Two-Day Classes A

June 18-19

Silver Wing

Stephanie Bonneau

Students enrolled in this class will complete 10-15 hours of pre-work to stitch the edge of the bird with wire and zigzag stitch, and to stitch the seed beads and some parts of the smaller bugles. Day one will include a summary of pre-work, and students will stitch the bigger bugles to form the shape of the silver wing. On day two we will add the final touches including the eyes and feet, and will construct the brooch. Please note that students must have experience of tambour beading before this advanced class.

Technique: Tambour Beading

Level: Advanced

Pre-work: 10-15 hours

Size: 9 cm x 7 cm

Kit cost: $120

Among the Ruins

Kathryn Drummond

Inspired by the juxtaposition of new spring wildflowers among ancient Roman ruins, this class will cover a variety of Casalguidi embroidery techniques, including pattern transfer, four-sided stitch, whipped stem stitch, curl stitch, Casalguidi stitch (raised stem stitch), long woven picots, continuous wrapping, bullion knots, buttonhole bars, tassel flowers and detached buttonhole stitch. A variety of threads will be used to breathe life into this floral arrangement.

Technique: Casalguidi Embroidery

Level: Intermediate

Pre-work: None

Size: 8 cm x 13 cm

Kit cost: $75

Photo to Thread Painting

Julie Garcia

For this class students will select a personal landscape photo which will be printed and transformed into a unique thread painting using 6-strand floss. The instructor will complete the photo transfer before the workshop, but the technique will be discussed in class. Participants will learn basic embroidery stitches for common landscape features, then work on their own individualized projects using layered, freehand stitching. The workshop will also explore colour selection for optimal results and stitching techniques to create realistic details.

Technique: Surface Embroidery

Level: Basic/Intermediate

Pre-work: Select photo to send to instructor

Size: 13 cm x 18 cm

Kit cost: $75

Regal Lady Brooch

Wendy Innes

Regal Lady is festooned with vast amounts of glittering metallics and is ready to take flight from her shimmering leaf. Several useful stumpwork techniques are covered in class, such as two different variations of wire detached elements, and felt padding to create depth. Goldwork techniques covered in class include chipwork, beading, couching pearl purl, rhinestone and sequin attachment. All finishing supplies will be included to turn this Regal Lady into an elegant brooch.

Technique: Goldwork and Stumpwork

Level: Basic/Intermediate

Pre-work: None

Size: 6.5 cm x 7 cm

Kit cost: $85

Christmas Mosaic

Deborah Mitek

Stitch this delicate topiary tree while learning the basics of silk ribbon embroidery on 18-count canvas! The ribbon stitch is used for the tree, a charted backstitch pattern for the basket, and a diamond trellis pattern for the background centre area. The five border patterns are created using the knitting stitch, Pekinese stitch, slanted Gobelin, trellis cross with beads, and the upright cross stitch. All stitches and techniques will be demonstrated during class.

Technique: Silk Ribbon and Canvaswork

Level: Basic

Pre-work: None

Size: 20 cm x 20 cm

Kit cost: $175

Kantha Owl Purse

Mike Parr

This two-day class is inspired by the cheerful designs, riotous colours, and historic techniques of Kantha embroidery, a traditional technique from Bangladesh and the Bengali region of India. During class time students will learn different Kantha stitches, including some not used in the purse, as well as some history of this amazing form of embroidery. Stitched on heavy cotton twill fabric in #12 pearl cotton, this useful purse is fully embroidered on both sides. The lining fabric, purse hooks, and shoulder strap are not included, but are easily obtainable.

Technique: Surface Embroidery

Level: Basic

Pre-work: None

Size: 20 cm x 16 cm

Kit cost: $75

Firestorm

Lorene Salt

Feel the flames, see the campfire: this entire piece radiated heat and smoldering ash from start to finish, so I had no choice but to call it “Firestorm”. A study in old and new needlepoint patterns, it includes a blend of laid fillings, string art and layered patterns. The colour palette is a mix of fiery red, orange, rust and turquoise, with plenty of metallics for shine and sparkle. Firestorm is fun to stitch and will appeal to students who would like to learn new techniques while challenging themselves by mastering complex canvaswork stitches.

Technique: Counted Canvaswork

Level: Intermediate/Advanced

Pre-work: None

Size: 17.5 cm x 30 cm

Kit cost: $220

Heart Berry Quillwork Case

Naomi Smith

The Heart Berry (strawberry) case is a design that incorporates traditional Woodlands quillwork on birchbark. The inspiration comes from ages-old porcupine quillwork and the heart berry, a medicine plant for the Woodlands Indigenous people. The design includes raised and flat bead embroidery as well as the porcupine quillwork. This functional case can be used to store small notes, money, photos or be used as a needle case.

Technique: Porcupine Quillwork and Bead Embroidery

Level: Basic/Intermediate

Pre-work: None

Size: 7.5 cm x 7.5 cm

Kit cost: $75

Valerian Smøyg Biscornu

Yvette Stanton

Smøyg is Norwegian pattern darning using simple running stitch, traditionally used on shirt collars of the East Telemark region. This biscornu is stitched in wool on linen and worked in two layers: the monochrome base layer, then the highlight colours worked in satin stitch on completion of the base layer.

Technique: Smøyg/Norwegian Pattern Darning

Level: Basic/Intermediate

Pre-work: None

Size: 9 cm x 9 cm x 3.5 cm

Kit cost: $75

A10

Herald of the North

María Clara Warschauer

This two-day class explores the brilliant blue jay through goldwork and stumpwork. Students will construct a brooch using felt and string padding, couching plate, long and short stitch with smooth purls, appliqué, sequin formation, and shaping with wires and cut purls. Focus is placed on dimension, texture, and a polished brooch finish.

Technique: Goldwork and Stumpwork

Level: Intermediate

Pre-work: None

Size: 11.5 cm x 6 cm

Kit cost: $175