Needlework Faire 2025: Virtual Classes
Featuring teachers Hazel Blomkamp and Helen McCook
Our featured teachers will be available to teach virtually in conjunction with Seminar 2025 between September and October 2025.
Virtual class and kit fee are non-refundable.
There will be no cancellations and no refunds.
All Kits will be sent US Priority mail.
Register Here(Coming soon!)
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Virtual Class: Crazy Patchwork by Hazel Blomkamp
Taught by Hazel Blomkamp (view bio)Hailing from South Africa, Hazel Blomkamp is the author of 10 – going on 11 – books. She has designed, written about and taught embroidery and beadwork for more than thirty years and is best known for her less conventional approach to embroidery and Crewel embroidery, in particular.
September 21, 2025 - October 26, 2025 | 11:00 amOnlineWorking from Hazel’s book, Hand Stitched Crazy Patchwork, this diverse workshop teaches participants to embellish crazy patchwork with handmade elements. Participants in this workshop will work on printed sample fabric while learning the thread and ribbon stitches. These pieces of fabric will ultimately form the pages of a rag book, the cover of which will be embellished crazy patch. The kit will consist of a made-up piece of crazy patch, which measures 150 x 230 mm, ready for embellishment by participants using the techniques that they have learned in the workshop. Once complete, the rag book will not only provide a vehicle for learning and practice, but will also become a reference book for future projects.
Technique: embroidery, needle lace, beading, 3-dimensional beading and ribbon embroidery techniques
Proficiency: Intermediate to advanced
Kit Cost: $142
Design Area: 6 x 9 inches
Kit Contents: Made-up piece of crazy patch, printed sample fabric, and all the materials needed to complete the project.
Student Provides: Participants will be required to own a copy of Hazel’s book, Hand Stitched Crazy Patchwork. This book is available on Amazon at a cost of $19.00.
Max students: 48
Schedule: Starts Sun Sept 21, 2025 for 6 weeks (Sept 21, 28, Oct 5, 12, 19, 26) for 4 hours starting at 11am Eastern. -
Virtual Class: Art Nouveau Sprig
Taught by Helen McCook (view bio)Helen McCook graduated from University of Central England with a BA (Hons) degree in Printed & Dyed Textiles with Non European Art History. Followed by a three year traditional apprenticeship in hand embroidery with the Royal School of Needlework at Hampton Court Palace. Helen graduated with a 92% Distinction grade.
Since then, she has worked in the realm of textiles, highlights of which include: Part of the RSN team working on coronation regalia for Their Majesties, King Charles III and Queen Camilla in readiness for the coronation day on 6th May, 2023. Part of the team who worked on the restoration and conservation of the Heralds Uniforms for the College of Arms in readiness for the coronation day on 6th May, 2023. Worked as part of the team of Royal School of Needlework staff creating the embellishment for the shoes, veil and wedding dress for Katherine Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge.
Published author – commissioned to write the Royal School of Needlework Essential Guide to Goldwork. Sold worldwide and now translated into French language.
September 27, 2025 - September 28, 2025 | 9:00 am to 3:00 pmOnlineThis class offers a range of metal thread techniques, providing an introduction to different essential methods when working in metal threads plus silk shading techniques. Each stitch will be demonstrated and explained. Helen will also discuss some of the background history of design and embroidery of this period while you stitch.
Technique: Metal thread and silk shading
Proficiency: Intermediate
Kit Cost: $110
Design Area:
Kit Contents: Complete kit to stitch on satin base fabric
Student Provides: Hoop, scissors, goldwork scissors, velvet board/beading mat, needle threader, magnifier/light if needed.
Max students: 48
Schedule: Sat & Sun, September 27th & 28th , 2025, for 6 hours starting at 9am – 3pm Eastern (3pm-9pm British time) -
Virtual Class: Claude the Phoenix
Taught by Hazel Blomkamp (view bio)Hailing from South Africa, Hazel Blomkamp is the author of 10 – going on 11 – books. She has designed, written about and taught embroidery and beadwork for more than thirty years and is best known for her less conventional approach to embroidery and Crewel embroidery, in particular.
October 4, 2025 - October 25, 2024 | 11:00 amOnlineFeatured in Hazel’s book, Crewel Birds, Claude is an updated version of the immortal phoenix from Greek mythology and is a modern take on crewel work using cotton threads as well as beads and crystals. Measuring 260 x 320 mm, the project includes embroidery, needle lace, bead embroidery, and needle weaving techniques. The full kit includes all the materials needed to complete the project and a teaching kit will also be provided.
Technique: Embroidery, needle lace, beading, needle weaving
Proficiency: Intermediate to advanced
Kit Cost: $140
Design Area: 10.25 x 12.5 inches
Kit Contents: Full kit includes all the materials needed to complete the project.
Student Provides: Participants are required to own a copy of Hazel’s book, Crewel Birds. This book is available on Amazon at a cost of $25.95. Usual stitching supplies.
Max Students: 48
Schedule: starts Sat Oct 4, 2025 for 4 weeks (Oct 4, 11, 18, 25) for 4 hours starting at 11am Eastern, max 45 students. -
Virtual Class: Tudor Rose
Taught by Helen McCook (view bio)Helen McCook graduated from University of Central England with a BA (Hons) degree in Printed & Dyed Textiles with Non European Art History. Followed by a three year traditional apprenticeship in hand embroidery with the Royal School of Needlework at Hampton Court Palace. Helen graduated with a 92% Distinction grade.
Since then, she has worked in the realm of textiles, highlights of which include: Part of the RSN team working on coronation regalia for Their Majesties, King Charles III and Queen Camilla in readiness for the coronation day on 6th May, 2023. Part of the team who worked on the restoration and conservation of the Heralds Uniforms for the College of Arms in readiness for the coronation day on 6th May, 2023. Worked as part of the team of Royal School of Needlework staff creating the embellishment for the shoes, veil and wedding dress for Katherine Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge.
Published author – commissioned to write the Royal School of Needlework Essential Guide to Goldwork. Sold worldwide and now translated into French language.
October 25, 2025 - October 26, 2025 | 9:00 am to 3:00 pmOnlineThe ‘Tudor Rose’ project is an original embroidery design created by Helen McCook, which has drawn its inspiration from the original Tudor rose created by King Henry VII of England to symbolize the unification of the Houses of York (white rose) and Lancaster (red rose) following the War of the Roses, which took place from 1455-1487. The white rose represented light, purity, and glory. The red rose symbolizes love, passion, and courage. When he married Elizabeth of York, daughter of the Yorkist king, Edward IV, in 1486, they united the roses and families into one. The class offers a good grounding in silk shading. Each stitch will be demonstrated and explained. Helen will also discuss some of the background history of design and embroidery of this period while you stitch.
Technique: Silk shading
Proficiency: Basic to intermediate
Kit Cost: $45
Design Area:
Kit Contents: Full kit includes all the materials needed to complete the project.
Student Provides: Hoop, scissors, needle threader, magnifier/light if needed.
Max Students: 48
Schedule: Sat & Sun, October 25th & 26th, 2025, for 6 hours starting at 9am – 3pm Eastern (3pm-9pm British time)
