Developing creativity

NEW COURSE DATES -  1st October 2015 - 2nd April 2016

Over the past 4 years, I have had the great pleasure of working with students who would like to develop their textile skills and also those who would like to pursue a career in this exciting and satisfying arena.

As we’ve worked together, I’ve had the chance to closely observe how I could best take students on to develop their technical skills to a high level and really begin to explore personal creativity. I am now excited to announce that I have formulated an in-depth six-month course of foundation workshops ideal for those of you who aspire to a career in textiles or who want to stretch those skills still further with The Textile Space. The course is also perfect for those who need to prepare an impressive portfolio for college or university entrance interviews.

There is no age limit for this new course; anyone with a genuine interest and curiosity in making the best of their skills will find it fascinating and constructive.

So how does it work?

To make sure you are working in the direction you wish to and have as much variety as possible you are able to choose up to a maximum of 26 days of workshops from our timetable over the 20 weeks of the foundation. We recommend a combination in the first three months of dressmaking and textile arts but the choice is yours. Alongside the practical skills, you will receive a one to one tutorial every week.

We will work with you to create the best balance of workshops to make sure that you get the most out of this experience.

You will carry out three practical projects over the course of the six months. You can choose to concentrate on either Textiles or Dressmaking or a combination of both.

To help stimulate your imagination, we will be taking a couple of day trips to include exhibitions and of course fabric shopping.

Projects

The projects that you will be working on will include work inspired by the natural world, historical detail and world cultures. Through these projects you will have the opportunity to develop and create your own ideas. The workshops will work alongside your personal projects to help develop your portfolio of work.

This is very much about the process of discovering what you would like to make.

You will be supported all along the way by myself and Claire

When

The foundation will run for 20 weeks starting on Thursday 2nd October 2013 ending on Friday 27th March 2015.

How many on a course

We are offering four places on the foundation course so spaces are very limited.

Is it right for you?

You do not need any formal qualification or practical experience; this foundation is designed to give you the freedom to develop your creativity but can also be undertaken by beginners. The course itself will demand lots of enthusiasm and desire to improve your skills supported, of course, every step of the way by us. To make sure that the course will meet your requirements, you will meet with me to discuss what you would like to achieve.

Where

The studio is housed in a beautiful 18th century grade II listed barn on the edge of the Goodwood Estate and nestled at the foot of the South Downs. There is plenty of free parking right outside. You will have your own dedicated workspace as well as use of all machines and equipment in the studio – sewing machines, overlockers, cutting tables etc. We will give you a key to the barn so that you can come and go as you please. You will need to bring your own laptop or iPad but we do have a very good library of books!

Cost

The fee for the six-month foundation course is £3,850 and includes all tuition, your personal workspace and key, workshop materials and museum and gallery visits.

A 20% (£770) deposit must be made on booking.  30%(£1,155) by 1st September and the remainder payable in equal instalments of £321.00 commencing 1st October for 6 months.

You will be required to pay for any fabric you choose to make your final projects with and if you develop a project requiring free hand machine embroidery, you will need to pay for the extra thread. We have a wide selection of art materials such as oil pastels, acrylics etc. which are at your disposal but you will need to bring along any other which you would like to use instead.

Who we are

Deborah Harwood

Deborah moved from London to West Sussex in 2002 and started a small business creating bespoke hand made textiles, including wall hangings and cushions working predominantly to private commission. Deborah undertook the merchandise design for Chichester Festival Theatre and designed cushions for both Goodwood Festival of Speed and Goodwood Revival meeting. In 2005 she went to Winchester School of Art and gained a BA (hons) in Textile Art. Since graduating Deborah has been teaching at local schools and privately in her own studio, whilst continuing to develop her own practice. Deborah is also an Artist Educator at Pallant House Gallery.  Deborah opened The Textile Space in November 2010. You can see some of her work at www.deborahharwood.com

Claire Tyler

Claire ran her own haberdashery and fabric store in Littlehampton for 12 years. She has run classes in dressmaking from the shop and also carries out an alteration service. Alongside this work she makes wedding, evening and prom dresses to order. Claire has done her City and Guilds in Fashion and Pattern cutting at Chichester College and has attended further courses elsewhere to increase her skills including shirt making and corset making. Claire also runs an online knitting wool business. Claire has been teaching at The Textile Space since it opened in 2010.