Activity
In this hands-on stitching workshop with artist Aitor Saraiba, participants will slow down and work through the creation of a stitched textile journal designed as a space for reflection and quiet focus. The class centers process over perfection and invites curiosity and experimentation.
Each student will work from a thoughtfully assembled kit designed by Aitor, featuring linen produced in Spain and a structured sequence of stitched prompts that unfold gradually as you sew. These steps offer gentle guidance while leaving room for personal interpretation, allowing each journal to evolve uniquely in the maker’s hands.
Throughout the workshop, participants will stitch using a range of threads, including cotton and small-batch hand-dyed wool sourced directly from Aitor’s flock of sheep. All materials are provided. Students are also welcome to bring a small personal object or two, such as a scrap of fabric, a button, or another meaningful detail, to incorporate into their journal, adding another layer of personal narrative to the work.
No previous experience is required; this workshop is open to all levels and is especially suited to those interested in stitching as a contemplative, expressive practice.
Dates + Times
Saturday, April 4th, 2026 from 3-7 pm ET
Location
Tatter Textile Library: 505 Carroll Street, #2B, Brooklyn, NY 11215
Class Materials
All materials are included with ticket purchase.
Cost
$200
Our Teacher
Aitor Saraiba (Talavera de la Reina, Spain, 1983) lives and works in Madrid.
Aitor Saraiba is a multidisciplinary artist whose work spans drawing, ceramics, textiles, painting, video, and photography. His imagery is emotionally charged and deeply personal, often rooted in autobiographical narratives. From a young age, Saraiba loved to draw and tell stories—passions that continue to inform his art today.
He holds a degree in Fine Arts from the University of Cuenca. His published works include El hijo del Legionario (2011), which won the Best Graphic Novel Award from IED in 2016, followed by Pajarillo (2012) and Nada más importa (2013). In later publications, such as Por el Olvido (2018) and Me encanta cuando tus garras acarician mi alma (2019)—the latter ranked among Spain’s top ten best-selling poetry books the week of its release—Saraiba began to shift from illustration to literature, emphasizing the power of the written word.
Since 2011, he has collaborated with the Centro Cerámico Talavera, producing over 50 ceramic works using the traditional Talavera style, which was declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 2019.
Saraiba’s ongoing exploration of form and material has led to Crisálidas, a series of textile sculptures resembling cocoons of varying sizes. These works showcase his sensitive approach to color and his skill in meticulous textile craft.
His work has been exhibited in numerous Spanish galleries, including Mad is Mad, Twin Gallery, Mutt, Galería Fúcares, and La Fresh Gallery. He has also participated in projects at institutions such as MUSAC (Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Castilla y León), the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, CA2M (Centro de Arte Dos de Mayo), and La Casa Encendida.
Currently, Saraiba is completing a PhD thesis on female psychic artists from the 19th and early 20th centuries. He is also involved in Sintonía Radiante, a research initiative exploring the intersections of art, magic, and science, as part of Matadero Madrid’s Estudios Críticos. In addition, he is finalizing production on his documentary El Círculo Mágico, which he wrote and directed.