2026: JESSIE CHORLEY

This group masterclass focuses on Jessie’s signature style of hand embroidered illustration. Under Jessie’s guidance, you will be mark making and playing intuitively with a mix of new and vintage threads and a selection of new and time worn fabrics. 

Jessie will help you get started with a variety of appliqué techniques, which she encourages you to use as a form of drawing. You will also explore several embroidery stitches including satin, running, seed, cross and couching. Incorporating found objects and personal ephemera into your embroidery is another exciting part of this class. For example, Jessie will show you how a pearl button may become the centre of a flower, or a piece of blue silk ribbon a detail in a densely stitched sky. 

At the start of your class Jessie will talk you through a selection of her original artworks and then advise you, both as a group and individually, as you embark on your personal journey of creating your own stitched story or drawing. Please note that your work does not have to be narrative based, nor does it have to be finished by the end of the class. Jessie suggests you approach these days as an explorative and peaceful slow-stitching experience inspired by her artworks and materials. For instance, you might like to focus on making a creative stitch sampler. This approach can free up one’s mind and spark fresh ideas in preparation for future stitching projects. 

You will be working directly onto a piece of natural fabric.This base fabric is included in the kit provided at the start of the class.Your kit also contains a selection of pre-cut fabric motifs designed by Jessie ready for you to appliqué directly onto your work, plus a printed stitch guide for you to take home. 

If you would like to work with a more personal base fabric, then vintage tablecloths, linen napkins, or a time worn garment are all perfect. Clothing can be unpicked and then pieced back together later if necessary, and creates a unique canvas on which to experiment with. Perhaps you have something tucked away that belonged to a beloved family member or friend? Jessie suggests bringing items made solely from natural fabrics (cotton, linen or silk), as they are easier to embellish. 

Finally, take a look at Jessie’s suggested materials list (below), and gather together a few items of personal inspiration in advance of your class. You may have something which could act as a starting point for your personal stitch project! 

Jessie’s Suggested Materials List:

You will be provided with a handcrafted kit at the start of your masterclass, which
includes the use of my specialist embroidery threads. However, I will always encourage you, the maker, to create your own “story” as much as possible. To do this, I suggest that you bring along a selection of items from the list below. These can then be incorporated into your work, making it even more personal: 

• an assortment of your favourite embroidery threads 
• an assortment of your favourite fabric scraps 
• a cherished vintage piece of plain linen/cotton, if you would like to work with a more personal base fabric – vintage tablecloths, tray cloths, hankies and linen napkins are all perfect material 
• other items of personal interest, such as old charms, buttons, vintage lace and ribbons, small keys etc, all of which can be stitched into your work 
• a favourite drawing, poem, quote or perhaps just a single word (for inspiration) 
• anything you are currently working on that you’d like to show me and share with your class