Classes 2025

The piece is inspired by a Cornish fishing village and the notion of ‘Fiddlers Green’, the name for the heaven where sailors end their days. The piece includes working counted slips formed over card, pleated metal plates, silk shading, working with silk gimps and various other metal threads, plus needle lace using a method uniquely derived from the 17^th century. On completion the piece is cut from the ground fabric and is mounted with spacers behind to enhance the three-dimensional feel. Specially made frames, including a pencil sketch suggesting smoke and water, can be pre-ordered.

During the course, we will not be able to complete the design but will learn the full range of techniques and the highly comprehensive instruction manual will allow students to complete confidently at home.

Jenny Adin-Christie Jenny is a professional hand embroidery artist, designer and tutor, celebrated around the world for her unique slant on traditional hand embroidery, for her innovative designs and inspirational teaching, specialising in metal thread work, raised work and fine whitework.

Her work is grounded in the highest of technical skills, honed through the rigorous apprenticeship of the Royal School of Needlework, graduating with distinction in 1996 and rising to Assistant Head of Studio and senior tutor.

She has been privileged to work on a huge array of commissions, many of national significance, such as designing the All Seasons and Lenten altar frontals for Canterbury Cathedral, ceremonial gloves for the Lord Chief Justice, and playing a key role in the RSN teams which created the lace panels for the wedding of HRH Princess of Wales and an array of ceremonial items for the Coronation of HRH King Charles III.

She now works full time as a freelance embroiderer from her studio in Surrey UK, working to commission, teaching and creating unique embroidery kits. www.jennyadin-christieembroidery.com

Aemilia Ars is a beautiful form of needlelace embroidery stitched on a card which is eventually removed, no fabric required. In the class you will be working on one of the designs and with this you will learn all the steps required to complete each piece. You will learn how to prepare your foundation threads, stitch Bars, Lozenges, Venetian Picots, Arches and Pyramids using the Buttonhole Stitch.

Di Kirchner: My love of embroidery grew when I was working for over 20 years with Country Bumpkin, where I had the opportunity to explore, design and teach needlework. To further my knowledge and skills I am currently studying a Diploma in Technical Hand Embroidery at the Royal School of Needlework. Whilst I have an interest in traditional stitches, I do like to design projects with these stitches but add a modern twist. My main aim is to continue to encourage others through my teaching and sharing of the wonderful benefits of embroidery.

 This piece will not be completed in class, but most areas will be started and comprehensive notes are provided. 

Maree Burnnand: I am an embroiderer and through my work would like to challenge people’s perception of embroidery. I have always had a love for textiles and fibre and my further education was in fashion and textile design but as I have aged embroidery has come to the fore. My work tends to be very traditional and simple in its technique but the subject matter is often not what you expect to find in embroidery. Reflecting whatever I am into at the time, the works can be a little random but hints of the music, art and the macabre that I love always seem to come through. I love sharing my knowledge and enjoy seeing students learn new techniques or increase the skills they have.

The main focus of the class will be on the whitework portions of the design with discussion and demonstration of other features including the construction. This project is a great introduction to whitework embroidery as it includes various eyelets, motifs and textures, and braid stitch.

The clutch is a simple pocket design that can be used for a multitude of purposes: a purse, pencil case, toolkit…

Julie Clemett: Julie began embroidery at an early age taught by her mother and grandmother and inspired by household items made by her grand- and great-grandmothers.  She has a wide range of embroidery interests, mostly counted thread embroidery styles, and loves to learn more about traditional embroidery and then use the techniques in modern ways. Julie enjoys passing on this learning, and helping students develop their own talents.

Once a design has been settled on the stitching will begin, alongside all the decisions that are made about technique, colour, size etc. This is a no stress design class for those stressed by design.

Jo Dixey: Jo Dixey is a Royal School of Needlework trained embroiderer. She teaches small groups a variety of embroidery techniques, works on commissions which have included large altar cloths, university banners and work for the fashion and movie industries, and 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

You may choose to stitch one or more of the designs as shown or to create your own tile from Evan’s book or your own design. The project is unlikely to be completed in the weekend but all stitches and techniques will be covered in class.

Robyn Hart: I have been embroidering for over 30 years, and enjoy all types of embroidery.

I am an active member of the Auckland Embroiderers’ Guild, and currently the ANZEG Regional Representative for the NNI Region.

I thoroughly enjoy teaching and being able to share the pleasure of embroidery with other people.

Stitches used are: satin stich, 4-sided stitch, hem stitch, alternate stem stitch and tailor’s buttonhole.  A knowledge of satin stich and hem stitch is required, the others being taught in class. We will practise cutting out the completed mat in class.  There is a small amount of accurate pre-class tacking that needs to be done before you arrive.

Trish Hughes: A passion for needle and thread have been with Trish for her whole life.  Counted work is top of her list of favourite techniques and she has taught locally, nationally and at conferences.  This ceased for the last 6 years of her 10 years on ANZEG Executive but now that her 10 years is over, she has returned to her passion – passing on her knowledge to others.

The piece has only five basic stitches – fly stitch, French knots, Colonial knots, straight stitch and back stitch. By the end of the weekend, students will have completed enough to easily finish at home.

Anne Jacquiery-Newall: I grew up in Wanaka, a perfect place that helped grow my creativity. I have a passion for designing, sewing, beading, and stitching. After many years of attending embroidery classes, now as a tutor, I’m able to pass on the wonderful knowledge that I have learned over the years.

Participants will also learn a little about this ancient Springtime craft.  They will be shown how to choose good eggshells and how to prepare the shells for the batik process as well as how to varnish and finish their pysanky. They should each finish two or three pysanky.

Evan Lewis: Evan Lewis is a self-described ‘jack of various trades’.  Born in London in May 1969 to N.Z. parents, he came home to Auckland’s North Shore at 5 months old and has lived in Torbay most of his 53 years. Evan showed an interest in visual arts from an early age and graduated from Auckland University in 2000 with a Master of Arts degree majoring in Art History.  Recognising an interest in lettering, Evan’s father gave him calligraphy nibs on his 13^th birthday and slowly he taught himself not just the formation of gothic letters but the craft of designing and executing the illuminated page.  He has exhibited with the NZ Calligraphers Guild and held his first solo exhibition in December 2008.

For many years he drew designs for his craftswoman mother to interpret in various media, and in the years since her death he has taken up her suggestion and created a range of embroidery/craft designs inspired by the Elizabethan and Jacobean periods.

Multiple stitches will be taught including ladder stitch, raised fishbone, padded satin, herringbone, turkey stitch, interlaced chain, roumanian, detached buttonhole, vandyke, long and short and more. All stitches will be covered during the weekend, some of them on a doodle cloth.

Cate Longley: Cate Longley was taught by her mother to embroider from a young age. She has a keen interest in natural history and the environment and translates the beauty of the natural world into her embroidery. Thread painting, goldwork and stumpwork are her chosen styles which she adapts to suit a modern take on old ideas.

All stitches on four sides of the cube will be completed in class.

Notes for the accessories and construction will be provided.

Andrea Old: Andrea was introduced to embroidery as a teenager by her mother and has belonged to Auckland Guild for thirty years. Her preference has always been for counted work on both linen and canvas, and geometric shapes rather than figures, landscapes or flowers. In recent years she has been designing her own pieces and become confident with colour.  Andrea teaches regularly at her own guild and locally.

The class will then focus on the construction of the box and accessories. Students will probably be able to finish the box and be well on the way with their accessories.

Helen Pearce: I live in Coromandel Town. When we shifted 20 years ago I was invited to join the Embroidery Guild and that was the beginning of my exciting journey. I am a dressmaker and have enjoyed making wedding and ball dresses, but since learning to embroider this has become my passion. I love designing and constructing my own embroidered pieces and sharing my knowledge with others.

I have taught at my local guild and helped organize and teach our monthly small projects. I have previously taught at the Great Escape and at Tui Ridge in Rotorua. I am also looking forward to teaching at the ANZEG Conference in Dunedin in 2024. I exhibit at our guild exhibition every year.

Techniques covered will include couching pearl purl & passing, coiled pearl purl, looped, wired and overstretched smooth purl, laid work, construction and wiring of individual flower stems. A choice of colourways will be offered.

Students can expect to have some flowers fully completed by the end of the workshop and have the materials to complete more at home. A general familiarity with handling and stitching of traditional metal threads is advised for the class.

Shirley Pygott: Shirley has tutored embroidery classes  for more than 18 years in Guilds and events throughout  New Zealand and on 3 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 and experimental applications. She has completed the ANZEG Diploma of Embroidery Teaching, and has won many regional and national exhibition awards. She is known for her low stress approach in her classes.

Line up your needles ready to go in this big and bold design.  Students are encouraged to personalise this project with their own colours and embellishments.  Use up your stash and have fun letting your imagination run wild.  You will not finish your project in the timeframe but you will be able to complete this project at home. 

Stitches used; buttonhole stitch, chain stitch, couching, feather stitch, fly stitch, laid work, lazy daisy stitch, palestrina stitch and whipped chain stitch.  Advanced students can use more.

Lynn Smart: Lynn has a Certificate in Technical Hand Embroidery from the Royal School of Needlework.  She has won a number of awards for her embroidery including 2008 ANZEG Embroidery Conference Napier – 1^st Prize Open Miniature Exhibition and the 2008 ANZEG Embroidery Conference Napier Winner Bernina Award over all three exhibitions.  She received a Study Assistance Grant from ANZEG in 2018 and has a number of relevant teaching qualifications and experience.

Lynn runs her own embroidery business – The Running Stitch Studio where she teaches a variety of projects to all levels.  She also enjoys teaching in the community and has partnered workshops with the Devonport Library, the Torpedo Bay Navy Museum and Feel Clothier.  She loves to pass on her love and joy of stitching to her students by offering relaxed and supportive classes with an emphasis on creativity.

This is a contemplative process and so the class will be at a gentle pace. The stitches themselves resist the dye, creating beautiful effects and colour variations in blue and white.

You will be taken through a variety of stitching methods to make a selection of samplers before embarking on a larger piece of your own design. For this, you will incorporate the fundamental principles learnt earlier to make one beautiful unique piece of work. Your work will be finished ready to take home for use in a project of you own choosing.

Karen Williams: Karen is a natural dyer who loves an opportunity to get her hands into an indigo vat. This magical blue plant dye has the potential to create stunning resist patterns when combined with Shibori stitching.  She is passionate about sharing this love with others, and enjoys the wonderful energy and dynamics that comes from teaching a group of like-minded creatives. The results are always delightful as students learn to follow, and then break, the rules.

This class will not be tutor led.

Create a 3D Fantail/Piwakawaka needlework etui using a wide variety of stumpwork, metal thread and silkwork techniques and a large selection of different fibres and fabrics. The pattern forms of the wings and tail are inspired by tree ferns and Māori designs such as koru and pikorua. Each element of the bird will be made separately in a small hoop. Once complete, these panels are applied to a 3D-printed body form with the addition of cast bronze legs and beak.

The fan shaped tail of the bird serves as a needlecase with a space to contain pins and needles along the top edge. The wings also open to allow needles to be stored underneath. The beak contains a cutting blade for snipping threads. Techniques will include working with metal purls, beads and sequins, fettuccine ribbons, silk gimps, silk purls and wool base fabrics.

Students may also wish to order a further kit to create a mossy hillock on a wooden base, on which the completed bird can sit.

Students will not be able to complete the design in the 2 day class but will learn a good range of techniques and will be able to complete confidently at home using the highly comprehensive, fully illustrated instruction manual.

Jenny Adin-Christie: Jenny is a professional hand embroidery artist, designer and tutor, celebrated around the world for her unique slant on traditional hand embroidery, for her innovative designs and inspirational teaching, specialising in metal thread work, raised work and fine whitework.

Her work is grounded in the highest of technical skills, honed through the rigorous apprenticeship of the Royal School of Needlework, graduating with distinction in 1996 and rising to Assistant Head of Studio and senior tutor.

She has been privileged to work on a huge array of commissions, many of national significance, such as designing the All Seasons and Lenten altar frontals for Canterbury Cathedral, ceremonial gloves for the Lord Chief Justice, and playing a key role in the RSN teams which created the lace panels for the wedding of HRH Princess of Wales and an array of ceremonial items for the Coronation of HRH King Charles III.

She now works full time as a freelance embroiderer from her studio in Surrey UK, working to commission, teaching and creating unique embroidery kits.

www.jennyadin-christieembroidery.com

The Blackwork we will be stitching is a counted form of embroidery using a white 32 counted linen fabric and various black threads. In the class students will look at the effect light has on an object and learn how to shade the design using different thread thicknesses and pattern densities.

Di Kirchner: My love of embroidery grew when I was working for over 20 years with Country Bumpkin,  where I had the opportunity to explore, design and teach needlework. To further my knowledge and skills I am currently studying a Diploma in Technical Hand Embroidery at the Royal School of Needlework. Whilst I have an interest in traditional stitches, I do like to design projects with these stitches but add a modern twist. My main aim is to continue to encourage others through my teaching and sharing of the wonderful benefits of embroidery.

Inspired by the carved cameos popular with the Victorians, Jo has designed a stitched cameo using fine surface stitches (including long and short) in a single colour with a couched metal thread background.

Those with more experience will get more done in the 2 days but beginners will have
started each section and will know how to complete the piece at home.

Jo Dixey: Jo Dixey is a Royal School of Needlework trained embroiderer. She teaches small groups a variety of embroidery techniques, works on commissions which have included large altar cloths, university banners and work for the fashion and movie industries, and 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