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This intriguing array of patterns creates a study in color, stitches and threads. The various blocks include laid fillings, dimensional couching and numerous composite stitches. Long Arm Cross stitches are used to separate the blocks. Students will learn how to incorporate fabric into the design and embellish the areas with surface stitches and beads. Patches uses a variety of silk threads, overdyed cotton, wool blends, metallics, colored purl pearl, pailettes, and beads in a color palette of beige, green and wine. Students will be encouraged to explore additional threads and stitches to create their own unique piece.

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What fun we will have in this class, choosing colors, expanding our minds, challenging our stitching and most of all, we will learn great things from the other students.

It is always stimulating to study with a diverse level of stitchers. This class is open to anyone in any Phase of Japanese Embroidery or any student who has an unfinished Shay project. Now I know you all finish your pieces the minute you go home, but just in case this did not happen, here is the place to get help and move forward.

If you want to start a new Japanese Embroidery Phase, that’s fine too, but give us time to get the supplies you need.

There is no kit fee unless you are starting new piece. In that case, you need to contact Needle Arts Inc. at 1-800-813-3103.

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Tulips have been known for a millennium. By the 16th century, a positive mania for beautiful tulips swept through Europe. The Dutch established a monopoly on tulip cultivation, and rampant speculation in tulip bulbs began. This particular old-fashioned variety is Tulipa Gesneriana.

A life-size, realistic three-dimensional stumpwork tulip done in lace is centered in an elaborate Renaissance-styled needlepoint, silk ribbon, and gold bullion frame on this formal piece. This fast-paced class includes techniques for: attaching gold bullion invisibly, lacemaking on lacemakers’ pad, needlepoint stitches, silk ribbon stitches.

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Vincent Van Gogh spent some time in the south of France, and there he became enamored of the abundant sunflowers that grew about this home in Arles. He captured the essence of the bloom, and also the beauty of these spectacular flowers in his many paintings of them, and these portrayals never cease to fascinate the viewer and have become some of the most well known in the world.

Tribute to Vincent is my interpretation of this same theme; it is based on Van Gogh's work, but is interpreted in needlework. It is also a study in analogous colors, and is a sampler of raised techniques to effect texture. One flower is worked in Japanese Flat Silk, shiny and radiant. . Another flower is worked in detached needleweaving. A third is rendered in bullions. Other stitches are employed to give depth and dimension to the design, all the while working in glorious values of yellow and its analogues.

This happy design will hang happily in a summer home, or a Florida room, or will certainly brighten up a corner in the far north.

NOTE: This class provides three days of instruction. The fourth day will be in “Studio Time” to continue working on the piece.

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This stunning fan is the third in a series of Asian fans. The class will cover many different and intricate techniques such as pulled thread, or nué gold work, peyote and loom beading, quilting and appliqué on silk fabric, not to mention wonderful canvas work patterns. You will be working with soie d’alger silk, pearl cotton, Japanese gold, and wonderful little Japanese Delica beads. The beautiful Asian knot is tied using gold and silver torsade. You will have fun, learn something new and stitch to your heart’s content!

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This class has been formulated so that the student may make both of the projects.

Mermaid (pendant) and Treasure (pin or pendant) are created using unique techniques for working with rayon and metallic sewing machine threads, Brazilian threads, and sheer, metallic, and opaque fabrics backed with fusible web. Students will make their own stitch and color placement decisions for both pieces, and a fool-proof method of finishing will be taught.

Mermaid has beading and stump-work techniques, application and overstitching of metallic fabrics, and a face drawn (by student or teacher) with micron pens on muslin and mounted on cardboard.

Treasure teaches the student techniques for the application of metallic opaque fabrics backed with Wonder Under (an iron-on fusible web), couching over the fabrics with Japanese gold and other metallic threads, and a variety of beading techniques. The student will finish ‘Treasure’ so that it can be used as either a pendant or pin.

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These are three of the most elegant creatures on earth!  What fun they are to create and let fly.

Intricate patterns in each shape allow the creative artist to enjoy geometric combinations, textured embellishments,  embroidery stitches that become integrated with the open areas that state ART. 

Over twenty different stitching techniques (shading-left-open, whipped spiders webs, fishbone, satin-to-the-center, outline, florentine, unconventional crosses etc.) using sharp embroidery needles stitched with silks and metallics, the addition of beads, paillettes and semi-precious stones are used in these three butterfly shapes. 

One butterfly of pastels, one of vibrant burgundy and one of warm golds create a family of fun.

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What does Santa do in the Summer – why bar-b-que of course and where does he go – Kansas City, the world renowned city for stick to your ribs bar-b-que! This whimsical Santa is very dimensional and richly embellished with embroidery stitches as well as needlepoint stitches. He is outfitted in an apron with appliquéd pockets to keep his cooking sauces close, mitts and a spatula. To top him off is a perky chef hat and next to him is the ultimate cooking tool – the Grill. Wonder what’s inside?

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This two-day class focuses on two elements of design – line and shape/space. Although well-executed designs usually are not limited to the inclusion of only one of these elements, addressing the elements individually will help lead the needlework student toward an “I can do that” attitude re: design. Each day’s lesson will follow a similar format and will be devoted to one design element. Hands-on activities will be accomplished in small groups, working and learning cooperatively. Group work will minimize risk-taking and support a more relaxed atmosphere sprinkled with humor and valuable student insights.

It is anticipated that students will leave this class with a better understanding of design elements, sharpened observation skills, some tools to use for inspiration, and a notebook in-work that will serve as a valuable resource for future design/stitching endeavors.

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If you want to treat yourself to the luxury of uninterrupted exploration and/or design development time, this class is for you! beve will facilitate such an exploration. Perhaps your creative path is paved with various coloration techniques, or collage design, or approaches to layering - the sky is the limit! This is NAN’s first venture with a class like this: be sure to take advantage of it.

If you would like to stitch some works in progress, any unfinished class projects or begin an old or newly purchased project, this class is also for you. We welcome all students; those who want to experience a creative path and those who want the more traditional approach to Studio Time.

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Spring Fairy is a (non-charted pre-drawn) design worked in sheer fabrics, metallic threads, novelty yarn, silk ribbons and beads. Creating a stump-work ‘slip’ for the face and arms, using Wonder Under for appliquéing fabrics, stitching with beads and silk ribbons, and creating hair using a silk/mohair yarn will be taught.

The wings, cape, and dress are created with sheer and metallic fabrics surrounded and embellished with a variety of stitches, techniques, fibers, metallic threads and beads.

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This type of class is always one of the most exciting classes I teach, in fact, I teach like that here in my Studio all during the year running classes with each student "doing their own thing".  Everyone learns from all that is going on around them and information is shared helping everyone with their decisions and progress.

You may bring one or more projects and I will advise and guide you wherever necessary.  You may be bringing something of mine which we will continue to work on with additional instruction.

It is important to understand that each student requires individual time to establish the direction for the two days of stitching so the format will be unstructured.

If you have any questions about your project please contact me and we'll discuss this prior to class.  Please bring a notebook or any books you feel would help you in your quest.  I will bring my books for our use also.

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The Old Dutch Door Teapot is the 4th in a series of teapots designed after real buildings in Scotland and England. This little teapot is highly dimensional and richly embellished with embroidery and needlepoint stitches. The tiny bluebirds are nestled in a 3-layered thatched roof combining two colors of Seagrass, Flax ‘N Colors, and Stranded Cotton then embellished with 3 dimensional flowers. The chimney is stitched in an Overdyed Floss and the house in Neon Rays, Watercolours and Pebbly Perle, The flower box overflows with flowers and greenery. Surrounding the Teapot is a cobbled path, shrubbery and an iron fence invoking an old world but welcoming feeling.

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“Color Details: Crossing the Wheel” explores direct complements in depth thus de-mystifying one aspect of color theory for students. Each student will select a preferred direct complement combination and explore the range of colors available within that combination by creating tints, tones, and shades, then a myriad of surprising new hues as they mix complements and tint the mixtures. The instructor will share the ideas, insights, and examples of several artists and colorists.

Using the range of colors they have mixed, students will explore various ways to depict those colors through stitching techniques and fabric layering. Finally, using an instructor-provided simple line design or a design of their creation or choosing, students will determine a direct complement color plan for stitching.

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Take your stitching beyond the basics with this project designed to stretch your abilities and perhaps your eyesight! Add a touch of glitter to your stitching background and you have an especially versatile piece that can be a pin, an ornament, inset into a book cover, or used as a flap for a purse or pillow.

Step outside the box and stitch with silk, metal, ribbon and metallic lace threads on an 18-count ground of brass metal mesh. Just imagine where your fingers will take you!

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A needle and thread are the alchemists’ tools in this re-creation of the four elements’ design. In the time around 400 b.c.e., the Greek Philosopher, Empedocles of Acragas, determined the four fundamental elements to be Earth, Air, Fire, and Water. In this piece, a wonderful combination of colors and stitches recall these still present elements that surround us.