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Barbara Shelly Trees and Tracery
This list is offered as a guide. As you read it through, you will note that the sewing machine, background fabrics, needles, threads and cutting tools are essential. Many of the other suggestions fall into the category of, "If you have it, bring it!" Mindful of the fact that in our intimate location, there will be no opportunities to buy supplies, bring more rather than less, tap into your "this may never see the light of day" stash of 'weird' stuff, all with the intention of sharing. If everyone adopts this attitude, each and every artist will have access to a rich and varied inventory.
- MACHINES AND TOOLS
- Sewing Machine - A standard sewing machine with these simple features: straight and zigzag stitches, the ability to drop the feed dog (or cover it with a metal plate), and the ability to alter the tensions. It is easier to work with a simple, familiar machine. In addition to your standard feet (straight stitch, zigzag) you will need a darning foot and a couching foot (perhaps a pile foot only if you have one). An extension platform is beneficial but not essential, and you will need oil, a light brush or Q-tips for daily servicing.
- Bobbins - We will be loading and changing bobbins constantly. Bring as many as you can round up (8 - 12 minimum), and leave some empty!
- Machine Needles - Chances of breaking needles increases with freestitching, so bring several #80(11) #90(14) and #100(16) needles. Jean or Denim needles are useful for heavy backgrounds, but for the most part, you can work with standard needles (Universal and Embroidery) in new condition. Long Eye needles (also known as Metafil) are the key to sewing metallic, invisible and other specialty threads. Remember your screwdriver or small wrench for tightening needles.
- Roller blade cutter and mat, set square or quilter's ruler. Metal T-square is useful. Barbara will bring two, probably adequate for class needs.
- Scissors - fabric shears, thread snips, seam ripper.
- Pins - (just a few long pins with plastic tops), needles (including double eye for pulling threads to back) and thimble.
- Fray Check, Iron Cleaner, Extension cord (and Power Bar if you need protection for computer machine).
- Portable Working Wall. Continuously, throughout our days, we will be pinning up our work, not only as a means of personal insight, but for group discussion. Please bring your own working wall and push pins.
- Three Ring Binder with paper, or sketchbook for notes and samples. Coloured pencils (and/or pens) in black, browns, greys, taupe, moss, rust-colours in the forest. Various weights in pens and pencils will allow more freedom in notating information for later reference in the classroom. Just bring a collection of what you have.
- A Digital Camera can be very useful for recording visual details in the forest environment (our raw material). It can also be used to capture sequential steps in our work-in-progress, as well as the work of classmates during group critiques. If you have a chance to photograph or collect pictures detailing bark and roots, leaf veins and branches, you will find this material beneficial.
- A magnifying glass if you have one.
- FABRICS AND THREADS
- Background Fabrics - lightweight unbleached painter's canvas (cotton duck - available at Opus and other art suppliers) is a great surface to work on, and a yard will probably suffice for the two-day session. Any flat woven linen, cotton or wool in sizes over 12", backed with interfacing. In addition to light backgrounds, you will also work with light threads on medium and dark neutrals - i.e.: grey, black, taupe, tan, cream, brown, green, moss, etc. Gauze can be useful, and heavily stained tablecloths (clean) provide interesting points of departure. A few small pieces of fabric such as felt, velvets, tweed and leather will be useful for the odd bit of applique (i.e. leaves, bark). Handmade papers can be incorporated into textile compositions.
- Barbara will provide 1 yard of heavyweight interfacing for each student, but backings will be required for each of your background fabrics, so bring extra if you can. You may need small amounts of interfacing and other heat sensitive fusing products for positioning applique details.
- Solvy - supplied by Barbara. Bring a sponge and a small plastic covered bowl for water.
- Net and unspun fleece - Barbara will supply a small selection of coloured net and fleece that you can supplement if you have bits and pieces.
- Collect all your scrap threads (long, short, tangled - from sewing and serging, yarn cuttings, roller blade trimmings (selvages) kinky, unraveled knits, etc. Don't hesitate to check your waste basket in the next few weeks!
- Sewing machine threads - cotton, polyester, cotton/poly blends of good quality in a wide variety of hues, shades, tints and graduations. Cones are a good bulk source. Metallics, variegated threads, heavy weight threads for quilting, topstitching and buttonholing can be used in top and bobbin positions. When working on light backgrounds, we will be using a variety of values in one hue (i.e. browns from light to dark, and from warm to cool). We can also work white or light line on medium and dark backgrounds, which will call for a variety of hues and values in the lighter threads.
- Embroidery threads and needles. Look for the earthy colours that will enhance your forest theme.
- Novelty threads and yarns. It doesn't matter how small the length, all bits are useful. Look for oddments in shiny, matte, twisted, mixed and blended, nubbly, metallic yarns as well as raffia and string.
- Invisible threads in smoky and clear.
- A few small beads to complement or highlight your forest colour schemes, beading needle.