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Women Fashion Power: Embellishment Stitch Workshop

Drawing with stitch; explore the embellishments used over the past century to express power in this one-off fashion embellishment workshop, in partnership with the Fashion & Textile Museum.

The Design Museum and the Fashion and Textile Museum are offering a unique opportunity to take inspiration from Woman Fashion Power and Thea Porter: 70’s Bohemian Chic exhibitions in an embellishment stitch workshop with designer Naomi Ryder.

Using freehand machine stitching you will create an embroidered image (A5-A4 size) using ideas formulated during your exhibition visits.

Your day will start at 10:00 with a visit of Woman Fashion Power and then a short walk to the Fashion and Textile Museum to visit Thea Porter, where you will discuss embellishment techniques used throughout both exhibitions. Course leader Naomi Ryder will then give a demonstration of freehand machine embroidery after which there will be a break for lunch. In the afternoon you will work on your own stitch illustration finishing at 17:00.

Participants will need to know how to use a sewing machine but no experience of embroidery necessary.

Reserve a spot

10:00 - 17:00

More about Naomi Ryder

Naomi Ryder is a textile designer and illustrator who draws with stitch to create exquisite pieces of contemporary art reflecting everyday life.

Inspired by the beauty and humour found in everyday routines, she works with freehand machine embroidery, drawing on natural fabrics such as silk and wools instead of paper.

After graduating from Manchester Metropolitan University in 1994 with a degree in embroidery, Naomi worked for the fashion designers John Rocha and Lainey Keogh in Dublin before setting up her own successful studio at Cockpit Arts in London. It was here where her talent for figurative work was noticed by Southbank buyer Adam Thow, who commissioned her to create a bespoke collection of illustrated products that captured the energy, vigour and poise of the London Philharmonic Orchestra at work.

Naomi’s other clients include: Domino Records, Victoria and Albert Museum and the publishing house Little Brown Group. In 2011 Mary Portas handpicked Naomi’s bone china for her collection at House of Fraser’s flagship Oxford Street store.

She also runs regular workshops, teaching hand and machine embroidery at the Fashion & Textile Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Naomi is currently an Associate Lecturer at Central Saint Martins College Of Art and Design.

Related exhibition

Women Fashion Power

Offering an unprecedented look at how princesses, models, CEOs, Dames and designers have used fashion to define and enhance their position in the world.

Shop the collection