Saturday 20 May 2023: Online Workshop (Wonky Dots!)

Rusell Barratt - Saturday 20th May 2023 - 4.00pm to 7.00pm (BST)

Online Interactive Workshop: Wonky Dots!!

We're absolutely delighted to welcome Russell Barratt to the  CraftyMonkies family for a unique and inspirational brand new class. When we first saw Russells posts on Instagram we were blown away by his artistic detail, flair and his bold use of colour and texture. His ideas are always utterly unique and visually interesting. We approached him straight away and so our journey together began. But what to teach? Russell has a passion for dots and mini patchworks, so what better than a chance to sew along with Russell as he takes you through his creative process. Here's what he has to say about the class...

Dots, Dots, Dots! Who doesn’t love dots? Join us for a Wonky Dots mini patchwork workshop.

If you’re at all familiar with my work already, you’ll know I’m a bit crazy about dots. What else would I focus on for my first class with Crafty Monkies?  I love adding these characterful little spots to many of my quilts. They make me smile and can have a wonderful effect of standing out yet bringing work together - leveling out a busy composition or being the main event themselves. I have discovered the joy and freedom in keeping them wonky and not being too precise…let your creative flow guide you!  You’ll just need a bunch of fabric scraps, needle, thread and a some simple stitches. Of course its not quite as simple as cutting a circle and laying on the fabric, I’m excited to share a bit about my process with you, how do I come up with concepts, colours, textures, placement, sizing etc. We're also going to make a mini patchwork, another fave of mine – it’s going to be relaxing and fun and my aim is to inspire you for your future creative endeavours – let’s do this together!

What You Will Learn in this Online Interactive Workshop:-

In this 3 hour workshop we’ll make a mini patchwork and learn to appliqué wonky dots to build layers and add interest. These mini quilt tops are fantastic as inspiration for larger works – perfect for an “ unblock” creative project or can be finished off later as a mini quilt in its own right. We’ll work together and cut up some scraps, build our patchwork then cut out our dots and attach them using simple stitches. We will look at three easy ways to appliqué and a forth slightly less wonky way.  I’ll be touching on the inspirations for my own work and discussing my process in creating quilt collages with used fabrics.

Skill Level for this Online Interactive Workshop:-

This workshop is geared toward anyone willing to work with needle and thread. – No experience required.

Material requirements for this Online Interactive Workshop:-

A small selection of fabric scraps – enough to make a small patchwork background, we’re aiming for approximately 10”x10” in size (or you can choose to use a single piece!) and some for making the dots. For the dots, choose fabric that is easy to turn under – not thick or stiff

Hand sewing needle – a good general purpose needle is fine.

Thread – any general purpose thread in any colour that you want to use. I just use whatever comes to hand.

Sharp Scissors or rotary cutter

Sharp Pins

Optional: a pen or pencil suitable for drawing on to fabric – if you want to draw out your dots before cutting.

Optional: a cardboad dot approximately 3” diameter and a piece of kitchen tin foil bigger than the dot

Fabric requirements for this Online Interactive Workshop:-

Fabric – enough scraps to piece together approximately 10”x10” square for your background. You can use a single piece to add the dots to if you want. I like to mix prints and solids to create surprising results. You’ll also want four or five scraps approximately 4” squared to cut the dots from. I would usually save the brightest highlight colours for the dots!

Equipment requirements for this Online Interactive Workshop:-

Good lighting is always helpful while doing handwork

Iron and pressing surface

Optional: sewing machine  - if you would prefer to machine your background patchwork together

​​Tickets for this Online Interactive Workshop (via the Zoom platform) will be limited & allocated on a first-come/first-served basis! The ticket price of £30.00 is based on ONE person attending this crafting class.

This CraftyMonkies Online Interactive Workshop is being broadcast from the United Kingdom and the class time given is based on BST (British Summertime). We advise you check via Google Search (or similar) to see corresponding start-time in YOUR location! Here's a great world time zone reference:-

https://www.worldtimebuddy.com/

IMPORTANT!!!

This class is being recorded for all particpants who buy a ticket. We will send you the recording a few days after class via email and a private YouTube link to watch for a further 60 days (even if you don't attend you will still get the recording as long as you have purchased a ticket!)