Learn about Free-Motion stitching, how to Embroider with your sewing machine. These are practical sessions with live demonstrations. You will be given plenty of tips, guidance and advice on how to use Free-Machine Embroidery. There will be a number of exercises to guide you through the process of setting up your machine, and plenty of encouragement and support to develop confidence and inspiration, so you too can Free-Motion stitch plants and flowers. See what's possible - follow Ruth's stunning work: website: https://www.rooparkinsontextiles.co.uk or instagram@rooparkinson
Course aim
Develop your confidence and skills to use Free-Motion stitching.
Do I need any particular skills or experience?
- You will need your own personal email address so that you’re able to login to the WEA’s digital learning platform: WEA Canvas. You will need to be able to understand how to follow URL links to pages on the internet. If you want to understand more about Canvas please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- You will need to be able to follow links to join our WEA live video learning platform: WEA Zoom. If you’d like to understand more about our video learning platform, Zoom please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline and http://bit.ly/ZoomSpec
- This is a live lecture delivered by a subject specialist in an online webinar video learning platform. You will need to be able to access the internet on a device with speakers or earphones. There will be opportunities to take part in discussions and chats. If you’d like to know how to use Zoom please visit: http://bit.ly/ZoomSpec
- This course is suitable for beginners and improvers
By the end of the course I should be able to:
- Set up my sewing machine for Free-motion Embroidery.
- Practise using Free-Motion stitch to create random lines and patterns.
- Look at the shapes and patterns of plants or flowers and make simple drawings with a pen or pencil to work from.
- Explore using Free-motion Embroidery to draw the shapes of flowers or plants.
How will I be taught?
- The WEA tutor will use a range of different teaching and learning methods and encourage you and the group to be actively involved in your learning
- You may be asked to undertake additional work in your own time to support your learning
What kind of feedback can I expect?
- You will have opportunities to discuss your progress with your tutor
- You will be encouraged to share your work with the group and discuss your learning
What else do I need to know?
- You will need a personal email address to join the WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas so that you can receive resources, record your progress and achievement and to work with others and share ideas. If you want to understand more about our digital learning platform please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- You will need a sewing machine for this class with the facility to lower the feed-dog teeth. You will also need a Darning Foot, Embroidery hoop and a basic sewing kit of fabric, small scissors and a range of sewing machine threads in different colours. A notebook, a pencil and air erasable pen.
Pre-course work, reading and information sources
- No pre reading is required but research on the subject on the internet or in the library may be helpful
What can I do next?
- Progress to another WEA course
- Progress to a course with another provider
Download full course information sheet
Free-Motion Embroidered Plants and Flowers with Artist Ruth Parkinson-Johns







