Embroidery is a technique of decoration: the use of needle and thread to elaborate fabric, materials, or objects. Practiced across time and place, embroidery displays and celebrates culture and identity. Ancient embroideries – sewed with spun gold thread, tracing a pharaoh’s hem, twined into fruiting trees or rigorous geometries – have been discovered on every continent, the archaeology of a universal impulse. Our World Embroidery Series is a celebration of this global craft. Across six classes, 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.
Stitchers of every level are welcome to participate in this series, learning the motifs and mechanics of six distinct embroidery traditions from across the globe, in a series designed to convey the meaning and histories of specific stitching practice. This class will allow students to increase their skills, to participate in the preservation of culture, and to explore some of the diversity of ethnographic contributions to this ancient, tactile art form.
The Series
Chikankari/ Indian Whitework Embroidery
with Ekta Kaul
Once patronized by Indian nobility and aristocracy, Chikankari has evolved into a celebrated craft that continues to flourish in contemporary India. Its timeless elegance and delicate artistry have captivated fabric lovers not only across India but also around the world, making it a cherished and widely admired form of hand embroidery. In this class, you will learn the foundational stitches of Chikankari embroidery and how to create your own simple design on fine, semi-translucent fabric.
Thursday, January 9, 2025
Blackwork Embroidery
with Christina Macdonald
Blackwork, also known as “Spanish Blackwork” or “Spanish work”, uses black thread on light colored fabric to portray unique geometric, rounded and shaded images. Blackwork was historically used to decorate the collars and cuffs of shirts. This technique creates an almost lace-like appearance that can be reversible because of the use of double running stitch. This class is a great way to expand your embroidery stills, bring new dimension to your needlework, and connect to a long practiced tradition.
Thursday, January 16, 2025
Syrian Cross-Stitch
with Wafa Ghnaim
Textiles woven in silks using various striped, bold, vibrant and ikat patterns, have a centuries-old tradition in Aleppo, Hama, Homs and Damascus. In this class, Wafa shares the endangered cross-stitch technique of Syrians who for many centuries have specialized in the ornamentation of dress. The class will revive the long lost textile traditions of Fortress of Simeon, Qalaat Samaan (قلعة سمعان), one of the oldest surviving churches located in northwest of Aleppo.
Thursday, January 23rd, 2025
Shisha Mirrorwork Embroidery
with Shahnaz Khan
Indian mirrorwork, known as Shisha, is the ancient Indian embroidery technique of attaching tiny mirrors onto fabric. Developed during the 17th century, it is practiced widely throughout the Indian subcontinent, as well as the regions of Afghanistan, China, and Indonesia.
In this class, students will be introduced to the history of Shisha, while learning the traditional technique of creating a grid across the mirror which can then be stitched open creating a border.
Thursday, January 30th, 2025
Ainu Embroidery with Kaparamip Technique
with Selina Ben
In this class, you will be invited to explore a Japanese Ainu embroidery technique, Kaparamip, which means cutting and applying thin cloth. By the end of class, you will be able to create a sample of the basic Ainu motif, Moreu (spiral), and use these skills to explore more complex patterns. In this class, Selina will walk you through a brief history of the Ainu, share images of traditional Ainu textiles, and look into Ainu material culture. She will also discuss contemporary approaches from Ainu artists.
Thursday, February 6, 2025
Lavradeira Portuguese Embroidery
with Sarah Pedlow
Join us for the embroidery and culture of the lavradeira, 19th century farm girl, of Viana do Castelo, Portugal. A vibrant living tradition, the embroidered clothing and textiles are still made today for festivals and special occasions. After an introduction to the Minho region of northern Portugal and an overview of its textile history, we’ll stitch a floral pattern inspired by a handkerchief with several stitches including the crivo, a drawn thread work technique.
Thursday, February 13th, 2025
Dates
Chikankari/ Indian Whitework Embroidery – January 9, 2025
Blackwork Embroidery – January 16, 2025
Syrian Cross-Stitch– January 23, 2025
Shisha Mirrorwork Embroidery – January 30, 2025
Ainu Embroidery – February 6, 2025
Portuguese Lavradeira Embroidery – February 13, 2025
Time
Chikankari/ Indian Whitework class is from 11am-1:30pm Eastern Time. All other classes are from 12pm – 2:30pm Eastern Time*
*Participants will also have access to recordings of the live sessions in case you cannot attend. Access to these recording will be available for one month after the date of the live session.
Tuition
$65 for one class. $350 for the series.
*These sessions will be recorded. A link to the recording will be emailed to all those who register following each live session. The links are live for one month for you to watch at your convenience.
We have scholarships available for this experience. To be considered for a scholarship please email [email protected] requesting the scholarship application form.
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