2023 Seminar Classes

Thursday evening mini-classes are presented by the New England Region and require a separate Registration Form from the seminar registration.

The delicate detail of finely embroidered stitches on silk dupioni utilizes both positive and negative space for striking results! Learn to easily transfer a design and stitch on a very small scale to produce random patterning that when seen at a distance, takes on a wonderful design. The small ornament is two-sided, laced to 2 ¼” finishing forms, and finished with twisted cording and a fine gold thread for hanging. This technique will open new opportunities for other projects using additional shapes and colors for beautiful results!

Technique: Surface embroidery and finishing
Proficiency: intermediate
Kit cost: $50.00
Design area: 2 ½” round
Kit contents: Chinese Silk Dupioni – 2 pcs 6”x6”, Mr. Bill’s Tweezers, cotton floss, needles in felt, tissue copies, finishing materials: 2 ½” Round finishing forms (2), muslin 6”x6” (2), ribbon and gold thread, Coats Button and Carpet thread, written directions/pictures. Student will have color choice.
Student provides: 4” embroidery hoop, usual stitching supplies, light, magnification, etc.

Thursday evening mini-classes are presented by the New England Region and require a separate Registration Form from the seminar registration.

What would a banana from another galaxy look like? Enjoy a satisfying portion of new artistic experiences. Select from the buffet of materials and Amee will teach you how to create a special, one-of-a-kind piece of abstract fiber art you can wear as a pin or make into a refrigerator magnet.

Technique: hand sewing and beading
Proficiency: all levels
Kit cost: $10.00
Design area: varies – 2” to 4”
Kit contents: beading foundation, hand-dyed Shibori ribbon, Ultrasuede, soutache, Syn-Leather, and beads, needles, and step-by-step printed directions
Student provides: good, sharp scissors, lighting, magnification as needed, and appetite for fun

Thursday evening mini-classes are presented by the New England Region and require a separate Registration Form from the seminar registration.

The acorn shaped scissors fob was inspired by Denise’s Lovely Leaves Sampler. The purpose of the class is to increase students’ “finishing” skills by constructing a three-dimensional piece. The student will complete all stitching prior to class. The class will be dedicated to putting this fun piece together.

Technique: Counted Thread Embroidery and Finishing
Proficiency: Intermediate
Kit Cost: $32.00
Design area: the finished acorn fob is approximately 2” high and 1 ¼” wide
Pre-stitching required: 8-9 hours
Kit contents: materials to create the acorn fob, including: 32 count linen, Waterlilies silk and Soie Cristale silk, felted wool for cap, matboard circle, wool roving for stuffing, needle, and complete instructions.
Student provides: usual stitching supplies including scissors, lighting and magnification if needed.

Thursday evening mini-classes are presented by the New England Region and require a separate Registration Form from the seminar registration.

The purpose of this class is to teach students to create a beaded scissors tip protector that attaches to scissors so that it never gets lost. Students will learn double needle peyote, how to create fringe, how to make and attach the “leash”, how to zip a flat piece together to create a tube.

Technique: double needle peyote beading
Proficiency: some experience with beading is helpful
Kit cost: $38.00
Design area: approximately 6 ½” long
Kit contents: The kit includes all materials to complete two Scissors Tip Protectors, including 2 tubes of Delica beads, Crystals, Nymo thread – size B, small bead mat, 2 beading needles, 2 scissors tip protectors, triangular bead scoop, complete instructions with photos and detailed diagrams. Students will choose bead colors.
Student provides: 3”-4” embroidery scissors that the Scissors Tip Protector will be used on and usual stitching supplies, magnification, and lighting.

Thursday evening mini-classes are presented by the New England Region and require a separate Registration Form from the seminar registration.

Please join presenter Suzanne Bruno for an entertaining and informative talk about all things “tea cozy.” This charming little teatime accoutrement is a blank canvas for needlework and has captured her heart. Examples, patterns, tips, techniques, and sightings “in the wild” will be shared in this 1-hour presentation.

Suzanne Bruno is an active member of the Southern Maine Chapter.  She has taught a variety of classes for SOME Chapter and enjoys teaching and speaking with needlework, quilt and historical societies.

Create this elegant clutch purse on black cotton velveteen, using basic crewel embroidery stitches: reverse chain, stem stitch, satin and long and short shading. Added to Appleton crewel wools are beautiful hand-painted silk threads, Czech glass beads, and freshwater pearls. The vibrant colors against the black create a dramatic and useful companion piece for any special occasion.

Technique: Crewel Embroidery
Proficiency: Intermediate
Kit Cost: $80
Design Area: 14” x 9”
Kit Contents: Black velveteen with Poppy design transferred, Appleton crewel wool, Treenway Serenity Silks, beads and pearls, matching lining fabric and button for finishing
Student Provides: Hoop at least 8” in diameter, scissors, battery operated lighting and magnification as needed

LIMITED SEATING

Students will learn 12 flowers in various stitches, a bug, and the metallic spider web, popular in crazy quilts. Four dividing stitches will be taught letting students to decide which or all they wish to use.

Technique: Ribbon Embroidery
Proficiency: All Levels
Kit cost: $75
Design Area: 6” x 8”
Kit Contents: Moire with a Muslin backing Silk Ribbons: sizes 2mm, 4mm, 7mm Balger braid size 4, splendor silk floss and Brazilian thread: Iris 12” x 11” stretcher bars, tacks, needles: Straw, crewel in various sizes Instructions with photo
Student Provides: Usual Stitching supplies

A 17th Century panel of floral and animal slips in Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts uses a variety of metal thread stitches on the floral stems. After an introductory lecture on the history of slips and the use of metal threads in Tudor embroidery, students will work samples of ten linear stitches, including plaited braid, with metallic threads. These will then be used to create a small scrolling design.

Technique: Metal thread stitchery
Proficiency: Intermediate Beginner
Kit cost: $40
Design Area: 5” and 7” squares
Kit Contents: Linen look cotton: Golden Threads #5 non-tarnish gold colored passing metal threads: Tapestry needles: Sewing thread for design: Tissue paper: Dilute PVA glue: Printed instructions and colored illustrations
Student Provides: Usual sewing equipment, needles, pins, sharp pointed scissors: Tutor will provide tapestry needles but bring any you might already own: Scissors for cutting metal threads (not your best pair!): 6” and 8” embroidery hoops or stretcher bars: 12” ruler: sharp pencil: Light/magnifier if you usually use one

Celestial Star reminds us of the sky on a cold winter’s night. Stitched on a bronze painted canvas with a palette of cream, gold and antique bronze threads Celestial Star is sure to shine. The center star is composed of Diamond Plaited Rays stitches then expands outward with Crescent, Sprats Head and Rhodes stitches that coalesce to form a unique interlocking design. Celestial Star is stitched with Rainbow Gallery’s Fyre Werks, Soie Perlee silk and Kreinik metallics. Once the stitching in completed a selection of twinkling crystals and beads will be added to make sure that Celestial Star glimmers like a star.

Technique: Counted Canvas with Embellishment
Proficiency: Basic
Kit Cost: $90
Design Area: 4” circle
Kit Contents: Bronze painted #18 canvas, Rainbow Gallery’s Fyre Werks, Soie perlee silk and Kreinik metallics, beads, 4mm crystals, needles, and instructions.
Student Provides: 5” hoop, Usual stitching supplies

CLASS IS FULL

Dragonfly Opulence is embroidered in Stumpwork and Goldwork in elegant navy and gold – worked in English gilt metal threads, specialty threads and antique beads on navy silk organza and silk dupioni before being mounted on a Japanese tea canister.

There are two different tea canisters to choose from: Navy/Gold Fan design or Gold/Blue Cherry Blossom.

Technique: Goldwork and Stumpwork
Proficiency: All Levels
Kit Cost: $60
Design Area: 2.75” X 2”
Kit Contents: Quilter’s Muslin, Silk dupioni, silk organza, wool felt, Gutermann thread, card, Pellon, Madeira rayon, wires, antique beads, English gilt metal threads, needles, instructions, photo
Student Provides: 4” Hoops x2, Bohin Ceramic Pencil – white lead, Mechanical Pencil, Beeswax, Fine embroidery scissors, Fine scissors for cutting metal threads, cutting pad, Clamp – optional but recommended

This is an off loom woven bracelet featuring hex cut or square main beads as the focal. The bracelet is created with the square stitch which is a replication of the loom. Accent seed beads are strung to connect the clasp. Custom sized to fit.

Technique: Bead Weaving Proficiency: All Levels
Kit Cost: $55
Design Area: Adjustable
Kit Contents: Clasp, Beads, Instructions
Student Provides: 6 lb. Fireline, E6000 glue, scissors, bead mat, ruler and light and magnification, if needed

CLASS IS FULL

Summer’s End heralds one of the last flowers of summer, the sunflower. Join me as we stitch this charming design while learning the basics of silk ribbon embroidery and other canvas techniques. By using a variety of threads and silk ribbons in various widths, dimension and texture are created. The Van Dyke stitch, Peaks & Valleys, a Turkey Work variation, the Ribbon Stitch, French Knots and bead embellishments are used to complete the design.

Technique: Silk Ribbon Embroidery on Canvas
Proficiency: All
Kit Cost: $78
Design Area: 4” x 4”
Kit Contents: 9″ x 9″ piece of 18 count Vintage Sandstone canvas, taped and drawn, tapestry & chenille needles, Treenway 7mm silk ribbon, Caron Wildflowers & Watercolors, silk, Road Straw silk, Rainbow Gallery Entice and Petite Silk Lame braid, Kreinik #4 braid Luminescence, Mill Hill seed beads and 3mm faceted Gold Iris round beads, instructions booklet, including an enlarged picture of the design, stitch guides, diagrams, detail photos, bibliography, tips on handling silk ribbon and sunflower fun facts
Student Provides: 9″ x 9″ stretcher bars, tacks or staples, usual stitching supplies including a trolley needle and/or wooden laying tool, stand, frame weight, or clamp for hands-free stitching, battery operated light and magnifier (optional)

LIMITED SEATING

This sophisticated design is perfect for a 5” x 5” box top. It highlights a beautiful Bargello pattern in Imperial gold, red and blue. Using DMC Floche, Kreinik metallics, over-dyed floss, and a few beads, this kimono will make an impression. See how wonderfully the Bargello pattern fits into the kimono, stitch a unique variation of an octagonal Rhodes Stitch, and surround the whole thing with a royal blue, gold borders and Milanese background.

Technique: Counted Canvas Embroidery
Proficiency: Intermediate
Kit Cost: $65
Design Area: 5” x 5”
Kit Contents: line drawn canvas, threads, Instructions, thread drops, photo, needles.
Student Provides: 10” (2 pair) stretcher bars, tacks or staples, laying tool, frame or frame weight, usual stitching supplies, and light and magnification if desired.

LIMITED SEATING

The knapweed blossoms decorating this small roundel have been embroidered in the colours found on an 18th century enamelled gold vessel from Mughal India. Embroidered on ivory satin, with silks, gold metallic threads, beads and tiny spangles, this circular design features feathery knapweed with padded bases, set within an elegant quatrefoil-shaped border worked in metallic threads. The roundel may be framed or mounted into the lid of a bowl or box.

Technique: Goldwork and Surface Embroidery
Proficiency: All
Kit Cost: $25
Design Area: 2.5” circle
Kit Contents: Project design, instructions and tracing paper, photograph, ivory satin, quilter’s muslin, Soie d’Alger silk threads, assorted silk, cotton and metal threads, beads, and gold spangles
Student Provides: 4” or 5” embroidery hoop, needles (crewel size 10, Straw/Milliners size 9, sharps 11 or 12, Chenille 18-24) small sharp scissors, fine blunt nosed tweezers, stylus, or Clover tracing pen, 6” clear ruler, notebook, fine (0.5 mm) HB lead pencil,
½“Scotch removable Magic tape and magnifier if required

Small beginner project introducing basic crewel techniques and teacher tips to complete this and future crewel projects.

Students will have choice of colors in class.

Technique: Crewel Embroidery
Proficiency: Basic
Kit Cost: $40
Design Area: 4” circle
Kit Contents: 8” square linen twill with design applied and edges finished. Appleton Crewel wool: 3 shades flower color (student will have choice of 3 colors on the day of class), 3 shades green, 1 shade harvest gold, 5” Hardwicke Hall wooden hoop with screw adjustment top ring wrapped in twill tape, Chenille Needle, Tapestry needle, Balloon (for gripping a stubborn needle), #3 Pencil, Text in color and Work checklist
Student Provides: Small screwdriver, embroidery scissors, additional cordless lighting,

Decorative embroidery in France in the eighteenth and nineteenth century was used to embellish clothing and domestic furnishings. Most often seen with a silk ground and embroidered in silk threads, the designs often featured an embroidered “framing device” such as a garland of flowers with a ribbon bow at the top to provide a negative space in the center in which was often found a small vignette featuring a landscape or animal in a natural setting. Adapted from an original period French embroidery with a thrush in the middle of a shield shaped garland of flowers.

Technique: Surface Embroidery
Proficiency: Intermediate
Kit Cost: $70
Design Area: 2 3/4” x 4 1/4”
Kit Contents: Instruction with photo, silk ground fabric, Au Ver a Soie threads, Gloriana silk threads, needles, and plastic cover sheet
Student Provides: Usual stitching supplies

This 3″ x 3″ heart surrounding a pomegranate inside is worked in three late 16th / early 17th century English embroidery stitches that the student may not have worked before. The pomegranate’s center is filled with a copper-colored, bumpy-textured Corded Larks Head filling stitch [a.k.a. Up and Down Buttonhole with Straight Stitch Return]. The remaining areas – rind, calyx, crown, attachment circle, and surrounding heart – are worked with gold passing thread in variations of Ceylon stitch. Outlines are worked in Stem stitch in cotton, both over the linen ground and over the rungs of Ceylon stitch. The background is a Woven Laidwork design in silver passing thread.

Technique: Surface Embroidery
Proficiency: All Levels
Kit Cost: $45
Design Area: 3” x 3”
Kit Contents: 8” x 8” linen and muslin; needles; black floss; green perle cotton; 1 spool each of (non-precious) gold, silver, and copper passing thread; practice materials of 7-count plastic canvas and spool of braiding cord; beeswax; instruction book with color photos.
Student Provides: 8” x 8” stretcher bars OR 6” hoop; 2 pairs of scissors: one for metal threads and one for fiber threads; tweezers; magnification if desired; standard stitching tools.

It’s early morning and most of the beach vacationers are sleeping. It makes me sad that they are missing the best time of the day, the time when the sun is rising in the sky and casting its beauty on the ocean. This scene captures a time of day too beautiful to miss. Participants will use a variety of overdyed threads to stitch the scene. Canvas stitches include Brick Stitch, Nobuko, Oblique Beaty,

Woven Trellis and more. A sharp needle technique is used to stitch the sea oats.

Technique: Canvas Embroidery
Proficiency: Intermediate
Kit Cost: $65
Design Area: 5.5” X 4”
Kit Contents: Congress Cloth, needles, Weeks Dye Works overdyed threads, and complete instructions
Student Provides: 8” by 10” stretcher bars, 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 omit 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. Tool kits will be provided to borrow during class.

Technique: Micro-Macramé
Proficiency: Basic
Kit Cost: $40
Design Area: 1-2”
Kit Contents: all materials to complete project in a variety of colorways
Student Provides: Usual stitching supplies, scissors, any reading glasses or magnifiers they may normally require for fine work and any additional battery-operated task lighting desired. Tools will be available in the classroom or student can bring flush cutters, looping pliers and flat nose pliers to use in class.

CLASS IS FULL

This Sewing box is stitched on 32-count linen 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 & the bottom area has personalization. There is a small scissors fob to tuck inside the box. Stitching is with overdyed cotton threads & silks in shades of green, brown, brick, blue, & gold. There is a silk Dupioni lining. Stitches used 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, & Lazy Daisy.

Technique: Counted Thread
Proficiency: Advanced Intermediate
Kit Cost: $85
Design Area: 2” x 2” x 2”
Kit Contents: 32 count linen, silk and over-dyed threads, color copies, charts, instructions, diagrams, & detailed finishing instructions, practice fabric, practice thread, various tapestry & sharp 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. They will 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.

Technique: How to Appraise Needlework
Proficiency: All
Kit Cost: $35
Design Area: Education Lecture
Kit Contents: Appraisal manual and electronic files
Student Provides: Student to bring needlework to examine and laptop if desired

This is the fourth white work sampler in the series. Students will learn 4 drawn thread stitches plus a modified Russian Ground. Silver beads and metallic thread add accents to this whitework sampler. The flower, Edelweiss and snowflakes finish this fun sampler.

Technique: Drawn Thread
Proficiency: Advanced Intermediate
Kit Cost: $95
Design Area: 4” x 10”
Kit Contents: 24 count Congress cloth, doodle cloth, Perle cotton 8 and 12, Balger filament, needles, silver beads, stretcher bars, tacks, and Instructions
Student Provides: Frame holder, scissors, and usual stitching supplies

Snow and Sand is a blackwork and whitework bell pull offered in traditional black and white and a color version featuring Cottage Garden Threads. This two day, basic/intermediate level class will teach the basics of reversible blackwork and add to the students whitework skills. Some of the stitches included are double running, satin, plait, and several types of eyelets. Bellpull hardware is not included. Student choice of color or black and white.

Technique: Blackwork and Whitework
Proficiency: Basic Intermediate
Kit Cost: $70
Design Area: 3” x 11”
Kit Contents: Threads for color choice, Zweigart 28 count Linen, needles, charts and instructions
Student Provides: Embroidery scissors, hoop, QSnap(tm), stretcher bars, or scroll frame, any lighting or magnification needed by student and usual stitching tools

LIMITED SEATING

Welcome to a stitch party under the sea! Coral Reef is a creative mixed media workshop where students will use a variety of fibers, threads, and stitches to create their own personal underwater coral reef. Techniques and stitches that will be employed include padding with felt, needle lace, use of Goldwork purls and Sadi threads, using creative elements such as organza, silk cocoons, silk rods, mulberry bark and emu feathers, and stitches such as drizzle stitch, French knots and pistil stitch. We will be stuffing, ripping, stitching, wrapping, twisting, painting and generally having fun with fiber. Students will be encouraged to dream up their own reef, but a base design will be supplied for those that don’t feel comfortable taking that leap.

Technique: Goldwork and Mixed Media
Proficiency: All
Kit Cost: $90
Design Area: 5.5” x 7”
Kit Contents: Hand Dyed Silk Habutai, calico, Homespun, crystal organza, crinkle organza, felt, mulberry bark, Paua laminate, Cottage Garden overdyed stranded cotton, Colour Streams Silk Ophir, Stef Francis braided silk, DMC Memory thread, Gilt Rough Purl, Silk thread, Gutermann thread, Mill Hill beads, silk rod, silk cocoons, card, contact, polyester fill, Emu feathers, needles, instructions, and photo
Student Provides: 10” hoop, mechanical pencil, paper scissors, scissors for cutting metal threads, fine embroidery scissors, beeswax, cutting pad (velvet covered card), clamp

With bright colors, striped heel, and a spider, this must be a witch’s shoe. But, not just any shoe, a magic shoe created for that scary night out. To help it shine, we’ll add some fun stitches, like Oriental, Rhodes, Woven Trellis, Squared Filling, Branscombe Edge, Herringbone, Satin, Cross, Cashmere, and Eyelet. The shoe is trimmed with a spider web created with thread and a Fly Stitch, a spider created with beads and a glitzy star.

Technique: Canvas Embroidery
Proficiency: Intermediate
Kit Cost: $125
Design Area: 8” x 9”
Kit Contents: 12” x 13”, 18 Count White Mono Canvas, floss, pearl cotton, Watercolours, metallic, Silk Lame’ Braid, Vineyard Silk, Planet Earth Fiber, beading thread, beads, sequins, and needles
Student Provides: 12” x 13” Stretcher bars and tacks, laying tool, scissors, beading mat, Magnifier and light if needed and usual stitching supplies

Students will create this lariat style necklace using 15/0, 11/0 and 8/0 seed beads. The tassels are created over a hollow metal tube using peyote stitch and garnished with 3mm Swarovski bi-cone crystals. The fringe has a combination of seed beads, crystals, drops, and charms. We will complete one of the tassels with fringe and get a good start on the twisted herringbone part on the necklace. Students will leave with enough information to complete the necklace at home. Colors used in the sample are gunmetal, silver and lime.

Technique: Bead Embroidery
Proficiency: Intermediate
Kit Cost: $95
Design Area: Adjustable
Kit Contents: Directions, beads, crystals, and other metal tubing
Student Provides: 6 lb. Fireline, E6000 glue, scissors, bead mat, ruler and light and magnification, if needed

Using simple forms, we will experiment with advanced color relationships using various colors of number 8 pearl cotton and 18 count canvas and 28 count overdyed linen. This low stress class will play with luminosity and luster over 2 days. If you have overdyed linen that you are at a loss how to use, bring it and look at the future possibilities. There will be some choice in color chosen for fibers and foundation materials. Tricks will be discussed for improving overall appearance of your needlework and increasing the intensity of the color relationships.

Technique: Counting
Proficiency: Basic Intermediate
Kit Cost: $100
Design Area: 7” x 9”
Kit Contents: 18 count canvas and 28 count linen, all number 8 pearl cotton, tape, instructions.
Student Provides: needlework scissors, magnification, and lighting. Tacks, 2 pairs of stretcher frames each: 12 inches and 14 inches. Note: Students may wish to put the linen onto a slate frame or equivalent in which case they should bring one that will support a 16” x 14” linen will have tape on sides

A beautiful labyrinth adorns the cover of this book box to hold heirloom treasures of your life’s journey. The garden is worked on a photo transfer cotton fabric template attached to a linen ground fabric. Surface and pulled thread techniques provide delicate shading and texture. There will be several options of filling stitches for the labyrinth. This fun class covers faux painting effects and archival finishing for spectacular results!

Technique: Surface and pulled thread embroidery and finishing
Proficiency: Intermediate
Kit Cost: $95
Design Area: 7” x 4.5”
Kit Contents: Paper maché book box 7.5” x 5” x 2”, Zweigart ® Belfast light sand 10” x 12”, Photo transfer of labyrinth on cotton
Printed book spine cover, Belle Lusso® wool #650, Sullivan’s® Spring Meadow, glazed cotton finishing and basting thread, Crewel and #26 tapestry needles in felt, pins, artist acrylic paints, Golden’s textile medium, Mod Podge®, Royal® paint brush ½”, palette paper and water cup, written direction, and pictures
Student Provides: Scroll frame or other type frame to accommodate 10” x 12” linen, personal scissors, battery operated light, if needed.

Kick up your heels and have some fun learning canvas embellishment techniques with silk ribbon embroidery! By using silk threads and ribbons with velvets sequins and beads, dimension and texture are created in this colorful canvas from a painting by artist Maren Devine. The piece uses Treenway and Riversilks 4mm silk ribbons, some overdyed, Rainbow Gallery Petite Silk Lame Braid, Very Velvet, & Shaded Very Velvet, Entice, DMC floche, Silk & Ivory Stardust and beads and sequins. A diamond lattice pattern, tent stitch, skip tent stitch, shaded double brick stitch, small ribbon canvas stitch, outline stitch, French knots, the loop stitch, ribbon stitch, and sequin applique & bead embellishments will be used in the stitching. An interesting diagonal T border stitch neatly frames the canvas.

Technique: Silk Ribbon Embroidery & Canvas Embellishment
Proficiency: Basic – Intermediate
Kit Cost: $225
Design Area: 8.5” x 10”
Kit Contents: Complete thread kit with needles & embellishments, 18-count taped Painted Canvas, Instruction Booklet including a large picture of the design, stitch guide, diagrams, charts, detail photos, Tips on Handling Silk Ribbon
Student Provides: 12” & 14” Stretcher bars, tacks or staples, usual stitching supplies, a wooden laying tool or trolley needle, stand, frame weight or clamp for hands-free stitching, light, and magnifier, if needed

CLASS IS FULL

The design for these goldwork butterflies was inspired by one of the many Japanese family crests featuring the butterfly. Using traditional goldwork techniques, and a variety of gold metallic threads, gold kid and beads, this small embroidered medallion may be worked on ivory satin or a square of vintage kimono silk (a choice is offered). The finished piece may be framed or made into a brooch/pin.

Technique: Gold and Surface Embroidery
Proficiency: Advanced Intermediate
Kit Cost: $70
Design Area: 4.5” x 4.5”
Kit Contents: Project design, instructions and tracing paper, photograph, ivory satin or vintage kimono silk (choice offered), quilter’s muslin, felt and Vliesofix fusing, assorted silk, nylon and metal threads, all required gold threads, gold kid, beads and gold spangles
Student Provides: 10” embroidery hoop, needles (Straw/Milliners size 3- 9, sharps 9 and 11 or 12, Chenille 18-22), thimble, small sharp scissors, small scissors to cut metal, fine blunt nosed tweezers, small metal nailfile or mellor, cutting board, beeswax, stylus or Clover tracing pen, 6” clear ruler, notebook, fine (0.5 mm) HB lead pencil, ½“Scotch removable Magic tape and magnifier if required

These two lovely linen stitch mates are sure to become prized possessions. A tea dyed lined background is a perfect foil for a crisp white fretwork cross stitch pattern, which subtly frame a beautiful embroidered floral Dorset button fastener. The Posey Button, based on a traditional Dorset Cartwheel button, is a great beginner button o learn before you move on to the needle woven and embroidered Lily of the Valley Button. Once the buttons are completed; we will construct the two hand sewn pieces. The class includes a slideshow and entertaining lecture about traditional Dorset button history, as well as in introduction to all the heritage steps used to create these thread wrapped treasures.

Technique: Dorset Button Making, Needle Weaving, Cross Stitch, Chain Stitch Variation
Proficiency: All Levels
Kit Cost: $46
Design Area: case 4 ¼” x 4; corral 2” x 10”
Pre-stitching: 6-8 hours
Kit Contents: Threads, 28 count DMC linen, needles, Dritz button rings, small snap fastener, Pellon fusible fleece, and instructions
Student Provides: Usual stitching supplies, magnification, and battery-operated light, as needed

Berry Bunny is a crewel project with soft spring colors and lots of texture and shading techniques using Appleton Crewel Wool and Painter’s Threads. The goal for the class is to experiment with shading techniques and learn a variety of textural stitches.

Technique: Crewel Embroidery
Proficiency: Basic – Intermediate
Kit Cost: $120
Design Area: 10” x 4”
Kit Contents: Linen with design applied and edges finished, lining with edges finished, threads, Kreinik Braid, needles, Index card strip, #3 pencil, Text in color and Work checklist, text, and instructions in color
Student Provides: One pair each 9” and 14” stretcher bars (not minis), 1 box of tacks, tack pusher, frame weight or clamp, embroidery scissors, additional cordless lighting, a favorite book of stitches, and the usual stitching supplies

On day one, students will construct a paper-covered box. As students complete their boxes on day one, they will begin the stitching to create the fun design for the top. On day two, stitching continues with instruction on a variety of specialty stitches. Students will experience how specialty stitches may be put together in interesting ways to create a textural piece. A discussion and demonstration of finishing is also a part of this class.

Technique: Box Making and Counted Thread
Proficiency: Intermediate
Kit Cost: $68
Design Area: 4” x 6” x 21 ½”
Kit Contents: Each kit is a one of a kind with fabric, paper and threads hand-picked individually to coordinate. Everyone has a one-of-a-kind piece, 28 count linen, Waterlilies thread, Soie Cristale thread, Kreinik braid, floss for cording, needles, mounting component, box kit and complete instructions
Student Provides: Usual stitching supplies

Autumn Leaves presents new ways to approach compound stitches and apply new concepts and methods to the painted canvas. Learn new stitches, new ways to stitch a painted canvas, and enjoy working with exciting and unique color combinations. Don’t be surprised if the painted canvas doesn’t appear ANYTHING like the completed project – this is what you will be learning, and the result is the deep warmth of autumn.

Technique: Canvas Embroidery/Color Theory
Proficiency: Intermediate
Kit Cost: $125.00
Design Area: 7.5” x 7.5” (inches please)
Kit Contents: Hand Painted canvas, instructions, all threads to complete the design, including overdyes and metallics.
Student Provides: 12 x 12 stretcher bars, basic stitching supplies, including laying tool, scissors, lighting, and magnification as needed

CLASS IS FULL

This landscape class will be fast paced, requiring a prior working knowledge of basic stitches such as stem, back, French knot, satin, straight, detached chain (lazy daisy), open chain and seed stitch. We will concentrate on embroidering birds, with a focus on background, mid ground, and foreground landscape and using the texture of basic stitches to create desired effect. Discussion will include environmental concerns facing the Rufa Red Knot and Monarch butterfly populations.

Technique: Surface Embroidery
Proficiency: Advanced Intermediate
Kit Cost: $135
Design Area: 2 ½” x 13”
Kit Contents: Hand painted linen ground, Au ver à Soie threads: (Surfine, 100/3, Soie d’Alger), Gloriana threads, needles, instructions
Student Provides: Usual stitching supplies

Turn over a new leaf in this mixed media collage! Explore different stitched leaf shapes as well as ground materials – 18 ct. canvas, stitchable cork, and copper mesh, with Ultrasuede and foil embossed leaves to add to the texture of the collage.

Technique: Counted Canvas/Mixed Media
Proficiency: Advanced Intermediate
Kit Cost: $175
Design Area: 10” x 8”
Kit Contents: Treenway Silk Threads (Harmony, Tranquility, Zen Shin) and Silk Ribbon, Rainbow Gallery Neon Rays; Kreinik #8 braids; Painters Threads gimpe; DMC stitchable gold fleck cork; Kreinik 40 ct. copper mesh; Ultrasuede leaves, and foil embossed imitation leather leaf; tapestry and chenille needles
Student Provides: scissors, lighting, magnification, laying tool

The design was inspired by the different ways blackwork and metal thread stitches were combined in the 16th and early 17th centuries. These are used to interpret the ancient story of King Midas. Midas has touched the flowers, thus starting their transformation into gold. The metal moth may be Midas before he touched his daughter. Or perhaps he is the blackwork moth, after turning his child to gold. This is a picture of hope or sorrow, depending on your viewpoint.

Technique: Blackwork and Surface Embroidery
Proficiency: Intermediate
Kit Cost: $80
Design Area: 6” x 6”
Kit Contents: 12” x 12” Zweigart Melrose linen and muslin; needles; black silk floss; 2 spools of (non-precious) gold passing thread, and a spool of silver and copper colored passing thread; practice materials of 7-count plastic canvas and spool of braiding cord; instruction book with color photos.
Student Provides: 12” x 12” stretcher bars; 2 pairs of scissors: one for metal threads and one for fiber threads, tweezers, magnification if desired, standard stitching tools.

LIMITED SEATING

Create this neighborhood scene that celebrates snow, the first sign of winter. Learn how to pad the trunks and limbs of the dogwood tree to add dimension to your needlework. Use a variety of overdyed threads and stranded embroidery cotton along with some thread blending to create this scene. Learn about creating contrast in your needlework and the “less is more” design philosophy. Stitches include Nobuko, diamond ray, diagonal cashmere, the water stitch and more.

Technique: Canvas Embroidery
Proficiency: Intermediate
Kit Cost: $75
Design Area: 5” x 7”
Kit Contents: Congress cloth, needles, Weeks Dye Works and Gentle Arts overdyed threads, stranded embroidery cotton, complete instructions
Student Provides: Usual stitching supplies

Amee Runs with Scissors is pulling out all the sparkly stops on this one; Swarovski crystals, Shibori silk ribbon, sequins and rhinestone chain combines with Luxury Italian Soutache and fabulous high-tech vinyl to create an absolutely eye-popping necklace. Multiple color ways will be offered at class.

Technique: Soutache and Bead Embroidery
Proficiency: Basic Intermediate
Kit Cost: $125
Design Area: 9” x ½” x 11” Varies by student
Kit Contents: Ultrasuede, bead backing, soutache, beads and crystals, ribbons, needles, threads and instructions and templates
Student Provides: Usual stitching supplies, sharp small scissors, larger sewing scissors, any reading glasses or magnifiers they may normally require for fine work and any additional battery-operated task lighting desired

This band sampler is worked on 32-count linen using silk flosses in shades of blue, green, gold, and red. Motifs in each band feature various stylized flowers and use a nice selection of counted sampler stitches including Smyrna Cross, Long-Arm Cross, Petit Point, Double Running, Spiral Trellis, Four-Sided, Diagonal Cross, Satin, Rice Stitch, Diagonal Queen, Queen, Chain Stitch, Montenegrin, and & Satin Cushion. Dividing bands in various shades of gold are worked between the motifs introducing more counted stitches.

Technique: Counted Thread
Proficiency: Advanced Intermediate
Kit Cost: $140
Design Area: 4” x 10”
Kit Contents: 32 count Sandstone linen, silk threads, needles, practice fabric, practice thread, color copies, charts, graphs, and instructions
Student Provides: Usual stitching supplies

Give a gift to yourself – time all to yourself so you can work on projects in the company of friends – with access to an instructor to provide guidance, suggestions and help with stumbling blocks. It does not get any better!

Technique: Any
Proficiency: All

LIMITED SEATING

Enjoy a whimsical huswif for your sewing tools, featuring this charming Octopus emerging from his undersea grotto into a kelp garden. Students will create the octopus with the burden stitch, using silk threads on a gold foundation. Garden elements include kelp vines composed of reverse chain and ribbon stitches, an imposing cave of Italian tubular mesh, and a passing otter. Inside, a lovely set of pockets to store scissors, needles, and other basic tools.

Technique: Crewel and Surface Embroidery
Proficiency: Intermediate
Kit Cost: $135
Design Area: 13” x 7”
Kit Contents: Silk Dupioni with design transferred, Gloriana silk, Gumnuts Poppies, Octopus Eye cabochon, tubular mesh and silk ribbons, all lining and pocket materials, and buttons for finishing
Student Provides: Students need either a 12” hoop OR 20” x 14” Ever-Tite stretcher bars, scissors, battery operated lighting and magnification as needed

LIMITED SEATING

Excellent examples of C17th embroidery in the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston are the focus and inspiration for this course in historical stitch techniques especially metal thread work. Students will sample ten linear stitches in a scrolling design in gilt metal thread on cotton, followed by sampling and stitching the popular C17th daffodil design in historical filling stitches. Illustrated lectures and a student notebook of pictures and stitch techniques form part of this course.

Technique: Historical Stitchery in Metal Threads
Proficiency: Intermediate to Advanced
Kit Cost: $95
Design Area: Notebook Course
Kit Contents: Linen look cotton: Golden Threads #5 non-tarnish gold and silver colored passing metal threads: Tapestry needles #22: Fine sewing needle for sequins: 3mm sequins: Felt for sequins: Sewing thread for design: Tissue paper: Dilute PVA glue: Printed instructions and colored illustrations: Color images for notebook, front page, and kit cover.
Student Provides: Usual sewing equipment, needles, pins, sharp pointed scissors: Tutor will provide tapestry needles but bring any you might already own: Scissors for cutting metal threads (not your best pair): 6”, 7” and 8” embroidery hoops or stretcher bars: 12” ruler: reel of ordinary sewing thread light color: sharp pencil: Beading mat if you already own one: Light/magnifier if you usually use one

MFA Visit – a trip to Museum of Fine arts exclusively for the students of this class may be arranged with date and fee to be determined. A curator would discuss and allow students to view pieces from a collection of C17th embroidery the museum maintains.

This design invites students who have had previous goldwork classes to practice further goldwork skills by learning to make circles: stitching one circle from the outside in, and the other from the inside out. The trick is to be sure the circles is round! The pear teaches how to do partial rows to fill an unusual shape. A bit of or nue in the apple explains how this medieval technique was done. Patterned couching in the corn is a treat to stitch. The peach is laid work with a trellis covering of couched gold thread. The oranges are circles, one worked from outside in over felt padding, the other is worked from inside out. Circles are tricky. Wheat is couched twisted purl with pearl purl stem Silk shading in the leaves brings life to that motif through long and short shading techniques. Satin work on the padded grapes, always a challenge, will be worked easily after a few pointers. Goldwork threads used are: Japanese gold, metal twist, check purls, crinkle, pearl purl. Silk floss is used for the leaves, the peach, and the couching of the grape leaf. Metallic silk twist surrounds the wheat. The pumpkin is made with padded felt layers topped with suede cloth and outlined with crinkle. The corn also has suede cloth husks.

Technique: Goldwork, silk shading and padding, and raised areas with silk floss stitching
Proficiency: Advanced Intermediate
Kit Cost: $135
Design Area: 3 ¼” x 8 3/8”
Kit Contents: Project/design mounted on stretcher bars, all gold and silk threads and other materials, instructions, needles.
Student Provides: Basic stitching supplies, frame weight/clamp, light (battery run) and magnification if used.

A mountain lake surrounded by red rocks under a bright gold sun. This abstract design utilizes counted thread stitches to create the landscape, including Pavilion Diamonds, Hungarian Ground, Zig Zag Cashmere, Bargello, multi-trip Herringbone, Victorian Step, and a host of different Scotch stitches. Overlapping Giant Jessica’s create a spectacular sun motif. You’ll use many textures and weights of threads including Pepper Pot and Vineyard silk, DMC Floche/Pearl cottons, overdyed floss and silk and metallic/specialty threads like Silk Lame’ and Petite Frosty Rays.

Technique: Counted Canvas
Proficiency: Advanced Intermediate
Kit Cost: $175
Design Area: 9” x 11”
Kit Contents: Line Drawn and partially painted canvas, threads and thread drops, 3-hole punched instructions, needles, photos and enlarged charts.
Student Provides: 14” and 16” stretcher bars (1 pair each), tacks or staples, laying tool, frame or frame weight for hands free stitching, usual stitching supplies, and light and magnification if desired. A 3-ring binder would be helpful in organizing the many
pages of instruction.

The flowers based on a 17th century pulled thread pieces containing basic Dresden Lace stitches. Dresden Lace contains pulled thread stitches, combination stitches along with Damask stitches. Traditional pieces include padded satin and shadow work. I have used the shadow work technique in this piece but will also teach padded satin and students can choose the technique they wish to use. The design elements are finished with a whipped chain stitch.

Technique: Dresden Lace Embroidery
Proficiency: All Levels
Kit Cost: $60
Design Area: 5.5” x 4”
Kit Contents: White Handkerchief Linen 10”x 12” Student’s Choice: Approximate count 52 Thread or 40 count even weave linen 12”x14” 28 count linen for doodle cloth Thread: Splendor Silk; white floss for Doodle Extras: Needles: Crewel #8 Tapestry #24 & 26 Instructions
Student Provides: Usual stitching supplies

Field of Diamonds is a densely worked intermediate level Ukrainian Whitework design. The diamonds are a combination of surface and pulled stitches working together to create many diamonds within diamonds. The diamonds are worked with a host of stitches such as satin, various eyelets, double cable, pulled double cable, faggot, and mosaic.

Technique: Ukrainian Whitework
Proficiency: Basic Intermediate
Kit Cost: $70
Design Area: 10” Diamond
Kit Contents: DMC Pearl Cotton #8 B5200 (snow white), DMC Pearl Cotton # 12 B5200 (snow white), Zweigart 28 count Cashel Linen (white), Tapestry 24 and 26 needles, charts, and instructions packet
Student Provides: Embroidery scissors, 10” hoop, 11” QSnap(tm), or 16” stretcher bars or scroll frame, any lighting or magnification needed, and usual stitching tools

When I was a toddler, I had a stuffed giraffe that I named Raffie. So, for years I had this design in the back of my mind and I guess I was just ready late in 2021 to create my version of Raffie. Raffie is composed of a myriad of stitches including Jessicas, Crescents, Rhodes, and Wrapped Eyelets. The color palette for Raffie will be teal, blue, peach, brown and pink; threads used will encompass a wide variety of textures and finishes to add depth and dimension to this eye-catching giraffe. Of course, such a beautiful giraffe will need a variety of crystals and beads to assure that your finished piece will shimmer with life.

Technique: Counted Canvas
Proficiency: Intermediate
Kit Cost: $220
Design Area: 11” x 11”
Kit Contents: 15” x 15” 18 count Aquamarine canvas, all threads, crystals, needles, and instructions necessary to complete the project
Student Provides: 15” x 15” bars and tacks or staples to attach the canvas to stretcher bars, usual stitching supplies including light, laying tool, frame stand or weight, magnifier and extension cord if needed

LIMITED SEATING

This class is designed for those interested in samplers, schoolgirl needlework, and history. A series of interactive slide lectures will be given over two days but paced to allow for downtime. Students are encouraged to bring their own work if they like to stitch while attending to the lectures. The needlework presented will be related to the history, social conventions, and culture of the day, and how it relates to us today. We’ll begin with architectural samplers, discuss specific samplers, and end with the first truly American schoolgirl work, stitched in Boston, the Hannah Otis chimneypiece.

Technique: Lecture
Proficiency: All
Kit Cost: $0
Design Area: Education Lecture
Kit Contents: No Kit
Student Provides: Nothing required.

CLASS IS FULL

The Mayflower or Trailing Arbutus (Epigaea Repens) is a small, fragrant creeper found in pine forests. This workshop recreates a botanical of this flower using Stumpwork embroidery. This workshop features working flat and padded elements over the top of detached elements creating another level to the embroidery which makes this a Stumpwork embroidery project a bit different to the way it is usually worked. Embroidered on silk velvet in silk threads, techniques covered include working detached elements, cutting and applying padding with felt, working needle-woven picots and over-twisting thread for one of the background mosses.

Technique: Stumpwork
Proficiency: All
Kit Cost: $70
Design Area: 4.5” x 3.5”
Kit Contents: Colour Streams silk velvet, quilter’s muslin, Homespun, Cascade House and Gumnut yarns, silks, Mill Hill beads, felt, wires, needles, instructions, and photo
Student Provides: 6” and 10” hoop, mechanical pencil, white dressmaker’s carbon, stylus or spent ballpoint pen, scissors for cutting wires, fine embroidery scissors, clamp

Mr. Sparkles was created to take away the winter blahs. After taking down the holiday decorations, put up this sunny snowman to brighten the coming months. He will be filled with fun stitches and a bit of glitz. Special techniques include beaded snowflakes, Bargello, padded nose, and colonial knots to create a bulky hat brim and pompom.

Technique: Canvas Embroidery
Proficiency: Intermediate
Kit Cost: $140
Design Area: 7 ½” x 9 ½”
Kit Contents: 12” x 14”, 18 Count Light Blue Mono Canvas, floss, pearl cotton, Watercolours, metallic, Silk Lame’ Braid, Vineyard Silk, Planet Earth Fiber, beading thread, beads, sequins, and needles
Student Provides: 12” x 14” Stretcher bars and tacks, laying tool, scissors, beading mat, Magnifier and light if needed and usual stitching supplies

Create this Black Orchid necklace using brick, modified herringbone stitch and embellishment techniques. Orchids are beautiful flowers with soft petals and a fan-like structure. It has different varieties each with a specific color like green, purple, white, and black. Orchid flowers gained popularity worldwide in the 19th century. The Black Orchid meaning is derived as a mythical flower with magical powers. Necklace is adjustable by the rope length.

Technique: Bead Embroidery
Proficiency: Intermediate
Kit Cost: $95
Design Area: Adjustable
Kit Contents: Full instructions, Cylinder seed Beads, 11/0, 8/0, and 15/0 seed beads, pearls, garnets, flower bloom beads, 3mm fire-polish, Metal ring, washer, and toggle clasp.
Student Provides: 6 lb. Fireline, E6000 glue, scissors, bead mat, ruler and light and magnification, if needed

This class is designed to promote confidence as we clarify the principles and the process of submitting work for judging. Over two days we will walk through the process of submitting work and assessing needlework. We will review the current EGA criteria for assessing needlework, review and create artist statements, mock judge, and create a reference workbook to help you when you take the plunge of submitting work. This class will prepare you for the basic EGA Color and design exam. You may bring one piece of your work (photos acceptable), either completed or stalled for private consultation.

Technique: Workbook
Proficiency: Basic Intermediate
Kit Cost: $90
Design Area: Notebook
Kit Contents: binder, plastic pages for samples, threads, foundation fabrics, linen, canvas, colored pencils, forms, ruler, needles
Student Provides: fabric scissors, small paper scissors, magnification, and lighting

The 400th year anniversary of the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth Rock in 1620 is the focus of this historic needlework map; it explores details found in vintage pen and ink hand-drawn maps. Shorelines are hand-painted as was done on early maps. Counted and surface embroidery techniques allow stitchers to embellish their map to suit their skill level. A beautiful commemorative of the Pilgrims journey and an important event in our country’s history!

Technique: Counted and surface techniques and fabric painting
Proficiency: Intermediate
Pre-work: 8-12 hours of stitching
Kit Cost: $85
Design Area: 15” x 24”
Kit Contents: Zweigart ® Belfast light sand 18” x 27”, cotton thread palette, Jacquard® textile paint set, Royal® paint brush ¼”, detail brush, palettes, water cup, written directions, graphs, and pictures
Student Provides: Usual stitching supplies

A group of peacocks is called a Party! So, let’s have some fun as we gather to create this eye-catching ornamental bird with the iridescent tail feathers. Silk ribbon embroidery with other surface embroidery techniques will be taught to construct this iconic bird. Overdyed silk ribbons on a watercolor transfer add dimension, while other silk threads, beads, crystals & sequins in classic peacock colors offer texture and sparkle.

Technique: Silk Ribbon Embroidery
Proficiency: Intermediate
Kit Cost: $98
Design Area: 5” round
Kit Contents: Complete thread kit & embellishments with needles, hand-painted white congress cloth, taped with an applied watercolor transfer, instruction booklet, enlarged picture of the design, stitch guides, diagrams, detail photos, bibliography, and tips on handling silk ribbon
Student Provides: 10′ x 10″ stretcher bars, tacks or staples, usual stitching supplies including a trolley needle and/or wooden laying tool, stand, frame weight or clamp for hands-free stitching, battery operated light and magnifier if needed

LIMITED SEATING

This panel was inspired by a Japanese family crest showing a stylized iris plant motif. It features the leaves, flowers and bud of the iris plant, Iris germanica, and a mayfly, Cloen dipterum, with detached wings and beaded abdomen. Using traditional stumpwork and surface embroidery techniques, and a variety of silk threads, organza and beads, 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 box.

Technique: Stumpwork and Surface Embroidery
Proficiency: Advanced Intermediate
Kit Cost: $58
Design Area: 4.5” x 4.5”
Kit Contents: Project design, instructions and tracing paper, photograph, ivory satin, quilter’s muslin, Soie d’Alger silk threads (4 hanks), assorted rayon, nylon and metallic threads, snakeskin, colored wires, and beads
Student Provides: 4”, 5” or 6” and 10” embroidery hoops, needles (crewel sizes 5-10, Straw/Milliners size 9, sharps 10, 11 or 12, Tapestry 28 and sharp yarn darner sizes 14-18), thimble, small sharp scissors, fine blunt nosed tweezers, stylus or Clover tracing pen, 6” clear ruler, notebook, fine (0.5 mm) HB lead pencil, ½ “Scotch removable Magic tape and magnifier if required

Revisit an exciting heritage craft technique that is fun to learn and is a great stash busting craft. Dorset button making is a useful and creative way to embellish embroidery projects, fasten clothing items and make gorgeous jewelry. Students will learn how to apply traditional button making techniques to create a lovely shawl pin, coordinating necklace and bracelet. Students will have a choice of 3 colorways and a choice of silver of gold metallic thread. The class includes a slideshow and entertaining lecture about traditional Dorset button history, as well as in introduction to all the heritage steps used to create thread wrapped treasures.

Technique: Dorset Button Making
Proficiency: All Levels
Kit Cost: $80
Design Area: Varies
Kit Contents: Threads, needles, Dritz button rings, metal ring, shawl pin fastener, instructions include a paper handout and the book “Crafting Thread Shawl Pins”.
Student Provides: Usual stitching supplies, lighting and magnification if needed.

LIMITED SEATING

This is a modern take on crewel embroidery using Asters, Maple Leaves, and Ash tree leaves as inspiration. Stitchers will include shading and textured stitches. The little fox naps in the cool shade of the New England fall. Goals for the class are to explore the colors of fall in relation to the color wheel, learn to balance textural stitches and experiment with a variety of stitches.

Technique: Crewel Embroidery
Proficiency: Basic – Intermediate
Kit Cost: $125
Design Area: 7” x 8”
Kit Contents: Linen twill with design applied and edges finished, threads, Kreinik braid, needles, Index card strip, #3 pencil, instructions and work checklist
Student Provides: 10” and 11” stretcher bars (not minis), 1 box of tacks, tack pusher, frame weight or clamp, embroidery scissors, additional cordless lighting, a favorite book of stitches, and the usual stitching supplies.

With my needle I can make, lovely leaves, I need not rake, luscious hues of gold and red, stitched with love, in silken thread. This lovely sampler is a celebration of fall. This band sampler is stitched in warm fall colors on Sandstone 32 count linen. A host of stitches gives the counted thread enthusiast much to learn and many hours of stitching pleasure. A few of the stitches are half hatbox eyelet, Bosnia stitch, triple back, diamond Leviathan, alternating double back, tricky eyelet, diagonal French, diagonal Leviathan, plaited double cross, and more! A mini sampler/name tag may be worked on in class.

Technique: Counted Thread
Proficiency: Intermediate
Kit Cost: $98
Design Area: 4 ¼” x 14”
Kit Contents: 32 count linen for full sampler and mini sampler/nametag, Waterlilies hand dyed silk threads, Soie Cristale threads, needles
Student Provides: Usual stitching supplies

This “all level” 2-day class is for embroiderers who wish to experience English crewel embroidery and its related history. A short PowerPoint presentation will examine the life of Bess of Shrewsbury, her house, Hardwick Hall, and the bed hangings that inspired this design. Students will then explore period stitches used in domestic 18th century embroidery: chain, back, straight, herringbone, running, open buttonhole, seed, blanket, square filling, coral knot, stem, and 2-sided cross stitch.

Technique: Crewel Embroidery
Proficiency: Intermediate
Kit Cost: $98
Design Area: 5” x 10”
Kit Contents: Linen ground with transfer, Appletons Crewel Wool threads, needles, instructions with photos
Student Provides: 5’ Wooden Hoop, 1 dozen long shank straight pins, thin lead pencil, magnification, and usual stitching supplies

A mermaid swims away from her treasure, hidden beneath a coral reef, to collect even more. The Mermaid’s Treasure chest is filled with gold and jewels, spilling over to the sandy ocean floor. The reef sparkles with light from above, home to several sea plants and creatures. We’ll create the reef, sea plants and the mermaid’s ocean home, and embellish with crystals, pearls, and shells.

Technique: Counted Canvas/Mixed Media
Proficiency: Advanced Intermediate
Kit Cost: $185
Design Area: 8” x 8”
Kit Contents: 18 ct. French blue mono deluxe canvas with taped edges, painted to define the light, water depths and sand, line drawn; Painters Threads in braided cotton, 6 strand cotton floss, single loop rayon trim, #4 and #8 metallic braids; Dinky Dyes
stranded silk flosses; Rainbow Gallery Silk Lame’ Braids; seashells, pearl beads, sequins, crystals and seashell crystals for the treasure and mermaid’s tail; tapestry and chenille needles
Student Provides: scissors, lighting, magnification, laying tool, fabric marking pen or pencil

This small “tasting menu” of stitches introduces twelve uncommon ways to loop metal threads together. It hearkens to historical examples, some of which can be seen in Boston’s own Museum of Fine Arts. It also works up quickly and sparkles in the light. The distinctively Elizabethan stitches of Plaited Braid, Plaited Braid with a Twist, two Ceylon Stitch variations, Double-Edged Chain, Pekinese, Raised Woven Wheel, Even-Spoked Woven Wheel, Ladder Braid, Guilloche, Woven Laidwork, and Pattern-Couched Cord are featured here, with each linear stitch worked twice and each filling stitch worked four times.

Technique: Elizabethan Surface Embroidery
Proficiency: Intermediate
Kit Cost: $75
Design Area: 4.25” x 4.25”
Kit Contents: 10” x 10” dark blue linen and muslin; needles; black silk floss; 2 spools each of (non-precious) gold and silver passing thread, practice materials of 7-count plastic canvas and spool of braiding cord, perle cotton threads for padding; instruction book with color photos.
Student Provides: 10” x 10” stretcher bars, magnification, tweezers, scissors for metal threads, and standard stitching supplies.

Create this neighborhood scene that celebrates snow, the first sign of winter. Learn how to pad the trunks and limbs of the dogwood tree to add dimension to your needlework. Use a variety of overdyed threads and stranded embroidery cotton along with some thread blending to create this scene. Learn about creating contrast in your needlework and the “less is more” design philosophy. Stitches include Nobuko, diamond ray, diagonal cashmere, the water stitch and more.

Technique: Canvas Embroidery
Proficiency: Intermediate
Kit Cost: $75
Design Area: 5” x 7”
Kit Contents: Congress cloth, needles, Weeks Dye Works and Gentle Arts overdyed threads, stranded embroidery cotton, complete instructions
Student Provides: Usual stitching supplies

Aperture is a stylish, contemporary piece incorporating clean lines and exciting textures. It can be worn as a high (short) lariat style, a low (long) lariat style or even a belt! Adventurous beginners will learn the basics like aligning and stacking, shaping stitches and backing but also more up-to-the-minute skills such as working around a ring, incorporating rhinestone chain, adding twisted cord, netting over findings and alternating edge-beading techniques.

Technique: Bead Embroidery with ribbon (Soutache)
Proficiency: Basic to Intermediate
Kit Cost: $75
Design Area: Varies per student
Kit Contents: Ultrasuede, bead backing, soutache, beads and crystals, ribbons, needles, threads and instructions and templates
Student Provides: Usual stitching supplies, sharp small scissors, a pair of larger sewing scissors, magnifiers they may normally require for fine work and any additional battery-operated task lighting desired

Carnations in flower lore represent maternal love. This pocket-sized case, worked on 32-count linen with silk threads in shades of red & green with accents in brown, highlights some of the varied shapes & counted stitches used through history to depict the carnation. The front cover has a single stylized carnation. The back & 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. Stitches used include Queen, Florentine, Outline, Smyrna Cross, Satin Cushion, Double Running, Petit Point, Palestrina Knot, Satin, & Cross-Stitch over One.

Technique: Counted Thread
Proficiency: Intermediate
Kit Cost: $125
Design Area: 9-5/8” x 2-3/4”
Kit Contents: 32 count linen, silk threads, color copies, charts, instructions, stitch diagrams, & detailed finishing instructions, practice fabric, Various tapestry & sharp needles, batting, interfacing, Skirtex, Ultrasuede, Mother-of Pearl button and beads
Student Provides: Usual stitching supplies

Give a gift to yourself – time all to yourself so you can work on projects in the company of friends – with access to an instructor to provide guidance, suggestions and help with stumbling blocks. It does not get any better!

Technique: Any
Proficiency: All