Click on the pictures for a better view of the embroidery.
Click on the title for information about the class.
Most of the classes listed below are two or three day classes. The extra day allows more instruction and stitching time. Please contact me for information about teaching fees and kit prices.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
.jpg) |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
If you have ever wanted to create your own color of silk this is your chance to do so. We will learn how to use special silk dyes to dye your fabric, ribbon and threads so that all of them are the same color. Then we will take those gorgeous silk threads and learn how to create a scrolling floral band on antique white 32 count linen for a needle roll adapted from an antique in my collection. You will learn how to stitch blackwork patterns using several techniques. Shading and reversible stitching will be taught as well as pattern darning and finishing techniques.
East meets west when the English technique of blackwork takes a trip east to be used to create this design adapted from a Japanese embroidery. The background is 32 count white linen with the crisp blackwork patterns worked in 2 sizes of ebony black silk with a wonderful shade of gray accenting the leaves. Shading is created with 6 different patterns, two thread colors and several shading techniques. Gold threads in two sizes give the final touches in both stitching and finishing. Edges feature couching, outline, backstitches and French knots.
Hidden in this cottage that is stitched with reversible blackwork patterns is a treasure of flowers that are needlework accessories. Eleven blackwork patterns and one darning pattern are worked with silk thread on 32 count antique white linen to create a sunflower pin keep, a rose measuring tape, a bee skep thimble holder, a pansy needle book and forget me not scissors fob. Charms, tassels and beads accent the pieces and calico lines the cottage. You will use several finishing techniques when you assemble your hexagonal cottage etui with its collection of flowers.
The student will learn how to do reversible blackwork stitches and several ways to shade patterns. Finishing techniques will be discussed and practiced.
A beautiful floral fan is the basis for this design on 28 count linen. The student will begin with an outline and a number of diagrams of stitches. We will explore the difference in the density and the texture of the stitches and how to use them in a design to create balance. Different outline stitches will be tried to demonstrate their uses in the overall design. Various thread sizes and types will be used to vary the effect of the stitches.
Come and explore the Elizabethan world of reversible blackwork in this class. The sweet bag, its matching pin keep and felt lined needle book are stitched with 3 sizes of black silk thread on 30 count antique white linen. Gold thread and paillettes add a touch of glitter to the designs of the embroidery. The tasseled bag features over 20 designs, many taken from 17th century samplers plus several overall patterns. You will learn to create your own paths for the Holbein patterns and how to use shading to enhance your blackwork . Your initials and the date form a hidden design in the stitching. Twisted cord and hemstitching finish the bag.
This tree of life design will be a very personal family tree for you. You will get a chart where names that you supply become part of the design. You can add your mother, grandmother, great grandmother and back for 5 generations or you can make one with just your immediate family. The tree is stitched on 32 count antique white linen with black silk threads. Three sizes of black thread is used to shade the design. Gold thread is added for a special sparkle. Shading is achieved by using both pattern and thread. You will learn how to create the paths for double running and why some blackwork patterns are not reversible.
Class time will be devoted to learning the pulled thread stitches used to create the flower design. The student will use two different sizes of silk pearl and silk floss to stitch the patterns. We will learn how to do mirror image patterns and why the different patterns were chosen. Seven different patterns are used with backstitch, French knots, padded satin stitch , whipped outline with 2 sizes of beads to outline and accent the design. The student will also learn to make and assemble the bag.
Come and take a tour of China as you stitch this blackwork purse. Featured on the purse are designs and motifs taken from several places in China. You will learn how original sources are used to create your own blackwork designs. As you stitch the butterflies you will use two sizes of black silk thread, two different gold threads and paillettes on antique white 32 count linen. Twelve different patterns are used with three of them using layers of black and gold to create the designs. A twisted cord of black and gold with a silk tassel finishes the purse.
Pack all of your stitching treasures in your Barbary Coast inspired hat box. You will sponge paint the box as well as stitch the box top and create the silk ribbon roses for the top. Stored in the box are the high top shoe scissors sheath which features flame stitch and Rhodes stitch flowers. A beaded purse scissors fob with woven wheel flowers hangs from your scissors. The bead top hat pin laying tool coordinates with the hat pin cushion decorated with bullion stitched roses and an antique shoe button, The set is completed by a corset needle case that is covered with counted thread stitches and Jessica wheel flowers. The kit includes the Victorian print lining fabrics, silk threads and ribbons, beads and all finishing supplies.
Come and join us for an adventure in stitching and finishing. This sewing roll is adapted from an antique Shaker Sewing roll in my collection and comes with a bag to keep it in. You will be able to choose from a number of different bands to create just your own small sampler for the front of the sewing roll. Part of the class will be used to actually sew the inside of the roll so when you have finished stitching your sampler you will have the rest of it ready to put the 32 count linen in place. There is a matching pin cushion for the set plus ideas for scissors fobs.
Ivory linen thread on 30 count linen fabric are featured in this pulled and drawn thread band sampler that is based on the sixteenth century white work lace samplers. Gold thread and gold paillettes plus pale green silk thread add wonderful touches to this piece. Woven bars and doves eye stitches are used in the Lacis thread band. Eight drawn thread bands feature a variety of hem stitches, including four-sided stitch, herringbone, knot stitch and regular hemstitch. The student will also learn three different ways to finish the edges of the hemstitch bands. Two Elizabethan inspired floral bands features nine pulled patterns including stair step, window, single faggot, four-sided and eyelet. Surface stitches include eyelets and queen stitches.
Miss Hannah’s House was created to remember of all of the teachers and students who created samplers in school. Miss Hannah Swan was a teacher from Charleston who taught in Massachusetts none of the samplers that her students stitched have been found. The house and the toys have a number of stitches that were used on period samplers from the areas where she studied and taught like cross stitch, marking cross, Smyrna cross, queen stitch, Irish stitch, long arm cross, blanket stitch, satin stitch, and rice stitch. The design for the roof of the house features two alphabets and a verse. Animals and trees are stitched on the outside of the house along with Miss Hannah and two of her students. The alphabet book contains folded paper alphabets and a few designs. The personalized pin ball has a row of glass headed pins around it. The apple shaped measuring tape has a ribbon leaf for the tape pull. The painted wooden needle case mimics a wooden pencil that the students would have used in class.
Finishing 101 is for all of us who have ever stitched a project but then just put it away because we either don’t know how to finish the pieces or are just afraid to cut into the linen and wonderful lining fabrics. This class will help you to learn a number of finishing techniques including whip stitches, slip stitches and ladder stitches. You will learn how to finish the edges with beads and ribbon. Sometime the difference between a nice piece and a fabulous piece is in the finishing. So come and join us to help demystify all of the terms, techniques and materials used in finishing.
The shades of ivory in this embroidery echo the tones found in nature but the stitches give the design its distinctive textures. The design is adapted from an antique Japanese embroidery but has been stitched with pulled thread stitches. There are 7 different pulled thread stitches including honeycomb, chequer and eyelets . Two colors of ivory thread are used to shade and stitch the design that is finished with surface embroidery including French knots, outline and split stitch.
The song Greensleeves gives us the name for this elegant Elizabethan Lady dressed in a gown with green brocaded sleeves. You will learn about Elizabethan clothing as you stitch the blackwork patterns accented with gold and paillettes on 32 count white linen with silk threads. She wears a patterned skirt and stomacher created of blackwork. Several different pulled thread patterns form her petticoat, collar and cuffs, as she stands with her silk ribbon decorated tambourine. In class we will discuss the kind of background you what behind your Lady; the charts for the knot garden are included but not part of the class.
This wonderful gold silk band sampler which is stitched on 30 count cream linen is waiting for you to decide what it is going to be. Will it be a band sampler, or a bell pull or even a bag. It could be any of these things.
Three shades of gold silk thread are used to work both the pulled and drawn thread bands. Unique techniques of hemstitching draw the linen threads into patterns and several different ways to finish the edges of the drawn thread bands will be taught. Lacis squares are filled with woven stitches. The pulled thread fantasy flower features 8 different patterns and coral stitch, stem and satin stitch trim the edges.
Metal thread is used to add sparkle in bands that include ladder stitch, chain and plaited braid.
All of these bands are enclosed in a hemstitched edge. Techniques for finishing the sampler as a bag will be included.