I regularly offer classes in both hand embroidery and crazy quilting online via workshops at Joggles.com.
How the classes work
There are two major components of online classes, the lessons themselves, and the forum. The lessons are the guts of the class. The lessons are an Adobe PDF document are disseminated to the students by joggles.com. Each student is given a User ID and password as well as the URL to the class webpage where they are expected to go and download each lesson. There is a one lesson per week. I have designed the lessons so that people can work at them as much or as little as they choose. Some people have more time to put into them others do not. I understand this, for this reason I have designed the lessons to be self paced.
The expectation is that the students download each lesson weekly and progress through the class. They can choose to just do a few hours stitching or more. It’s up to the student.
Each student is invited to register at the forums, which is where all class communication takes place. While not real time chat, you can post messages. I check the forum daily to answer questions and join in on the chat. Students can post images of their work online so I can give them feedback. Participation in the forums is totally voluntary but I think this is the fun part of the process as it is where students get feed back from me, bounce ideas off each other and share pleasure in learning a new skill.
New Online Class Studio Journals: A Designer’s Workhorse
Using a Studio Journal will begin on June 27, 2008 click here to order from Joggles.com
Keeping a Studio journal is a process for catching ideas, developing those ideas into designs with the aim of realising those designs in fiber. Unlike an Art journal which aims to be an aesthetic object in its own right a Studio journal is a designers workhorse. Many people confuse the two!
This course covers the process of using a Studio journal to create designs suitable for textiles such as contemporary embroidery, or quilting but not making those pieces up. To use a Studio journal as part of your creative practice you do not have to know how to draw but there are some tricks to establishing a process that leads to a design that can be applied to textiles. This workshop covers the process of how to keep a studio journal, how to develop and idea further, and how to turn it into a design suitable for a project in fiber. Painters keep a sketchbook to take visual notes of what they see but their finished paintings and their sketches are very different. Writers keep notebooks but their published book is not the same as what is first put down. Notebooks are starting points for more developed ideas. Both writers and painters go through a process using their sketches and notes as a starting point. Fiber artists do the same thing when they develop a design. Studio journals can be used as the starting point for textile practitioners. This is what this course is about.
Each week a series of design exercises are introduced. Students work though these in order to develop designs that can be applied to fiber. They aim to develop design skills and the habit of using a studio journal.
Please note that this course is about keeping a studio journal as a work horse not about creating an art journal that is a finished object in its own right. The emphasis is very much on using a studio journal as part of a design process to produce something in fiber. The course contains design exercises and techniques and discusses how these might be applied to textiles. It is a course where students spend their time designing for textiles and working in their Studio Journal rather than working a step by step project. That said I am definitely not going to discourage anyone from jumping in and making something!
Online class - Encrusted Crazy Quilting
Encrusted Crazy Quilting will start on June 19th Click here to order or find out more
One of the delights of crazy quilting is that there are no rules. This is liberating on one hand but for those who are beginners they often get stumped as to where to start and how to control what they do to start! Encrusted Crazy Quilting offers students the opportunity to learn how to piece, develop and heavily hand embellish a crazy quilt block with hand embroidery, beading and exploring different embellishing techniques while solving design, composition and colour issues. This class is suitable for beginners to intermediate crazy quilters.
The first week introduces the course and I cover things such as fabric selection and block assembly. Dealing with colour and applying basic composition tricks to a crazy quilt block are covered.
In week 2 students start to embellish the block. Hand embroidered seam treatments and embroidery that consolidates composition is covered. Building on basic hand stitching techniques, developing combination stitches is covered.
By the third week students are working with motifs. Motif selection, size, balance and placement is discussed. Different possible hand embroidery techniques and treatments such as silk ribbon embroidery and using textured stitches are covered.
In week 4 we take the eye on a journey by building up visual texture. Working with lace, ribbons and braids and further embellishing the crazy quilt block.
In the fifth week we work on further encrusting a block by building up texture working with buttons and beads. The implications of highly textured areas for the composition and design elements of a block are discussed.
The final week covers more possible embellishment techniques and combinations of techniques. Many of these are methods to pull the block together. General tips, tricks, advice on balancing the many elements of design active on a crazy quilt block are offered.
Please direct all orders and inquires about Encrusted Crazy Quilting to Joggles.com.
Classes that will run later in the year
Scrumptious Surfaces
Sumptuous surfaces explores the wonders of highly textured free form contemporary hand embroidery while also developing design skills. Students will learn how designing is accomplished as well as techniques used in free form textured hand embroidery. Students are encouraged to design and make two or three small hand embroidered panels. I suggest students work on fabric postcards as this size is ideal to work as a small design exercise. However if people want to work larger it is their choice.
If you are hesitant about designing your own projects, new hands to embroidery are offered the choice of a number patterns to either directly follow, use as a jumping off point, or see how a design is developed. Those more experienced stitchers are actively encouraged to jump in and design their own piece. This means the course is suitable for beginners to advanced stitchers as you can work at your own skill level.
The first section of the course deals with designing highly textured pieces in monotone. The second section of the course builds on that knowledge and students design and work a piece using colour. Throughout the six week course key concepts in design are covered such as, composition, shape, geometrical and organic shape, space, handling positive and negative space, scale, density, weight, line, movement, direction and texture.
Throughout the course I have focused intensely on texture as design element. Understanding texture is key in the textile arts. An area of interest can be created because it is heavily textured, complex and intricate. Texture is also the element that separates textiles from arts such as drawing or painting. In both drawing and painting texture is represented whereas in textiles we have the option of representing texture or actually working the physicality of texture. In other words the surface can be manipulated in a physical way not just represented. This aspect of textiles sets it apart as a medium.
All my courses are written to be used long after the course is finished. I understand that sometimes life gets in the way and some students are not able to stitch along in the 6 week period. For anyone who finds themselves in this position the teaching material provided will enable you to work through the ideas in a self paced manner.
Course Outline
Week 1
The first week is an introduction to the design process. The same basic process is used to design everything. This process is often described in three steps, Concept, Form and Content. Simply put the Concept is the idea, the form is the technique and the Content is the meaning in the realised project.
In this first week key principals of design are covered in order to develop a design for a monotone piece of embroidery. I cover where to look for design ideas and how to develop them. This week we cover key concepts such as, composition, shape, geometrical and organic shape, space, handling positive and negative space, scale, density, weight, line, movement, direction and texture.
Week 2 and 3
In week one we discussed Concept and developed our designs. In week two and three we look at form. In other words we deal with techniques that can bring your project to fruition. In these two weeks we look at the nuts and bolts of stitching, thread choice, working with textured stitching, found objects and beads.
In these two weeks you give form to your concept. This is the physical part of the design process for embroiderers it is the time when you actively work your ideas in thread. At this stage you can never tell what might happen. Along the way ideas change and develop. Flexibility is an important artistic skill and this attribute and what it does to the design process is discussed.
Week 4
Colour is a huge topic so I have devoted a week to it. In week 4 once again we return to the design process and work up a design in colour. So it is out with a colour wheel, and learning how to use it applied to textiles and in particular hand embroidery. Once again we are exploring ideas on paper or in a visual journal only this time we are dealing with colour principals and design combined. New designs are explored and worked up with an eye to creating them over the final two weeks.
Week 5 and 6
Once again in these two weeks you give form to your concept. In this time block it is the time when you actively make up and stitch your design or designs. This time you learn to handle colour as well as combining the skills learnt in the first section of the course. During these weeks I introduce more stitches and new techniques to help you realize your design.
Throughout the course we will discuss the third step in the design process that of Content. The forum at Joggles provides an ideal place for this, as we can see and discuss the success of a piece. Students can see how their work is being read and interpreted by others. In other words we can ask if the Content of the piece reveals the concept of the piece.
Some students may wish to simply treat everything made in this course as design exercises. That is fine, as that is their chosen concept. The content is a design exercise. Other students may wish to tackle other subjects. This is also fine as I actively encourage all students to learn and develop in their own manner and it makes for an interesting class!
Please direct all orders and inquires about to Joggles.com.
Develop a Personal Library of Stitches will be offered later in 2008
Develop a Personal Library of Stitches aims to assist students to take a personal journey into the world of design in order to discover their own language with thread and needle. It aims at those who are interested hand embroidery and is for those who would like to push their hand stitching and design skills a little further.
In this class I provide instructions on developing the basic stitches and exploring them while also presenting some of the more unusual stitches. For those thinking about taking this class the course is structured in such a way that each week I take a principal of design and apply it to stitches. Students work samplers which are any size and shape of their choice.
The first week introduces the course covering such things as deciding on what format for your sampler might take, suggestions on how you might think about and choose a colour scheme, and I talk about equipment needed and how it is used. I cover how to start and finish your embroidery and finally I look at a few stitches that can act as borders.
In week 2 I look at Point as an element of design. Most people understand what we mean when we talk about a point of emphasis in a work but many people do not understand that the concept of point is applied in numerous ways in design. In design language a point the simplest unit or fragment of design. When you apply this to stitching, the concept of a point can be a single stitch or part of a stitch. We examine isolated stitches and look at how to break stitches into fragments and change various parts of a stitch in order to develop new stitches.
Week 3 we examine stitches that lend themselves to a linear treatment. What is a linear element? How can lines be represented in stitches? There are obvious stitches such as stem stitch and outline stitch but what other stitches can be used as a linear element? How interesting can you make a line? When we vary our threads what sort of line does it produce? What sort of line is created with couching?
Week 4 we examine scale and density as design elements. Stitches can be worked far apart or closely together even overlapped. What happens when we think about these design considerations and apply it to various stitches? What happens when we introduce lacing these stitches, threading or whipping them with another yarn. What do they look like and what can you make from this exploration?
Week 5 we will be looking at direction, movement and shape. Your stitches can be worked back-to-back or flipped. When you do this you are changing the direction and angle of stitches. How does this influence the look of a shape? What happens when we think about these design considerations and apply it? Can these same design considerations be applied to beading?
Week 6 we look at texture and building textured surfaces. What happens when we combine stitches with beads or found objects? In this last week we pull all these elements together and further explore textured crusty surfaces a little more exploring more stitches such as Cast on stitch, Double cast on stitch, Drizzle stitch, double drizzle stitch and Woven stitches.
Please direct all orders and inquiries about Develop a Personal Library of Stitches to Joggles.com.
A notice to students
For anyone who has taken one of my classes please feel free to leave a comment so that people who are thinking of taking a class can read what you thought of them.
March 20, 2007 at 5:42 am
Sharon, Loved your encrusted class. Thank you for hosting it. I learned so much! Now when looking at material, I look to see what I can add to it..beads, buttons, different threads, textures, for instance, a teddy bear, I can outline him, add flowers a hat, etc…so many things to do and add! You have shown me a new way to CQ! and I thank you.
Hugs,
Lori K
March 20, 2007 at 6:38 am
Sharon I can’t begin to thank you enough for the Encrusted Crazy Qulting class!! I’ve learned sooo much more than I thought possible!
Candi
Trust me, I’ll be back for more classes including a repeat in the fall:)! HUGZ
March 21, 2007 at 9:48 am
I’m enjoying the Personal Library of Stitches course very much.
The work that I’ve done/am doing during it is documented over at ’spacious makings’ - link is in my name.
As discussed at the joggles forum board; I have particularly enjoyed seeing the broad range of lovely unique work which has come from your experienced and comfortable approach to tutoring the course.
It is good to see everyone doing their current stitching thing with your guidance and encouragement.
Project-based courses don’t generally appeal to me - this process-oriented approach works well for me. And, evidently, for many other students who have created much good work.
I’ve found the course-forum to be a likeable part of the course-experience too - it’s good to have the opportunity for cyber-contact with a small group of others with a common focus.
I’m very glad I chose to be a student on this six-week course, and heartily recommend future versions of it to those who are drawn to explore their stitching, in cyber-company, and with fine tuition from a passionate stitcher.
The six weekly pdf’s will remain valuable to my stitchery for a long time to come! Rich resources, to be revisited.
Thank you, again.
March 22, 2007 at 5:04 am
Hi,
I just wanted to say how much I have enjoyed the Encrusted Crazy Quilting class that is just winding up. I had done crazy quilting before, and 4 of my 5 blocks had turned out great. The 5th one wasn’t great, and I didn’t know why. With Sharon’s lessons I was able to look at that block again and see what the problem was. She emphasizes design as much as technique, and that is what my block needed. My new blocks (in progress) are lovely, and my head is filled with ideas for more. Again, thank you Sharon.
Jane from Illinois
March 22, 2007 at 5:12 am
I have been enjoying the Personal Library of Stitch development series and, thus, looking forward to the ways the lesson material will have a ripple effect on my fiber art in general. Sharon has a real gift for fostering a supportive learning environment. She also has a flair for written material that can expand and crystallize in different ways as it is reviewed over time. I suspected I would enjoy the process - without a clue of how much I would come to value the changed relationship to so many of the raw materials that I love best.
I would strongly endorse this class as holding equal (and immeasurable!) value for contemporary and traditional stitchers as well as those who are somewhat in between the two extremes. Sharon has a gift for knowing what materials will be most responsive to an individual participant. Everyone is offered just the right mix of freedom and guidance to allow for an authentically personal relationship to the stitches and threads.
March 22, 2007 at 5:45 pm
I’m constantly on the look-out for “design” resources. I mean, you can grab any embroidery/CQ book off the shelf at a library and find several projects. But 99% of those books are “Do this, this, and this. You’ll get this thing that looks EXACTLY the same as this.” What I’m more interested in is finding out how to develop something that fits my particular likes/dislikes. Finding a resource like that is few and far between. But your classes ARE that type of resource.
In many ways, I view your classes as having a book group, where there’s a new update to the book every week. But not only do I get to talk with other readers about the “book” and what they’re doing with it, I get to interact with the writer.
I’ve written a bit more about how I feel about your classes on my blog. I’d copy it here, but it’s quite long. However, I’m putting the permalink here in case anybody decides to read it: http://madebymisa.blogspot.com/2007/03/about-taking-classes-with-sharon.html .
Thank you for offering these classes. I can’t wait until I get to take another class from you!
April 6, 2007 at 3:06 am
I would like to say how much I enjoyed Personal library of stitches classes. If someone´s blog is so excellent then I knew they would be of superb quality. I thought I would learn mainly different stitches - those on-line but also those which ARE NOT on-line. However I never dreamt I am going to learn SO MUCH about DESIGN as well. I found the design part the most exciting of the course for two reasons: 1. as it has been written here in other comments there are very few books which would cover at least some parts of textile design 2. I think design knowledge is the secret behind any good art and craft. I felt like if Sharon´s classes were teaching me “how to walk” so that I can then explore “world” on my own. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this course to anybody interested in learning stitches and design as well whether the knowledge is to be used in traditional OR contemporary embroidery!
April 9, 2007 at 9:51 pm
I have just completed the Personal Library of Stitches class offered by Sharon through Joggles.com. Like others, I wondered whether the class details would be similar to the TAST challenge, but with the first download of notes, quickly realised that the class offers SO much more. Sharon writes in depth about ways to use embroidery stitches, in traditional and contemporary ways, encouraging students to always think outside the box with regard to stitch style, application and design elements.
It is certainly not a prescriptive course, whereby set tasks must be undertaken, but provides initial ideas for explorations that really cannot be learnt unless tackled in practice by the student. The six weeks offer an absolute wealth of information, certainly worth the US$60 cost of the course - I will be referring to this information for many years to come.
The other huge bonus to doing such a course is the interaction with other students through the forum and our associated blogs and websites. My journey through the course was enriched by seeing the amazing work of all the other students.
I would highly recommend this class to anyone interested in expanding not only their knowledge of stitches per se, but their design application in any exercise in embroidery.
August 10, 2007 at 7:41 am
A big thank you Sharon for running the Sumptuous Surfaces course. This would have to be the best online course I have done so far. Not only have I learnt a lot about stitching, I have gained a lot of knowledge on the process of design that I can apply to other mediums as well.To anyone who has enjoyed TAST I highly recommend taking it one step further & doing this course. Anyone who has done one of Sharons online courses knows only too well the amount of effort that Sharon puts into each lesson. There is a wealth of information that can be used again & again, the online forums are immensely beneficial & provide interaction with other students around the world. I’ll definitely be enrolling in more of Sharon’s courses.
August 22, 2007 at 5:38 am
I have just finished Sumptuous Surfaces course and since. I have enjoyed it immensly and would love to recommend it to all fibreartists, not only embroiderers!!! who strive to create their own pieces of art.It provides INVALUABLE AND STEP-BY-STEP information on design process as such with application on hand embroidery. Sharon is a great teacher: the notes are excellent and participants will get her regular feedback on their work.
August 23, 2007 at 7:41 am
Monattka and all thanks for such positive feedback - I appreciate it
August 25, 2007 at 2:18 pm
The encrusted crazy quilting class was just great! I have been crazy quilting for a few years, and still learned a good deal about applying design concepts to textiles. The class provided loads of information and inspiration. I’m hoping to take the sumptuous surfaces class next time around. Sharon, thanks for all the time and effort you put into your classes and the great work you do.
September 28, 2007 at 6:34 pm
Is there any way to get hard copies of your Tuesday stitches…..I would love to do this but will have a lot a catching up to do and if I could print to paper I would not get in trouble for hoggy the puter.
I am also looking for a good beginner set of classes…………..I am new to this,
September 28, 2007 at 7:21 pm
Barb sorry there are no hard copies of the Tuesday stitches. At the moment it is a case of printing out each stitch. They are not classes as such but a challenge which is different.
October 21, 2007 at 5:22 am
I have done the Sumptuous Surfaces course with Sharon, I highly recommend it. I learnt so much about design and use of colour. The online support was excellent via the Joggles forum, you can chat with the rest of the class there and ask as many questions as you like. I was so impressed that I have enrolled for the Personal Library of Stitches Course. I plan to do as many of Sharon’s courses as possible!
Denise
October 21, 2007 at 11:32 pm
I did it! Signed up for the Personal Library of Stitches Class. Am greatly encouraged by what some of the ladies have said about the classes. Looking forward to getting the supply list soon.
Like the idea of a cleaning out of my bedroom sewing corner. Right now it’s so bad I can hardly reach the bookcase that holds my materials so much is stacked in front of it. As for weighing it, doubt if that will happen. Pictures are a good idea though.
Still enjoying TAST and stitching away. Recently began a crazy block.
November 21, 2007 at 8:37 pm
Hi Sharon,
I love your website and have used it as a reference for my little projects. I have started learning the stiches using your stich dictionary as a reference. Someday i hope i can do quilting too as i am absolutely enamoured by your crazy quilt designs.
November 22, 2007 at 7:05 am
hi!
i would love to take an online course. please let me know what’s available at this time and any info necessary.
looking forward to learning from you.
chris munvez
November 22, 2007 at 7:07 am
hi, please let me know what class is available at this time and any info i need to enroll.
looking forward to working with you.
chris munvez 9850 zelzah ave. #306
northridge, ca 91325 818-800-4383
December 11, 2007 at 5:47 pm
Hi Sharon,
Please, let me know what date you plan to make another Scrumptious surfaces course on-line.
Actually I’m “working hard” on your Encrusted Crazy Quilting and it’s so wonderful - that’s my first class and I really enjoy it so much
Please rectify me if you find some mistakes (they are coming from France)
December 12, 2007 at 4:05 am
I don’t understand
December 12, 2007 at 6:50 am
I have done Sharon’s Sumptuous Surfaces and am in the middle of her Personal Library of Stitches and can recommend them to everyone. My embroidery skills were almost nonexistent when I began but this has not been a problem.
I decided to try the class, Sumptuous Surfaces, because I was interested in the design elements mentioned in the writeup on the course and was not disappointed - the lessons have been invaluable. The feedback is amazing. Thankyou Sharon.
marg
December 12, 2007 at 7:12 am
Christiana
I am pleased to hear that you have enjoyed the class. The class dates for next year are still being organised and will probably be announced next week. I will announce it on my blog and Joggles will send out a newsletter too. But it will run early in the year.
December 23, 2007 at 8:55 am
I just wanted to leave a comment re your wonderful Sumptuous Surfaces class. I’m still working through the materials that you provide and it was such good value for money. the forum and flickr group were/are very supportive and I gained a huge sense of achievement. The design process and colour theory and exercises that you provided were very stimulating and a great jumping of point for developing lots of ideas. thank you.
looking forward to your visual journal course! hint hint hint
merry christmas
x
January 15, 2008 at 11:51 pm
Hi, I just signed up for your Sumptuous Surfaces class and I’m really looking forward to it. After reading all the wonderful reviews, I’m sure I won’t be disappointed. I love reading your blogs. They are so full of information and inspiration.
Cheers!
January 26, 2008 at 2:27 pm
Hi,
I just checked joggles.com for the Personall Library of Stitches and it says the class is not scheduled yet. I’ve notified them to let me know when it is. I love your site and work and look forward to learning more stitches.
Here’s to a great 2008 (politicians aside)
February 11, 2008 at 2:15 am
Hi Sharon, I have taken your other 2 classes , but have not been able to sign up for the Sumptuous Surfaces class at this time. Will it be offered again?
I hope to not have to miss out on this wonderful class!
Barb
March 3, 2008 at 7:55 pm
I have been doing your Sumptuous Surfaces class with Joggle’s. I am a newcomer to hand embroidery and just wish to say how much I am learning from your workshop. I am one of the quiet and slow ones but there is so much information to digest and I am learning so much especially about designing a piece of work. Thankyou I will be working from your lessons for quite a while. Una
March 7, 2008 at 5:16 pm
I am a total beginner and i would love to learn embroidery and quilt encrusting Please give all details of online course and the costs of tuition . Many thanks Regards
March 16, 2008 at 9:59 am
Dear Sharon:
I just checked with Joggles about your class which began in January. They said it’s out of stock.
Do you think you can offer that class again in the future for the people like me who missed it?
Thank you. I enjoy your site very much.
nga smith
March 31, 2008 at 9:59 pm
Hi Sharon,
Remember me? It’s been a long time, but I do keep up with you by reading your wonderful blog. As I mentioned to you about a year ago, my husband was relocated to Rhode Island, and I’m still settling in, having a difficult time feeling comfortable here, and missing my life in New Jersey so very much. I did have to change email service providers when we moved, and in the process, lost your email address. In addition to wanting to say hi, I was wondering if you have scheduled an online class for “Keeping a Visual Journal”. I believe you mentioned that it was in the works for 2008, and I’d love to participate. If you have a minute, would you drop me a line and let me know?
In the meantime, I hope you and your family are well. I miss chatting with you from time to time, and hope you’ll keep in touch.
As always, warmest regards,
Marilyn
P.S. Are you still interested in buttons? I came into a huge stash of them, and would love to send some along if you’d like to have them. Let me know.