Dawn Ireland
Textile Artist
I run a number of weekly Hand and Free-machine Embroidery Classes throughout the year at my studio, as well as regular One-day Workshops; run by myself or Guest Tutors.
If you have any general questions email me at dawn@dawnireland.com or press the button below:
‘Inspired by Charleston House’
Saturday 25th March
10am - 4pm
£75
In this workshop we will be looking at Charleston House in East Sussex as inspiration.
We will be referring to the beautiful rich muted colours, floral and geometric patterns, and the ornaments and objects within this extraordinary place, which was the country home of the Bloomsbury group; bohemian artists and writers in the early part of the 20th century.
Working from photographs we will be using fabric paints and free-machine and/or hand embroidery, to create a number of samples and a textile picture to take home to frame or make into a cushion cover.
The workshop includes all materials, refreshments & homemade cake. Just bring a packed lunch.
Friday 31st March
10am - 4pm
£75
If you love denim, reusing fabrics, and hand-sewing, my ‘Japanese Boro Inspired Workshop’ will show you how to design and make your own totally individual collaged and hand stitched panel to display.
We will be looking at images of antique Boro garments for inspiration and using a variety of old and new denim, cotton, linen & Japanese printed fabrics from my collection.
You are welcome to bring along any of your own fabrics to incorporate into your piece.
We will collage and piece the fabrics together, using Sashiko needles and a range of simple embroidery stitches and threads (including Sashiko): a wide range of blue colours as well as white, cream, grey, and black threads.
The panel will be suitable to hang up with dowelling or you could frame it, or make into a bag or cushion cover yourself.
The workshop includes all materials, fabrics, needles, threads, wooden dowelling, refreshments & homemade cake. Just bring a packed lunch.
Sunday 23rd April
10am - 4pm
£75
Experiment and have fun with Free-machine Embroidery and take home a finished piece of your own design.
The workshop will begin with me showing you how to set up your sewing machine for this technique.
Bring your own machine with a darning foot for free-machine embroidery. I have spare machines at the studio for those who would like to borrow one.
We will experiment with drawing with the machine, then go on to use a range of fabrics to collage and appliqué with: creating samples and then a final appliqué picture.
This one day workshop is suitable for beginners, and for those with some experience.
The workshop includes all materials, refreshments, snacks & homemade cake. Just bring a packed lunch.
with Tansy Hargan (2 day workshop)
Saturday 1st & Sunday 2nd July
10am - 4pm each day
£150
In this weekend workshop you will start with a worn-out item of clothing and end with a piece of textile art.
Deconstructed seams, hems, pockets and plackets will take the place of conventional art supplies as you make marks, layer and align, using lengths of harvested thread, acrylic paint, and dressmakers offcuts to add detail using hand and machine stitch.
The composite fabric resulting could be framed or used to cover a book, or make a bag.
The workshop includes all materials, refreshments, snacks & homemade cake. Just bring a packed lunch.
Weekly - Tuesday Mornings
10am - 12.30pm
£20
My Tuesday morning hand embroidery classes are fun and friendly stand alone sessions. Each week we focus on a different hand stitch or embroidery technique.
I encourage an experimental approach, playing around with different ways of creating the stitches, trying out a wide variety of threads and materials from my collection.
There are lots of samples and embroidery books to look at for inspiration too.
All materials are provided as well as a regular supply of drinks and snacks throughout the sessions.
Weekly - Wednesday Mornings
10am - 12.30pm
£20
My Wednesday morning Free-Machine Embroidery classes are suitable for beginners and those experienced with a sewing machine.
At the start of each class I suggest a different theme often inspired by the seasons, colours, artists etc. and will show a sample, demo or images as a starting point.
These are fun, relaxed and friendly sessions where you work at your own pace, you are very welcome to bring along your own idea or project to work on, and I am on hand to help and advise.
We use a wide variety of materials including fabrics, paper, wool, threads, buttons, beads, fabric paints etc. and experiment with different techniques to draw with a sewing machine.
Examples of projects students have made are handmade cards, pictures, seasonal decorations, cushion covers, project bags, lavender bags, hanging hearts and lots more!
Bring your own machine with a darning foot for free-machine embroidery. I have spare machines at the studio for those who would like to borrow one.
All materials, refreshments & snacks are provided. 
Weekly - Wednesday Evenings
6pm - 8.30pm
£20
My Wednesday evening Free-Machine Embroidery classes are suitable for beginners and those experienced with a sewing machine.
At the start of each class I suggest a different theme often inspired by the seasons, colours, artists etc. and will show a sample, demo or images as a starting point.
These are fun, relaxed and friendly sessions where you work at your own pace, you are very welcome to bring along your own idea or project to work on, and I am on hand to help and advise.
We use a wide variety of materials including fabrics, paper, wool, threads, buttons, beads, fabric paints etc. and experiment with different techniques to draw with a sewing machine.
Examples of projects students have made are handmade cards, pictures, seasonal decorations, cushion covers, project bags, lavender bags, hanging hearts and lots more!
Bring your own machine with a darning foot for free-machine embroidery. I have spare machines at the studio for those who would like to borrow one.
All materials, refreshments & snacks are provided.
If you fancy trying something new and creative, or developing an existing skill; why not come to my Classes in Hand or Free-Machine Embroidery, or any of my Mixed Media or Free-Machine workshops this year.
In addition I host workshops and talks by Guest Tutors at my studio throughout the year covering a variety of mixed media and textile art forms.
The classes and workshops are suitable for beginners and those with experience who would like to increase their skills in a friendly, relaxed, creative environment.
There are a large selection of fabrics, threads, buttons, beads, ribbons, braids etc for you to use, plus a library of art, textile and embroidery books (with a seating area), and images and samples to provide inspiration.
For Free-machine Embroidery classes and workshops - please bring your own sewing machine; there are a number of spare machines available.
All materials for my workshops and classes are provided (you're welcome to bring your own if you wish). If any workshops require you to bring anything specific, that will be mentioned in the description.
The classes and workshops take place at my studio in Nether Green:
Dawn Ireland Studio
Fulton's Yard
49 Nethergreen Road
Sheffield
S11 7EH
