The beauty and wonder of flora and fauna have inspired embroidery motifs for thousands of years. From scientifically precise depictions of plant specimens to abstract motifs that delight in shape and color, embroiderers have long interpreted nature to embellish their artworks. Humans understand that plants and fungi offer medicinal and spiritual potential, and have carefully cultivated plants and plant knowledge that enhance wellbeing. Each plant, from the common “weed” to a specimen tree, awaits discovery; and plants can be transformed into teas or tinctures, rendered into dye or stitched design.
This botanical embroidery course explores the intersection of art, science, and folklore. Join famed author and artist Arounna Khounnoraj, along with horticulture interpreter Jess Brey, for a three part workshop designed to elevate our stitching through a deep investigation into plant structure and potentials. The class is divided into (1.) Leaves, (2). Flowers and Cones, and (3.) Seeds and their Receptacles. Through these categories you are invited to reimagine plant structures as thread, elaborating an original abstract botanical design by Arounna with your own stitches.
Students will learn 19 stitches, including stem stitch, picot, eyelet, and turkey work. When your artwork is complete, you will know your subjects deeply.
This course can be accompanied by a materials kit containing;
- An original design by Arounna screen printed onto 18” x 18” linen fabric, with a choice between oatmeal and terracotta
- 6 skeins of Tatter’s own thread (naturally-dyed by hand, with plant matter)
- A stitching guide
- An embroidery hoop and needle
- Accompanying information about the plant illustrations
Date
Wednesday, October 21st, October 28th, and November 4th, 2026
Time
6:00-8:30 pm ET
Location
Zoom, a link will be sent to participants the day before class
Cost
Virtual Class: $165
Virtual Class with Materials Package: $210 + shipping
Class Materials:
- 18” x 18” linen fabric that is light in color
- Embroidery hoop (size of your choice)
- Embroidery needle
- Water soluble embroidery marker or pattern transfer tool of your choice
- Embroidery thread in an assortment of colors
Our Teachers
Arounna Khounnoraj is a Canadian artist and maker working in Toronto where she immigrated with her family from Laos at the age of four. While her education includes a master’s degree in fine arts in sculpture and ceramics, it was through subsequent residencies that she found her current focus in fibre arts. In 2002 she started bookhou, a multi-disciplinary studio with her husband John Booth, where Arounna explores screen printing and a variety of textile techniques such as embroidery and punch needle. She creates objects such as bags, home goods and textile art.
Arounna has explored a wide range of techniques, methods, and materials that express a passion for everyday creativity and the importance of the handmade in everyone’s life. Her work emphasizes slow design, intuitive thinking, and the importance of handwork. She teaches workshops on a variety of fibre arts and crafts, both in Canada and internationally. She also collaborates with magazines, blogs, and artists in creating social media and DIY projects.
In 2019, she published her first book, Punch Needle: Master the Art of Punch Needling Accessories for You and Your Home. In 2020, she released Visible Mending, which introduced mending and the reuse of clothing as a personal and hands-on way to address issues of overconsumption and fast fashion in the textile industry. Her third book, Embroidery, was released in 2022. She has since written ‘Winter Celebrations’, “Contemporary Patchwork’ and most recently ‘The Handmade Home’. In late 2026 she will be releasing ‘Botanical Embroidery’ with Abrams Publication.
Jess Brey lives in The Bronx, NY where she currently works at Wave Hill, a public garden, as the Ruth Rea Howell Senior Horticultural Interpreter. Her goal is to excite the public about plants and Wave Hill’s art of horticulture. She does this by leading walks and programs, writing articles, voicing audio guides and appearing in humorous videos on social media. She also keeps track of the living collection by managing plant records and labeling notable plants for the public. Jess’s interest in horticulture and passion for knowledge is personal and rooted in her everyday life. She partakes in wild plant exploration on her hikes wherever she goes and gardens in her private garden which she took over from a friend. Jess posts on Instagram as @jess_brey and shares long form pieces via her blog plantdomain.substack.com. Jess has worked in public gardens for over a decade—she worked at Queens Botanical Garden, studied interpretation at Cornell Botanic Gardens and received an MPS in Horticulture specializing in Public Garden Leadership from Cornell University.