Fibre Arts: Experimental Textile Practices
8 Week Class | Available
In this course, students will have the opportunity to explore a range of materials and techniques in fibre arts. Through hands-on experimentation, students will delve into the tactile and expressive potential of textiles, learning foundational practices such as natural dyeing and surface design on fabrics using a variety of methods.
The course will introduce and develop essential hand-stitching skills, including basic and decorative embroidery stitches, applique methods, and visible mending. Students will also explore how stitching can serve as both a functional and narrative tool—used not only to embellish but also to construct and deconstruct textile surfaces. Historical and contemporary fibre arts practices will be discussed to provide context and inspiration. Working with their own dyed and painted fabrics, students will create layered, textured compositions through embroidery, applique, and various forms of hand stitching. These stitched surfaces can take the form of flat works, soft sculptures, or wearable pieces. Emphasis will be placed on personal expression, material exploration, and developing an individual aesthetic voice through fibre.
This class is exploratory and experimental in nature. The instructor will work closely with each student to support the development of works in progress or to initiate new directions that reflect and expand their artistic interests. No prior experience is necessary—just a curiosity about textiles and a willingness to experiment.
Base Tuition: $406 + Material Fee: $40 = $446 Total
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- What You Will Learn:
- Foundational skills in natural dyeing, surface design, and hand stitching techniques including embroidery and applique
- Experiment with a variety of fibre art materials and methods
- Historical and contemporary contexts of fibre arts, reflect on how textiles can be used for storytelling, identity, and cultural commentary
- - Assorted fabric scraps
- Embroidery needles, assorted sizes
- Scissors: fabric scissors, thread snips
- Pins: applique, straight, safety
- Embroidery floss or thread - variety of colours
- Seam ripper
- Embroidery hoop
- Apron
- Sketchbook/Notebook
Madi Schmidt
Guest Artist
Madi is a Toronto based fibre artist and educator. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Art History and Visual Studies from the University of Victoria, and a Masters of Arts in Fashion Studies from Toronto Metropolitan University. She also holds a certificate in Fibre Arts from the Haliburton School of Art and Design. Her work explores sustainability and functionality through the lens of the historically feminised realm of craft and craft making. Her work in fibre challenges the boundaries that have historically confined craft to the periphery of fine art.