{"id":11300,"date":"2017-10-21T01:00:06","date_gmt":"2017-10-21T05:00:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/?p=11300"},"modified":"2025-09-15T15:44:12","modified_gmt":"2025-09-15T19:44:12","slug":"my-time-at-penland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/2017\/10\/21\/my-time-at-penland\/","title":{"rendered":"My Time at Penland"},"content":{"rendered":"

I had the chance to spend the last few weeks of summer at Penland School of Crafts<\/a> on a work-study scholarship. This was my first time attending Penland and I hope it won’t be my last. It was a truly unique experience and one that forced me to slow down and relax. It also gave me the freedom to be expressive in a medium outside of bookbinding.<\/p>\n

I came to Penland to take Rebecca Ringquist<\/a>‘s Maximalist Embroidery workshop. Her work has intrigued and inspired me for years. The level of detail and depth she can create through embroidery really drew me in and I wanted to learn more. She uses a combination of hand embroidery and “drawing” with the machine. My goal for the taking this workshop was to see if I could incorporate any of the techniques into my binding work particularly with leather.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Mistletoe in Paradise<\/em> by Rebecca Ringquist<\/p><\/div>\n

We jumped in right away, not on cloth, but on paper with drawing exercises. Rebecca is a collector of flash cards and we used the simple imagery as our guide for blind contour drawings. In bursts of 60 – 30 – 15 seconds, we soon had a slew of drawings to inform our embroidery. After selecting one our favorite pieces, we then free-handed the drawing onto a piece of cloth. We were limited to one hour and could use any stitch we wanted. I recreated a drawing of GIRL<\/em> using bright pink thread on a peach cotton cloth. I used back stitch in various thread thicknesses.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

We continued to use our contour drawings with other techniques for transferring. After finishing GIRL<\/em>, I transferred my image of DRESS<\/em> onto Sulky Solvy (a starch-based product with a sticky backing that dissolves in water). This time I used the sewing machine to “draw” my image onto the fabric.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Using these two techniques I began to build on my design. Adding machine-sewn flowers with reverse appliqu\u00e9 centers and hand stitched trees that were drawn by a fellow classmate. The yellow dots are just the start of a field of french knots and the dividers were created on the machine.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

As the week progressed so did my piece, I continued to layer with more drawings, found embroidered pieces, dense machine stitching, appliqu\u00e9 and trimmings. I also got into machine couching, which offers a faster alternative to hand couching and a different effect. The way I chose to execute this technique was with the use of the Sulky Solvy. I placed my design and used a royal blue thread to couch a royal blue scrap of yarn by stitching mainly through the center.\u00a0Throughout the week, we held three small critiques to voice our compliments and suggestions. It was refreshing to be back in a setting where we could freely discuss our ambitions and struggles. And it was wonderful to see how my classmates incorporated this feedback and battled through their own fears with destruction, layering and creation.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

At the end of the week, I created a nearly finished piece. I’ve taken to Rebecca’s strategy and stowed it away for now to be reviewed later. Rebecca informed us that she will continue to work on a piece over several months or even years, keeping it in a drawer and out of sight from time to time.\u00a0The following images showcase my final piece and some work from my classmates.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

left: Sophie Fields | right: Annabel Wrigley<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

left: Laura Martin | from right to left: Kate Webb, Vicki Bradley, Paisley Holloway, Deb Menz<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

As I mentioned before, I was able to attend with the aid of a work-study scholarship. This meant that I had to arrive and work a day before and after my week-long workshop. I ended up with washing duties in the kitchen during my week shifts. It was hard to pull myself away from the studio at times to go wash pots, but this community action is part of the foundation of the school and how it continues to thrive. Since I was able to stay a few days beyond my duties, I got to participate in the end of the season bonfire with some of my fellow work-study mates, the staff and fellows at Penland, plus the community that lives around campus. It was the perfect send off.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Save<\/span>Save<\/span>Save<\/span>Save<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I had the chance to spend the last few weeks of summer at Penland School of Crafts on a work-study scholarship. This was my first time attending Penland and I hope it won’t be my last. It was a truly unique experience and one that forced me to slow down and relax. It also gave […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[8],"tags":[43,173,1106,2221],"class_list":["post-11300","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-my-hand","tag-embroidery","tag-erin-fletcher","tag-penland-school-of-crafts","tag-rebecca-ringquist"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p2Btis-2Wg","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":11352,"url":"https:\/\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/2017\/12\/31\/best-of-2017\/","url_meta":{"origin":11300,"position":0},"title":"Best of 2017","author":"Erin Fletcher","date":"December 31, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"As 2017 comes to an end, I want to reflect on a few of Herringbone Bindery's success. I'm particularly proud to have another binding sell to a private collector and have my work shown in three exhibitions (one domestic and two international shows). I've continue to work with some really\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "best of"","block_context":{"text":"best of","link":"https:\/\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/category\/best-of\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/bestof2017b.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/bestof2017b.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/bestof2017b.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":11316,"url":"https:\/\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/2017\/10\/21\/artist-leigh-suggs\/","url_meta":{"origin":11300,"position":1},"title":"Artist: Leigh Suggs","author":"Erin Fletcher","date":"October 21, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"During my stay at Penland School of Crafts, I made my way to the Penland Gallery and Visitors Center. There are several gallery spaces within the building, but they each house work related in some way to Penland. The main space features work by artist who have taught at Fenland\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "art"","block_context":{"text":"art","link":"https:\/\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/category\/artist\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/TrailingLines-LeighSuggs.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/TrailingLines-LeighSuggs.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/TrailingLines-LeighSuggs.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/TrailingLines-LeighSuggs.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13202,"url":"https:\/\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/2022\/02\/22\/giveaway-on-instagram-workshop-seconds\/","url_meta":{"origin":11300,"position":2},"title":"Giveaway on Instagram + Workshop Seconds","author":"Erin Fletcher","date":"February 22, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Giveaway and Announcement! Over the past year and a half I\u2019ve been teaching workshops online from my home studio. I\u2019ve accumulated lots of models from teaching students from all over the world. I\u2019m excited to announce these models are now for sale. All of the proceeds will go toward organizations\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "workshops"","block_context":{"text":"workshops","link":"https:\/\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/category\/workshops\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Giveaway-1024x1024.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Giveaway-1024x1024.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/Giveaway-1024x1024.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12653,"url":"https:\/\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/2021\/04\/27\/100-day-project-panels-37-45\/","url_meta":{"origin":11300,"position":3},"title":"100 Day Project \/\/ Panels 37 \u2013 45","author":"Erin Fletcher","date":"April 27, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Here are the next nine panels for my 100 Day Project. Panel No. 37 \/\/ Weirdo Shrine The inspiration for this panel came while making Panel No. 25. For that panel, I punched the holes for the embroidery through the covered panel which caused the material to \"volcano\" on the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "my hand"","block_context":{"text":"my hand","link":"https:\/\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/category\/my-hand\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Panels37-45-1024x1024.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Panels37-45-1024x1024.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Panels37-45-1024x1024.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12119,"url":"https:\/\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/2020\/01\/31\/swell-things-no-51\/","url_meta":{"origin":11300,"position":4},"title":"Swell Things No. 51","author":"Erin Fletcher","date":"January 31, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"1. One of my current obsessions on Instagram is @fashion_for_bank_robbers. The account is curated by German-Iranian artist Carina Shoshtary, who makes wearable art and jewelry. Carina showcases the work of other artists in addition to her own creations on the account. Each post is thought-provoking and delightful, playing with form\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "swell things"","block_context":{"text":"swell things","link":"https:\/\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/category\/swell-things\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/stno51a.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/stno51a.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/stno51a.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":6094,"url":"https:\/\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/2013\/07\/02\/july-book-artist-of-the-month-ellen-knudson\/","url_meta":{"origin":11300,"position":5},"title":"July \/\/ Book Artist of the Month: Ellen Knudson","author":"Erin Fletcher","date":"July 2, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"American Breeding Standards\u00a0is the most recent work from\u00a0Crooked Letter Press run by book artist and graphic designer Ellen Knudson\u00a0and was\u00a0produced in an edition of 60 in 2012-2013 in Gainesville, Florida.\u00a0This artist book explores the systemized rules about what comprises a good or bad horse, a good or bad woman \u2014\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "book artist of the month"","block_context":{"text":"book artist of the month","link":"https:\/\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/category\/book-artist-of-the-month\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/ellenknudsontools.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/ellenknudsontools.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/ellenknudsontools.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/ellenknudsontools.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11300","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11300"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11300\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11313,"href":"https:\/\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11300\/revisions\/11313"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11300"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11300"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.herringbonebindery.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11300"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}