Birmingham City University Craft&Making Saturday Club took part in a Masterclass with Hanny Newton, a contemporary embroidery artist specialising in goldwork embroidery. 

Hanny began by introducing herself and her artistic journey, sharing large-scale works, sketchbooks, and physical samples. She demonstrated the intricate techniques of metal thread embroidery, using a live visualiser to show every detail up close. 

Club members then selected fabrics and goldwork threads to experiment with, learning two key techniques: couching with metal threads and cutwork with metal purls. As they worked on their own designs, Hanny introduced additional techniques, such as beading and sketch transfers, encouraging creativity and exploration. 

By the end, each Club member had developed a unique piece, showcasing their interpretation of goldwork embroidery and gaining insight into the craft’s contemporary possibilities.