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 seven 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 seven 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
Armenian Ourfa Embroidery
with Lizzy Vartanian
In this class, we will learn about the stitches used in embroidery from Ourfa, a region of historic Western Armenia. Ourfa embroidery is famed for its floral motifs and its pale and delicate color palette. Originally, it would have been done on coarse fabric, though finer fabrics like silks are now used. Ourfa embroidery uses a filling stitch, which is then outlined with a darker or golden thread to give the motif prominence. during our time together, we will learn about the history of Ourfa embroidery as well as the primary stitches, including filling stitches and outlines.
November 6th, 2025
Turkish Embroidery through Traditional Carpet Motifs
with Rümeysa Memis
Four classic embroidery stitches will be explored in this workshop: Muşabak, Hesap İşi, Mürver, and Pesent. These are counting stitches that were widely practiced during the classical period of the Ottoman Empire. The workshop will open with an introduction by Rümeysa, who will provide an overview of Turkish embroidery before discussing textile heritage through carpet motifs.
By connecting the histories of carpet motifs with embroidery techniques, Rümeysa emphasizes how these symbols have been interwoven for centuries as a form of storytelling. Traditional carpet motifs serve as cultural and social memory, preserved through women’s hands.
November 13th, 2025
Mountmellick Whitework Embroidery
with Yvette Stanton
Mountmellick embroidery is a form of whitework embroidery, originating from the town of Mountmellick in Ireland, around 1825. Mountmellick embroidery uses floral motifs and heavily knotted and padded stitches. The plants featured are traditionally those that grew in the township of Mountmellick itself, such as oak, blackberry, dog rose, and ivy. Mountmellick work is worked in white matt cotton thread on white cotton satin jean fabric. The work is highly textured with many knotted and padded stitches employed, and there is no openwork, such as eyelets.
This class will teach the basics of Mountmellick embroidery through a design featuring a dog rose flower and leaves. Traditional thread, fabric and stitches will be used, including cable plait stitch, French knots, stem stitch and Mountmellick stitch. Yvette will share her knowledge of this beautiful embroidery style, gained from her time studying many historical examples of the embroidery in Ireland and the UK.
November 20th, 2025
Greek Counted Stitch Embroidery
with Shahnaz Khan
In this class, Shahnaz will be joined by her mother, Artemis, who will share her experiences of how the art of embroidery influenced her upbringing in Greece. Together they will discuss the significance of passing textile traditions and techniques down through generations. Students will learn about the history of Greek embroidery, and will learn a variety of stitches used in Counted or Canvas work. Artemis will share her tips and tricks for beautifully executed embroideries, as taught to her by her mother. This class will focus on the 18th and 19th century embroideries that are housed in museums around the world.
December 4th, 2025
Goldwork Embroidery
with Hester Dennissen
In this lesson, Hester Dennissen will introduce you to the basic principles of gold embroidery, as you create a piece that is representative of traditional motifs. Gold embroidery is a centuries-old, labor-intensive technique with a grand appearance because it’s expensive and exclusive. It was therefore primarily used for the nobility, military uniforms and emblems, banners, and, of course, ecclesiastical textiles. Students will leave with insight into gold embroidery through the ages.
December 11th, 2025
Pepenado Embroidery
with Maité Jiménez
In this workshop, participants will be introduced to the history and cultural significance of pepenado embroidery, explore its wide vocabulary of motifs, and learn the foundational stitches of the technique. Together, we will discover how this centuries-old practice continues to be a living form of artistic expression, storytelling, and connection to nature and community.
December 18th, 2025
Estonian Muhu Embroidery
with Sarah Pedlow
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.
January 8th, 2026
Date + Time
November 6th, 2025 (12-2:30 pm ET) – Armenian Ourfa Embroidery
November 13th, 2025 (12-2:30 pm ET) – Turkish Embroidery through Traditional Carpet Motifs
November 20th, 2025 (4-6:30 pm ET) – Mountmellick Whitework Embroidery
December 4th, 2025 (5-7:30 pm ET) – Greek Counted Stitch Embroidery
December 11th, 2025 (12-2:30 pm ET) – Goldwork Embroidery
December 18th, 2025 (12-2:30 pm ET) – Pepenado Embroidery
January 8th, 2025 (12-2:30 pm ET) – Estonian Muhu Embroidery
*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.
Coming soon! An optional materials kit available for purchase through TATTER.
Please note: The TATTER kit includes most of the materials suggested for each class. Please view individual class pages for a comprehensive list of what each class may suggest or require.
Tuition
The classes in this series may be purchased à la carte at $75 or as a seven-part series for a discounted price of $450.
Scholarships
We have two scholarships available for this experience. To be considered for a scholarship, please fill out the scholarship application form.
Our Instructors
