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Every artist has a story to tell.
But to tell it well, sometimes you need a little help...
Do you:
Long to create meaningful and personal art?
Struggle to stay focused and find inspiration?
Second-guess what would make a good ‘story’ to tell?
Feel unsure how to incorporate treasured items into your artwork?
Finding your unique voice as an artist can be challenging in a world of fast-paced visual stimulation. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be this way.
Imagine discovering the hidden gems in your everydaycollections and transforming them into compelling textile masterpieces by learning to look at the details, refine your ideas, and tell your unique story through fabric and thread.
In Collections and Cloth, Anne Kelly will show you how the smallest objects can ignite the biggest ideas.
By collating paper, fabric and stitch, we are able to preserve memories, make observations and create new, meaningful work. By understanding elements of our world near and far, we can better portray, preserve and protect it.
- Anne Kelly
Here's what you can expect in Collections and Cloth...
In Collections and Cloth you’ll…
Develop themes Learn how to find inspiration in your collections – fabric, paper, people or places – and turn them into clear, meaningful themes.
Tell your story Learn Anne’s signature stitching techniques to build layered, detailed pieces that hold your story at their core.
Refine your ideas
Experiment with printing techniques, mixed media, and stitch portraits to develop strong, cohesive artwork from initial sparks of inspiration.
By the end of yourCollections and Cloth course, you’ll have access to a comprehensive library of textile techniques, and an abundance of ways to turn your collections into meaningful textile art!
Anne will guide you through the following chapters, helping you see just how much the smallest objects can ignite the biggest ideas…
Chapter 1: Looking at Historical Collections
In this chapter, you'll explore:
Visiting Cultural Hubs: Learn how to effectively plan and conduct visits to museums and cultural centres, capturing inspiration from their collections.
Collecting Visual Notes: Discover techniques for taking visual notes and sketches that will serve as valuable references for your textile art projects.
Analyzing Collections: Understand how to identify and focus on specific details within collections that can ignite your creativity.
By the end of this chapter, you will be well-equipped to start your projects with a fresh perspective and a wealth of inspiration.
Chapter 2: Looking at Your Collections
Anne will demonstrate how to harness the power of your collections to create inspiring works of art. This chapter focuses on organizing your collections, using observational drawing to connect thought and observation, and starting your project planning.
Anne will showcase examples of her own works, such as a suitcase and a house collage, to illustrate the techniques covered in the course. You will learn the importance of themes and how to start by drawing to loosen up and connect with your materials.
By the end of this chapter, you will have a compiled collection of materials, objects, and drawings to begin planning your project.
Chapter 3: Developing a Theme
In Chapter 3, you are guided through the process of organising your thoughts and ideas using mood boards, mind maps, and idea trees. These tools are invaluable for planning and arranging your thoughts, providing a visual reference that can spark new ideas and help refine your project as it progresses.
Anne will demonstrate how to create a mood board based on her sample collections, helping you to select and arrange the most important aspects of your own collections. By the end of this chapter, you will have compiled a mood board or mind map that serves as a foundation for your project planning.
Chapter 4: House Stories
You'll create a mixed-media layered textile piece using elements from your collections. You will also make a small textile collage that serves as a sampler, allowing you to experiment with the techniques and methods that will be used later in the course for paper collages.
In this chapter, you will explore fabric background, creating a paper pattern, architectural stitching, background stitching and embellishing and stitching techniques and final details.
Chapter 5: Printing
Explore the exciting and creative world of printing techniques. Printing adds a unique, handcrafted quality to your projects, offering depth and texture that can't be achieved through other methods.
In this chapter, you'll learn how to work with Easy Print blocks, transfer your designs, and print on both fabric and paper. This technique is versatile, allowing you to work in small spaces and use minimal materials. Whether you incorporate printing into one or both of your projects, you'll find it to be a valuable and enjoyable addition to your creative toolkit.
Chapter 6: Mixed Media Suitcase
Here you'll undertake an exciting project to create a decorative box for holding your treasured collections. This project not only adds a beautiful, personal touch to your items but also evokes memories of travel and special moments. You will learn to design, embellish, and assemble a box using various materials and techniques.
By the end of this chapter, you will have a unique, handcrafted box that showcases your creativity and serves as a lovely gift or keepsake.
Chapter 7: Holding Memories
In chapter 7 you'll explore the delightful world of creating folding textile books using the treasured scraps you've collected along your journey. These folding books are perfect as a gift for someone else or a lovely memento for yourself.
This chapter will guide you through designing, assembling, and embellishing your folding book, creating a unique and personal narrative that reflects your creativity and experiences.
BONUS Chapter 8: Textile Portraits
In this bonus chapter, we will delve into the intricate and meaningful process of creating a stitched portrait. This chapter is dedicated to exploring how we can honour and remember someone special by transforming their likeness into textile artwork. Through a series of detailed steps, Anne will guide you from the initial stages of preparing your portrait to the final touches that bring your piece to life.
You will learn how to effectively use photo transfer techniques, free motion stitching, and fabric applique to create a portrait that captures the essence of your subject. This chapter emphasizes creativity, personal expression, and the emotional connection we can convey through textile art. By the end of this chapter, you will have a unique and personalized portrait that combines artistic skill with heartfelt sentiment.
Excited? Sign up for exclusive course previews and updates!
When you register your interest in Collections and Cloth, you’ll:
✔️ Unlock a special email series where you’ll get to know Anne better and explore her three-stitch formula for creating a well-rounded artistic experience.
✔️ Experience a hands-on tutorial with Anne straight from her studio.
✔️ Enjoy behind-the-scenes sneak peeks of Collections and Cloth before it opens for enrolment.
✔️ Be notified when enrolment opens so you can secure your spot before the course fills up.
About Anne Kelly
Anne Kelly is an internationally acclaimed artist, author and tutor. Her multilayered and densely embroidered fabric collages have a highly textured look, reminiscent of detailed tapestry hangings. Trained in Canada and Goldsmiths College in London, Anne creates wall hangings and objects using a combination of mixed media collage, hand and machine embroidery, working with collected ephemera, objects and vintage fabrics.
Same inspiring course, fresh new name.
Previously called Collections as a Catalyst, this course is now known as Collections and Cloth – a name that better reflects the heart of the creative journey awaiting you.
The Way of Wabi Sabi Collage - Video Series
Helpful FAQs Have another question? We’re here to help! Please contact the Take Two team at support@fibreartstaketwo.com
Enrolment will open on 18 July 2025. If you register your interest in this course, we’ll send you reminder emails so you can save your spot as soon as enrolment opens.
Enrolment in Collections and Cloth will be... AUD $589 USD $419 GBP £312 EUR €362 NZD $648 CAD $562
If you prefer, we will also have two and five month payment plans available.
Note: the prices above are indicative and may be adjusted according to exchange rates at the time the course is open for enrolment.
Not at all. This course was created for creatives who want to watch in their own time, hit pause, re-watch, take a break, and then return for more!
While you will receive live support during the first eight weeks of enrolment, there is no set schedule to complete this course. Plus, you’ll have all the material for life!
“Before the pandemic I could not have imagined an online art course but now I am a complete convert. I think the freedom to take your time and disappear down your own rabbit hole is such a joy!” Wendy G
We’ve included a list of the tools Anne uses during the course below. We always recommend using your existing tools and supplies before purchasing new materials.
Materials list
Photocopy of a portrait
Black marker to outline photocopy
Heat erasable pen
Glue stick
Hand-sewing needle and thread
Straight sewing pins
Small fabric and paper scissors
Lightweight white cotton fabric (Anne uses
an old handkerchief that is quite transparent)
Backing fabric (Anne uses linen to stabilise the portrait for machine stitching)
Small scraps of fabric
Notions such as buttons, lace, ribbon, cord, haberdashery supplies etc.
Optional:
Sewing machine and thread
Free motion sewing machine foot
Alphabet letter stamps (and stamp
pad with fabric ink)
Fabric paint to add colour to the
textile portrait
Photo transfer paper (for printer)
Anne will be available in your private student community group on Facebook during the live tutor interaction period. For your course, this period will be between 4 August and 26 September 2025.
At this stage, we choose to host our studentcommunity groups on Facebook as it’s a free, accessible platform that allows ease of communication for both students and tutors.
To ensure an inclusive experience, we live stream our Q&A sessions through YouTube and send regular updates via email for those unable to create a Facebook account.
We also have multiple moderators actively engaged within the group to ensure our communities remain safe and welcoming learning environments.
This community is not compulsory, but it’s highly recommended - and our students love it!
“FATT have put together this fabulous format that nurtures the interactions among us. I didn’t even do Facebook before!” – Chris Carlson
That’s okay - you don’t need to be a tech whiz to enjoy our online fibre art courses!
Our students regularly report (with much relief 😉) how easy it is to use our online learning platform. We’re also proudly well-known for our top-notch customer service and are always just a message away if you need support.
Absolutely. Our course content is fully responsive, so you can access your course wherever you feel most comfortable - your computer, phone, or tablet. All you need is an internet connection.
Because we have students from all around the world, we have set up geolocation to accommodate your local currency where we can. We currently accept USD, AUD, GBP, Euro, CAD and NZD…with more to come! If your currency wasn’t mentioned, your bank will still automatically convert it to your local currency once the charge goes through.
(And on the topic of being international, the Take Two team are based in Australia… hence the spelling of things like fibre, realise and enrol!)
You can post your questions about the course in our private Facebook group; either someone from the community, Take Two or Anne herself can help you.
If you have more technical questions or are unable to join the student group, please don’t hesitate to contact support@fibreartstaketwo.com.
“I am so glad I found FATT. Everything is so well put together and the support is wonderful.” Jeniffer H
Be informed - and inspired! - about this course.
By subscribing, you consent to receive updates about this course, our newsletter, and artist features per our Privacy Policy. We will never share or sell your personal information.
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