I wanted to share with you my teaching and lecturing information for African Folklore Embroidery. Please will you be so kind as to review the information below as well as my website for more information. I am interested in either lectures or workshops for your guild. Thank you, Leora Raikin, African Folklore Embroidery

www.aflembroidery.com,

 

African Folklore Embroidery

7258 Pondera Circle, West Hills, CA 91307

TEL: (818) 999-6094 www.aflembroidery.com info@aflembroidery.com

 

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION

In our workshops Students experience Africa by learning about the history and culture of the Ndebele Tribe in South Africa through African Folklore Embroidery. Using colorful African threads and beads against a black background, students embroider images of Ndebele life as they learn about the lifestyle and customs of this fascinating culture and community. Students can also embroidery on kits with designs of African Lions, Elephants and Giraffes and learn about African Wildlife. Students will learn Chain Stitch, French Knots and beadwork. Develop new skills, expand your world, be creative and have fun in a colorful exciting environment. Please view website www.aflembroidery.com for picture

    Freedom to express ones self through personal choices in color and style are highly encouraged! 

 

  Knowledge and culture about South Africa are added to our workshop to enhance the creative, educational and fun experience! 

 

 African Folklore Embroidery promotes cross-culture creativity and expands the imagination!

 

  It’s fun, creative and relaxing!  No experience necessary! A take –along project for the plane, bus or train!

 

We have various options with regard to our lectures , workshops/trunk shows.

 

Options,

Option One - One hour lecture, samples displays and interactive discussion on the Ndebele tribe, techniques used for African Folklore Embroidery.  Kits with instructions are available for sale after lecture. Five percent of all sales during a lecture period are donated to aids orgpahns in South African through the non-profit organization, www.starfishcharity.org

 

Option Two hour- three hour option- Material fee $26.00 includes one basic kit (students will be given a choice of ten different basic kit designs from which to choose- www.aflembroidery.com ) they can either choose before or at the class Kits include design, needle, braid of brightly colored threads, stitch diagram and beads .

 

1. History and background of African Folklore Embroidery 2. Culture, traditions and customs of the Ndebele tribe. Stitching techniques for completing an African Folklore Embroidery design

          3a chain stitch

          3b Satin Stitch

          3c French knots

          3d Bullion stitch

 

2. Embellishment techniques,

          Use of color and variegated threads for enhancement and effect

          Use of metallic thread for enhancement and effect

          Beadwork techniques

          Playing with threads and color

          Mixing threads

Enhancement & visual art techniques

 

 

Option three – Six hour – full day workshop includes options one and two as well as

3. Creating fiber art out of African Folklore Embroidery - cutting and stitching of different fabric onto the design.

I hope this helps, if students need any additional info they can always go to our website www.aflembroidery.com which is quite comprehensive.

 

Thank you for the opportunity of presenting this proposal. Leora Raikin, African Folklore Embroidery www.aflembroidery.com (818) 999-6094

 

 

BACKGROUND TO AFRICAN FOLKLORE EMBROIDERY KITS

 

African Folklore Embroidery originated in South Africa. The Ndebele women of Southern Africa, who are famous for their beautiful and colorful handcrafted work, inspired the designs.

African Folklore Embroidery is fun and easy to do. It is a relaxing, fun and therapeutic arts and crafts activity.  African Folklore Embroidery is designed for both those who have never sewed before as well as those who are experienced needle workers. 

We have designs for beginners and for advanced sewers.  In fact, our beginner kits (the basic kits) are perfect for children eight years and up. African Folklore Embroidery teaches excellent eye-hand coordination, while at the same time allowing children and adults to be creative and use their imagination.

Unlike other needlework activities, African Folklore Embroidery does not require the same level of precision and perfection. Also, no two completed kits ever look exactly the same as each completed kit is unique, relying on each users color interpretation and imagination.

There are many different stitch techniques that can be used to complete a kit such as, Chain Stitch, and others.  The kit instructions list some of these techniques. The extent to which the user varies their stitch technique is again based on their experience and imagination. The chain stitch is the dominant stitch used by the Ndebele women of Southern Africa.

 

The beauty of African Folklore Embroidery lies in its simplicity and individuality. The extreme contrast of the brightly colored threads against the black fabric will make any completed kit look both striking and beautiful.  For the best effect against the black fabric, we suggest using the brightest hues of the rainbow.  The animals do not have to be authentic by color; an elephant could be stitched with red thread and a rhinoceros with pink thread. In fact, we encourage users to express themselves, use their imagination, and be creative and most important, always to have fun!

 

Instructor – Leora Raikin ,member of Southern California Council of Quilt Guilds, NETA, National Embroidery Associatin of Teachers, TNNA, The National Needlework Association  & WAC, Wearable Art Connection. Leora Raikin has taught African Folklore Embroidery at schools, as part of the in-school academic program, after-school enrichment, museums, art camps, guilds and private groups and organizations.