Art Nouveau Lilies Silk Shading

Location: This course is delivered via Zoom & WhatsApp. Please click here for guides to using Zoom & WhatsApp

Duration: 4 Week Embroidery Course (1 x 2.5 hour session per week for 4 consecutive weeks)

Date: 10th February - 3rd March (6:00pm-8:30pm - Tuesdays)

Join us for our Art Nouveau Inspired Lilies in Silk Shading course and explore the art of thread painting. In this course you will learn how to prepare your fabric for silk shading and begin by working on design templates to understand the fundamentals of stitch direction and shading.

You will see how stitch direction follows the natural growth of each petal and how the petals overlap to create a design that flows in harmony. You will create both a stitch direction plan and a shading plan so you have a clear map before you begin working on the fabric itself.

You will then learn how to create seamless blends with long and short stitches, building colour transitions that give silk shading its softness and depth. You will add touches of silver metal thread for light and detail and practice satin stitch, learning how to keep the angle of your stitches consistent across the piece.

By the end of the course you will have the skills to bring natural forms to life with silk shading, combining the elegance of Art Nouveau design with the precision of traditional hand embroidery.

• Check your shipping address and email are correct before ordering.

• Please read all of the course description information above and the technical and shipping information below before booking your course.

• All courses are non refundable, if you cannot attend please let us know as soon as possible and we will try to move you to another course.

• If you have any questions please check our FAQ's page here

The design for this course is inspired by the flowing forms of Art Nouveau. Lilies, with their sweeping petals and natural curves, were a favourite motif of the period and lend themselves beautifully to silk shading. The style’s emphasis on movement and harmony is reflected in the stitch direction, where each petal grows outwards with grace. By pairing soft shading with touches of silver thread, the design captures both the delicacy and refinement that define Art Nouveau, giving you the chance to create a piece that feels timeless and elegant.

Silk shading embroidery, also called thread painting or needle painting, is a technique used to create realistic images with silk thread. It started in 16th and 17th century Europe, especially in France, Italy and England, where embroidery was a highly prized art. Early pieces often featured flowers, religious scenes and portraits, worked on silk or velvet. By blending colours carefully and changing the direction of stitches, embroiderers could capture subtle tones and create a luminous, three-dimensional effect.

The technique is defined by smooth colour transitions and the use of long-and-short stitches to mimic brushstrokes. Creating realistic shading takes patience and careful attention to stitch length, direction and colour. Over time, silk shading moved from purely decorative embroidery to a fine art, often called needle painting.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, silk shading became popular in England and France. It was used to decorate clothing, household linens and church textiles. It was also taught to women in schools and salons as a refined skill. During the Victorian era, naturalistic designs of flowers, birds and landscapes were especially popular, often made with incredible detail.

The 20th century brought a revival, with needlework enthusiasts and textile artists recreating the realistic effects of classical silk shading. Today it is taught in specialist schools and workshops using high-quality silk thread and fine fabrics. Modern artists continue to experiment with the technique, from lifelike portraits to contemporary designs.

Silk shading embroidery is admired for turning thread into lifelike imagery. Its appeal lies in the skill and patience it requires, and the way silk catches the light, adding depth, vibrancy and a timeless beauty to every piece.

• Across this special four-week Hand & Lock embroidery course you will be introduced to the fundamentals of silk shading embroidery, demystifying the process and making it accessible and enjoyable.

• You will start by working away from the fabric using our design template, creating your own stitch directions and shading plans. This will help you understand how stitch direction reflects the natural growth of the petals from their centre.

• Next, you will learn to prepare the outlines of the petals with a delicate split stitch edging. This technique protects the warp and weft of the thread as you work.

• Following your stitch direction outlines, you will use long-and-short stitches to blend different shades of thread across the petals of the lilies. You will explore stitch placement and how to vary stitch lengths to create smooth, natural shading.

• You will then practise satin stitch to achieve the most even angles possible, with guidance from our expert tutors.

• Finally, you will add finishing touches to your piece, including delicate silver passing thread details, bullions for the lily stamens, and other metal threads to complete your embroidery.

• All course materials will be sent directly to you. You will need a 10-inch seat frame, or an equivalent embroidery or slate frame, to use during the class. You will also need to provide your own basic embroidery equipment, such as scissors, needle threaders and a daylight lamp, according to your individual needs. 

• When you book the course, we will send you our Embroidery Essentials document, which outlines all the tools and equipment you might want to have ready to get the most out of your learning experience.

• A recording of each course session will be sent to you within one week of the session. You will then be able to keep and refer to this recording indefinitely.