10 Week Online Course - Materials List

The Humbly Magnificent Couching Stitch

If your budget allows or you can borrow from a university library or guild library, consider adding these books to your resource list. They will be useful to you on the course - but are by NO means REQUIRED. They are suggestions to enhance your knowledge. I have noted that members of the EGA can borrow the Opus Anglicanum book from the EGA's library.

Title & Author: Cole, A. (2019). The goldwork masterclass: Adventures in metal thread embroidery. Invermay, Victoria: Alison Cole Embroidery. 

Note:  this book can be ordered from the author in Australia, it is not available on Amazon. It is the latest of books on Goldwork with a good chapter on Or Nue. The reading level is accessible for everyone. Nanette, a student on the course informs me that copies can be purchased from the USA from this lady: [email protected] 

Title & Author: Browne, C., Davies, G., Michael M., & Zoschg, M. (Eds.). (2016). English medieval embroidery: Opus anglicanum. London: Yale University Press with the Victoria & Albert Museum. 

Note: This book is a heavy academic read with many extraordinary photographic examples

Gather the following from your stash, or purchase the optional partial kit from Berlin Embroidery based in Alberta Canada. There are 50 kits available for those who don't have supplies of your own.

Gilt and/or silver twist of any size (5-10 metres)

Gilt and/or silver passing of any size (5-10 metres)

Yellow and/or grey Gutermann sewing thread

Muslin fabric (with an option to attach a second layer of silk or linen if you have it)

Beeswax

Linen Thread

Needles (sizes, 6, 9, 10, 12, chenille 18)

Archival Pen (Sakura micron 005)

Stranded cotton - a selection of DMC or Anchor threads

Embroidery hoop/stretcher bars/slate frame of at least 12 inches, but bigger is better.

Stiletto

Scissors for cutting metal thread

Pair of Koma (homemade is fine) or you can purchase them from The Japanese Embroidery Centre.

Various sized rulers with millimetre markings

Graph Paper

You may find it helpful to gather up some pencil crayons as well for colouring your fabric.

Your optional kit from Berlin embroidery will include:

5 Yards of Gilt No. 1 ½ Twist 

5 Yards of Silver No. 1 ½ Twist 

10 Yards of Gilt No. 4 or 5 Smooth Passing 

10 Yards of Silver No. 4 or 5 Smooth Passing 

Yellow Gutermann Polyester Sewing Thread

Grey Gutermann Polyester Sewing Thread

Muslin fabric

Beeswax

Linen Thread (3 metres)

Needles (sizes, 6, 9, 10, 12, chenille 18)

Archival Pen (Sakura micron 005)

Note that there are only 50 kits available from Berlin Embroidery. Other suppliers include but are not limited to:

USA Suppliers: Tinsel Trading, San Francisco School of Needlework and Design

UK Suppliers: Golden Hinde, Sarah Homfray, Benton & Johnson, Golden Threads, Laurelin

Australian Suppliers: Alison Cole

German Suppliers: Jessica Grimm