two-Day Classes b
June 21-22
B1
Christmas Decoration
Stephanie Bonneau
This class mixes traditional techniques with contemporary embroidery to create a delightful finished piece. The base fabric comes pre-printed with key details, and we’ll begin by reviewing the pre-work (approx. 15 hours), which includes stitching the pearl purl and chips, adding the silver seed beads to the berries and embroidering the leaves using short-and-long stitch. In class students will work on the central motif including the silver loops along the branch, and will learn how to use Bondaweb to turn the piece into a festive Christmas decoration.
Technique: Goldwork
Level: Advanced
Pre-work: 15 hours
Size: 11 cm x 11.5 cm
Kit cost: $151
B2
Yubinuki Napkin Rings
Kathryn Drummond
Yubinuki is the Japanese word for thimble and in Japan it is used to refer to any type of thimble. In English, it generally refers to the Kaga yubinuki, a style of paper and silk thimble that developed in the Kaga region of old Japan. In this class, students will make four different yubinuki patterns in a larger-than-usual format, suitable for use as napkin rings. Students will also make one yubinuki thimble with silk in the more traditional size, suitable for using as a sewing thimble (or fun accessory).
Technique: Japanese Yubinuki
Level: Basic/Intermediate
Pre-work: None
Size: Four pieces, 2.5 cm x 4 cm
Kit cost: $70
B3
Flowers & Foliage
Julie Garcia
In this workshop students will learn how to use embroidery stitches and layers of open-weave fabric to add botanical details to any landscape scene. The class will cover basic fabric landscape construction, but will focus on stitching and layering techniques to build trees, plants and a variety of flowers. Students will create a wildflower garden scene with room for personal creativity and design choices. Finishing and matboard framing techniques will also be covered.
Technique: Botanical Detailed Surface Embroidery
Level: Basic/Intermediate
Pre-work: None
Size: 13 cm x 18 cm
Kit cost: $65
B4
Tranquility
Wendy Innes
A symbol of tranquility, purity, and happiness, the lily of the valley is worked on an ivory silk background in elegant shades of green and white with graceful bell-shaped flowers. Wire and floss will be used to create the flowers’ lifelike form, while raised leaves in rich, unmistakable greens add further depth to the piece. The stumpwork techniques covered in this class will include couching, creating wired elements, wire plunging, long-and-short shading, and the unique needlework of the flowers.
Technique: Stumpwork
Level: Basic/Intermediate
Pre-work: None
Size: 10 cm x 15 cm
Kit cost: $65
B5
Walk in the Woods
Deborah Mitek
This piece offers a study in perspective and embellishment design, using a variety of threads and silk ribbons to create dimension and texture. Stem stitch, wrapped stem stitch, flystitch, straight stitch, ribbon stitch, twisted ribbon stitch, narrow ribbon stitch, rolled ribbon stitch and french knots will be used to embellish and enhance a photo transferred onto congress cloth. A diamond ray border stitch will neatly frame the piece. All techniques and stitches will be discussed and demonstrated during class.
Technique: Silk Ribbon and Canvas Embellishment
Level: Basic
Pre-work: None
Size: 23 cm x 15 cm
Kit cost: $175
B6
Poppies & Cornflowers
Mike Parr
This two-day class offers students the opportunity to create a bespoke ladies jacket, ornamented with lavish motifs of poppies and cornflowers. The art nouveau design was inspired by images found on early 20th-century ceramic tiles and wallpaper. Stitches include stem stitch, backstitch, seed stitch, satin stitch, wheatear stitch and fly stitch. Participants will learn pattern transfer methods and how to adapt the designs to their own (student-supplied) jacket.
Technique: Surface Embroidery
Level: Basic/Intermediate
Pre-work: None
Size: To be determined by the student
Kit cost: $60
B7
Yin & Yang: a Stitcher’s Perspective
Lorene Salt
A friend and I were brainstorming how to stitch a yin & yang symbol, and this piece was born. Bias bargello was added and Jessicas follow the curve of the design, each one filled with a stitch - walneto, waffle, 3-colour Amadeus. Inverted sprats heads fill the corners and an alternating tied rice border encases the entire design. This class will appeal to students wanting to learn new techniques while mastering complex canvaswork stitches.
Technique: Counted Canvaswork
Level: Intermediate
Pre-work: None
Size: 38 cm x 38 cm
Kit cost: $200
B8
Pitcher Flower Pincushion or Bag Charm
Naomi Smith
The Pitcher Flower Pincushion or Bag Charm celebrates the unique flora of the great land of Newfoundland. A five-petal bloom is the main feature of the design and becomes the framework for the pin cushion option. Flat bead embroidery and the double beaded edge are the two main techniques explored in this workshop. Participants will also learn to construct a 3D floral form.
Technique: 3D Bead Embroidery
Level: Basic/Intermediate
Pre-work: None
Size: 7.5 cm x 7.5 cm
Kit cost: $68
B9
Portuguese Christmas Decoration
Yvette Stanton
If you’re at all scared of bullions, this is the class to help you overcome that fear! Students will choose between four delightful ornament designs featuring bullion embroidery from Guimarães in Portugal, as well as drawn-thread embroidery, pulled-thread embroidery, and surface embroidery.
Technique: Portuguese Whitework
Level: Basic/Intermediate
Pre-work: None
Size: 8 cm x 8 cm
Kit cost: $30
B10
Purple Finch
María Clara Warschauer
In this two-day class, students will create a brooch of the purple finch, a songbird recognized across Canada for its rosy plumage. Techniques include padding for raised foundations, couching, chipping, appliqué, sequin formation, and essing with purls. This class will balance structured instruction with opportunities for personal interpretation.
Technique: Goldwork and Stumpwork
Level: Basic/Intermediate
Pre-work: None
Size: 6.5 cm x 4.5 cm
Kit cost: $150