Module 1003: Embroidery for Wearable Art

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) 

Embroidery for Wearable Art combines traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design to create decorative pieces for fashion and accessories. Using hand embroidery techniques, textiles are transformed with carefully stitched embellishments that add texture, detail and character. Embroiderers often work with a range of materials, including silk threads, beads, sequins, crystals and metal threads, to produce unique jewellery and wearable embroidered pieces. 

This unit will teach you how to explore and play with relief away from flat embroidery creating sculptural pieces inspired by the unit brief. The technical elements within this unit are rooted in traditional hand embroidery practice. You will work to elevate your pieces to craft hand embroidered sculptures with wirework, metal threads and silks to craft your own body adornment.  

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.

Drama and Decoration: The Baroque

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. 

This module invites you to immerse yourself in the extraordinary world of couture embroidery through the lens of one of history's most opulent and expressive artistic movements. The Baroque period, flourishing across Europe throughout the seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries, celebrated magnificence on every scale. It was an era defined by theatricality, movement, emotion and an uncompromising commitment to craftsmanship, where architecture, painting, sculpture, fashion and decorative arts worked together to create breathtaking spectacles of beauty and power. 

Throughout this module, you will investigate the visual language of the Baroque and reinterpret its defining characteristics through contemporary embroidery. Drawing upon advanced couture techniques, including Goldwork, Silk Shading, threadwork, stumpwork and a wide range of embellishment methods, you will design and create an original wearable embroidered artwork that captures the richness, movement and decorative ambition of the period. Look beyond fashion to discover inspiration from Baroque architecture, interiors, gardens, sculpture, furniture, jewellery and religious art. Study the flowing curves of acanthus leaves, scrolling cartouches, gilded frames, elaborate ceilings, cherubs, floral garlands, pearls, precious stones, fountains and architectural ornament. Observe the dramatic use of light and shadow in Baroque painting, the illusion of movement in sculpture and the lavish decoration that transformed everyday objects into works of art. 

Your final piece should be seen as a wearable work of art, an object that embodies both exceptional craftsmanship and artistic expression. Consider how embroidery can extend beyond the surface of fabric through raised techniques, sculptural forms, dimensional embellishment and luxurious materials. Experiment with combining metallic threads, pearls, sequins, beads, crystals, silk threads, ribbons and textured fabrics to create depth, movement and richness.

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 moodboards 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

Stem stitch, chain stitch, heavy chain stitch, french knots, satin stitch, padded stain stitch, silk shading (long & short stitch), applique, felt padding, trailing over wire (stumpwork), buttonhole over wire (stumpwork), pearl purl over wire (stumpwork), beading application, sequin application, pearl purl application, chipping, cutwork, soft string padding, applying leather, trellis, essing, beaded essing. 

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.