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.
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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.
Come follow in the footsteps of generations of school girls who created a series of samplers as part of their education. Start with the alphabet in cross and four sided stitch, then work a floral band and a series of motifs from provided charts. The next bands are drawn thread with three different techniques for finishing the edges of the areas that you cut and withdraw the threads from, 2 kinds of hemstitching and a lacis panel that uses two filling stitches to create the basket of flowers. Silk thread and pearl cotton on a 30 count linen are used for your sampler.
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 sewing roll and bag features a sampler on the front and is lined with silk.
This wonderful needlecase in the shape of a butterfly is cross stitched with a basket of flowers, a hummingbird, dog and a saying. The front can be either a design adapted from samplers, a band sampler, a blue butterfly or a realistic butterfly in shades of brown. The back is personalized with the student’s name and date. The silk ribbons that tie the wing shut undo so that the wings fold up to reveal a place to put needles while the butterfly its self is a cushion for pins.
Class time will include finishing one side of the needlecase and a discussion and demonstration of finishing techniques for small needlework ornaments.
One day class or two if you add the matching scissors fob and cloth 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.
This band sampler starts with Concord grapes and leaves that are filled with a variety of blackwork pattern. The bands will introduce you to pattern darning, double running and spot motifs. The complexity of the patterns and sizes of thread are used to shade the bands. Gold cord, braid and paillettes accent and enhance the bands. A little of the history of blackwork will be discussed so that the student gains a greater appreciation of the technique.
This purse was inspired by antique French needlework. The seven different pulled thread stitches create a lacy open texture and the surface stitches add wonderful variety. The sparkle of the beads add just the right touch. Twisted cord finishes the edge and creates a strap if desired.
This purse can be stitched in any one of six different colors.
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.
This blackwork tree of life will introduce the stitcher to the wonderful possibilities of blackwork. Several techniques of shading are used on 32 white Belfast linen to create a world of fantasy flowers and animals. Eighteen different patterns, three different sizes of silk thread shade the tree. Gold thread and pailettes give sparkle and variety to the black and white piece.
This wonderful set of sewing toys stitched on Lambswool linen includes a small bag, needlecase, strawberry emery scissors fob, and pinkeep that feature strawberries in a mini band sampler. At least 15 different stitches are used in these pieces. Silk thread shines in stitches that include the fly stitch, herringbone, four-sided, rice, long arm cross, eyelet, sheaf stitch, chevron stitch, couching, hemstitch and features queen stitch strawberries. The tasseled bag with a draw string top holds all three needlework treasures; the Jacob’s ladder needlecase, strawberry pinkeep, and Strawberry emery scissors fob with scissors. Everything needed to finish the set is included in the kit.
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 delightful ornament or pin cushion was adapted from an antique sewing roll that Carolyn has in her collection. The Irish stitch creates the center of the cushion and silk fabric is used for the pin cushion ends. A twisted cord and a tassel are used to turn this pin cushion into an ornament or it can be used as an elegant sewing accessory. In class the stitcher will learn all of the finishing techniques so that the roll can be finished after the center is completed.
One day class