Stitch, Meditate, Om

Alma Stoller

There is nothing as comforting as hand sewing.

With needle and heart in hand, I fall into a steady rhythm that calms and soothes me.

There is creative magic and meditation in every stitch and in every stitch exist an Om. This class will start with a demonstration of a few of my favorite hand sewing applications from embroidery, trapunto, furrowing, beading and more. Then you will create your own sampling of these techniques onto a freeform and intuitively assembled art quilt. This class will focus on the art of hand work.... hand sewing, hand appliqué, hand beading and fabric manipulation. This is a great class to take in order to end the retreat on a calm and creative mode. Perfect for the beginner and experienced needle artist.

Check out my blog for more examples of this workshop at almastoller.typepad.com sewing machine is optional.

Supply List:

• a baggy of fabric scraps (silks, wool, felt, sheer)
• four- 100% cotton fat quarters (solid colors)
• four- 100% cotton fat quarters (with pattern)
• fabrics scraps with flowers on it
• 1/2 a yard of felt
• 1/2 a yard of muslin
• thimble....very important
• colored pencils or crayons
• Micron pen or fabric pen
• face, flower, organic rubber stamps
• rubber stamp ink pad for fabric (Palette is great)
• 2 packets of silk ribbon embroidery floss
• embroidery needles
• embroidery floss in various colors
• beads in an assortment of sizes and colors
• black beading thread size D
• sewing kit: pins, scissors, pin cushion
• appliqués: odd bits of handmade embellishments like, crochet or knitted bits, crazy quilt block, machine-sewn scraps, flowers, bits of lace, bits of embroidery, anything you might want to recycle.
  
  NOTE:
• sewing machine is optional
• I will bring a handful of items to share.
• I don’t use an embroidery hoop because I like to allow the fabric to warp and shape itself.
  
  
• Feel free to bring one if you’d like.