Sculptural Goldwork Octopus with Michelle Agnew

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

Duration: 6 Week Embroidery Course (1 x 2.5 hour session per week for 6 consecutive weeks) 

Date: 30th January - 6th March 2026 (10am - 12.30pm - Fridays)

Dive into 3D Sculptural Goldwork embroidery with a six-week online course led by Michelle Agnew, where you’ll create your own metalwork octopus. Each 2.5-hour session will guide you through a blend of traditional Goldwork and Stumpwork techniques, offering a unique exploration of texture, movement and depth.

You’ll learn how to harness the sculptural qualities of Stumpwork - with a few contemporary twists - to bring to life the dynamic motion of an octopus. Innovative techniques will help you shape the tentacles so they twist dramatically off the fabric, giving your piece a striking three-dimensional quality.

Throughout the course, you’ll explore the enchanting details of this sea creature, gaining expertise in crafting intricate textures with Goldwork threads and sculptural effects that add life and drama to your embroidery.

By the end of the six weeks, you’ll have a one-of-a-kind embroidered octopus that captures the essence of one of the ocean’s most enigmatic inhabitants, along with a strong foundation in combining Stumpwork and Goldwork for bold, contemporary designs.

• 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.

This design draws inspiration from the captivating movement and otherworldly beauty of octopuses. Known for their intelligence and fluid grace, these sea creatures offer endless creative possibilities for sculptural embroidery. The twisting tentacles, shifting textures and subtle metallic tones reflect the octopus’s ability to adapt and transform, making it the perfect subject for combining traditional Goldwork with dimensional Stumpwork. The design captures a moment of motion, as if the creature is drifting through the water, allowing you to explore dynamic shapes and intricate detailing while pushing the boundaries of surface embroidery.

Michelle Agnew is a Canadian artist specializing in sculptural goldwork embroidery. With training from the Royal School of Needlework, she transforms traditional embroidery into a three-dimensional art form through impressionistic goldwork. Michelle’s work merges the ancient craft of goldwork with contemporary techniques, re-contextualizing it within modern frameworks. Her approach aims to celebrate the medium's versatility and honour the craft’s rich heritage while expanding its boundaries, creating visually striking and conceptually engaging artworks.

Michelle is also a Freeman of The Worshipful Company of Gold and Silver Wyre Drawers.

• You will begin with soft string and felt padding to build structure and relief in your design

• You will cover padded areas with metal threads to create beautiful cutwork and chipping

• You will learn how to couch and tie back for a neat and professional finish

• You will discover how to attach Pearl Purl and spangles with precision and control

• You will explore traditional Goldwork techniques with a contemporary twist, applying classic methods to modern designs

• 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.