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Distance Learning - Machine Embroidery

This course has been developed from the City & Guilds 7822 Level 2 course which I taught in college and by Distance Learning for Gloucester College. It contains the same syllabus, the only difference being that as I am no longer attached to a college, there is no City & Guilds certification available.

The syllabus is intended for beginners and those who want to develop their skills in design and machine embroidery. The course is divided into a general introduction and six units of work. I will begin by sending you the Introductory Unit and Unit One. On submission of the first unit you will receive a written tutorial giving advice and suggestions, together with Unit Two and so on. I suggest that you spend about a month on each unit, set some deadlines and work to them as best you can. Taking too long can often burn you out and you can always go back and repeat work. That said, if you want to take longer, that's absolutely fine with me.

The course has been running for several years now and I have had some great feedback:

"I managed to do my first successful lines of machine embroidery with your excellent instructions - I have never managed to get the hang of it before! Love it!"

"This method of working is great for me, I can pick it up whenever I have some time and there is no pressure. Thanks!"

"I've finished! Thank you for your brilliant feedback, I really never expected so much attention. I have loved every minute and feel confident to tackle anything."

"As a quilter, I really enjoyed learning machine embroidery techniques, I will definitely use them in my quilting."

Skip to images of students' work from this course.

Common Questions

Do I have to have a computer to take this course?

NO! The post still works very well, although a little slower, I aim to turn work around in a week and I will make sure you have plenty of ideas to develop while waiting or you can begin your next unit.

How do I Receive my Units?

Units can be sent in printed form or downloaded from the internet. There will be an additional charge to cover postage and printing costs.

How do I Submit my Work?

It is much easier to assess and comment on work if the it can be seen for real but I do understand that the cost of postage can be expensive especially if you are overseas. If you can take good quality pictures of your work then it is fine to send those for assessment. I would advise, that some pieces, perhaps the finished items, are posted so I can give some really detailed feedback. You could also consider working your samples and design sheets as separate papers which could be mounted into a portfolio or sketchbook once I have seen them.

Some students may wish to set up a blog or diary of their work including these images to share experiences of their own creative journey.

How Long Will the Course Take?

I expect the course to take between six months and a year to complete working although it very much depends on your other commitments. You can take as long as you like.

How do I Start?

You can start the course at any time, it is always nice to have a chat about the course in general, so do drop me an email info@annegriffiths.com with your number and I can call you, or ring me on 0845 643 1511 which is a local UK rate.

The cost of each unit to be £60. You can pay for one unit at a time and only pay for the next one when you are ready for it. In addition to this you will have the expense of your craft and design materials and any return postage for printed units and samples sent for evaluation.

All fees can be paid by cheque made payable to Anne Griffiths and sent to 4 Gabriel House, Newbury Street, Wantage, OX12 8DJ UK, by bank transfer, email me for account information.

Course Syllabus

The work is divided into six units on completion, you will have:-

  • A portfolio of stitched samples
  • A design portfolio
  • A set of 10 extended samples developed from your design portfolio on markmaking, pattern development, colour studies etc.
  • 2 completed pieces including all the backup work that would be required for a real commission including alternative designs, samples, costings and suppliers.


Unit 1

  • Design - Markmaking and Line
  • Design - Shape and Pattern
  • Free Machine Embroidery
  • Making marks with stitch, straight stitch and zigzag

Unit 2

  • Design - Colour
  • Design - Presentation
  • Automatic patterns
  • Cable stitch and Couching


Unit 3

  • Design - Surfaces and textures
  • Colouring fabrics/threads
  • Free Machine Embroidery - Whip stitch
  • Layering & Bonding
  • FIRST ASSESSMENT PIECE


Unit 4

  • Soluble fabrics
  • Edges
  • Cords, and tassels
  • Making holes

Unit 5

  • Combining textures
  • Hard Edged Appliqué
  • Soft Edged Appliqué
  • Shadow techniques
  • SECOND ASSESSMENT PIECE


Unit 6

  • Quilting
  • Binding
  • Piping
  • Rouleau
  • Prairie points



Images of work completed by students

Click on the icons to see a gallery of student's work for each completed unit.

  Unit 1 Unit 2 Unit 3 Unit 4 Unit 5 Unit 6
Irene Donovan
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Irene Donovan Unit 1 Irene Donovan Unit 2 Irene Donovan Unit 3 Irene Donovan Unit 4 Irene Donovan Unit 5 Irene Donovan Unit 6
Nicky VillalardNicky Villalard Unit 1 Nicky Villalard Unit 2 Nicky Villalard Unit 3 Nicky Villalard Unit 4 Nicky Villalard Unit 5 Nicky Villalard Unit 6
Isabelle DaviesIsabelle Davies Unit 1 Isabelle Davies Unit 2 Isabelle Davies Unit 3 Isabelle Davies Unit 4 - -
Chris de ClercqChris de Clercq Unit 1 Chris de Clercq Unit 2 - - - -
Sandy Campbell SmithSandy Campbell Smith Unit 1 - - - - -
Stephanie TooleStephanie Toole Unit 1 Stephanie Toole Unit 2 - - - -
Pamala Page
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Pamala Page Unit 1 Pamala Page Unit 2 Pamala Page Unit 3 Pamala Page Unit 4 Pamala Page Unit 5 Pamala Page Unit 6
Margo DalyMargo Daly Unit 1 Margo Daly Unit 2 Margo Daly Unit 3 Margo Daly Unit 4 Margo Daly Unit 5 -
Debbie CarterDebbie Carter Unit 1 Debbie Carter Unit 2 - - - -
Hilary SoperHilary Soper Unit 1 Hilary Soper Unit 2 - - - -
Beth Irvine
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Beth Irvine Unit 1 Beth Irvine Unit 2 Beth Irvine Unit 3 Beth Irvine Unit 4 Beth Irvine Unit 5 -
Celia WatkinsonCelia Watkinson Unit 1 - - - - -
Vicky SanderVicky Sander Unit 1 Vicky Sander Unit 2 Vicky Sander Unit 3 - - -
Susan CobleySusan Cobley Unit 1 Susan Cobley Unit 2 Susan Cobley Unit 3 Susan Cobley Unit 4 Susan Cobley Unit 5 Susan Cobley Unit 6
Julie Broad
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Julie Broad Unit 1 Julie Broad Unit 2 - - - -
Margaret LaurenceMargaret Laurence Unit 1 - - - - -
Anne MiddletonAnne Middleton Unit 1 Anne Middleton Unit 2 - - - -
Vivienne ShanahanVivienne Shanahan Unit 1 Vivienne Shanahan Unit 2 Vivienne Shanahan Unit 3 Vivienne Shanahan Unit 4 - -
Jane HydeJane Hyde Unit 1 - - - - -

Examples of Students' City & Guilds Exhibitions

Examples of both college based and distance learners from some of the college exhibitions are shown below which will give you an idea of the kind of work that was produced.

click for gallery Here you can see a gallery of photos from the City and Guilds 7822 Machine Embroidery students' exhibition held at Gloucester College in July 2006.

2005 exhibition
2004 exhibition