Have you ever wanted to paint or draw on fabric, but with thread? Would you like to embroider something, but none of the embroidery kits have designs you want to make? No problem! You can draw anime or manga characters, animals, cartoon characters, plants, favorite quotes, or just about anything that looks good in 2D, and embroidering it adds depth and texture to your drawing.

In this art camp, we will design our own embroidery and learn the stitches to make our designs pop. Each student will be guided through drawing and coloring their own art design in a simple enough style to embroider it. Then they will transfer the designs to fabric and learn the stitches needed to outline and color their design. The stitches taught will vary to fit the students' designs and experience, making the class adaptable for beginners through more experienced learners.

Day One: Sketching designs, choosing colors
Day Two: Putting the design on fabric, learning at least 2 stitches to begin embroidering
Day Three: continuing to embroider together, covering new stitches as needed to enhance projects
Day Four: continuing to embroider together, covering new stitches as needed, compliment time

If time permits, we will have "compliment time" where each student can show off his or her work to the class. As a rule, I only allow positive and encouraging comments in class, and I help the students to focus on what they can do rather than comparing with each other. If a student doesn't feel like sharing, they do not have to participate, but I will still ask them a question or two about their art in order to give them positive encouragement.

In order to help students learn, I will need to be able to see what they are doing. It may be helpful to have a stand for a phone, tablet, or camera to point at their work so they can make stitches and get suggestions on how to make stitches more easily or precisely.

I cannot wait to see all of the beautiful masterpieces we create together!