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

I strongly recommend that you order the PDF book for $10.00 Canadian from Berlin Embroidery on Metal Thread types. This is a very thorough book that describes all the types of metal threads used in goldwork. There are lots of pictures with ruler measurements on the width and descriptions of where you might use the thread. An invaluable resource that I refer to often.

Gather the following from your stash, or purchase the optional partial kit (basic or deluxe) from Golden Hinde UK.

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

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

Yellow and/or grey Gutermann sewing thread

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

Beeswax

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

Archival Pen (Sakura micron size .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, or from Golden Hinde UK

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.

Additional Suppliers:

Canadian Suppliers: Berlin Embroidery

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