2) The Waltons B&B in Dorking
3) Denbies Vineyard B&B - edge of Dorking
4) The White Horse Hotel Dorking