Goldwork Embroidery for Beginners: Capture the Natural World
A course by Talisa MayEmbroidery Artist
A course by Talisa May, Embroidery Artist
Learn to combine ancient stitches with contemporary fibers to recreate the patterns and colors of insects in a beautiful yet realistic style
By combining ancient stitch forms with contemporary metallic fibers, you can recreate the patterns and colors found in nature in a way that’s both beautiful and realistic. It’s a process embroidery artist Talisa May specializes in, using goldwork embroidery to depict insects and give them a second lease of life.
In this online course, she teaches you the basics of goldwork embroidery through the theme of entomology (insects). Embroider a beetle in a modern style using traditional techniques and see how to apply your newfound skills to create unique decorative pieces. Discover the beauty of the insect world through embroidery and gold thread!
What will you learn in this online course?
14 lessons & 17 downloads
Brief History of Goldwork
6 minutes, 42 seconds
Materials and Tools
7 minutes, 0 seconds
Stitching Techniques 1
11 minutes, 57 seconds
Stitching Techniques 2
11 minutes, 16 seconds
Preparing the Frame
6 minutes, 53 seconds
Transferring the Pattern
6 minutes, 39 seconds
What's included in this course?
Begin the course by getting to know embroidery artist Talisa May. Discover how she turned her hobby into a career, along with the influences that inspire the work she creates.
Get an introduction to goldwork embroidery and its history. Then dive into the tools and materials needed for the course. Learn the different stitches and techniques used to create your final piece, from the base stitches to couching.
Prepare your frame for embroidering and see how to keep tension. Next, transfer your pattern from paper to fabric and apply the felt padding for the base of your beetle in preparation for stitching.
Time to embroider your insect! Start by learning how to use pearl purl to outline the body and use cutwork techniques to stitch the abdomen. Move on to the head, antenna, and legs, before stitching the background. Talisa wraps up the course by showing you how to frame your piece.
What is this course's project?
Embroider a realistic beetle using traditional goldwork techniques and modern fibers.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
This course is for anyone with an interest in creating embroidered artwork inspired by nature.
Requirements and materials
Previous experience with sewing or embroidery would be helpful but is not essential.
In terms of materials, you will need embroidery needles of different sizes, thread, felt, scissors, a frame, and other materials specified by the teacher in the course.
Reviews
- giglioneluisaanaPLUS9 days ago
Me encantó, bien explicado.
- 2 months ago
Es un curso excepcional y super lindo, 100% recomendado
- 7 months ago
Me gustó mucho este curso!!!
- 1 year ago
Really enjoyed this course
- 2 years ago
It is very good for a person like me without experience.
Talisa currently works on commissions, alongside her job as a senior producer in the events industry. She also sells her pieces via Etsy and shares them on social media under the name Boss Stitch. Talisa has been featured on popular embroidery pages on Instagram, as well as in Love Embroidery Magazine.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- About Me
- Influences
- U2
Introduction to Goldwork
- Brief History of Goldwork
- Materials and Tools
- Stitching Techniques 1
- Stitching Techniques 2
- U3
Preparing for the Final Piece
- Preparing the Frame
- Transferring the Pattern
- Applying the Felt
- U4
Stitching the Goldwork Beetle
- Outlining the Beetle and Stitching the Abdomen
- Thorax and the Head
- Stitching the Antennas and Legs
- The Background
- Framing the Piece
- FP
Final project
- Goldwork Embroidery for Beginners: Capture the Natural World
What to expect from a Domestika course
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FAQs
Yes, this course is designed for beginners and covers all the foundational techniques, including goldwork, needle painting, and thread painting.
You’ll need basic embroidery supplies like fabric, needles, embroidery hoop or frame, metallic threads, felt, carbon paper, scissors, pearl purl, and some beads for embellishments.
You’ll learn goldwork and thread painting techniques, pattern transfer, using embroidery hoops, creating 3D effects, working with metallic threads, and stitching realistic animals and insects.
You can transfer patterns onto dark fabric using carbon paper and a white fabric pen to ensure the lines are visible and permanent.
Yes, the course includes tutorials for creating realistic animal designs and pet portraits using needle painting and goldwork techniques.
Goldwork embroidery uses metallic threads to create textured, reflective designs. It’s distinct from regular embroidery due to its use of metal threads and techniques like couching and chipping.
No prior embroidery experience is required; the course is beginner-friendly and explains each step in detail.