Module 1001: Goldwork Embroidery

Location: This course is delivered online via Zoom & WhatsApp

Duration: 10 Week Embroidery Course (1 x 3 hour session per week for 10 consecutive weeks) 

Goldwork is the art of embroidery using metal threads.  The term 'goldwork' is used even when the threads are imitation gold, silver, or copper, or coloured allowing for an array of textures and colours to express your vision in.

This unit will teach you how to explore and push the boundaries with metal threads in a design creation inspired by the brief below. Taking inspiration from traditional Goldwork embroidery, this unit explores ancient techniques in a contemporary way showcasing metal thread work at its best.

Entry Requirements:  No formal qualifications are required for joining the course, but those who have never embroidered before are encouraged to attend at least one Hand & Lock online course first.

Gilded Legacy: Art Deco

Each of our Diploma units has a bespoke design brief to help you begin to craft your design ideas. *Disclaimer: The amount of inspiration you take from the brief is up to you, the brief is designed as a guide to assist you in starting the design process and can be taken in any direction you desire as long as it is explained. 

Art Deco was the defining visual language of modern luxury. Emerging in the 1920s and 1930s, it celebrated progress, innovation and craftsmanship through bold geometry, elegant symmetry and exquisite decorative detail. It was a movement that embraced both tradition and modernity, combining exceptional artisan skill with the excitement of a rapidly changing world. From the soaring skyscrapers of New York to the glamour of ocean liners, the elegance of couture fashion, the sparkle of fine jewellery and the opulence of grand cinemas, Art Deco transformed every aspect of design. Its iconic motifs, radiating sunbursts, stepped forms, chevrons, fans, streamlined curves and repeating geometric patterns, continue to influence contemporary architecture, interiors, fashion and decorative arts. 

Your task is to research the world of art deco and identify an aspect of the movement that excites and inspires you personally. This might be a specific designer, a building, a piece of jewellery, a film, a fashion house or a broader theme within the movement. Use your chosen focus as the foundation for an original piece of Goldwork embroidery that celebrates and reinterprets the decorative language of Art Deco in your own creative voice. 

You are encouraged to look at how gold functions not only as decoration, but as a structural and symbolic element: framing space, defining form, and conveying meaning through a strong technical foundation in traditional Goldwork techniques. Couching, padding, chipping, and the use of a variety of metal threads will enable you to build texture, dimension and intricate surface detail. Consider how lines of metal thread can define architectural structure, how reflective surfaces capture and direct light, and how raised elements can create rhythm, depth and dramatic contrast. Explore the interplay between polished and textured finishes, balancing bold geometric forms with intricate surface detail to achieve a composition that feels both refined and visually striking.

Week 1: Introduction to the course

Students meet each other and tutors

Course overview (mark schemes, submitting work, deadlines, how the course will run)

Brief Overview (review of the content of the brief for the Module)

Research and Design (design techniques, creating moodboards, using resources, Hand & Lock resources, guidelines for research and design)

Guidelines of work that need to be produced 

Week 2: Design Session

In this session you will learn the basics of designing. Taking elements of your mood board and creating an inspiring composition. 

Your tutor will show you several different ways to start creating your initial design ideas as well as some drawing exercise to get you warmed up.

Week 3 - 4: Embroidery Sampling

Embroidery Sampling - week by week sessions of taught content using the embroidery kit and materials provided to create your class sampler

Students will be working on their design ideas in their own time. Emailing ideas over to the tutor for feedback.

Week 5: Application & Embroidery Sampling

Design Application presentation 

Embroidery Sampling - week by week sessions of taught content using the embroidery kit and materials provided to create your class sampler

Week 6: Embroidery Sampling

Embroidery Sampling - week by week sessions of taught content using the embroidery kit and materials provided to create your class sampler

Week 7: Final Design Presentations

Students to present their final designs and talk about their designs to students and tutors 

Week 8: Stitch Planning

Stitch plan presentation, students will learn what is required and how to turn their design into a set of stitch plans. 

Tailored help and advice sessions for students as they realise their final designs tweaking stitching and plans week by week

Week 9: Combining Embroidery Techniques

Learn how to take all of the embroidery techniques you have learnt and create something new and relevant to your final design.

Week 10: Your Formative Hand In 

Final session with the tutor, help and advice on designs, submission guidelines etc. 

How to create a finalised Diploma Module Submission, looking at past students' submissions.

After the live taught teaching session (optional)

Week 24: Formative Submission 

All students hand in their first submission for feedback and advice.

Between week 24 - 104: Final submission 

Students will have two years from the start of the course to create their final piece. 

Kit List

Included within this course is a generous kit of basic materials for you to produce the fundamental technique samples within this unit of the Diploma.

We encourage you to be as creative as possible and we would love for you to source your own original materials to add to the final piece you create with us. When you sign up to the course we will share our comprehensive list of suppliers for any materials you would like to purchase additionally. This is not mandatory but it is encouraged as you will be able to explore individual design creativity. Students will also receive 10% off the Hand & Lock shop online and in person for the duration of their course. 

You will need to source a slate frame or 10 inch embroidery hoop for working each unit (this frame/hoop can then be used across all of your units). Students will also need to have drawing and designing implements for the design elements of the course. Please ensure you have pens, pencils, coloured pencils, paints and any additional materials you would like to design with. 

See below for Technical and Shipping information, please make sure to read all of this before booking

Embroidery Design Elements

Each unit of the Diploma includes an element of hand embroidery design. This can often be seen as intimidating but we encourage you to see it as the most exciting aspect of the course as you can craft your own pieces. Our tutors will guide you through the design process from creating mood boards and researching your designs to creating your final stitch and padding plans. No prior design or drawing experience is required for the course.

Embroidery Techniques

Felt padding, soft string padding, hard string padding, passing thread in a circle, basketweave with passing thread, or nue, cutwork over padding , flat cutwork, patchwork cutwork, chipping, pearl purl application, overstretched pearl purl, plate, plate over padding, essing, essing over spangles, spangles in fish scale, applying leather, goldwork chain, goldwork feather, goldwork knots, goldwork crushed and loops. 

You will also learn how to take these techniques and apply them to your design. Learning how to manipulate and experiment with the traditional embroidery to create something new and exciting. 

Assessment Information

Assessment of work is completely optional, students will be awarded with a Certificate of Completion if they choose not to submit their work for marking and a Certificate of Achievement if they do. The Certificate of Achievement will detail the level achieved through the assessment process. There are three submission points. The first two submissions occur as you are completing each unit to provide you with detailed feedback as you work through the unit to give you a clear direction and understanding of improvements and developments. The final submission is then used to determine your final assessment mark.