The course will involve:
- Following the pattern provided to cut the abaca to leverage the grain of the fabric
- Learning how to paint the petals to give a natural effect
- Creating delicate thread stamens
- Understanding and practising forming the flowers and subsequently creating a vine
Skill Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced Required – Any level
Student Supplies (Minus sewing kit):
- .5 m silk Abaca in natural colour
- PVA stiffener
- 2 – 3 Small pots of different coloured acid dyes. A good one is Easifix ALLinONE Acid dye crystals – available here. coloucraft-ltd.com No added fixatives needed, or Jacquard Acid dyes work well (you may need some malt vinegar to ensure the dye is fixed)
- 3 – 5 Small paintbrushes. Small flat artists brushes are good or small household paintbrushes will do
- 3 – 5 glass jars to hold water and liquids
- Old newspapers (this is a necessity as other paper is not as good)
- Paper covered wire 22 / 26 gauge, this can be florist or cake making wire
- Glue (this can be a Uhu or fabric glue)
- 2 Threads, similar colours to your choice of dyes
- Pattern template (supplied by us)
- Jewellery Wire appro 0.315mm Guage
- A collection of Bugle beads
Prep work
- Stiffen abaca with pva diluted 1:3, paint it onto the abaca on both sides and then wipe off any excess with a paper towel making sure it is all covered. Then either hang up to dry or dry with a hair dryer. Follow by ironing it flat again, the shine of the fabric will come back. Cut out the template which will be sent to you a week before the course
Required Classroom Amenities (sink, sewing machine, etc):
- Scissors
- Measuring tape
- Hairdryer
- Water spray
Course outcomes:
You will leave with:
- Knowledge of painting on silk abaca
- Practice at how to mix dyes to make colours and shades
- An understanding of how to create flowers from silk abaca
- The ability to vine flowers and leaves together
- The know how to create fine and delicate stamens
To see more photos of our students work on this course, please link to the following facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pg/jrmillineryschool/photos/?tab=album&album_id=410445582974921