TEXTILES
THE joy of machine stitching paper & fabric
With Nelusha McDonald
Nov 13 & 14, 2026 | 9:30am - 2:30pm
This 2 day mixed media workshop will bring together paper, fabric and machine stitching into one-of-a-kind artistic cards!
On day 1 we will be creating beautiful complex mixed media paper backgrounds. You will be introduced to the delightful process of designing water colour collage papers and we'll have fun monoprinting with the gel plate. By the end of the first day, you will have many beautiful papers of your own design to collage with.
On day 2, we will learn everything there is to know about embellishing your collaged backgrounds with fabric appliqué and how to machine stitch these focal points to paper. Warning: machine stitching on paper is highly addictive. You do not know how to sew for this class but you will need to bring a sewing machine for day 2.
By the end of this class, we will have designed an original work of art greeting card or two.
There will be a supply fee of $15 that will provide you with additional materials not covered in the list below to ensure a fun and successful workshop!
Supply List
$15 material fee to be paid to the instructor at the start of the class.
Please bring the following to class:
For Day 1:
Gel plate (any size)
Brayer
Some acrylic paints in your preferred colour palette (what you have in your stash)
Some watercolour paints (what you have in your stash)
Paint brushes
A fresh UHU glue stick or Aleene's Tacky Glue
For Day 2:
Sewing machine in good working condition and accessories (zip zag foot and darning / free motion foot if you know how to do free motion stitching or would like to learn)
Black, grey or cream colour thread (can be polyester or cotton)
Pack of universal sewing needles
Fabric scissors
Paper scissors
A few pieces of palm size fabric scraps (5-10 pieces)
Teacher Bio
Nelusha McDonald is a textile collage artist and art doll designer. Her work has been featured several times in Stampington & Co.'s print magazines, including Art Quilting Studio, Green Craft, Art Journaling and Somerset Studio. Nelusha’s also been showcased by StitchesbyJulia, a popular YouTube host and textile artist.
For over 15 years, Nelusha has taught and inspired the creative spirits of others. She also design textile collages for other artists to use in their own work. Her authenticity shows most clearly in loose threads, raw edges, unconventional colour combinations and abstraction. Some of her creations can be found on instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/kitschychic
***All classes and workshops are non-refundable. Cancellations made 7 days, or more in advance of the workshop or class date will receive 100% credit. 6 days before class, and no credit will be issued.
RELATED CLASSES
JOIN US
DATE:
Fri. Nov 13 & Sat. Nov 14, 2026
TIME:
9:30am - 2:30pm
TEACHER:
Nelusha McDonald
WHO IT’S FOR:
All Levels
FEE:
$220.00 CAD plus $15 material fee
LOCATION:
The Old Schoolhouse Arts Centre, Upstairs Classroom