Erin Fletcher – Exploring Embroidery on Paper

Workshop Description:

Embroidering the surface of paper creates an alluringly tactile effect that can enhance any design. During the first half of the workshop, students will experiment with a range of surface design techniques including embroidery by making a series of small panel plaquettes. In the second half of the workshop, students will put these skills to practical use by crafting a decorative Tue-Mouche binding. Developed by Ben Elbel, this binding is constructed with layers of handmade paper, making it the perfect structure for embellishing with techniques taught in this workshop. The Tue-Mouche is a simple yet elegant binding. It is lightweight with slightly flexible covers and the pop-away spine allows the book to open nearly flat. This binding is easily achievable at any skill level.

Materials/equipment to be provided by students:

Students should bring supplies that they enjoy working with for surface design. This could include, but is not limited to:

• Acrylic paint and colored pencils
• Beads and sequins
• DMC cotton stranded floss (Students are also welcome to bring other embroidery flosses along with cords, buttons, trim and other haberdashery)
• Mark-making tools
• Scraps of material: paper (solid and decorative), leather (pared to different thicknesses), fabric, etc. – scraps don’t need to be larger than 4 x 4 inches
• Range of cutting tools (craft knife, scalpel, X-Acto, etc.)
• Embroidery scissors or snips
• Japanese Screw Punch (1.0mm and 1.5mm bit sizes required)
• Needles: Embroidery (range between 1-10, make sure the eye is not wider than the needle shaft) and Bookbinding (preferably No. 18)
• Pencil and eraser
• Pin Vise (recommend Starrett – size B)
• Ruler (with metric)
• Scissors
• Tracing Paper
• PVA glue

See Materials Glossary for definitions and images

Materials/equipment to be provided by instructor:

• Acrylic paint and colored pencils
• Beads and sequins
• Beeswax
• DMC embroidery thread (and other random notions)
• Double-sided tape
• Hammer
• Finishing tools and foils
• Scalpel and blades
• Stove
• Thread: 18/3 dyed and 40/3 undyed
• Tracing paper
• Wax paper

Instructor Biography:

Erin Fletcher is the owner of Herringbone Bindery, where she crafts one-of-a-kind fine bindings and small editions for various clients and institutions. Her work is regularly exhibited throughout the US and abroad. Her work is collected by The Grolier Club, Boston Athenaeum, and UCLA along with several private collectors. She first discovered a love for bookbinding while studying at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. This experience brought her to study bookbinding at the North Bennet Street School in Boston where she graduated in 2012. She regularly teaches book arts workshops online and at venues throughout the US.

Website: www.herringbonebindery.com