In this class, you will be invited to explore the quilt tradition from the Zhuang, the largest ethnic minority group in China. Selina will walk you through historical Zhuang quilt top examples, explaining the significance of quilts in Chinese culture, and demonstrate how to construct a traditional Zhuang quilt top block from scratch to finish.
Zhuang quilts are rooted in the long tradition of reusing textiles in China. For centuries, Zhuang women created artistic quilt tops by patching and appliquéing their cultural identity and belief with used textiles. A Zhuang girl in the past would save scrap fabrics for a few years and stitch her wishes for a good marriage and a happy future into her wedding quilt top.
With the skills learned in the class, you will be able to apply both the technique and the design approach on your creative projects.
A PDF file with design patterns will be shared one week prior to class for participants to print out in advance.
Date
Friday, November 13th, 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 Hand Sewn Quilting 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:
- Appliqué fabric: medium-weight non-stretch woven cotton or linen fabric (denim, bed linen, Azumino-Momen Sashiko fabric). Wash, dry, and iron all fabrics in advance to avoid shrinkage and color bleeding.
- Base fabric: 2pcs in similar quality to the appliqué fabric described above. The top layer fabric size should be 19x19cm, the bottom layer fabric size should be 16x16cm.
- Sashiko thread thick type (Olympus, Daruma) or DMC pearl cotton thread #8
- Fusing material: Mistyfuse sheer fusible web white or Vliesofix bondaweb 719
- Needles (2pcs): Sashiko needle (Tulip, Olympus, Clover) or other sharp needles with big eyes
- A pair of sharp paper scissors
- A pair of sharp fabric scissors
- Fabric marker (recommended: heat erasable marker, water soluble marker)
- A ruler longer than 23cm
- An ironing board, an iron and 1pc baking paper for using fusing materials to fuse fabrics
About the Hand Sewn Quilting Series
Under the guidance of contemporary textile artists, participants of all levels will engage with various quilting techniques. Beginners will gain confidence and a deeper understanding of quilting foundations, while experienced makers will expand their skills and textile knowledge beyond the basics.
Bundle Discount
When four Hand Sewn Quilting 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
Selina Ben is a textile artist and mender based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. With a professional background in textile product development, her passion for textiles has existed for as long as she can remember.
Selina is inspired by historical textiles around the world. Her curiosity about why the textiles were significant to a place, what materials were used and how they were made stimulates her creativity. With her practice, she hopes to preserve disappearing techniques, honor unknown makers and their cultural heritage.
Witnessing landfills overloaded with textile waste, Selina chooses to work with pre-used fabrics. All the signs of wear and tear on the fabrics are a source of inspiration for her creative process. With her hands, needles and threads, she brings the fabrics to a new phase of their lives so that people can start looking at our relationships with textiles differently.
Selina believes stitching by hand is the best form of meditation. The repetitive motions of arms, wrists, fingers, needle and thread bring peace of mind and a sense of accomplishment. As time goes by, the grounded feeling arises, the positive energy grows, and a new work is born.
Selina’s practice can be found at www.unwrittenstitch.com and Instagram @selinaam05.