Classes 2022

Size: Embroidered area 1″x2″
Class Level:  Suits all levels
Workshop Cost:     $150

In a time when travel is hard, why not stitch a tiny landscape to transport you to anywhere in the world. Bring along an image of a favourite landscape or a dream landscape and create it in stitch. Learn how to simplify the image to fit a tiny format and use a collection of surface stitches to create different textures for the different parts of the scene. Depending on how detailed your landscape you may even finish in the 2 days

Jo Dixey is a Royal School of Needlework trained embroiderer. She teaches small groups a variety of embroidery techniques and works on commissions which have included large altar cloths, university banners and work for the fashion and movie industries. She also repairs old embroideries. She holds exhibitions of her embroidered pieces every few years.

In 2017 Jo published her first book Stitch People, which was later re-released as Creative Thread. This is a 20 project journey through embroidery techniques. 

Jo’s work is held in private and public collections in New Zealand and overseas

 instagram @dixeysoul

dixeysoul@gmail.com

Design Size: 20×30 cm
Class Level: Intermediate
Workshop Cost: $150.00
Kit Cost: $60 Threads and linen twill $35  Linen twill fabric only
Notes additional $5

A Jacobean panel featuring exotic flowers.

There are options:

• Traditional crewel worked in wool on linen. A kit will be provided if required with 2 choices:  either with linen and Appleton wool, or just with the linen fabric and you provide your own Appleton wools. Either way the pattern will be put on the fabric for you.

• Or Jacobean worked in silk or stranded cotton on your choice of fabric. My colour scheme or choose your own.

We will stitch on a number of motifs on the piece. The whole design will not be finished in the workshop, but all techniques will be covered and detailed notes will be given to enable the design to be finished at home

Stitches used: stem stitch, trellis couching, chain stitch, herringbone, flystitch, thread painting, wheatear stitch, fishbone stitch, buttonhole stitch

Shirley Pygott has tutored embroidery classes for more than 16 years in guilds and events throughout  New Zealand, as well as three international cruises. She was the ANZEG travelling tutor in 2019.  Goldwork is one of her specialty techniques, and she enjoys applying traditional methods in modern applications such as in Steampunk style. She has completed the ANZEG Diploma of Embroidery Teaching and has won many regional and national awards. She is known for her low-stress approach in her classes.

Cancelled

Design Size:
Class Level: Suits all levels
Workshop Cost: $200.00
Photocopying Cost: $8.00

This etui is embroidered in what Heather describes as ‘her take on Hapsburg Lace’, using 28 or 32 count lambswool permin linen. The design uses eyelets, chain stitch, mosaic stitch, cross stitch and Smyrna crosses in a combination which leads to interesting textures and also gives the delicate effect of lace on a woven fabric. This creative use of basic stitches creates a special piece of embroidery which is also practical and useful.

All stitches will be taught in the class.

Heather Contantine As a trained Home Economics teacher, Heather gets a great thrill seeing others enjoying embroidery and learning new skills. She has enjoyed many styles of embroidery for a number of years and this has led to teaching from her experience.

Her classes arise from her own designs using the techniques she likes and has experimented with over time.

Cancelled

Design Size:  Size will vary according to thread count. For needle case on 18 count canvas – 6.5 x 8.5 cm
Class Level:  Suits all levels
Workshop Cost:  $200.00
Photocopying Cost: $20.00 for instruction book (incl postage)

This project can be a canvas work piece or worked on linen. It can be finished as a framed piece or can be made into a manicure case or needle/card case. By adding to the ends, it can also be made into a glasses case or pencil purse.

Students will need to bring own their own fabric and threads. An instruction book will be sent out in advance to guide class preparation, which will involve tent stitching the grid, exploring colours and threads and learning some stitches.

Fiona Crowther-Aker says she is crazy about threads, stitching and designing and loves sharing what she does. Her mind is always busy with ideas for new projects! She loves taking her son to mountain bike events and sitting at the bottom of the hill in her deck chair, a coffee in the holder and stitching in hand, the sun on the mountains or snow on the hills.

Design Size:
Class Level: Suits all levels
Workshop Cost: $200.00

This workshop includes drawing but Jo says please don’t panic. To start you will draw small elements from a collection of lace pieces. These drawings will then be added together to produce a design.  Jo says she will hold your hand through this whole process so no stress.

Surface stitchery will then be used to create a white on white final stitched piece.

Jo Dixey is a Royal School of Needlework trained embroiderer. She teaches small groups a variety of embroidery techniques and works on commissions which have included large altar cloths, university banners and work for the fashion and movie industries. She also repairs old embroideries. She holds exhibitions of her embroidered pieces every few years.

In 2017 Jo published her first book Stitch People, which was later re-released as Creative Thread. This is a 20 project journey through embroidery techniques. 

Jo’s work is held in private and public collections in New Zealand and overseas

 instagram @dixeysoul

dixeysoul@gmail.com

Cancelled

Design Size:
Class Level: Suits all levels
Workshop Cost:     $200.00
Kit Cost:                   $45.00

Sea Shadow is a fun class where Margaret will go over a number of stumpwork techniques.  She will cover all of the elements and assembly in class, but you will not finish the piece.   You will be able to complete it while you dream of summer.    Bring along a few treasures you have found on the beach, or that your children/ grandchildren have given you to be worked into the piece, or just showcase your stitching. Make it your own.

Margaret Douglas lives on a lifestyle block in Franklin and along with the garden, stitching is her happy place. She stitches all genres, but has to say she is not really a traditional embroiderer. She is always trying new things (some only once), and will always try new-to-her techniques.  

She enjoys the whole process of designing her own pieces and passing on what she learns along the way.  She stitches what gladdens her heart. Some of her best moments in stitching and tutoring are when an embroiderer has a yahoo moment when they ‘get it’ with a technique being worked on.

Size: Triangle sides are 10 – 11 cm
Class Level: Suits all levels
Workshop Cost: $200.00
Kit Cost: $15.00
Photocopying Charge: $10.00

This small triangular gift box is sewn in cross stitch.  The box opens out flat and is drawn together with a cord. It is stitched on 32 count permin, using DMC stranded threads.

During the weekend work will progress at each student’s pace.  Full notes are provided and construction will be discussed. Pre-cut board and fabric will be supplied as a kit.  

Students to choose fabric colour preference from Antique White, French Lace or Lambs Wool prior to class.

Trish Hill has stitched and sewn for many years and her knowledge of embroidery has broadened since becoming a member of the Coromandel Embroiderers’ Guild.  

She enjoys designing her own traditional pieces with a modern outlook.  She particularly enjoys counted work and cross stitch.

Sue Lucas

Class Level: Suits all levels
Workshop Cost: $200.00
Kit Cost: $45.00

This workshop is an introduction to cornpad embroidery. Come and stitch a cushion, either cream, coloured or colourful. This is surface stitchery that you can’t get wrong! You won’t finish the cushion over the weekend but you will be well on the way.

Fiona Mendel has been stitching all her life. Her grandmother stitched beautiful counted thread work, her mother stitches gorgeous three-dimensional work and Fiona loves surface stitchery. She stitches almost every day – it keeps her sane. And both her daughters also stitch! Win! Win!

Cancelled

Design Size:
Class Level: Beginners -Intermediate
Workshop Cost: $200.00

If you have always wanted to try bobbin lace, this weekend is the perfect opportunity to give it a go.

For the beginner, you will learn about equipment and the basic stitches and will produce some samples that can be used as bookmarks, friendship bracelets, on cards or to be added to other stitching projects. Equipment will be available to use if required.

For those with some lacemaking experience, you will be encouraged to embrace Torchon Lace by designing your own patterns.  We will start with the basics using graph paper to plan your designs – the possibilities are endless.

Catherine Musgrave learned bobbin lace making in the 1980s while in England on her OE.  However, her equipment was packed away for many years while university, travel and a young family filled her life. She joined the Embroiderers and Lacemakers Guild in 2010 and rediscovered her love of the craft.  Although Catherine enjoys the traditional styles, she wants to encourage lacemaking as a more contemporary practice – it’s not just doilies and collars in white and ecru.

Design Size:
Class Level: Intermediate
Workshop Cost: $200.00
Kit Cost: $50.00

This fusion of traditional goldwork techniques and steampunk style  is stitched  on black linen. Padded and applied leather, metal cogs and a skeleton key  are  incorporated with lace, net and organza appliqué, pearl purl and twist couching, and purl laid work. The student will choose how to place and layer their individual selection of cogs, so each piece will be individualised.  The student should be familiar with basic goldwork techniques 

Shirley Pygott has  tutored embroidery classes  for more than 16 years in guilds and events throughout  New Zealand, as well as three international cruises. She was the ANZEG travelling tutor in 2019.  Goldwork is one of her specialty techniques, and she enjoys applying traditional methods in modern applications such as in Steampunk  style. She has completed the ANZEG Diploma of Embroidery Teaching, and has won many regional and national awards. She is known for her low stress approach in her classes.

Cancelled

Design Size:  Mat 25 cm square
Class Level: Suits all levels
Workshop Cost: $200.00
Kit Cost: $30.00

Punto Antico means ‘old stitches’ and is an historic embroidery technique. This mat is approximately 25 cm square and worked on 28 count white cashel fabric with Perle 8 and 12 threads.

Stitches include satin stitch, weaving, buttonhole and bullions and the mat is finished with a mitre hem. A kit will be provided which will include thread and fabric, which will be tacked ready to start stitching.

Kerry Seeley  White work in all its counted forms including needle lace is a passion for Kerry, along with a host of other techniques.  Sharing her knowledge with others is her ultimate enjoyment. 

Her formal qualifications are Sixth Form Certificate Embroidery and the ANZEG Drawn Thread I Certificate.  She has taught at Conference and regional weekends over the past 25 years and says much to her surprise she has students coming back for more!

Design Size:
Class Level: Suits all levels
Workshop Costs: $200.00
Kit cost: Some materials will be supplied at a cost of $10.00

In this workshop, you will make a fabulous fabric cover, stitched and embellished to your own design, and then build the pages into the book with a simple and elegant binding.

The pages can be created from any papers you like. Sort through your stash and bring along drawing paper, wrapping paper, scrapbook paper, old envelopes, printed matter … anything you find interesting.  During the workshop, you’ll trim them to suit your book.

Ailie will provide all the necessary equipment, and the stuff that will form the basis for the cover of your book.  You bring along your favourite fabrics and papers, and be ready to play and experiment.

Ailie Snow  has been working in the field of textiles for more than thirty years, regularly exhibiting and teaching around New Zealand, as well as in Australia, the UK, and the United States.  Her work is held in private collections around the world, and has gained a number of national awards here at home.

She says her obsessively stitched work, combines a wide range of different materials, which might include paper, print, and found objects, in an attempt to convey an idea or a feeling.

Cancelled

Design Size:  12cm x 4cm
Class Level: Suits This class is most suited to intermediate and above stitchers but is a good way to experience metal thread work for the first time.
Workshop Cost: $200.00
Kit Cost: Full kit is provided in $65 black, $70 in gold.

In memory of the Huia bird, a breed that was too striking for its own good but also failed to adapt to the changes of its landscape.

In this metal thread workshop students will choose between a black or gold colourway. The black depicting more what the feather looked like. A variety of metal thread techniques are explored in this piece – couching and Italian couching, cutwork over soft cotton padding, ‘s’ing, chip work and basket weave to create the iconic tail feather of the Huia with its distinctive white tip. While the piece will not be finished in class all techniques will be covered and comprehensive notes are included in the kit. Stitches include satin stitch, weaving, buttonhole and bullions and the mat is finished with a mitre hem. A kit will be provided which will include thread and fabric, which will be tacked ready to start stitching.

Maree Burnnand:

All her life Maree has been interested in textiles and embroidery and she graduated with a Diploma of Fashion and Textile Design from Wanganui Regional Community Polytechnic in 1995. She has spent fifteen years developing and refining her style of Or Nue, exploring goldwork and looking at 17^th stumpwork and through this research she feels she can confidently share her knowledge and passion for these techniques

Cancelled

Design Size: diameter 80mm height 70mm
Class Level: Intermediate-advanced, but beginners can be accommodated
Workshop Costs: $200.00
Kit cost: $75.00 Kit includes linen, silk threads, class notes, and all lining and construction materials.

Inspired by the motifs from a 1666 sampler featured in the Victoria & Albert Museum (London), this little pot is lined with dupion silk and features many different stitches and techniques. Some will be well known to stitchers, and others are more unusual and not often seen on modern designs. 

During the class we will cover all the stitches used in the design, but the project will not be fully completed within the two-day timeframe. The embroiderer will also use a range of different weight silk threads in plain and variegated colours on overdyed 28 count linen. These, combined with the use of different stitches create texture and light within the motif’s structure. As part of the class we will make the button for the lid of the pot. The construction aspect of the project will be outlined in class and full notes given. 

There will be different colour choices of linen and silks available to personalise your project.

Jane Carroll An embroidery class at high school started a love of stitching that has spanned decades and Jane has been a member of the Otago Embroiderers’ guild for over 30 years. She has tutored a number of counted embroidery classes including Hardanger, Colbert, drawn and cut thread, and needle weaving, as well as stumpwork. Jane especially enjoys learning about traditional techniques and finding new ways to apply them in modern and interesting projects.