Four hundred years ago Arabella Stuart (Cousin to Elizabeth I) was poised to inherit the English crown from her Queen.  Life’s circumstances interfered and she has fallen into history’s obscurity.  Stitch this Elizabethan style sampler while listening to Arabella’s story.  The sampler is on 34 count linen in silk using Double Running, Detached Buttonhole, Trellis, Or Nue and Cross stitch
variations.  The Elizabethan letter game, Ciphers, will be explored and your individual cipher will be part of the sampler motifs.

Size: 9 x 11 inches
Kit Contents: 34 count linen, 2 doodle cloths, silk threads: 100/3 spooled silk
in 8 hues, Pearsalls filament silk in 11 hues, #7 Tambour gold thread, #5 gold,
felt, beads, seed pearls, needles, written directions, graphs, color copies.
Students Need to Bring to Class: Usual stitching supplies.
Embroidery Technique: Counted thread on linen
Proficiency Level: All
Kit Fee: $106.00
Pre-stitching Required: Optional basting.

Elegance and simplicity “reign” over this eye catching necklace stitched in several variations of off-loom bead weaving techniques.  The elements are: a twisted tubular herringbone necklace ended with a “flair; a striped tubular peyote slide, capped and encircled with herringbone ruffles; a “lapis” look donut encrusted with “Russian” leaves, fringes, crystals and wire swirls.  Learn the “secret” of integrating different bead stitches and apply basic wirework techniques to personalization of the closure.

Size: Length - 21” x Width 4”
Kit Contents: Step-by step instructions with illustrations, thread, needles, wire, seed beads, donut, Delica beads,
Swarovski crystals, embellishment beads.
Students Need to Bring to Class: Chain nose Jewelry pliers, round nose jewelry pliers, jewelry wire cutters, and
flat-nose pliers w/ nylon jaw. [These items may be purchased as a kit in some craft stores and may be shared by the students. The instructor will have a few available for use as well.]
Embroidery Technique:
Beading - herringbone (increasing, spiral tubular), peyote stitch (tubular, diagonal), various fringes, basic wirework
Proficiency Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Kit Fee: $65.00

The busy bees will keep your stitching stash safe in this fantastic Beekeeper’s Basket.  Worked on hand dyed Lakeside Graziano linen, a rich variety of wool and silk threads are used to stitch the band, pincushion and scissors pocket using traditional crewel stitches and a bit of whimsy.  The scrolling vines are filled with fantastic flowers and bees, interrupted only by the beekeeper’s cottage and hive.  Emphasis will be placed on adding dimension and texture to your stitching. Playing with color and fibers will be encouraged.   When the stitching is
completed the Nantucket basket will be lined with calico and the band and accoutrements added.  All the finishing techniques will be demonstrated in class.  The basket measures 10” x 6.5” x 5.5” tall, a nice size to hold your next stitching project. Threads include Heathway Crewel wools in 2 weights, Pearsall’s silks, Gumnut silks, Gloriana Lorikeet, and Impressions. 

Kit Contents: Nantucket basket, Graziano hand dyed linen from Lakeside, muslin, needles, a variety of silk and wool threads, instructions, pictures, stitch guide, finishing instructions.  The calico lining will not be supplied in order to let students pick favorite colors.
Students Need to Bring to Class: a deep-sided 8”-10” hoop which leaves both hands free to stitch. This can be accomplished by using a floor stand, a sit-upon or having a table clamp. Hoops should be wrapped before class. Another alternative is a slate frame.  Information about wrapping hoops or preparing slate frame will be sent in student letter.  Thin or small hoops are not suitable for this
project.  Usual stitching supplies.  Light and magnifier, if needed.
Technique: Crewel
Proficiency Level: Intermediate
Kit Fee: $115

Class Number: 404

Welcome to the voluptuous architecture of Russia in the 16th century.  St. Basil’s Cathedral, more correctly known as the Cathedral of the Intercession of the Virgin at the Moat, is one of the most easily recognized pieces of Eastern architecture.  In this class, you will work dome by dome using richly textured stitches and threads to re-create this stylized version of the cathedral.  Students will learn through demonstration and experimentation how different types of motifs are put together, why some stitches are more suitable for some areas than others, and how to make these differences work to their advantage.  I have rated this class as advanced because
so many different stitched areas are contained in the piece and most of them are not stitched in class.  This will be a very fast-paced class for the student who can work independently from stitch diagrams.  This is not a counted piece, but rather is one in which you will adapt the stitches to fit the areas provided.  During the class, as time permits, I’ll talk about the history and architecture of the building, showing pictures and books.  A bibliography will be included. 

Size: Finished size 12" x 16" (stretcher bar size 16" x 20")
Kit Contents: an extensive instruction booklet, design hand-drawn onto 18 ct. pale blue canvas, plus all threads needed to complete the project. Instructor will also bring a large collection of pictures and articles for those students who are interested to read in class.  Thread list: Watercolours (Fiesta, Burnt Toast, Sandstone), Impressions overdyed (Indian Red, Arabian Nights, Pine Forest), #5 pearl cotton, Wildflowers, Sparkle Rays, Silk ‘n Cream, Splendor silk, Grandeur, #8 overdyed pearl cotton, overdyed floss, Kreinik metallic and Accentuate. Evertite stretcher bars are highly recommended but not
required (16” x 20)"
Students Need to Bring to Class: Stretcher bars, 4H pencil, Q-tips, Magic Rub eraser, magnets, 6” ruler, scissors, laying tool and usual stitching supplies and light and magnification, if needed.
Technique: Canvas
Proficiency Level: Advanced
Kit Fee: $175.
Pre-Stitching Required: 6-8 hours

Class Number: 405

Silk threads in 15 hues, metallic braids, fine metallic threads, trims of twisted cords, silk, and lace form the patchwork of her greatcoat and the silk gown that is enhanced with a sparkling white Ombre. The facing of her coat glistens with hex cut iridescent beads.  The ground of snow is laid metallic threads and the evergreens are thread painted with silk and fine metallic thread.  The brilliant red Snowbird sparks the design.  The face is pre-painted.

Size: 9 ½” x 13” (Cut size 14” x 18”)
Kit Contents: Pale blue congress cloth, needles, all threads needed to complete.
Students Need to Bring to Class: 14” x 18” stretcher bars or roller frame to accommodate 14” width, normal stitching tools, a laying tool for the silk (tekobari or BLT recommended), additional supply of various sized tapestry and chenille needles, additional light and magnification if desired
Embroidery Technique: Canvas
Proficiency Level: Advanced Intermediate
Kit Fee: $140.00

Class Number: 406

The kimono has always been an inspiration for needlework designers and this designer is no exception.  These kimono are on hung on a double rack and what you are seeing is the sweep of the folded sleeves, hence the name “Tagasode” which means “whose sleeves?”.  The design is worked completely in silk, metallics and metal.  The student will use Soie d’Alger, Splendor, Pearsall’s Filoselle, Soie 100/3, Kreinik metallics, Bijoux and Kodaikin gold.  The stitches
have been chosen to best replicate the Asian fabrics and there are 9 new patterns created for the design.  Teal, brown, cream (cool and warm), tan, olive, aqua and coral are the colors that have been chosen to bring this design to life.  The student will experience several flat patterns both vertical and diagonal, couching patterns, plaited stitches, surface embroidery, open patterns, and a study in moving a counted geometric pattern along a curved line.

Size: Design size 10" x 16"
Kit Contents: #24 congress cloth , all the threads needed for the design, the needles, tracing paper, color photocopies and set of instructions.
Students Need to Bring to Class: 14” x 20” stretcher bars, something to hold the mounted canvas in place so that both hands are free to stitch, regular stitching supplies and an open mind.
Technique: Canvas
Proficiency Level: Advanced-Intermediate
Kit fee: $145.

Class Number: 407

My Mother loved teddy bears!  Every Christmas I would try to surprise her with a new one.  Of all of the ones that I made her, this “crazy” bear was her favorite.  Even after all of the others had found loving homes, this one continued to make its home with my Mom.  Here is your chance to create a family heirloom of your very own.  Whether or not you have ever made a bear or pieced and embroidered a crazy quilt, I think that you will enjoy this project.  This small bear is not difficult to make.  He has buttons for joints, beads for eyes and a soft sueded fabric nose.  The crazy patchwork doesn’t take long, after all a bear’s arm isn’t very big!  Then you get to have the fun of embellishing your “crazy quilt”!  You get to use threads and ribbons of all kinds, and then you can add beads or special tokens to make it truly yours. 

Kit Contents: The bear pattern, instructions, suggestions for embroidery stitches and motifs, buttons, beads, ribbons and a variety of threads and fabrics.  The fabric packet will include velvet, cotton and silk in both prints and solid colors. Some of the silks are from antique kimonos. There will be a range and variety of colors so that you can create a one-of-a-kind bear.
Students Need to Bring to Class: Usual stitching supplies.
Embroidery Technique: Crazy Quilting
Proficiency Level: Intermediate
Kit Fee: $60.00

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.