Class Number: 211

This class is closed.

This is a project for the needle worker that loves a variety of stitches and patterns.  There are over 80 different blocks in the Plum Blossom Kimono and all are different except for one or two.  We will explore patterns, techniques and uses for the same stitches and patterns that may be used in other projects as well.  Our focus will be on laying silk for the best-finished product, the best ways to handle silk and a new technique or two.  Our two busy days together will be spent discussing patterns and different ways to look at and use some familiar and not so familiar stitches and stitching on this fun project.   Along with the 13 solid colors of stranded silk and two colors of twisted silk, there are two colors of over-dyed silk and we will discuss manipulation techniques.  There are not metallic threads in the class piece but as you may want to add them, as we go through all of the patterns I will point out the areas where metallic threads are most effective.

Size: approximately 8 ½” wide by 10 ½” high
Kit Contents: 50 pages of printed instructions, color copy, needles, 13 skeins silk, 2 skeins overdyed silk, plus 4 cards of Elegance silk and congress cloth.  The kimono can be kitted in two different color ways: purples, greens, mauves and orchids on gray congress cloth or blues, greens, mauves and orchids on blue congress cloth.
Students Need to Bring to Class: 1 pair each of 14” and 16” stretcher bars and tacks for mounting canvas, magnification and extra lighting recommended if you struggle with congress cloth, a laying tool is a necessity, highlighters are recommended.  If the stitcher would like to use metallic threads in the piece, a list of the suggested metal braids for each color way is included with the pre-work instructions.  This is entirely optional, as there is no metallic thread in the design.
Embroidery Technique: Charted Canvas
Proficiency Level: Intermediate, must be comfortable with charted work.
Kit Fee: $100.00. Includes packaging and postage for mailing canvas and silk for pre-work.
Pre-stitching Required: It is necessary for the student to stitch the outline of the Kimono before seminar. Canvas and thread for this portion will be mailed to the student.

Class Number: 212

This class is closed.

“Jewels for Neptune’s Daughter” features fresh water pearls and Japanese seed beads, and uses brick stitch, right angle weave and spiral stitch.  Students will learn how to begin and end each stitch, to seamlessly move from one stitch to the other, put the components together, and finish the project using professional findings and techniques.  This is a wonderful project for the beginner to the most experienced beader.

Kit Contents: Delica beads - sizes 15°, 11° and 8°, Japanese seed beads, freshwater pearls, sterling silver clasp, French wire, nylon beading thread, beading needles, instructions with full color diagrams
Students Need to Bring to Class: Flat beading surface such as a small piece of Velux or Ultrasuede, or a segmented ceramic beading dish, or flat glass dish.  No plastic dishes please! Usual stitching supplies, lighting and magnification if needed.
Embroidery Technique: Beadwork
Proficiency Level: All
Kit Fee: $80.00

Class Number: 213

This class is closed.

A rich palette of silks, metallic, cottons, linen, and a large variety of lace and counted stitches combine to create this strawberry sampler in a book style sewing case.  The punto in aria design on the front cover features a petite, five petal blossom of cloth stitch surrounded by knotted buttonhole stitch filled berries and accented by needlewovern lozenge leaves.  The lace bits are supported by buttonhole and wrapped bars and a few Venetian picots add more detail to the design.  A wool- stuffed pincushion, needle book with reversible stitches, scissors pocket, and fob complete the ensemble.  Class time will be spent working on the lace and briefly reviewing the counted stitches.  Construction techniques will be discussed.

Size: 3½" wide X 5½" long X 1" deep; 8" wide X 5½" long when opened flat
Kit contents: Antique ivory, 32 count Belfast linen, DMC Cordonnet Spécial, Needlepoint Inc, Silks, Kreinik braid, assorted needles, colored pattern page, clear ConTact® paper, muslin pad, all finishing supplies, and comprehensive instruction booklet
Students Need to Bring to Class: Stretcher bars and tacks, scroll frame, LoRan 12" X 18" Soft Ivory Big Board with magnetic strips ($12.00), C-Thru Rulers B-50 and B-55, light and magnification, and usual stitching supplies.
Technique: Punto in Aria and Counted Thread
Proficiency Level: Advanced Intermediate to Advanced
Prerequisites: Students must be comfortable with reading directions and diagrams and making buttonhole and foursided stitches.  Experience with Hardanger and/or other drawn thread techniques is helpful.
Kit Fee: $90.00
Pre-Stitching Required: Allow 10 hours for basting, padded buttonhole, foursided stitches, and cutting

Class Number: 214

A charted back stitch outline is used to place this flurry of flying ladybugs to insure perfect symmetry.  The three whimsical bugs are embellished with different tent and texture stitch diaper patterns and the striking eyes are round red crystal beads.  The colorful insects are surrounded by an elegant composite border with a main framework of four-way Extended Chevron units.  Some unusual sequences are used to keep these patterns with multiple components tidy and consistent, including a method to conceal the traveling threads in the open background.  The threads used include cotton floss, #5 and #8 pearl cotton, Kreinik metallics, Petite Very Velvet, Coronet Braid, and Splendor silk.

Size: Stretcher Frame 16" square; Finished Design 11 1/2" square
Kit Contents: All materials needed to execute the design plus a color copy of the original model, two detail photo pages and the instruction booklet.  18- count Zweigart White Mono Canvas, spring green or yellow threads may be substituted for the blue threads.
Students Need to Bring to Class: 16" X 16" stretcher frame, a laying tool, embroidery scissors, 12"-18" ruler, and two Hi-liter pens.  No added cost anticipated unless stretcher frame has to be purchased.
Technique: Mixed Media - special emphasis on developing composite patterns like diapers.  Original border and background.
Proficiency Level: Advanced Intermediate and Beyond Canvas
Kit Fee: $76.00
Pre-stitching required: Basting Lines and the stitched outlines of the three Ladybugs. Estimated time: 6-8 hours.

Class Number: 215

A 3-sided box which was inspired by the huge population of Canada geese in my area and by the "Flying Geese" quilt pattern.  The stitched panels include 3 different geese and bands inspired by traditional samplers, with an emphasis on triangular motifs.  Stitched on 32 count taupe linen with overdyed silk flosses and lined with yellow-gold silk dupioni.  Embellished with beads and a stitched linen "bow".

Kit Contents: 32 count linen, 10 overdyed silk flosses, perle cotton, linen bookbinding tape, silk Dupioni, beads instructions, charts, photo, color photocopy, floss card, needles.
Students Need to Bring to Class: usual stitching supplies and, if desired, a 10 inch scroll frame or 9 x 18 stretcher bar frame.
Technique: Counted thread on linen
Proficiency Level: Intermediate
Kit Fee: $90

Class Number: 216

This Texas themed boot includes a variety of stitching techniques, an appliquéd ultrasuede Stetson, and a corded lasso.  Students will work on a partially line drawn canvas while learning how to make and use a schematic drawing.  Individual personalization is done with “branding iron” initials.  Student may change or add optional designs that are included in the kit.  Finishing methods will be discussed.

Kit Contents: Instruction booklet with color picture, 11X13 eggshell congress cloth (partially line drawn), all threads needed to completed design (Anchor/DMC flosses, overdyed threads from Caron Collection, Leah’s Gentle Art, Weeks Dye Works, The Thread Gatherer silks and Rainbow Gallery, perle cotton, silk/wool), Leah’s perle, ultra-suede, padding, needles.
Students Need to Bring to Class: 11 x13 stretcher bars, tacks, laying tool, frame weight, personal stitching supplies.
Embroidery Technique: Canvas work on 24-ct congress cloth
Proficiency Level: Intermediate
Kit Fee: $72.00

Class Number: 217

This class is closed.

Learn the very basics of several off-loom beading techniques as a darling sombrero and Mexican blanket are stitched and applied to a 3 inch round box.  The crown of the sombrero is an increasing peyote technique using seed beads. It flares into the brim with embellished netting.  A traditional fringe is added to the hat with Delica beads. The hat is embellished with herringbone and peyote flowers and a leaf fringe. The side of the lid is a band stitched with beaded sequins and a whipped bead edging.  The side of the box is covered with even count peyote stripes of Delica beads.  A quick and easy box lining will be completed in class.

Kit Contents: Round paper mache box, beads, felt, needles, thread, clear tacky glue, perforated paper, sequins, bubble wrap to stuff crown of hat, and instruction booklet with complete graphs and finishing instructions.
Students Need to Bring to Class: small embroidery scissors, paper scissors, beeswax, giant-size red permanent marker, pen or pencil, beading dish or velux “placemat”, light/magnifier
Embroidery Technique: Beading - basic peyote stitch with variations, netting, whipped edging, flower and leaf stitches, and beading with sequins on perforated paper.
Proficiency Level: Intermediate - knowledge of peyote stitch helpful
Kit Fee: $50.00

Class Number: 218

This class is closed.

Blackwork was brought to England by one queen and most popular in the reign of another.  This arrangement of wispy flowers in a chalice of black and gold features three different ways of shading blackwork patterns.  Silk threads of three different sizes shade the flowers with gold cord and gold paillettes accenting the design.  Stitched on 32 count antique white linen, the crisp patterns stitched with black silk create a bouquet that would be at home in a palace or your home.

Size: 11 by 11 inches
Kit contents: linen, soie perlee, soie gobelins, 100/3 silk thread, gold cord, paillettes, needles, patterns and directions.
Students Need to Bring to Class: 18 by 18 inch stretcher bars and basic sewing kit
Embroidery Technique: Blackwork
Proficiency Level: All
Kit Fee: $55.00
Pre-stitching Required: None.

Class Number: 219

The class would work with individual students’ needs and problems with one (1) painted canvas.  The students would provide to the teacher (prior to class) an accurate and to scale color picture of their canvas.  With this color picture each student will indicate six (6) areas of specific interest for the teacher to address.  All of the canvases will be discussed in class and an open discussion in class will cover each canvas.  This time will be open to all students to ask questions related to the canvas or related areas of concern to the students.  This class is focused at the students getting a better understanding of the process of choosing stitches, threads, colors and textural needs.  After this a rotation system will be developed to address individual needs and concerns of the students.  The process of developing the individual canvases will progress as the class continues.  Threads will not be provided with the class but students are encouraged to bring possible thread choices they are considering and we will utilize the seminar shop for thread options.

Kit Contents: includes teachers individualized stitch suggestions for areas of concern and pages for recording further canvas development ideas and suggestions.
Students Need to Bring to Class: Usual stitching materials, Stretcher bars as needed for project, tacks or staplers, masking tape, clamp of some kind, laying tool.
Embroidery Technique: Canvas and Color Value Study
Proficiency Level: Intermediate
Kit Fee: $25.00
Teacher note: I have been teaching three (3) canvas embellishment classes a week for more than eight years. During that time I have also been writing stitch guides commercially for painted canvases.  I have taught for ANG, EGA, Callaway and TNNA.  I have taught across the country and in Canada and Mexico.  Specifically I have taught this type of class many times in a seminar or retreat format.  This is an opportunity to share this process with students.  I do not want to just tell them what to do.  I want each of them to come away from the class with a better understanding of the process, a better feeling about making these choices.

We call it a class -- but all y’all know that it’s the ultimate stitching Fiesta!  Some are drawn to the idea of stitching all day long, without phones and interruptions, and others like to take it easy and leave time for shopping. Need to finish that piece, but have forgotten how to do that technique? Cannot find the diagram for that half-finished stitch? Don't want to add another UFO to the stack in the closet? Help is at hand!! Join us in Studio Time and work on your own project, at your own pace, and with help from your fellow students. Most of your problems with projects can be solved in this relaxed setting. And you might be surprised by who drops by to give you advice on your projects.

Kit Contents: N/A
Students Need to Bring to Class: Everything! In addition to your usual stitching materials, don’t forget the thread, instructions, canvas, etc.
Embroidery Technique: It’s up to you.
Proficiency Level: All
Kit Fee: None.