Short Statement: My new Domestika course is now available online!
Date: August 2023
In November 2022, I traveled to Madrid, Spain, to film an online course with Domestika. Over the course of a week, I worked with their production team to create a comprehensive guide to starting free-motion embroidery. The course was released in August 2023, and it’s been exciting to see students from around the world discover these techniques.
Filming an online course is a different kind of creative challenge than making artwork. Instead of working alone in my studio, I spent the week explaining every step of my process to cameras, breaking down techniques I’ve developed over years into clear, accessible lessons. The Domestika team in Madrid was incredible—professional, supportive, and genuinely interested in understanding the work so they could help communicate it effectively.
We filmed everything from setup to finished pieces, capturing close-ups of stitching techniques and wider shots that show how individual elements come together into the larger project. It was an intense week of demonstrating, explaining, and occasionally re-filming to make sure every detail was clear.
The course guides students through the entire process of creating embroidered designs using free-motion embroidery techniques on a sewing machine. I start with the fundamentals: gathering materials, creating mood boards, and developing designs inspired by natural elements. Then we move into the technical aspects—setting up the sewing machine for free-motion work, understanding essential stitch patterns, and learning to shade, accent, fill, and outline designs.
The beauty of this approach is that it’s accessible to beginners while offering techniques that more experienced sewists might not have explored. I also demonstrate my signature water-soluble fabric technique, showing how embroidered pieces can exist without traditional backing.
One of my main goals for the course was to demystify free-motion embroidery and show that thread can be a drawing tool. You don’t need years of traditional embroidery training to create compelling work—you need curiosity, practice, and a willingness to experiment. The course provides step-by-step guidance for anyone eager to explore textiles and unleash their creativity through thread.
Since the course launched in August 2023, it’s been rewarding to see students share their work and interpretations of the techniques. There’s something special about teaching at this scale—knowing that people across different countries and time zones are learning these methods and adapting them to their own creative visions.
https://www.domestika.org/en/courses/4401-embroidery-with-a-sewing-machine/amandamccavour
