2021 Seminar Classes

Stunning shaded leaves and pretty trellis work make The Queen’s Pomegranate a lush and vibrant crewelwork piece. The Queen’s Pomegranate is inspired by the emblem of Catherine of Aragon, Queen of England, first wife of Henry VIII. In this class you will learn battlement couching, chain stitch, detached chain stitch, French knots, laid and couched trellis work, long and short shading, raised leaf stitch, split stitch, stem stitch and straight stitch.

Technique: Crewelwork
Proficiency: All Levels
Kit Cost: $75
Design Area: 7½” x 7½”
Kit Contents: The kit contains beautiful linen twill with printed design, 8 skeins of Catkin Crown’s Heathway Merino crewel wool, a full color instruction booklet, trellis tool, needles and an individualized project bag.
Student Provides: 10” hoop and usual stitching supplies.

Harlequin is a study in black and white. Harlequin teaches the basics of blackwork, both reversible and non-reversible. The whitework is a combination of stitches and techniques from Ukrainian Whitework and Pulled Thread work. Stitches included are blackwork, reversible blackwork, satin, double cable, pulled double cable, faggot, various types of eyelets, and smyrna cross. Pre-work is required.

Technique: Whitework & blackwork
Proficiency: Intermediate
Kit Cost: $70
Design Area: 6½” x 11½”
Kit Contents: Zweigart Cashel Linen, Pearl Cotton, DMC
Student Provides: 12” x 16” stretcher bars or 12” hoop and usual stitching supplies.
Pre-work Required: 10 to 12 hours

This class is designed not just for people who wish to become certified judges, but for those who wish to gain an understanding of the judging process or improve their own work. Class sessions will provide insight into the judging process, show administration, common categories, judging ethics, and best practices in various needlework techniques. Students will also work with the elements of design, including color, and apply design principles to needlework. The class will discuss what makes stitching outstanding in various needlework techniques and how stitching can be improved. Students will trial judge actual needlework and try their hand at writing critiques. Finally, students will apply what they have learned to their own needlework. No previous knowledge or experience is required.

Technique: How to judge needlework
Proficiency: All Levels
Kit Cost: $35
Design Area: N/A
Kit Contents: Manual, instructions.
Student Provides: Paper, pen, pencil.

THIS CLASS IS FULL

Designed by Alison Cole

Woodlands Stitchery is worked on a background of hand dyed silk habutai and features felt and cotton padding, couching in brick stitch, applying kid leather, laying purl formally and chipping. One of the leaves is worked in long and short stitch with a 60 degree trellis applied over the top.

Technique: Goldwork embroidery
Proficiency: All Levels
Kit Cost: $55
Design Area: 3½” x 4”
Kit Contents: Hand painted silk habutai, calico, felt, English gilt metal threads, colored sadi thread, Au Ver a Soie silk, kid leather, needles, instructions and photo.
Student Provides: 7” hoop, mechanical pencil, beeswax, fine embroidery scissors, scissors for cutting metal threads, velvet covered card and usual stitching supplies.

About designer Alison Cole
Alison Cole has been embroidering for most of her life, having been introduced to a needle as a child. She has been teaching goldwork and stumpwork for over 20 years around Australia, New Zealand, Canada, America and the UK for guilds, shops, fairs, conventions, and tours. She has judged, consulted and lectured for exhibitions. Winning numerous awards for her embroidery, a gold medal for one of her books and a bronze medal for another; she has also been awarded three awards for her business, including “Best Arts Business.” Alison has written for many magazines around the world, has her work in four books and has self-published five books with another in progress. A specialist embroidery tutor, her embroidery is renowned worldwide.

THIS CLASS IS FULL

Taking inspiration from Monet’s haystacks, students will learn a non-traditional approach to quilting and embroidery. Digitally printed images will be layered and stitched to create a composition unique to each student. The piece will be worked without a hoop to allow each student’s hand to alter the tension and naturally shift the image. Traditional embroidery stitches will be used in combination with thread mixing techniques. Creative metal embroidery techniques will be introduced to add texture and dimension.

Technique: Traditional embroidery & color mixing
Proficiency: All Levels
Kit Cost: $90
Design Area: 5” x 7”
Kit Contents: Image digitally printed on cotton sateen and on silk organza, cotton batting, 100% cotton plain weave for backing, DMC metallic floss, variegated 6-stranded embroidery floss, embroidery needles and gilt smooth purl.
Student Provides: Usual stitching supplies.

A bead embroidered cuff featuring the beaded black orchid as its focal point. This cuff is designed on interfacing and covered entirely with beadwork. Wirelace is used for interest along with accent metal washers, garnets, base ring and black charlotte or cut seed beads and pearls. Creating the raised flower is fun and can be embellished in several different ways, so no two will be the same. Bracelet is custom sized and finished with a basic side bar clasp.

Technique: Beading
Proficiency: Intermediate
Kit Cost: $125
Design Area: 2” x 7” (adjustable)
Kit Contents: Brass ring, interfacing, Ultra-suede, 11/0 charlottes, 15/0 accent beads, garnets, dragon scale beads, metal findings, wire mesh, 8/0 seed beads, slide-bar clasp, pearls and tutorial.
Student Provides: Usual stitching supplies.

THIS CLASS IS FULL

This charming Patchwork Elephant explores many different stitches to create a happy addition to your needlework decorations. The whimsical feel of the colors make stitching on this canvas a dream. The stitches will include old favorites, as well as a few surprises. The background will be a white on white scroll design to enhance the elephant’s fanciful personality.

Technique: Canvas embroidery
Proficiency: Intermediate
Kit Cost: $155
Design Area: 8” x 10”
Kit Contents: White 18 count mono canvas, Threadworx overdyed cottons, several Rainbow Gallery metallics, Gloriana, Needlepoint, Inc. and Caron silks, beads and sequins will be used; along with some white Ultrasuede® for the tusks, needles and case, photo, and instructions.
Student Provides: 13” x 15” stretcher bars and usual stitching supplies.

“Hope is a Thing with Feathers,” a line of inspiration from Emily Dickenson that inspired this needle-work and beaded necklace. Charted straight stitches are worked on canvas in preparation to fold diagonally, forming spread wings as a support for a raised dome of stitching improvisation. Worked in a color choice of stranded overdyed floss, the Hope center is embellished with stitchery to include eyelets padded with silicone rings, French knots, and straight stitches in 1 ply Japan gold on cotton batik fabric. Further embellishment is lavished in single seed beads, beady arcs, spikes, ruffled beady edging and dangled feather charms. Pre-work is required.

Technique: Mixed media/surface embroidery
Proficiency: Intermediate
Kit Cost: $72
Design Area: 3” x 5”
Kit Contents: 18 count mono colored canvas, square of batik, hand-dyed cotton floss, 1 ply gold cord, seed bead mix, a packet of Garden charms, pressed gold beads and feather charms, Kraftex support, button form, needle packet, pack of finishing supplies for necklace stringing, bead mat with trays and instructions
Student Provides: 8” x 8” stretcher bars, 4” embroidery hoop, small items or colored seed beads to add to centerpiece (optional) and usual stitching supplies.
Pre-work Required: 4 to 5 hours

Quatrefoil Roundel is a study in metal thread embroidery. Learn to use the new silk covered metal threads, silk wrapped purl and silk serpentine gimp. The leaves are painted with an acrylic gold paint then embellished with Accentuate in long straight stitches and randomly tied down using spangles. The leaves are outlined with #7 check thread and purple serpentine silk gimp. The circular motif is a combination of check thread and #5 Japan gold. The center is formed with felt padding covered with chipping. The cutwork double daisy-like flower is bright check purl and purple silk-wrapped pearl purl. The background of the roundel is 4-way continental worked #1 Japan gold.

Technique: Metal thread
Proficiency: Intermediate
Kit Cost: $80
Design Area: 4” circle
Kit Contents: The kit comes complete with all threads, canvas with the gold leaves painted, felt for padding center, assorted needles, and a color illustrated instruction booklet.
Student Provides: 8” x 8” stretcher bars and usual stitching supplies.

Come into The Queen’s Garden and enjoy the smell of the flowers and the soft buzzing of the bees! Using silk ribbon stitches and other surface embroidery techniques, we will create the vintage, old-fashioned beehive surrounded by bee-loving flowers. The outline stitch, stem stitch, wrapped stem, detached chain, straight stitch, twisted straight stitch, loop stitch, fly stitch, grab stitch, woven rose, French knots, colonial knots and the ribbon stitch are some of the stitches used to complete the design while sharing the history of silk ribbon embroidery.

Technique: Silk ribbon embroidery
Proficiency: Intermediate/Advanced
Kit Cost: $135
Design Area: 9” x 10”
Kit Contents: Complete thread kit with needles, white congress cloth with a watercolor transfer, 8” x 8” congress doodle cloth, silk ribbons and flosses (most overdyed), Appleton crewel wool, Caron threads, complete instructions including an enlarged picture of the design, stitch guide, detail photos and diagrams, and Tips on Handling Silk Ribbon.
Student Provides: 15” x 14” and 8” x 8” stretcher bars and usual stitching supplies.

Fire has landed in the apple tree. That is what they look like. They come to feast on the apple blossoms and their brilliant color looks like tiny fires in the branches. This beautiful springtime design featuring a pair of Baltimore orioles is finished into a useful sewing case that you will always enjoy using. In addition to the lovely design on the cover, the interior and exterior of the case are also decorated with blackwork and a band sampler. Learn several techniques used to create contemporary raised embroidery while working on the beautiful sewing case.

Technique: Stumpwork & counted
Proficiency: Advanced
Kit Cost: $140
Design Area: 7” x 5½”
Kit Contents: Edinburgh 36 count, muslin, silk, cotton, metallic threads, beads, felt, needles, hoop, all finishing materials, and detailed instructions.
Student Provides: Usual stitching supplies.

THIS CLASS IS FULL

Create your own reef with a variety of threads, textured stitches, and beaded embroidery. Layers of threads and stitches create the triangular areas around the “reef” of beaded embroidery. Students will be given instructions to reproduce my beaded design area, but will also be encouraged to put their own spin on it.

Technique: Counted canvas/bead embroidery
Proficiency: Intermediate
Kit Cost: $99
Design Area: 4” x 12”
Kit Contents: 8″ x 16″ Aquamarine Canvas, Needles, Caron Collection Watercolours, Waterlillies, Rainbow Gallery Glisten, Neon Rays, Petite Very Velvet, Silk Lame’, Splendor, DMC Floss, Seed Beads, Bead Package.
Student Provides: 8” x 16” stretcher bars and usual stitching supplies.

The brilliant balloons float through the warm summer skies – brightening up the day. Balloon Play is a companion and extension of the series, Color Play (Hexagons) and More Color Play (Kites). A continuation in exploring color and design theory, and to continue to learn new ways to approach the painted canvas. You will continue to explore and learn color interactions, color harmony, and value.

Technique: Canvas embroidery
Proficiency: Intermediate
Design Area: 8” x 8”
Kit Cost: $125
Kit Contents: 18 count hand painted canvas, instructions and all threads to complete the design as shown in the example.
Student Provides: 12” x 12” stretcher bars and usual stitching supplies.

Explore the rich beauty of crewel embroidery as you create a stylized floral arrangement accented with a tiny ladybug and a handsome butterfly. Students will master a variety of line and filling stitches including both block and long and short shading. Since different embroiderers enjoy working different stitches, a portion of the class will focus on when and how one stitch may substitute for another. Lecture includes many tips on perfecting your crewelwork and will touch on the colors and stitches used in historic crewel embroideries.

Technique: Crewel & surface embroidery
Proficiency: Intermediate
Kit Cost: $65
Design Area: 5½” x 8½”
Kit Contents: Illustrated, detailed instructions with color photographs, spacing and angle guides, linen twill fabric, Appleton crewel wools, needles, graphite paper.
Student Provides: 12” x 15” stretcher bars and usual stitching supplies.

Capture the lively textural contrasts of a magnificent oak tree. You’ll learn to paint an Impressionistic background in your color choices and trace the shape of the tree. Sculpting stitches are used for the trunk and branches. A special stitch captures the shape of red oak leaves. Thread color choices are Autumn (shown), Spring, or Summer. This is a relaxing design to stitch because there is no counting.

Technique: Painting technique, color mixing, color control for overdyed threads, sculpting stitches
Proficiency: All Levels
Kit Cost: $82
Design Area: 8” x 10”
Kit Contents: 24 count congress cloth, fabric paint set, paint brush, archival quality pen, appropriate needles, balloon, and instructions with photos and design template. A range of solid colored threads for fine tuning the colors will be shared.
Student Provides: 12” x 16” stretcher bars and usual stitching supplies.

Participants will use a variety of overdyed threads to create stitched notebook samples, a band sampler, a spot sampler or a combination of these. The focus of the class is to study the effect of overdyed threads used in a variety of stitches and to create stitched samples for future reference. Because overdyed threads are often used effectively in both geometric and realistic landscape designs, stitches will be selected for each purpose. Color choices are based on Caron Collection threads by the same name.

Technique: Canvas embroidery & notebook class
Proficiency: All Levels
Kit Cost: $87
Design Area: N/A
Kit Contents: 18 count canvas, needles, two color choices (Scheherazade or Bermuda Reef), Caron Collection and Weeks Dye Works overdyed threads, stranded embroidery cotton, complete instructions including numerous color images of stitch samples.
Student Provides: 1” binder notebook, 12” x 12” stretcher bars and usual stitching supplies.

Calling all Lily-Gilders, Tassel-Hangers and Glitter-Sprinklers…this is SO your kind of jewelry! Achieve elegant results in Soutache and bead embroidery. Adventurous beginners will learn all the basics including aligning and stacking, shaping stitches, ending stacks, backing and edge-beading and peyote stitch bezel. Those with more experience will be fascinated by new techniques including sculpting with Shibori ribbon, connecting components and creating a sturdy-but-delicate-looking captured-bead chain – a technique that can be used again and again in future Soutache projects. Five different color-ways will be offered.

Technique: Soutache & bead embroidery with shibori ribbon
Profiency: Basic/Intermediate
Kit Cost: $80
Design Area: N/A
Kit Contents: Soutache, beads, Shibori ribbon, and a full-color “Whole Story” step-by-step instructions for finishing the project at home.
Student Provides: Bead board or bead blanket, sharp scissors, magnifier and task lighting as desired and usual stitching supplies.

Carnations in flower lore represent maternal love. This pocket-sized case, worked on 32-count linen with silk threads in shades of red and green with accents in brown, highlights some of the varied shapes and counted stitches used through history to depict the carnation. The front cover has a single stylized carnation. The back and inner covers feature variations of this flower. Two diagonal inside pockets feature more stylized depictions of the carnation, and the final inner panel holds a pincushion. A Queen Stitch scissors fob finishes off the carnation theme. The two spine areas are used for personalization.

Technique: Counted thread
Proficiency: Intermediate
Design Area: 9-5/8” x 2-3/4” (unfolded) – 2-3/4” x 2-3/4” (folded)
Kit Cost: $135
Kit Contents: 13” x 18” linen 32 count, silk threads, color copies, chart, instructions, stitch diagrams and detailed finishing instructions, needles, batting, interfacing, Skirtex, ribbon.
Student Provides: Usual stitching supplies.

Stitch on a new project or a favorite one you have been meaning to complete. Enjoy the company of other stitchers while working at your own pace, taking breaks on your own schedule. Space will be provided for two days of stitching, with access to an instructor to provide guidance, suggestions and help with stumbling blocks. It doesn’t get any better to resolve problems, share success and magnificent progress on your choice of projects with fellow stitchers!

Glittering at sunset, the buildings on the city’s lakefront light up as the sky goes dark. Stitch the diaper patterns of windows in the buildings against the sunset glow of the sky. Create the reflections of the sunset hues in the water, and include a ribbon of traffic lights at the water’s edge. This study in diaper patterns in a split complementary color scheme of blue, red-orange and yellow-orange will include lessons on making and compensating with diaper patterns, establishing proper perspective with stitches, using single-strand thread blending to create the shaded sunset sky, and making stitch and thread selections to create reflections in water.

Technique: Canvas
Proficiency: Intermediate
Kit Cost: $85
Design Area: 12” x 8”
Kit Contents: 18 count mono canvas with instruction booklet, graphs and stitch diagrams, needles, DMC flosses, Rainbow Gallery threads, Kreinik and Access Commodities.
Student Provides: 18” x 13” stretcher bars and usual stitching supplies.

This tiny impressive jewel suspended among the soft pink blooms is stitched using cotton floss and random long and short stitch on shantung silk. Other stitches used to create the fine detail are split stitch, running stitch, stem stitch, straight stitch, trailing stitch, buillon knots, and satin stitch. Students will easily create his exquisitely shaded feathers using a color photograph of the hummingbird. They will be taught an exercise that is used at the Royal School of Needlework to readily see color changes. In addition, students will learn how to determine which area to stitch first to achieve the maximum realism. The comprehensive written instructions have clear color photographs showing exact thread placement and all stitch diagrams needed to complete this design are provided. With minimal experience with random long and short stitch, the student can easily recreate this realistic design with the teacher’s guidance, the written instructions and class structure. Pre-work is required.

Technique: Thread painting (realistic silk shading)
Proficiency: Intermediate
Kit Cost: $106
Design Area: 8” x 10”
Kit Contents: Shantung silk with pre-drawn diagram and calico for backing, DMC flosses.
Student Provides: 10” x 12” stretcher bars and stand, frame weight or table clamp a must, along with usual stitching supplies.
Pre-work Required: 3 hours

THIS CLASS IS FULL

Designed by Jane Nicholas

This panel was inspired by a Japanese family crest showing a stylized lotus plant motif. It features the leaves, flowers and seed pods of the lotus plant, Nelumbo nucifera, and a praying mantis, Mantis religiosa, with detached wings and wrapped-wire legs. Using traditional stumpwork and surface embroidery techniques, and a variety of silk and metallic threads, this small circular embroidery may be worked on ivory satin or a square of vintage kimono silk (a choice is offered). The finished panel may be framed or mounted into the lid of a gilt bowl.

Technique: Stumpwork & surface embroidery
Proficiency: Advanced Intermediate
Kit Cost: $70
Design Area: 4½” x 4½”
Kit Contents: Project includes design, instructions, photograph, ivory satin or square of vintage kimono silk, quilter’s muslin, tracing paper, felt, vliesofix, all required Soie d’Alger silk threads, assorted rayon, nylon and metallic threads, colored wires and beads.
Student Provides: 10” hoop & three 4” or 5” hoops, a variety of needles and usual stitching supplies.

About designer Jane Nicholas
Jane Nicholas has been researching and working in the field of embroidery for twenty-five years. Specializing in stumpwork and goldwork embroidery, she has written nine books and has contributed widely to journals and magazines on the subject. In 1999, Jane was awarded a Churchill Fellowship to further her studies in stumpwork in the United Kingdom and in 2005, was awarded the Order of Australia Medal, for her “services to hand embroidery as an artist, teacher and author.” She teaches widely in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States and continues to research and develop new techniques – particularly in stumpwork. A separate, but often related area of her work, is as a maker of artist books and boxes.

A symphony is an elaborate composition with grand proportions and varied elements. This Symphony is a counted canvas design, divided into several areas, some highly textured and complex, and some smoother and soothing, but all interesting. A variety of threads lend to the character of the project, in a choice of two colorways. Symphony presents a challenge to the experienced stitcher but is not beyond the reach of a less seasoned needleworker. Stitches used: brick, waffle, Jessicas, teardrop crescents, sprat’s heads, walnetos, wheat, woven, layered cross stitch, rice, sword Amadeus, windmills, woven ribbons, 8 pointed star, Rhodes, Victorian step, floral cross, Greek, trame’, Byzantine, Milanese pinwheels, Milanese, double fan doubled.

Technique: Counted canvas
Proficiency: Advanced intermediate to advanced
Kit Cost: $125
Design Area: 10” x 10”
Kit Contents: 18 count mono canvas, DMC cotton flosses, rayon flosses and #8 pearl cottons, Kreinik #8 Braids, Rainbow Gallery Silk Lame’ Braids, Flair, Frosty Rays and Neon Rays, Caron Collection Watercolours.
Student Provides: 16” x 16” stretcher bars and usual stitching supplies.

Chicago is synonymous with the height of the Jazz Age and this Art Deco inspired handbag brings to life the age of flappers, speak easies, jazz clubs, and designs decorating Chicago’s iconic skyscrapers. This elegant design includes twenty different bead stitches, fill designs and provides students time to practice each stitch. The class kit includes instructions on how to finish the purse after panel beading is completed. Students may choose from one of five colorways. Pre-work is required.

Technique: Bead embroidery
Proficiency: Basic
Kit Cost: $115
Design Area: 6” x 9½”
Kit Contents: Buckram, Femo clay cabochon; bugle beads; Czech and Delica seed beads; sequins including flat, hologram, embossed, and shaped; Swarovski margarites, bicone and flat back crystals; cube beads; bead embroidery needles; beading thread in neutral colors; fusible nonwoven interfacing; Timtex; beading mat; magnetic snap; and project pattern.
Student Provides: One-half yard, solid color fabric for the purse outside in one of five colors: black, red, purple, blue or white (medium to heavy-weight), one-half yard of lining in any color (medium-weight satin). Slate frame, Q-snap type frame, or hoop no smaller than 10”. Light source and/or free-standing magnifying glass and usual stitching supplies.
Pre-Work Required: 3 to 4 hours

Sweet flowers and fresh, green leafy vines stitched on creamy ivory linen combine in this delightful needlebook. The design for our needlebook comes from the Trevelyon Miscellany of 1608, a book that’s over 400 years old, compiled at the end of the Renaissance. Together we will embroider this design using satin stitch, stem stitch, long and short shading, leaf stitch, and trellis work.

Technique: Surface embroidery & silk shading
Proficiency: All Levels
Kit Cost: $55
Design Area: 4” x 4.5”
Kit Contents: The kit contains beautiful linen twill with printed design, 7 full skeins of cotton floss, a full color instruction booklet, lining fabric for the needle book, felt for the pages, and an individualized project bag.
Student Provides: 10” hoop and usual stitching supplies.

Anne is a Ukrainian Whitework piece designed to be a first step into the world of whitework embroidery, or an enjoyable refresher to those already experienced in whitework. Anne’s design may be stitched a single time and finished as an ornament, or worked twice and made into a needle roll. Either way, the student will have the choice of white, or the Cottage Garden variegated thread Skylark. The stitches worked in the creation of Anne are just three; satin, eyelet, and cable. (The needleroll adds a fourth stitch – the hemstitch.) Full instructions for finishing Emily into an ornament and the needleroll are included and will be fully covered in class, but finishing supplies are not included.

Technique: Ukranian whitework
Proficiency: Basic
Kit Cost: $50
Design Area: 1.75” x 3.5” single repeat, 3.5” square double repeat
Kit Contents: Zweigart Cashel Linen, Pearl Cotton.
Student Provides: 10” x 10” stretcher bars and usual stitching supplies.

THIS CLASS IS FULL

Blossom of snow, may you bloom and grow…Edelweiss. Using shimmering threads of white on Antique Blue canvas your garden will be stitched with Crescents, Jessicas, Sprats Heads and Wrapped Eyelets. Our garden will grow using silks of Elegance and Petite Silk Lame’ Braid and to capture the glisten of snow we will use Crystal Braid and Glisten. For additional radiance, pearls, crystals and beads will be added for depth and luster. Edelweiss will be 6” x 3” on 18 count mono canvas and may be finished as a framed piece or an ornament. Edelweiss is available on three colors of canvas; Antique Blue, Victorian Red and Victorian Green with matching crystals and pearls.

Technique: Counted canvas stitching & embellishment
Proficiency: Basic Intermediate
Kit Cost: $85
Design Area: 6” x 3”
Kit Contents: Canvas, Elegance, Petite Silk Lame’ Braid, Crystal Braid, Glisten, pearls, crystals, stitching and beading needles. Your instruction booklet will have everything you need to stitch your design.
Student Provides: 10” x 8” stretcher bars and usual stitching supplies.

Designed by Alison Cole

This is a fun one-day class to create a stumpwork flower that is mounted on an adjustable ring mount. Five color choices with either Au Ver a Soie or Cascade House Silk is used. Fast stitchers may get the project finished in class – and wear it away!

Technique: Stumpwork
Proficiency: All Levels
Kit Cost: $30 for Poppy, Buttercup, Red & Mauve Pansies; $35 for Purple Pansy
Design Area: N/A
Kit Contents: Delustered duchess satin, quilter’s muslin, homespun, silk threads, wires, needles, ring, instructions and photo. The Poppy is finished with Madeira metallic thread and a Swarovski crystal, the Red Pansy has a brass bead in the center – all of which are included in the kit.
Student Provides: Two 4” hoops, white dressmaker’s carbon, mechanical pencil, fine embroidery scissors, scissors for cutting wires and velvet covered card.

About designer Alison Cole
Alison Cole has been embroidering for most of her life, having been introduced to a needle as a child. She has been teaching goldwork and stumpwork for over 20 years around Australia, New Zealand, Canada, America and the UK for guilds, shops, fairs, conventions, and tours. She has judged, consulted and lectured for exhibitions. Winning numerous awards for her embroidery, a gold medal for one of her books and a bronze medal for another; she has also been awarded three awards for her business, including “Best Arts Business.” Alison has written for many magazines around the world, has her work in four books and has self-published five books with another in progress. A specialist embroidery tutor, her embroidery is renowned worldwide.

Create this bead embroidered Candy Ring featuring the new gem duo and tea cup beads. You will use basic bead embroidering skills. Students will have several color choices to choose from and after making one you will want to make more in other colors and perhaps create for future gifts etc.

Technique: Beading
Proficiency: All Levels
Kit Cost: $25
Design Area: N/A
Kit Contents: Ultra-suede templates, 15/0 seed beads, clasp, gem duo’s, tea cup beads, accent 15/0.
Student Provides: Usual stitching supplies.

Missed the online class? Learn some of the basic principles of design as well as pitfalls to avoid, so that your ideas reflect a thoughtful and unified composition. This is a class for those just beginning to design their own work as well as those ready to take their design potential to new levels. This class covers classical proportioning systems, armatures of composition, pitfalls to design, composition enhancers, and putting it all together!

Technique: Design
Proficiency: All Levels
Kit Cost: $60
Design Area: N/A
Kit Contents: Compass, pencil, ruler, clear write-on transparencies, graph paper, Sharpie® marker, written directions and color copy of PowerPoint presentation.
Student Provides: Paper, pen and pencil.

Snowflake is a study in Rozashi. This small project gives the student with an interest in Asian culture a “taste” of one of the needle arts from Japan. Rozashi dates from the 8th century. It originally was a needle art worked by the ladies of the court. Later the Samurai ladies worked this unique embroidery. Our Snowflake is filled with Nandina, a beautiful late fall to winter shrub. The berries are worked in red silk, with leaves in green silks. The stems are worked in a taupe/silver brocade thread. The background is worked in a blue brocade mix of silver and silk. The Snowflake will be outlined in silver metallic.

Technique: Rozashi
Proficiency: All Levels
Kit Cost: $60
Design Area: 4.24” x 4.25”
Kit Contents: The kit comes complete with all threads, ro attached to frame with design drawn, a Japanese needle and an illustrated instruction booklet.
Student Provides: Usual stitching supplies.

Join me as we recreate a summer garden of jeweled flowers and dragonflies and learn the basics of silk ribbon embroidery with other surface stitching techniques. Silk Dupioni serves as the background fabric for the daisies, periwinkles and forget-me-nots made with 4mm Overdyed Silk Ribbons, Ribbon Floss, Silk Lame’ Braid, Sparkle Braid, and Wildflowers. Rayon floss, #8 Pearl Cotton and Mill Hill beads add greenery and sparkly embellishments. The dragonfly is cleverly stitched with Caron Rachelette. The thread colorway will be determined by the color of the silk dupioni available.

Technique: Silk ribbon embroidery
Proficiency: All Levels
Kit Cost: $65
Design Area: 4” Round
Kit Contents: Complete thread kit and embellishments, 10” x 10” silk Dupioni fabric, instructions, a large picture of the design, detail photos, stitch guides, Tips on Handling Silk Ribbon, bibliography and a brief introduction to Damsel and Dragonflies. A 6” Susan Bates Hoop-La Hoop is also included with the kit.
Student Provides: Usual stitching supplies.

THIS CLASS IS FULL

Designed by Jane Nicholas

Embroidered on a background of ivory satin with silk and cotton threads, this small stumpwork panel features the Sweet Briar, Rosa rugibinosa: the petals are wired and detached, the sepals are worked with needle-weaving and the stems and leaves with surface embroidery. The finished embroidery may be framed, made into a box top, or used as a cover for a needlecase.

Technique: Stumpwork & surface embroidery
Proficiency: All Levels
Kit Cost: $27
Design Area: 2” x 2½”
Kit Contents: Design outline and instructions, photograph, ivory satin, quilter’s muslin, Soie d’Alger silk threads, assorted silk and cotton threads, and wires.
Student Provides: 4” hoop and 5” or 6” hoop, a variety of needles and usual stitching supplies.

About designer Jane Nicholas
Jane Nicholas has been researching and working in the field of embroidery for twenty-five years. Specializing in stumpwork and goldwork embroidery, she has written nine books and has contributed widely to journals and magazines on the subject. In 1999, Jane was awarded a Churchill Fellowship to further her studies in stumpwork in the United Kingdom and in 2005, was awarded the Order of Australia Medal, for her “services to hand embroidery as an artist, teacher and author.” She teaches widely in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States and continues to research and develop new techniques – particularly in stumpwork. A separate, but often related area of her work, is as a maker of artist books and boxes.

Twisty stitches depict a fun and exciting tree! Enjoy this piece while learning traditional as well as variations on the stitches often used in geometric-type pieces, as popularized by Jean Hilton. You can enjoy a new twist on the geometric design. Finish as a stand-up or an ornament.

Technique: Canvas embroidery
Proficiency: Intermediate
Design Area: 3” x 3”
Kit Cost: $45
Kit Contents: Line drawn 18 count mono canvas (appropriate to color choice), instructions and all threads to complete the design as shown in the example.
Student Provides: 7” x 7” stretcher bars and usual stitching supplies.

The Blue and White Huswife is inspired by the American style of crewel preserved by the Deerfield Society of Blue and White Needlework. The stitches used are limited to ones identified in Deerfield Society embroideries. Lecture will include the history of the Deerfield Society, part of the Arts and Crafts movement in the United States, and how indigo came to be cultivated in colonial America. When completed, the huswife is a convenient way for an embroiderer to organize and carry frequently used needlework tools.

Technique: Crewel embroidery
Proficiency: All Levels
Kit Cost: $45
Design Area: 5” x 7½” x ½” (folded)
Kit Contents: Linen twill, Appleton Crewel wool, DMC Pearl and stranded cotton, mat board, quilt batting, felt, Mother of Pearl button, needles, color photographs, and illustrated, detailed instructions.
Student Provides: 15” x 10” stretcher bars, 12” ruler and usual stitching supplies.

Forget wooden-eyed owls and burlap-textured plant-hangers… this ain’t yo’ mama’s macramé! Amee Runs with Scissors makes Micro-Macramé fast, fun and fashionable. Books on macramé can be a confusing hash of diagrams and videos sometimes omitting the “secrets” that make the work easier. Join Amee and learn how simple it is to weave two basic knots into these swingy, lightweight earrings. All the tools and supplies will be provided. Kits will be available in a wide variety of color-ways.

Technique: Micro-macrame
Proficiency: All Levels
Kit Cost: $40 each kit
Design Area: N/A
Kit Contents: Kits will be available in a wide variety of color-ways.
Student Provides: Usual stitching supplies.

THIS CLASS IS FULL

This wee box features four bee skep designs on the side panels with the saying “No bees, no honey, no work, no money.” The outer lid has a flower vine surrounding a small bee charm. The inner lid has an area for pins and the bottom area has personalization. There is a small scissors fob and a decorative paper case to hold needles to tuck inside the box. Stitches include double Italian, long arm cross, diagonal satin, petit point, backstitch, smyrna cross, stem, cross-stitch over two, colonial knot, Roman stitch, rice, backstitch, cross-stitch over one, and lazy daisy.

Technique: Counted thread
Proficiency: Intermediate
Design Area: 2” x 2” x 2”
Kit Cost: $95
Kit Contents: 11” x 12” linen 32 count, silk and overdyed cotton threads, color copies, charts, instructions, diagrams, and detailed finishing instructions, practice fabric and thread, needles, batting, interfacing, Skirtex, bee charm, beads, silk fabric lining.
Student Provides: Usual stitching supplies.

In this class, a requisite for the EGA-Certified Appraiser Program, students will learn the fundamentals of appraising needlework, embroidery, quilts, and textiles for such purposes as obtaining insurance, filing for damages, selling items, or donating articles. Students will also learn the various types of value and how they are concluded. While the bulk of the class is devoted to the principles of appraising and their practical application, time will also be allotted to conducting referenced research and practicing writing appraisals. Sessions will focus on professional practices, including ethical conduct, client relationships, document preparation, file maintenance, and other concerns. No previous knowledge or experience is required. It is suggested, but not required, that students bring a laptop computer or iPad-type device with a wireless Internet capability.

Technique: How to appraise needlework
Proficiency: All Levels
Kit Cost: $40
Design Area: N/A
Kit Contents: Appraisal manual and flash drive.
Student Provides: Laptop with wireless capability and smart phone/camera.

Beautiful textures and patterns are created using bullion and French knots as well as laid and couched work in this charming crewelwork design. The King’s Pineapple is inspired by the portrait of King Charles II of England receiving a pineapple, a coveted and uncommon gift, symbolic of royal privilege. The stitches we will embroider together include French knots, raised chain band, bullion knots, raised leaf stitch, laid and couched trellis work, long and short shading and chain stitch.

Technique: Crewelwork
Proficiency: All Levels
Kit Cost: $75
Design Area: 9” x 8”
Kit Contents: The kit contains beautiful linen twill with printed design, 8 skeins of Catkin Crown’s Heathway Merino crewel wool, a full color instruction booklet, needles and an individualized project bag.
Student Provides: 10” hoop and usual stitching supplies.

Margaret is a delicate, lacy Hardanger Embroidery box. This little box includes many of the most often used Hardanger stitches including klosters, dove’s eyes, eyelets, and square filets along with two less commonly used filling stitches, the dove’s eye with crossed bars and the woven corner. Pre-work is required.

Technique: Hardanger
Proficiency: Intermediate
Kit Cost: $50
Design Area: 5” square when folded, 10” square when flat
Kit Contents: Zweigart Cashel Linen, Pearl Cotton.
Student Provides: 11” Q-Snaps and usual stitching supplies.
Pre-work Required: 16 to 20 hours

Designed by Alison Cole

Posy of Violets has been designed for Seminar 2021 using the Illinois state flower as inspiration. This workshop is a slower paced class than my usual classes, allowing for beginners to consolidate the techniques being taught. The posy consists of seven violet flowers and three leaves tied with a silk ribbon. The piece is worked in Gumnut Yarns stranded silks and is completely free standing under a glass dome.

Technique: Stumpwork
Proficiency: All Levels
Kit Cost: $85
Design Area: N/A
Kit Contents: Quilter’s muslin, homespun, Gumnut Yarns Stars silk threads, Colourstreams silk ribbon, wires, needles, mirror base, glass dome, photo and instructions.
Student Provides: Two 6” hoops, white dressmaker’s carbon, mechanical pencil, stylus or spent ballpoint pen, fine embroidery scissors, scissors for cutting wires, ruler or tape measure and usual stitching supplies.

About designer Alison Cole
Alison Cole has been embroidering for most of her life, having been introduced to a needle as a child. She has been teaching goldwork and stumpwork for over 20 years around Australia, New Zealand, Canada, America and the UK for guilds, shops, fairs, conventions, and tours. She has judged, consulted and lectured for exhibitions. Winning numerous awards for her embroidery, a gold medal for one of her books and a bronze medal for another; she has also been awarded three awards for her business, including “Best Arts Business.” Alison has written for many magazines around the world, has her work in four books and has self-published five books with another in progress. A specialist embroidery tutor, her embroidery is renowned worldwide.

This fun goldenrod design mixes basic embroidery stitches with a contemporary approach to goldwork embroidery. Thread mixing and shading will be discussed for the leaves and buds.

Technique: Contemporary goldwork
Proficiency: All Levels
Kit Cost: $100
Design Area: 3” x 7”
Kit Contents: 36 count linen, Weeks Dye Works and Valdani embroidery flosses, metal wires, embroidery needles and tissue paper.
Student Provides: 12” x 12” stretcher bars or 8” or 10” hoop and usual stitching supplies.

Create this infinity styled necklace that showcases many bead weaving stitches. Created like a sampler with separate sections of beadwork. Featuring the Tile and trinity beads along with cubes, triangles, 1.5 cubes, 15/0 and 11/0 cut seed beads, cylinder beads, mini bugles, and various chain.

Technique: Beading
Proficiency: Intermediate
Kit Cost: $125
Design Area: N/A
Kit Contents: 11/0 cut beads, 15/0 cut beads, 1.5 cubes, 4mm cubes, triangle beads, trinity beads, tile beads, mini bugles, 2mm firepolish, cylinder beads, various chain.
Student Provides: Usual stitching supplies.

Happy Halloween! This 3-D witch’s hat will be an excellent addition to your Halloween decorating. Two canvases will be stitched and then finished into this stand-up witch’s hat. Black stitching buttons will be used for the “O’s” in Boo to add more dimension to the hat. These buttons have 64 holes and can be stitched on; we will stitch a Jessica with beads on one button and a Waffle stitch on the other, both with orange thread. The stitches will include old favorites, as well as a few surprises in this 3-D popper.

Technique: Canvas embroidery
Proficiency: Intermediate
Kit Cost: $225
Design Area: 12” tall x 15” wide at the brim
Kit Contents: Two white 18 count mono canvases, Silk Lame’ Braid, Petite Very Velvet, Glisten, Splendor silk, Grandeur, Fyrewerks, Kreinik metallics and many other threads, beads and embellishments, instructions, needles and case, and photo.
Student Provides: Two sets of stretcher bars – 20” x 16” and 15” x 15” and usual stitching supplies.

THIS CLASS IS FULL

Encrustations is a rectangular keepsake box frosted with an abandon of bead and stitch textures layered over shapes hidden beneath a linen cover. Beginning at center, the encrusting process moves outward building surface stitches, needle-woven bars, and random beadery into a froth of fabric folds. Worked onto a stiff beading foundation, the fabric manipulations are sparked with bead embroidery of beaded lines, arcs and spikes for a party pileup of encrusted pretties. Class will include a demonstration of assembly and lid completion.

Technique: Surface stitchery, ruching, beadwork, mixed media layering
Proficiency: Intermediate
Kit Cost: $98
Design Area: 7” x 10” white beading foundation
Kit Contents: Linen/rayon blend, 8” x 10” beading foundation, mini stretcher bars, fleece, bits of tulle netting, interfacing and cheesecloth, flosses, pearl cotton and overdyed threads, batik cotton fabric, Keepsake box, needles, beading thread, Miyuki and other beads, and a variety of embellishments along with instructions for the project.
Student Provides: Usual stitching supplies.

The birch-lined river is the front cover of this paper maché book box composed of layers of landscape. Beginning with a stitched and painted canvas window opening, the river turns to draw our eye to the more distant stand of birch trees along the river’s edge, and a distant landscape background. The class explores a variety of easy techniques to add color, layers, and movement to the forest view.

Technique: Textile painting, open contemporary work, surface, pulled work, mixed media & finishing
Proficiency: Intermediate
Kit Cost: $95
Design Area: 7.5” x 5” x 2”
Kit Contents: Zweigart Belfast linen 8″ x 12”, Jacquard textile paint set, Artist acrylic paints, congress cloth 6” x 9”, Bella Lusso® wool and cotton thread palette, paper maché box 7½” x 5” x 2”, Tyvek®, medium gel, needles in felt: tapestry needles, paint brush/water cup/palettes, and written directions.
Student Provides: 8” x 12” stretcher bars and usual stitching supplies.

The red rose forms the center motif of our design. It is surrounded by gold leaves, acorns and arabesque. The design itself is reminiscent of a motif from medieval architecture. The Rose outline padding is #5 red Japan metallic thread, with the final layer stitched with soie ovale. The gilt kid leaves are appliqued with invisible stitches, then outlined with #7 check thread. Pearl purl forms the veins and stems with check thread adding width to the outsides of the stems. The acorn’s cup is padded with cotton thread and felt. The final layer on the acorn cup is smooth purl worked in a vertical satin stitch. The acorn top has a felt padding and overlaid with chips of bright check purl. The arabesque is worked in Japan thread, imitation gold, gold twist and check thread. The piece is worked on a silk/wool fabric with a cotton backing fabric.

Technique: Silk & metal thread embroidery
Proficiency: Intermediate
Kit Cost: $80
Design Area: 4½” x 4¼”
Kit Contents: The kit will include all threads, the silk/wool fabric with design, cotton backing hemmed and ready to attach to frame, needles, felt for padding, assorted needles, assorted framing up supplies and a color illustrated instruction booklet.
Student Provides: 10” x 12” stretcher bars and usual stitching supplies.

Stitch this charming bouquet of Spring flowers while learning the basics of silk ribbon embroidery and other surface stitching techniques. Dimension and texture are created by using a variety of silk and other threads in varying weights and thicknesses. The outline stitch, stem stitch, wrapped stem stitch, detached chain stitch, straight stitch, split stitch, satin stitch, loop stitch, fly stitch, pistil stitch, French knots, colonial knots, the ribbon stitch and couching are used to complete the design.

Technique: Silk ribbon embroidery
Proficiency: All Levels
Kit Cost: $125
Design Area: 9” x 9”
Kit Contents: The design will use both 4mm and 7mm silk ribbons, most overdyed, DMC pearl cottons, Needlepoint Inc. silk flosses, Silk Road Straw Silk, Trebizond silk pearl, Appleton crewel wool and Painter’s Thread soie perlee on a 15” x 15” hand-painted and drawn, congress cloth background.
Student Provides: 15” x 15” stretcher bars and usual stitching supplies.

A gardener has been harvesting autumn’s bounty. Her basket is brimming with apples and grapes. She has removed her hat and placed it with her basket never suspecting that a curious squirrel will try to investigate it. Do you think he will steal an apple or perhaps the grapes? Learn several techniques used to create contemporary raised embroidery while working on the adorable squirrels that dominate the design. The large biscornu pincushion is decorated with surface and counted work creating a wonderful autumn garden.

Technique: Stumpwork & counted
Proficiency: Advanced
Kit Cost: $95
Design Area: 7” x 7”
Kit Contents: Edinburgh 36 count, muslin, silk, cotton, metallic threads, beads, felt, hoop, needles, all finishing materials, and detailed instructions.
Student Provides: Usual stitches supplies.

Do you ever want to create your own canvas design? This class will guide you through the design process while providing templates, stitch diagrams, and building blocks to choose from. On the first day of class, an interactive lecture is designed to cover three topics: General Design (principles of design), Color (color theory and how it impacts design and emotion), Creative Process (inspiration of design and idea origination).

The second day will be spent beginning to design and start stitching the student’s own design. Additional topics of discussion will include thread selection, stitch selection, stitch and thread combinations, working with multiple overdyed threads, design element placements, border choices, and more.

Technique: Education
Proficiency: All Levels
Kit Cost: $99
Design Area: 10” x 10” canvas
Kit Contents: Instructions/printouts with color photos, 18 count mono canvas, and all threads to complete the student’s original design. Three different colorways will be offered and kits will include Caron Watercolours, DMC Pearl Cotton, and Rainbow Gallery fibers.
Student Provides: 10” x 10” stretcher bars and usual stitching supplies.

The warmth of autumn and the fading daylight adds a dramatic touch to the wooded landscape. A selection of stitches and the power of light and shadow techniques in art and design combine to create an enduring piece. Learn some new aspects of color and design while you stitch into the fall season.

Technique: Canvas embroidery
Proficiency: Intermediate
Design Area: 6” x 8”
Kit Cost: $110
Kit Contents: 18 count eggshell mono canvas, line drawn, instructions and all threads to complete the design as shown in the example.
Student Provides: 10” x 12” stretcher bars and usual stitching supplies.

Exploration is a comparison of four types of surface embroidery: crewel, silk ribbon, needle painting and Brazilian Dimensional Embroidery. Students will stitch a small sampler of each to experience the properties of the thread fibers: wool, silk, cotton and rayon and fabric fibers: linen, silk and polyester/cotton blend. These samples may be mounted in a notebook or finished as holiday ornaments. Lecture in class will discuss the history of fibers, fiber characteristics, history of embroidery techniques and tips on stitching each type of thread successfully.

Technique: Crewel & surface embroidery & notebook class
Proficiency: Basic/Intermediate
Kit Cost: $52
Design Area: Ornaments are 3” x 3” each
Kit Contents: Illustrated, detailed instructions with color photographs, notebook pages, crewel wools, Brazilian threads, stranded cotton, silk ribbons, seed beads, bead thread, ground fabrics, mat board, quilt batting, needles.
Student Provides: 4” hoop, 12” ruler and usual stitching supplies.

Construct fabulous textures and color depth by layering silk hankies, wool roving, hand-dyed gauze, ultra-thin Lutradur, and more on painted Lutradur, a sturdy non-woven fabric. Add subtle or bold highlights by foiling to evoke water sparkling behind the tree. Create the tree and/or other felted features using a needle felting tool, embellisher machine, and stitches. Students can copy the image shown or create their own designs with preliminary email consultation. Class Treasure Chest of materials and threads provides many color options.

Technique: Mixed media with option to create your own design
Proficiency: All Levels
Kit Cost: $84
Design Area: 9” x 7”
Kit Contents: The kit includes Lutradur for a sample and the background, paint, brushes, hand stitching threads, felting needles, regular needles, and a balloon. Students will share irons and ironing boards, and hand-held embellishers. Shared materials are a wide range of colors of wool roving, silk hankies, threads, thin Lutradur, hand-painted gauze and more.
Student Provides: Usual stitching supplies including scissors for paper.

THIS CLASS IS FULL

On a walk in the neighborhood, who wouldn’t notice this beautiful yard and its lovely gazebo? This scene celebrates the arrival of spring with its fresh green grass, flowering white azaleas, the dogwood tree in full bloom, and new leaves on the red maple. Participants will learn to paint the unstitched sky. They will use a variety of overdyed threads, stranded embroidery cotton, and some thread blending to stitch this neighborhood scene. Canvas stitches include cashmere, nobuko, criss cross Hungarian and more. A few sharp needle techniques are used including the outline stitch and lazy daisies.

Technique: Canvas embroidery
Proficiency: Intermediate
Design Area: 5” x 7”
Kit Cost: $84
Kit Contents: Congress cloth, needles, all threads to complete the project, and complete instructions.
Student Provides: 10” x 12” stretcher bars and usual stitching supplies.

Curious about hat-making, but not sure where to start? A fascinator is an excellent place to begin! And we’re not talking about some poofy little thing stuck on a headband; these are beautiful, heirloom-quality pieces of millinery – more along the lines of “cocktail hat” – made with traditional blocking, stitching and embellishing techniques. Students will learn the basics of blocking a buckram form, covering and lining it and finishing the edges. A variety of trimming techniques will be covered including working with feathers, creating different kinds of ribbon-flowers, making sinamay spirals with which to decorate your hat as well as different fastener options (hair-pin loops, combs, elastic and/or head-band).

Technique: Millinery
Proficiency: All Levels
Kit Cost: $150
Design Area: N/A
Kit Contents: A variety of feathers, ribbons, hair-pins, combs, elastics and other embellishments as well as the “Whole-Story Instructions” to complete the project at home.
Student Provides: Bead board or bead blanket, sharp scissors, an inexpensive disposable lighter and any magnifiers or extra task lighting desired – as well as usual stitching supplies. There is water and glue involved in this project – so “dress for a little mess.”

Rows of flowers and berries adorn this band sampler worked in luscious shades of colonial blue, red, green, and gold silks. Each band features a different combination of counted thread stitches sure to delight the sampler enthusiast. Student is encouraged to use the many stitch options presented in class to make this sampler design her own.

Technique: Counted thread
Proficiency: Intermediate/Advanced
Design Area: 5” x 12”
Kit Cost: $135
Kit Contents: 13” x 18” linen 32 count, silk threads, color copies, charts, instructions and stitch diagrams, practice fabric and thread, various tapestry and sharp needles.
Student Provides: Usual stitching supplies.

Stitch on a new project or a favorite one you have been meaning to complete. Enjoy the company of other stitchers while working at your own pace, taking breaks on your own schedule. Space will be provided for two days of stitching, with access to an instructor to provide guidance, suggestions and help with stumbling blocks. It doesn’t get any better to resolve problems, share success and magnificent progress on your choice of projects with fellow stitchers!