Wool Embroidery, Tree of Life
Wool Embroidery, Tree of Life with Laura Berlage
Known as “long and short,” “thread painting” or “silk shading,” this beautiful embroidery technique can be elusive and tricky, but greatly rewarding once mastered. This class is designed to give you that mastery, whether when starting the stitch, feathering from one color to the next, or combining or splitting shapes. Slip into the Zen-like feel of the process as you gain confidence and stitch a beautiful design in wool embroidery yarn from the instructor’s sheep. Students will also explore stitching on a decorative fabric (damask) with a muslin backing for stability. This class is designed for students who have taken Laura’s Wool Embroidery Level-2 course or intermediate experienced stitchers.
This small group class is presented in collaboration with John C. Campbell Folk School and Lessonface. Participants should enroll at least two weeks before start to ensure materials kits arrive in time. If registering after this point, your kit may arrive after the first session. Students are invited to attend an optional Orientation and Closing Ceremony to connect with various online Folk School classes.
Class Materials
Your class registration fee includes a materials kit with a value of $70 shipped to your door. Residents outside the USA will pay the difference in shipping.
The kit includes:
• Damask fabric marked with the design.
• Muslin second layer of fabric, to stabilize piece while stitching
• Wool yarn for your project from the instructor’s sheep
• Chenille embroidery needle
• Paper pattern with stitch guide
• PDF download of detailed instructions with pictures
Students will also want to provide:
• Sharp thread scissors
• 8 inch embroidery hoop, with interior hoop wrapped.
• Embroidery stand (optional but highly recommended)
Course Overview
4 2-Hour Sessions, a week apart with homework between sessions
Week 1: Hooping up with two layers of fabric. Working split stitch around all the shapes, except where the design goes “under” another part of the design. Starting long and short stitch for dark green “shadows.”
Week 2: Transitioning long and short shading into light green and yellow, navigating the curvature of the intertwining branches and roots.
Week 3: Integrating long and short shading into the trunk of the tree for texture and directionality. Fishbone stitch central heart.
Week 4: Outlining with stem stitch and blocking.
Skill Level
This class is designed for students who have taken Laura’s Wool Embroidery Level-2 course or intermediate experienced stitchers.
Contact the Teacher
Send a direct message from the teacher's profile page with any questions you might have about the class.
About the John C. Campbell Folk School & Lessonface
Since 1925, the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, North Carolina has transformed lives, and brought people together in a nurturing environment for experiences in learning and community life that spark self-discovery. Since 2012, Lessonface has connected more than 30,000 students with over 2,500 great teachers for live music, language, and arts lessons online, delivering on our mission to help students achieve their goals while treating teachers equitably.
When
The class will meet for four weekly 2-hour live online sessions.
Enrolled students receive 60-day access to the video recordings of the classes.
How It Works
Enroll above to save your spot in the class. Lessonface will send you a confirmation right away, and a Zoom link 24 hours before the class start time. You can log into your Lessonface dashboard to access class materials, communicate with your instructor, join the live Zoom session, and access the class recordings and chat transcript afterward.
Refund Policy: To cancel an enrollment or request a refund, contact [email protected]. For 30+ days before, we refund 95%. Between 30 and 5 days, receive a 75% refund. No refunds within 5 days of class start date. Materials kit fees are non-refundable.
Book 1:1 online lessons with Laura Berlage on their Lessonface profile.
Laura Berlage
Laura is a contemporary Renaissance woman living and working on her family’s century-old homestead farm outside Hayward, WI. From fiber arts to creative writing, music to storytelling, she never tires of the magic of transforming idea into form and overlapping narrative and visual.
About Lessonface, PBC
Lessonface's mission is to help students achieve their goals while treating teachers equitably. Since 2012, we've hosted more than 30,000 students and 2,000 teachers for over 500,000 music, language, and arts lessons and classes online.