Course summary:
Unlock your creativity as you embroider your unique take on Adriana Torres iconic sweater-chair.
If you love embroidery but don't know what to design or feel blocked when it's time to embroider, this workshop is for you!
Whether you're an expert stitcher or have never held a needle in your life, this class could be the opportunity you've been waiting for. Through a fun game, Adriana will guide you to create your own sweater-chair, reframing any insecurity as energy that guides your creativity and imagination.
In this workshop you will learn a bunch of embroidery stitches, including brand new ones like the Argentinian Knots and Picot, which Adriana, who is coming all the way from Argentina, will share for the first time on this tour through Europe, America, and Asia.
During this very special session, you will have the first-of-its-kind opportunity to embroider your own version of Adriana’s renowned sweater-chair while joyfully immersing yourself in the creative process.
Adriana started embroidering chairs with sweaters in 2008, when she made the first drawing combining two everyday objects she liked most. Her fascination for designer chairs reaches back to when she was an architecture student, discovering the Bauhaus and the designs of Marcel Breuer and Gerrit Rietveld.
She thinks deeply about the phrase by Gaston Bachelard that says “without the unexpected crossing of two images there is no imagination.” For him, imagination is a process of the soul and can only be explained through the images themselves.
Besides chairs and hand knitted sweaters, Adriana has always loved the different ~ the unique. The repetition of her sweater chairs shows her passion for the subject, just like the Dutch painter Klaas Gubbels repeatedly painting coffee pots and the Icelandic painter Storval painting mountains. Adriana is sure she will paint and stitch chairs with sweaters for the rest of her life.
This is a companion class to The Forest Alphabet (which takes place on the 19th of July). These classes were conceived as a two-day creative retreat and are intended to be complementary. It is, however, possible to enroll in either one individually.
Both in The Forest Alphabet and Play & Stitch, students will acquire proficiency in identical embroidery techniques, including Colcha stitch, Towel stitch, Quaker stitch, Argentinian knot and square knot, and Argentinian Picot, among others. However, the thematic content and the pedagogical approach to these techniques diverge entirely.
Tutor biography:
Adriana Torres was born in Argentina. She studied Architecture and Graphic Design at the University of Buenos Aires, and is also a student of fine art, illustration, drawing, painting and pottery. She is a celebrated textile artist and embroidery educator who established Miga de Pan; an award-winning company making exquisite handmade dolls, toys and blankets for children and adults who love unique design.
Adriana always dreamed of travelling for work and has taught embroidery classes all over the world. In 2025 she will be once again visiting the UK as part of her world tour, and we are delighted to be hosting her at Atelier Beside the Sea again!
View all courses with Adriana Torres.
Location:
Arch 3 at Atelier Beside the Sea and Brighton Beach. Please check in with a member of staff at the Atelier Beside the Sea shop till to be directed to the correct area.
Atelier Beside the Sea
165 Kings Road Arches
Brighton, BN1 1NB
Refreshments provided:
Tea, coffee and biscuits are provided during class. Please bring a packed lunch, or visit one of the neighbouring seafront cafes.
What to bring with you:
All the materials are included: fabric, threads, needles, and a handmade booklet with all the stitches, but you are invited to bring your favorite threads, needles and scissors.
Booking terms & conditions:
You can view the booking terms & conditions here.
As we send information to you ahead of your course start date, please ensure you provide full contact information when booking, including a contact number and email address.
Contact us:
If you have any questions about this course, please feel free to contact us at make@atelierbrighton.co.uk.
If you would like to receive regular updates about our upcoming courses you can sign up to our mailing list at the bottom of this page.