Join artist Vinny Stapley for this Constable in stitches workshop. Using the artist Constable as your inspiration, create your own interpretation of his work using contemporary textile mixed-media techniques.
Working in the very location, Flatford Mill , made famous by his artworks, we will learn to transfer the design, use watercolours, inks or dyes to add a coloured ground and then create layers with appliqué and machine and/or hand embroidery.
Add your own design ideas to your piece inspired by Constable in stitches and experiment with your own selection of colour and stitch.
About the tutor
Vinny Stapley
After studying printed textiles at Middlesex University, Vinny went on to work as a textile designer for the fashion industry and then as a teacher.
As an artist she has worked on Community Arts projects, Public Art commissions and exhibited in galleries in London and East Anglia, including the V&A as part of the ‘Art of Stitch’ event.
She combines screen-print, machine embroidery, photoshop and digital print with other techniques experimentally to produce mixed-media pieces in a variety of formats.
Much of her work is inspired by the delicately-balanced eco-system, Flora of the intertidal zone and landscape on Mersea Island where she lives.
She has been a featured artist/tutor twice on TextileArtist.org’s Stitch Club and was also featured by Fibre Arts Take Two and in the Stitchers Journal.
In 2025 she was selected for the Broderers Guild exhibition ‘The Art of the Stitch’ in London and the ‘Stitch by Stitch’ Exhibition at the Willow Gallery Oswestry.
She is a member of the ‘EAST’ textile group.
About Flatford Mill
Residential accommodation at Flatford Mill is provided within our historic Grade I listed buildings. Rooms are clean, comfortable and functional, but are intentionally simple and should be considered field centre accommodation rather than hotel-standard accommodation. Many guests value the character and heritage of the site, although facilities reflect the age and nature of the buildings.
Whilst most rooms are either en-suite or have a dedicated bathroom, there are some rooms in The Mill that share showers and toilets at the end of the hall. If this is unsuitable for you please make the office staff aware upon booking or as soon as possible.
Please be aware that you are visiting a Field Centre that caters in the main for school parties; the accommodation is basic and dormitory style, but warm and comfortable.
Explore our range of craft courses hosted by our engaging tutors and learn from their expertise and skills. Our art courses are a chance to meet like-minded people and a chance to unwind from everyday life. They are a great opportunity to experience the UK’s glorious countryside surrounding our field centres.
This course is open to participants aged 18 and over only. For under-18s, please contact the centre directly or see our young people courses and activities for families.
Example Timetable
Check-in is between 1600-1800, if you are arriving after 1800 please advise us, so we can ensure you are advised of access codes, room key location, and room location.
You will meet the tutor at dinner, and you will have your first session after dinner.
What's Included
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Expert Tuition -
Free Wi-Fi -
Full Board Accommodation -
Hot and Cold Drinks -
Picnic Lunch
Full board accommodation and picnic lunch is available for resident bookings only.
Refreshments are included for all, but non-resident bookings are advised to bring a packed lunch with you.
Before You Attend
What to bring
- An A4 image of a favourite Constable painting (I will have some available too).
- An A3 size piece of calico or cotton sheeting
- Watercolours, Posca pens, Watercolour pencils, Inktense or any similar materials.
- Fabric paints/dyes, I will have some on hand too.
- Sewing kit with needles, pins, small scissors, thimbles if required.
- Embroidery Stabiliser- I use paper-soft any brand.
- A selection of embroidery threads and sewing threads matching the palette of the painting you have chosen.
- A small bag of fabrics to appliqué – sheer fabrics work particularly well: netting, organdie , organza, chiffon and silk.
- 505 temporary adhesive
- A sewing machine if you wish to use Machine Embroidery.
Opportunities to attend this course
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Fri 26, November 2027 7:00pm - Sun 28, November 2027 4:00pm
If you are booking a resident place (sole occupancy or shared) and would like an en-suite room, please call the centre directly on 01206 297110
