RSN Crewelwork Course Day 6 - Workroom

As an isolated embroiderer (meaning I don't know anyone in the vicinity who embroiderers and I don't know of any places to take classes in Berlin) one of the high points of the course was the chance to be with other embroiderers, both fellow students and our teachers. Our work room was a happy place.One morning I arrived early and the workroom was empty and quiet...although not for long. As we each arrived we would share what we'd accomplished doing our homework the night before. It was a good time to ask questions and say good morning. One of us might have brought an embroidery book or something we'd done earlier to share.As we got to work, Nicola would take time to work with each of us, teaching directly a skill or technique we needed to learn. Often the rest of us would gather round as she instructed one of us. The room would fall quiet as we all started to really focus.Nicki (above) sat next to me for most of the course and she was working on her silk shading piece. Just by listening and watching her progress I was able to pick up tips about silk shading. She'd finished her crewelwork course and was often able to help me when I had a quick question about something.During the day we would stand up for a stretch and then we could look at the progress that a fellow student had made. We were an encouraging and positive group! It was fun to see how each of the different personalities were expressed in the work.Often one student was doing something to make her work easier that was a new idea to the rest of us. Here Nicki used a foam tray (the kind that food often is packed in) to hold her threads and needles. When doing silk shading, there are so many colors to keep going at once that this was a lifesaver!Often Nicola would ask one of us to stop stitching so we could look at our work from a distance. It's easy to work for a long time and never step back and really look at what you've done. She would ask all of us to take a short break and look at the piece. It was an important part of the learning process.I'll miss this group of ladies who I got to spend eight days with. Embroidery can be a sociable activity and, although I am grateful to have a studio at home that's dedicated to embroidery, I look forward to coming back and taking another course so I can be part of the community of embroiderers in a workroom again.