Woolly Workshops - Free machine embroidery - tension techniques

This workshop is intended to give you a grounding in the exciting and varied textures you can produce with your sewing machine by exploring tension techniques. We will look briefly at how to produce whip and feather stitch using the top tension but the main focus of the day will be on working with bobbin tension and learning the possibilities of Cable Stitch.

The emphasis will be on experimentation using your own range of threads and these might also include smooth yarns more usually associated with hand embroidery to include: ribbons, stranded cotton, stranded crewel wool, fine knitting wool, perle threads, silk and so on. The day is for you to produce your own interesting range of samples.

Note: We will be altering the bobbin tension on vertical loading machines (some people prefer to buy a spare bobbin case to play with but this is not necessary as there is a simple trick that you will learn to reset your bobbin case back to normal) and bypassing the tension mechanism on horizontal loading machines.

Friday 26 October, 9.30am – 3.30pm. Tutor: Molly Tufness

Suitable for: people already confident with simple free machine embroidery
Materials – Sewing machine in excellent order where the feed dogs can be lowered or covered and where you can control top tension and set stitch length and width to 0/calico/any pre-dyed fabric/machine embroidery threads/threads as described in publicity/usual sewing kit/8” wooden embroidery hoop/a proper screw drivers/your sewing machine instruction booklet

Cost: £28

All our workshops are at the Liskerrett Community Centre this year. Their Hub Cafe serves delicious vegetarian food at affordable prices – why not treat yourself to lunch while you’re there.

You can book in person or over the phone at Liskeard TIC which is in the same building as the museum on Pike Street, 01579 349148

For details of all this year’s workshops click here

If you have any queries please email [email protected]