In Mexico, they celebrate Día de Los Muertos (The Day of the Dead) around the same time Western cultures commemorate All Souls Day and Halloween. This colorful festival is full of joy rather than horror, honoring one’s beloved family and friends who have departed from this earth. During the festival, Ofrendas (altars) are set up for those who are being remembered. Offerings of flowers, candles, favorite foods, and treasured memorabilia are arranged to welcome the spirits of the departed loved ones. It is a beautiful ceremony full of tradition. No Day of the Dead Celebration is complete without skulls. Skulls made of papier mache, skulls carved from wood, Skull masks, and skulls formed of sugar or baked as cakes and breads… Skulls are beautifully adorned with flowers and sometimes with the name of a departed (or in some cases, still living) person on them.
In this workshop, you will create a panel featuring a skull from felt stitched to a colorful folk art background and then embellish it with flowers cut from botanical prints. The flowers are further adorned and held in place with various hand embroidery stitches. If you'd like to, you can finish your collage by embroidering the name of one of your own departed loved ones as a memorial to them or of someone still living. By doing so, you are not wishing them harm but saving them a place in the afterlife.
Materials Fee $45 paid at beginning of class includes:
A colorful background panel, felt for the skull, a variety of fabric pieces (pre-treated) with lightweight fabric adhesive, templates, beads/sequins, embroidery floss, and needles.
Supplies Needed to bring for Class:
Craft Scissors: With sharp blades to cut fine details.
A Thimble: If you prefer hand sewing with one.
To pre-order supplies, click on this link for Cobblestone Creek Studios.