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 practices. 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 artform.
The Series
Czech Eyelet Embroidery
with Sarah Pedlow
In this class, we’ll look at the use of eyelets in Czech and Slovak traditional clothing from the 1800s– think puffed sleeves, caps, and aprons! Some historians date the first eyelets in Eastern Europe back as early as the 1600s. Open to beginners, we’ll go over a couple of stitches and how to make several different shapes of eyelets using basic embroidery tools. Sarah will talk about using an awl and a laying tool– neither of which is required. You are welcome to use a tapestry needle and embroidery scissors in their place.
April 3rd, 2025
Miao Jiaoxiu Embroidery
with Selina Ben
The Miao, an ethnic minority group living in deep mountains of the most remote areas in Southwest China, who have no written language, have been using their textile patterns to record cultural information and history for over two thousand years. In this class, Selina will walk you through the brilliant textile heritage of the Miao. She will present images of historical Miao costumes and baby carriers, talk about Miao traditional patterns and material culture. She will also discuss the changes that Miao embroidery has undergone and Miao artists’ contemporary practice.
April 10th, 2025
Stumpwork
with Veronica Fuentes
Stumpwork is a style of raised embroidery that was first popular in England in the 17th century. Girls were taught to sew at a very young age, an essential skill at the time. For embroidery students, the final and most challenging task was to embroider a box using raised embroidery. Traditionally the box will depict mythical or biblical scenes with castles, flowers, birds, animals, fruits, butterflies, kings, and queens. In this class, Veronica will walk you through a brief history of the technique, share some historical and contemporary examples, and explain some of the contemporary approaches to stumpwork embroidery.
April 17th, 2025
Jordanian & Syrian Raqme Stitch
with Wafa Ghnaim
The raqme stitch, known for its bold and geometric designs, appears on dresses from Hauran (southern Syria) and northern Jordan, but is native to Jordan on the traditional shirsh dress. In this hands-on class, you will learn a complete step-by-step method for practicing this historic stitch. The session includes an overview of raqme’s cultural history in Jordan and southern Syria, an in-depth dress study of a shirsh from the Tatreez Institute collection, and guided practice stitching the foundational raqme unit. You will also explore how to incorporate additional colors and motifs, and reflect on the traditional technique of stitching without a grid, a hallmark of raqme’s unique artistry.
May 1st, 2025
Kutch Embroidery
with Shahnaz Khan
Inspired by an antique textile found while traveling in India, this class will lead students though the process of laying down a foundation using herringbone stitches, followed by an intricate pattern of interlacing. Once the basic technique is mastered, students will be given the opportunity to follow a more intricate design and be encouraged to create their own.
May 8th, 2025
Punto Tagliato Embroidery
with Shahnaz Khan
In this workshop participants will be introduced to the stitches used to create these intricate “cutwork” patterns, and will have the opportunity to embroider a small motif. Shahnaz is excited to be sharing this tradition, a favorite of her Greek grandmother’s, and offers participants an opportunity to reflect on the importance of beauty in our lives, and the ways hand crafts can create connections between generations and cultures throughout the world.
May 15th, 2025
Dates
Czech Eyelet Embroidery – April 3rd, 2025
Miao Jiaoxiu Embroidery – April 10th, 2025
Stumpwork – April 17th, 2025
Jordanian & Syrian Raqme Stitch – May 1st, 2025
Kutch Embroidery – May 8th, 2025
Punto Tagliato – May 15th, 2025
Time
All classes are from 12pm – 2:30pm Eastern Time*
*All classes in this series will be recorded. A link to the recording will be emailed to all registrants following the live session. You may purchase the series as a whole even after the classes have begun. You will be emailed the recordings upon sign-up.
Materials
A materials list is posted on each class page. An optional materials kit is available for purchase through Tatter here.
Tuition
The classes in this series may be purchased à la carte at $75 or as a six-part series for a discounted price of $400.
Scholarships
We have two scholarships available for this experience. To be considered for a scholarship please email [email protected] requesting the scholarship application form.
Our Instructors
