{ "title": "Our couture embroidery course at PolyU" , "date": 1783212828 , "content": [ [ "hidden" ] , [ "p", "Our embroidery workshops, held for BA Fashion Design students at PolyU's School of Fashion and Textiles, are for me an opportunity to demonstrate the core values of craft and pass on the knowledge and skills that I have honed over years of practice. The workshop gives me the chance to do just that, while connecting with a fresh and curious audience eager to explore the world of embroidery. For that I am truly grateful. Thanks go to Prof. Jeanne Tan for giving me this opportunity!" ] , [ "p", "For this course, I teach a mix of needlework and the more advanced Lunéville hook technique. Needlework is the starting point, allowing beginners to familiarise themselves with the basics of thread, stitches, texture, and pattern. It’s slow, methodical, and gives students the opportunity to understand the rhythm of handcraft. The Lunéville hook, while more technical, speeds up the embroidery process significantly and allows more experienced students to be more creative." ] , [ "hr" ] , [ "img", [ [ "events-polyu-embroidery-01.png", "happy Chinese new year!" ], [ "events-polyu-embroidery-06.png", "Vector design" ], [ "events-polyu-embroidery-07.jpg", "Cutting the stencil" ], [ "events-polyu-embroidery-09.jpg", "The stencil is ready" ], [ "events-polyu-embroidery-10.png", "Preparing the looms" ] ] ] , [ "p", "Preparing for the course involves an exciting challenge: creating an embroidery pattern that is both structured and flexible, and will guide the students' work without limiting their creativity. To quickly produce a large set of frames, I typically pick a theme, explore designs with the help of AI, design an illustration, vectorise it, cut a paper stencil or wood block print with our laser cutter, and carefully print the design onto fabric. Then it's time to setup the embroidery looms." ] , [ "hr" ] , [ "p", "The atmosphere throughout the workshops is usually both studious and vibrant, and the air full of curiosity. There is an eagerness to understand the craft, and a quiet excitement as students begin stitching. As they complete their individual pieces, the uniqueness of their designs becomes clear. Every single one reflects their personal connection to the craft: some designs are intricate, others minimalist. This is the true purpose: highlight how their personal creative sensitivity as designers can express through a very simple, small scale exercise." ] , [ "img", [ "events-polyu-embroidery-02.png", "events-polyu-embroidery-05.jpg", "events-polyu-embroidery-08.jpg", "events-polyu-embroidery-03.jpg", "events-polyu-embroidery-04.jpg" ] ] , [ "p", "It is an exciting challenge to get students engaged, one that involves demystifying the techniques, breaking them down into digestible steps, and showing that they are far from inaccessible. Each student's work requires individual attention, which can be challenging with a large group, so I have to find ways to balance personalised instructions with the overall flow of the class. To my great pleasure the students, despite the occasional confusion or difficulty, embrace the challenge with enthusiasm. At the end of the day, I hope the students took away more than just the techniques, and now understand that creating with their hands is a deeply personal and meditative experience, and that traditional crafts are not so difficult to grasp as long as you are willing to learn." ] , [ "hr" ] , [ "p", "Teaching this course is a different experience compared to working in the atelier. At atelierYVF the focus is on the details and every stich is unique and deliberate. Teaching is about simplification and finding ways to convey techniques to an audience that is just beginning their journey. It requires a different approach, one that emphasises clarity and encouragement." ] , [ "p-hidden", "Looking ahead, we are launching a structured embroidery course at the atelier. One that will take students from beginner to advanced, with a step-by-step progression. We are excited to continue this journey, to keep sharing our craft, and to build a space where traditional techniques can live on in a modern world. This event was just the beginning of something that we hope will grow and evolve, much like the art of embroidery itself." ] ] , "author": "Yasmina VF" }