The Wiener Werkstätte was founded in 1903 in Vienna as a collective of designers and artist-craftspeople committed to creating exquisite, handcrafted objects. The initiative was a deliberate counterpoint to the mass-produced, poorly designed factory goods and traditional handcrafts of the era. The Werkstätte sought to elevate consumer taste, offering meticulously designed furniture, metalwork, ceramics, clothing, jewelry, and textiles. Departing from the floral and vegetal stylizations of Art Nouveau, the founders envisioned a new aesthetic that reflected modernity and refinement. Among its many ventures, the textile department emerged as the most renowned and financially successful arm of the organization, guided by a succession of influential architects and designers during its operation from 1903 to 1930.
This two-part workshop delves into the cultural vibrancy of early 20th-century Vienna, shaped by figures like Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele. You will explore the history of the Wiener Werkstätte, the contributions of its pioneering women designers, and the emergence of the “new” modern woman. Sarah will present slide talks in both sessions, drawing on her research and firsthand experiences from her 2024 visit to Vienna.
You’ll embroider two designs inspired by the Wiener Werkstätte’s fashion and textile print legacy. One motif is adapted from an embroidered blouse designed in 1911 by Eduard Josef Wimmer-Wisgrill. The other, based on a 1923 textile design by Dagobert Peche, will offer insights into transforming printed or painted patterns into compelling embroidered works.
Dates + Times
Friday, November 14th, 2025 – 12-2:30 pm EST Friday, November 21st, 2025 – 12-2:30 pm EST
Location
Zoom, access link will be sent out before class.
Cost
2-part Workshop: $150
Class Materials
Linen or cotton fabric (Sarah’s examples are in lightweight black cotton and natural muslin)
Perle cotton no. 8 thread in white, black and two shades of gray
Embroidery or crewel needle
Heat-sensitive pen- Frixion
Tailor’s or quilter’s chalk pencil if working on dark fabric
Scissors
Optional: fabric paint or watercolor and a stiff-bristled stencil brush, painter’s or masking tape, cardboard or surface that you can tape the fabric to before you paint it.
Scholarships
There are two scholarship spots available for this class. Please email info@tatter.org to learn more
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 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, WildCraft Studio School, The Embroiderers’ Guild of America, 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.