Teaching and Lectures

My aim in teaching is not to lead students step by step through a project. I would much prefer to teach firstly about design, colour, contrast and texture. Using these principles, going on to explore stitches and their variation and how they can work together. Having come from a design background, for me the execution of a stitch is important but not vital to a good piece of embroidery. Also the mixing of mediums is exciting from a design point of view if not from a purest view point. Although embroidery is mainly decorative, as in cushions, bed linen etc, there is also a place for embroidery as pure art. Art is the visual depiction of the culture of a time, using this as a definition or plumb line for art, the embroiderer can and does meet these requirements. On the first day of a class I always spend some time on exploring design techniques, stitching variations, thread, and fabric. We then begin the project at hand, not step by step in a cloned manner but using the project as a basis to form something new and individual, unique to the artist.

Class requirements: Most classes come with their own kit, however a sewing kit of scissors and extra needles would be handy. A light and magnifier may be required by some students. A whiteboard or blackboard would be helpful for teaching.

Lectures “Embroidery as Art”: A discussion on design in embroidery. PowerPoint or whiteboard.
Book available. “The Treasure Island” A look into “Narryna” of Hobart Tasmania, taking a close look at an old mantle valance. PowerPoint only.

“Fill in Stitches”: Looking at the possibilities of different stitches to fill in rather than using the traditional satin stitch. PowerPoint or whiteboard. Booklet available.

Fees: Hourly rate: $50.00 per hour, including breaks as from Jan 2007 Travel: All Air and , or bus expenses and bookings are the responsibility of the employer. A petrol fee for state customers will apply.
Accommodation: Either billeted or reasonable commercial. Meals: All meals to be supplied by the employer. Fees for overseas and conferences are as contracted by the event organizers.

Number of Students per class up to 12 comfortably , 18 max

The examples below are commissioned classes that have either past or up coming. They are able to be taught again outside the state that they were first commissioned. Those that are upcoming will not be taught or advertised in the same state, and will of cause not be taught before the commissioned class.

Classes are available to retail stores using my commercially available kits. The kits will be sold to the retailer at distributor price and sold to the student at the stores usual mark up price.

For more information

E-MAIL: info@garyclarkedesigns.com

New classes

Kookaburra

The Kookaburra is an extension of the organza projects, this time it is combined with different layers of coloured tulle. The tulle gives the work a unique look, with a subtle blending of colour and texture. The project lends itself to individual flair and could be worked as simply or as intensified as one desires. The finished design is 21cm x 21cm
Kit supplied: Thread, tulle, needle, organza, work frame, instructions.
Additional requirements: staple gun, tweezers, selection of needles, white pencil.
Skill level: Intermediate to advanced
Kit cost: $60.00
Unavailable to the USA until 2012.
Teaching for EGA 2011

Bird Cage

The bird cage is a single stranded embroidery on a printed background embellished with gold beads. This delightful box when finished stands 17cm high with a base of 8 cm. The box opens up to hold needles and scissors. There is plenty of room for self expression with this project.
Class length: 2 days - uncompleted
Kit supplied: Pre printed panel, threads, needle, beads, card, stitch and makeup instructions. Additional requirements: thread and bead if one wants to personalise the work, magnifier and spectacles if normally needed for fine work.
Skill level: Intermediate to advanced
Kit cost: $60.00

The Forest Floor

The Forest Floor is a combination of many different types of white work, from layering of fabrics, top and bottom stitching and stump work. The student will learn many combination and fill in stitches, not only those in the sample. The student will be encouraged to make the design their own by modifying the design to their taste and skill level.
Class length: 2 days uncompleted
Kit Supplied: Base fabric, top fabric, felt, cord, thread, work frame stitch and makeup instructions. Additional requirements: Fabric pencil and eraser, magnifier and spectacles if needed.
Skill level: Intermediate to advanced
Kit Cost: $60.00
Unavailable to the USA until 2012.
Teaching for EGA 2011

CORDED WHITEWORK

Inspired by a 16th century french costuming. This technique uses tone and texture to create the design. Worked on a base fabric and embellished with cord and thread it is captured between the layers of additional fabric. It is enhanced with many creative combinations of stitching.

Class lengths: 2 days
Kit supplied: includes fabric, cord, thread,
needle, comprehensive instructions.
Size: 24cm sq
Price of kit: $35.00 AUD
Additional requirements: A 12” hoop bound, sharp 2B pencil, fabric rubber, and magnifier if needed normally.

ORGANZA TRANSPARENT EMBROIDERY

From my book “ Embroidery Illusions” this work is stitched on tightly stretched organza over a mount. Using mainly silk thread the design is built up in a sketch manner, creating shades of heavy and light stitching, reminiscent of watercolours.

Class lengths: 2 days
Kit supplied: Includes stretched and mounted organza, thread, needle, comprehensive instructions, frame mounting board.
Size: 11cm sq design, 20cm mount
Price of kit: $35.00 AUD
Additional requirements: Extra threads, silk and cotton, and magnifier if needed normally.
Other designs to choose from, frog, violet, monkey, passion fruit.

ORGANZA FREE STYLE

Worked on sheer organza, tightly stretched and mounted. This is an exploration of organza, of adding to it and taking it away. It also uses found objects including organic material stitched onto the organza.
Class Length: 2 days
Kit Supplied: Mounted organza, instructions, and non organic material.
Kit cost: $35.00
Additional requirements: A list of organic possibilities and other helpful tools will be supplied when booking a class.
Unavailable to the USA until 2012.
Teaching for EGA 2011

Turkish Delight Medley

Worked on a pre printed base panel with silk, cotton and metallic thread. Embellish with beads and crystals.
The kit consists of a pre-printed panel for an Album, Scissor Holder and Scissor Keeper.
Class lengths: 2 days Kit $35.00
Additional requirements: Threads, silk and cotton, beads, and magnifier if needed normally.

VELVET ROSE

This work is based on using a stencil to pad gold paint into the velvet, this gives an interesting texture to stitch into plus makes it easy to transfer the design. The work is then stitched in a variety of stitches, making cord and laying down Jap gold.

Class lengths: 2 days
Kit supplied: includes fabric, cord, thread,needle, comprehensive instructions.
Size: 30cm sq
Price of kit: $35.00 AUD
Additional requirements: Extra threads, silk and cotton, beads, and magnifier if needed normally.
Unavailable

RAW EDGE

Using a variety of stitches and applied fabrics, this project will inspire creativity for the traditionalist and creative stitcher.

Class lengths: 2 days
Kit supplied: includes fabric, thread, needle, comprehensive instructions.
Size: 30cm sq
Price of kit: $35.00 AUD
Additional requirements: Extra threads, silk and cotton, beads, and magnifier if needed normally.

SCRAP METAL

A design created, using aluminium drink cans, chamois, and silk threads.

Class lengths: 2 days
Kit supplied: Requirement list supplied. comprehensive instructions.
Size: 30cm sq
Price of Insrructions: $5.00
Additional requirements: Extra threads, silk and cotton, beads, and magnifier if needed normally.

FANNEL FLOWER

Worked in a tone on tone, white work style, this depiction of the Australian flannel flower is subtly country. Using cornely work, appliqué embroidery and bead work on a natural ground fabric using natural cotton thread. 30cm sq.

Class lengths: 2 days
Kit supplied: unknowen @ this time, needle, comprehensive instructions.
Size: 30cm sq
Price of kit: $40.00
Additional requirements: Extra threads, silk and cotton, beads, and magnifier if needed normally.

BEADED PURSE OR SPECTICAL CASE

Worked on a pre printed panel this work is a combination of silk embroidery and bead work. The piece is sized either for a sceptical case or evening purse.

Class lengths: 2 days
Kit supplied: unknowen @ this time needle, comprehensive instructions.
Size: 9cm x 7cm
Price of kit: $35.00
Additional requirements: Extra threads, silk and cotton, beads, and magnifier if needed normally.
Unavailable

THE EMPERORS GOLD FISH

This traditional style gold fish is embroidered on a pre printed panel, designed especially for the Koala Convention. The fish is embroidered using one strand of silk highlighted with gold rayon thread. The work model is an A5 note book cover, the cover is designed in such a way that it is interchangeable with a stranded A5 pads or sketch books.

Class lengths: 2 days
Kit supplied: Pre printed panel, threads, needle, comprehensive instructions.
Size: 30cm sq
Price of kit: $40.00
Additional requirements: Extra threads, silk and cotton, beads, and magnifier if needed normally.
Unavailable

CAPTURED ORGANZA

A light design of organza on organza. using diferant coloured organzas, the design is built up with layers stretched over a frame.

Class lengths: 2 days
Kit supplied: Organza, thread, work frame, needle, comprehensive instructions.
Size: 30cm sq
Price of kit: $50.00
Additional requirements: Extra threads, silk and cotton, beads, and magnifier if needed normally.
Unavailable

PELICAN

Worked in a combination of corded whitework and
a trapunto like technique.

Class lengths: 2 days
Kit supplied: Fabrics, cord, thread, needle, comprehensive instructions.
Size: 30cm sq
Price of kit: $35.00
Additional requirements: Extra threads, silk and cotton, beads, and magnifier if needed normally.
Unavailable

YOUNG NEPTUNE

A follow up to the popular sea maiden, this piece is embroided on fine organza using silk and metallic threads embellished with beads. The design based on the embroidery style from the book “Embroidery Illusions” by Gary Clarke. It is floating embroidery as if embroidered on glass.

Class lengths: 2 days
Kit supplied: Stretched and mounted organza, thread, needle, comprehensive instructions, mounting materials.
Size: embroidery area 18cm sq
Price of kit: $50.00 Beads not included
Additional requirements: Extra threads, silk and cotton, beads, and magnifier if needed normally.
Unavailable

SEA MAIDEN

Worked on fine organza with silk and metallic threads using a floating organza technique. Incorporating some stump work and the making of paper backgrounds to enhance the embroidery.

Class lengths: 2 days
Kit supplied: Stretched and mounted organza, thread, needle, comprehensive instructions, mounting materials.
Size: embroidery area 18cm sq
Price of kit: $50.00
Additional requirements: Extra threads, silk and cotton, beads, and magnifier if needed normally.

DESERT FAN

Worked on stretched organza with one strand of six stranded cotton and embellished with beads and ribbon.

In traditional organza style it sits out from the background as if floating. The over all size of the full fan is 20cm x 30cm A smaller frame will be provided for those in class that would like to perfect the stitching before stating on the full fan.
The full kit: $105 AUD
Kit outside Koala class not available until 2012.

DRAGONFLY NEEDLE ROLL

This exquisite pre- printed panel is embellished with one strand of six stranded cotton. The completed project is a needle holder that lies flat when in use with scissors attached for convenience, all rolling up for safe keeping.
Complete Kit: $65.00 AUD

Kit outside Koala class not available until 2012.

THE FAN TAIL Piwakawaka

A Tulle and organza project worked for the New Zealand national conference 2010 now available as a kit or teaching. This is a delicate rendering of a loved NZ native. Suited to medium experienced embroiders. The main stitch is a stab stitch, the skill being where they are placed.
Size: 30cm x 30cm
Complete kit: $65.00 AUD

FRENCH BALLONEST

Worked on stretched organza in one strand of six stranded silk, this project covers several disciplines. In the organza tradition the work floats on the surface giving the embroidery a transparent ethereal look, ideal for depicting a hot air balloon.

Full Kit: $60.00 AUD

CORDED ELEPHANT

Worked on two layers of fabric, using soft two ply natural cotton this work is sumptuously embellished with different stitches. The elephant is worked on a pre printed base fabric, the design area 12”x14” (insert a
portion of the full design)

Complete kit: $60.00 AUD

For more information

E-MAIL: info@garyclarkedesigns.com