Thread to Texture - Exploring Texture, Colour and Form with Ruth Hughes

Location: Hand & Lock School for Embroidery & Creative Arts, 86 Margaret Street, Fitzrovia, London, W1W 8TE
Duration: 2 Day Workshop (10am - 4:30pm each day) 

This hands-on workshop is a special guest tutor course with Hand & Lock, led by Ruth Hughes, the artist behind Wild Floss Embroidery. The course explores textured, abstract hand embroidery, where traditional techniques meet contemporary design.

Whether you are new to embroidery or have some experience, this course focuses on creativity, experimentation and personal expression rather than perfection. You will start with the basics: preparing fabric, choosing threads and mastering essential stitches. From there, Ruth will introduce abstract design principles, including texture, movement, layering and colour. You will learn how to turn simple stitches into textured compositions and develop your own designs inspired by shapes, marks and ideas.

You will work on small sampler pieces to try out different techniques, and create a final abstract embroidery that reflects your style. The course emphasises improvisation and shows how embroidery can be used as a mindful, meditative practice.

By the end of the workshop you will have a finished piece to take home, as well as a toolkit of techniques and approaches to continue exploring abstract embroidery. You will also leave with confidence in your own creative style and a new perspective on what embroidery can be.

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Many traditional forms of embroidery are built around repeating motifs and set patterns, but today artists are also exploring embroidery in new ways, using it as a tool for creativity and personal expression.

This workshop focuses on textured, abstract embroidery. Instead of stitching exact shapes or images, you will experiment with layering stitches, mixing colours and varying textures to create pieces that feel dynamic and expressive. Abstract embroidery gives you the freedom to stitch intuitively, almost like painting with thread, capturing movement, mood or ideas rather than a fixed design.

Much of the inspiration comes from the natural world, including patterns in leaves, ripples in water and the way colours shift in a landscape. These organic elements provide a starting point for abstract design, and embroidery offers a hands-on way to interpret them.

The course is designed to make embroidery approachable for everyone, whether you are new to stitching or looking for fresh ideas. You will explore how thread, texture and imagination can come together to create work that is personal and unique.

• You will learn how to prepare fabric and create a secure embroidery hoop setup.

• The course covers thread and yarn selection, blending techniques, and basic colour theory for embroidery.

• You will practise core stitches, including running stitch, backstitch, split stitch, satin stitch and French knots.

• Textural techniques are explored, such as layering stitches, varying tension and creating raised effects using bullion stitch, Drizzle Stitch, Turkey stitch, Woven Picot and weaving.

• You will learn how to use negative space and minimal marks to create impact in your work.

• The course shows how to combine and layer stitches to create movement and flow in abstract designs.

• You will have the opportunity to practise free-form and improvisational stitching.

• Mixed media options are also explored, including beads, sequins and fabric layering or manipulation.

• Finally, you will learn finishing techniques, including securing threads, framing and displaying your embroidery work.

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.

Ruth Hughes is the artist and maker behind Wild Floss Embroidery. Her journey into embroidery began in childhood and has grown into a passion for turning simple stitches into expressive, abstract works of art. She combines traditional hand embroidery techniques with a modern, playful approach, exploring colour, texture and layered designs.

Ruth’s teaching focuses on creativity, experimentation and personal expression. Her workshops encourage students to work intuitively, develop their own style and enjoy the process of stitching without worrying about rules or perfection. Whether participants are new to embroidery or revisiting a familiar skill, she creates a supportive environment that makes embroidery accessible, inspiring and enjoyable.

Much of Ruth’s work is inspired by the natural world, including organic shapes, flowing lines and shifting colours. She brings this sense of observation and experimentation into her teaching, helping students explore texture, layering and abstract design in their own work.

Through her workshops, Ruth aims to share the joy of embroidery, helping students build confidence, develop new skills and create work that is personal and meaningful.