This two-day workshop invites you to explore the art of garment customization and elevation through couture stitching and embellishment.

In a time when fast fashion is dominant, this retreat offers an opportunity to slow down and focus on enhancing garments with thoughtful, hand-crafted details.

Under the guidance of an expert in couture embroidery, you’ll learn a range of techniques to create decorative elements using beads, sequins, and specialty threads. This hands-on experience will teach you how to elevate your garments with intricate embellishments and refined stitching techniques.

By the end of the two days, you will have created an embroidered organza patch that showcases your new skills, ready to be appliquéd to a well loved garment. (shirts, dresses, blazers, trousers – no stretch material).

Over the weekend you will learn the following techniques:

Couture Stitch Techniques: In response to mark-making exercises, you will translate line and texture using stitches such as couching, stem stitch, and satin with unconventional thread types.

Beading & Sequins: Discover how to securely attach embellishments to create clusters, bridges, and fringes, adding a luxurious and personalized touch to your garments.

Appliqué Techniques: Master the art of neatly and securely attaching embroidered patches to fabric, ensuring a clean and professional finish.

MEET YOUR TUTOR

Beth designs and creates embroidery that she works directly onto clothes to give them new life and value. With a hands-on approach to design, she realises ideas through rigorous exploration of process based in the context of stitch and fabric manipulation, often mixing machine with hand techniques.

Interested in biomimicry, Beth takes visual information from details in nature. With a strong focus on sustainability and craftsmanship, her work reflects not only technical expertise but also a deep passion for creating meaningful, environmentally conscious designs.

Beth graduated from Falmouth University in the summer of 2023 with a degree in textile design, where she specialised in mixed media and embroidery. Recognised for the “bravery, juxtaposition and beauty” of her work, Beth was awarded the New Designer of the Year award at New Designers 2023 as well as being named an Embroiderer’s Guild Graduate. Having also been awarded the Wilcom Associate Prize, Beth was able to continue her exploration into digital embroidery, using the technique to develop new fabrics and ultimately a zero-waste garment.

Beth is a recent graduate of the CHANEL and King’s Foundation Métiers D’Art Fellowship. As part of the program, she was professionally trained at Lesage where she gained and refined hand embroidery techniques for the luxury market.

Tutor: Beth Somerville
Date & Time: Sat 31st May, 10am - 4pm & Sun 1st June, 10am - 3:30pm  
Venue: Scissors Studio, New Brewery Arts  

PRICE:   
Residential Option (including 2-night stay)  
£380 (£0.00 VAT)  
  
Non-residential Option  
£320 (£0.00 VAT)  

Who is this for?

This workshop is for those aged 18 and over.  

Although this workshop can accommodate beginners, having some hand sewing or general embroidery experience would be useful.

This workshop supports you to advance your embroidery skills by learning more specialist techniques in the context of upcycling.

What you will need:

All materials will be provided.   

You are welcome to bring a lidded bottle of water with you but we kindly ask that you do not bring food into the studio.

For more information:   
Visit our FAQ page 

Accommodation

You will be staying in our stylish accommodation on site. The Barrel Store accommodation will be reserved for students for the whole weekend and you will each have a room of your own. 2-night stay includes Friday 30th & Saturday 31st May.

An additional 1-night stay on Sunday 1st June is an optional extra.  

Catering

This weekend residential course includes breakfast and lunch as well as teas, coffees and homemade cake.

For your evening meal, you will have access to a fully equipped kitchen in your accommodation. Alternatively, we have a number of recommendations for eateries in Cirencester.

If you are attending the 2-day ‘Non-residential Option’ lunch on both days is included in the ticket price, as well as teas, coffees and homemade cake.