Making Silk Lily of the Valley and Snowdrops with Anne Tomlin

Location: Hand & Lock School for Embroidery & Creative Arts, 86 Margaret Street, Fitzrovia, London, W1W 8TE
Duration: 3 Day Workshop (10am - 4:30pm each day)

Over three days, Anne will guide you through creating lifelike snowdrops and lily-of-the-valley flowers, including their leaves, using a combination of silk fabrics and air-dried clay. You will learn a full range of skills, starting with preparing and stiffening fabric, painting with dyes, and shaping petals using French and Japanese heated tools.

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There is a long history of flower making in the UK. Anne draws inspiration from traditional flower-making tools from Japan and France. She developed her skills by studying the structure of flowers and observing the details of nature, selecting fabrics that best reflect the texture and character of each bloom.

Snowdrops and lily-of-the-valley are the focus of this workshop. These delicate, often-overlooked flowers are admired for their purity and intricate form. Lily-of-the-valley, in particular, is famously the favourite flower of couture designer Christian Dior, adding a touch of elegance and historical significance to the workshop. Anne’s techniques are designed to capture the essence of these fragile blooms while teaching skills that can be applied to creating any flower.

Over the two days with Anne Tomlin you will learn:

• You will learn methods for stiffening silk.

• You will practise bonding silk fabric.

• You will use heated flower tools to shape your materials.

• You will mould petals and other elements using paper clay.

• You will mix and paint fabrics with procion dyes.

• You will learn techniques for constructing flowers.

• You will practise binding stems.

• You will learn how to hide wires within your designs.

• You will create leaves and learn how to cut and shape their edges.

You will be given a full course kit with everything you need to take part. All materials and tools are provided, so you only need to bring yourself.

If you would prefer, you are welcome to bring your own mug for refreshments and your own drawing materials. This is entirely optional and not required for the course.

Anne Tomlin is an artisan specialising in bespoke, handmade silk flowers. Her work is inspired by her lifelong passion for nature, which began with childhood walks in the countryside. She has a degree in Textiles from West Surrey College of Arts (now UCA, Farnham) and studied millinery at The London College of Fashion. For over two decades, she was one half of the renowned hat label Bailey Tomlin, co-founded with Bridget Bailey. They designed and sold hats to prestigious stores worldwide, including Harrods, Liberty, and Saks Fifth Avenue. Her love for nature and conservation drove Tomlin's transition from millinery to silk flowermaking. She approaches each flower with a detailed, almost "forensic" examination, dissecting it to understand its structure and essence. She then recreates these flowers using a variety of silks, velvets, and other millinery fabrics, using techniques she has developed over the years. These include painting with dyes to achieve a naturalistic, translucent effect, and sculpting parts of the flowers with air-dried clay. She also makes bespoke pieces for brides, works with artist Yinka Shonibare on the floral elements of his sculptures, and has also recently collaborated with milliners Rachel Skinner and Jane Taylor. Anne is also an author and teacher. In 2023, she published the book Making Silk Flowers, which shares her techniques and ideas. She teaches workshops at places like West Dean College, and Hand & Lock, sharing her expertise and encouraging others to observe the natural world more closely. Her work aims to raise awareness about the importance of nature and the conservation of wild meadows. Anne is currently working on a new body of work for an exhibition in 2027.