Originating on Muhu Island located off Estonia’s western coast, Muhu embroidery is known for its bold floral motifs, stylized birds, and swirling vines, stitched in bright pinks, oranges, and greens on black wool or dark fabric. Vivid designs often adorned festive clothing, mittens, slippers, and home textiles, serving both decorative and symbolic purposes. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, the embroidery formed a crucial part of a woman’s dowry and personal wardrobe, showcasing her technical ability and taste.
In this workshop, we’ll begin with a visual introduction to the history of Muhu embroidery and its place within Estonian folk costume and village life. Participants will then learn traditional stitches such as satin stitch, stem stitch, and couching, and practice placing motifs in the characteristic asymmetrical, yet balanced, Muhu style. A floral motif from a traditional wedding blanket provides the inspiration for our class pattern.
Date
Thursday, September 17th, 2026
Time
12:00-2:30 pm ET
Location
Zoom, a link will be sent to participants the day before class
Cost
$75
Recording
All World Embroidery Series sessions will be recorded. A link to each recording will be emailed to all registrants following the live session. Each link is live for three months after the live session.
Class Materials:
- Wool embroidery floss (traditional) or DMC stranded cotton in 8 colors
- Three shades of pink, light orange, two shades of green, white, and red
- Embroidery or crewel needle, depending on which fiber you are using and how easy it is to thread
- Wool, cotton, or linen fabric
- Traditionally, they embroider on merino wool
- Frixion pen to transfer the pattern if working on light fabric or a chalk pencil if working on black
- Scissors
- Optional: Hoop
About the World Embroidery Series
TATTER’s World Embroidery Series is a celebration of global embroidery craft. Sewists will encounter an astonishing array of culturally specific techniques, and will have the opportunity to learn from accomplished practicing teachers who are equally purposed in preserving heritage techniques.
Bundle Discount
When four World Embroidery classes are added to your cart, a 25% off code will be automatically applied. All classes must be in a single order to qualify for the discount.
Scholarships
We have one scholarship seat available for this workshop. To be considered for a scholarship, please fill out this scholarship application form.
Our Teacher
Sarah Pedlow, the founder of ThreadWritten, is an artist working with embroidery and cultural preservation through workshops, textile travel tours, and fine art. ThreadWritten supports women artisans, traditional and contemporary textile practices, and the preservation of heritage through research, education, and the cultivation of a global community of makers. Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, Sarah moved to Amsterdam, NL, in 2019, and recently to Rotterdam where she now lives and works. She has taught and lectured at the Fashion Institute of Technology, The Textile Arts Council at the de Young Museum, San Francisco School of Needlework and Design, TATTER (Brooklyn, NY), WildCraft Studio School (Portland, OR), The Embroiderers’ Guild of America, The John C. Campbell Folk School, Wereldmuseum Rotterdam, Crafts Council Nederland, and Selvedge. She holds an MFA in Visual Arts from Rutgers University (US) and her work has been featured in Uppercase, Veranda, House & Garden UK, Piecework, and Selvedge magazines. Find her artwork at sarahpedlow.com.