Itinerary

A Week of Creativity

Our five-day workshop will be held in the beautiful Au Ver à Soie showroom, home to one of Paris’s most celebrated makers of embroidery and sewing threads. Surrounded by the colours and history of this extraordinary French company, we will spend our mornings immersed in the delicate art of flower-making, working with silk and traditional flower-making tools.

Over five days, you will learn to create delicate, remarkably lifelike sprigs of lily of the valley, complete with leaves, using traditional flower-making tools alongside Anne’s own techniques, developed through many years of making and teaching.

The week will begin with an introduction to Anne’s work and her approach to flower-making, illustrated with beautiful samples from her collection. From there, you will be guided through each stage of creating your own flowers, with demonstrations, samples and plenty of individual attention throughout.

Extraordinary Exhibitions & Inspiration

In the afternoons, we will step away from the atelier to discover some of the extraordinary places in Paris where textiles, fashion and the decorative arts come to life.

At Galerie Dior, we explore the world of Christian Dior and discover the remarkable relationship between haute couture and the crafts that bring it to life. Inspiration continues at Palais Galliera, with a visit to Tisser, Broder, Sublimer, an exhibition celebrating the artistry and savoir-faire of weaving, embroidery, and bien sûr, flower-making.

We go behind the scenes with rare access to a Parisian flower-making studio and a celebrated embroidery atelier, offering an intimate glimpse into the traditions and techniques behind the exquisite flowers created for couture.

With all the inspiration and new skills, you may need to stock up on supplies! We’ll visit Parisian silk fabric suppliers, where you will have the opportunity to explore the beautiful materials that form the foundation of this extraordinary craft.

These visits are an important part of the experience, allowing us to see how the techniques, materials and traditions explored during our workshop are connected to the wider world of French couture and decorative arts.

Inside the Flower-making Atelier

Working with a variety of beautiful fabrics, you will learn how to:

* Observe the structure of a real flower and translate its delicate construction into fabric

* Prepare and stiffen silk

* Cut petals and leaves using templates

* Shape petals using traditional two-part heated flower-making tools

* Construct the delicate calyx of the lily of the valley

* Blend colour and layer silk to create realistic leaves

* Bond layers of silk together

* Bind stems with silk

* Construct and assemble your flowers and foliage

* Attach a brooch pin, if you wish, so that your finished piece can be worn.

The Beauty of Flowers

We will look closely at real flowers throughout the week, considering their intricate structures and the fascinating relationship between flowers and the insects that pollinate them. By observing nature in this way, we begin to understand not only how to recreate a flower, but also to develop a deeper connection with the natural world.

This retreat is suitable for all levels, including complete beginners. All that is required is a basic knowledge of sewing, a willingness to learn and, perhaps most importantly, a little patience! Each technique will be demonstrated carefully before you begin, and Anne will guide you through the processes with generous individual attention.

Although our focus will be on lily of the valley, the skills you learn will extend far beyond this one beautiful flower. You will discover how to interpret the shapes, textures and colours of flowers in fabric and develop techniques that you can continue to explore long after your week in Paris has ended.