The Embroiderers’ Guild ACT presents a range of classes each year. Most of these are open to members of the public, as per class descriptions below.
For enrolment information click here.
2026 classes will go on sale at 9am on Sunday 7th December
2025 Classes
Enrolments are available to members and non-members strictly on a first come, first served basis, on receipt of the deposit. Members of other Guilds will be given the member price – please note on your enrolment form.
Full details of classes, including final costs, will be notified as soon as they are available. Full refunds will be made for any cancellations notified up to 3 weeks prior to commencement of the relevant class. A waitlist will be developed for classes that are over subscribed.
Beginner Class with Louise
Dates: The next session is yet to be scheduled. Please contact us in order to register your interest.
Cost: $220 Members, $270 Non-members*
Kit cost: $50 paid direct to tutor
Location: The Embroiderers’ Guild ACT rooms, 70 Maclaurin Crescent, Chifley
* There is no obligation to become a member, but should a non-member choose to join the Guild, they will receive $50 off their first year membership fee.
The guild is very pleased to offer this beginner class. In the class you will stitch a needlebook featuring an embroidered swirl of leaves, flowers and insects. The project is stitched with DMC threads on linen.
This class has been specially designed for people new to embroidery or for those wishing to consolidate their skills. In the class a wide range of basic embroidery stitches will be taught, and the finished project will be both lovely and useful. In class, not only will there be lots of classic stitches to learn but also discussions on needles, threads and fabrics and tips and tricks.
If you have been thinking about joining the Guild but are a bit unsure, then this class may be just right for you. It’s a lovely way to be welcomed into the Guild and to explore the Guild’s many activities. However, you don’t need to be a member to do the class.
Requirements: Please bring your own basic sewing requirements. If you know you like to use an embroidery hoop, please bring a 12cm (or thereabouts) embroidery hoop.
The Annemieke Mein Collection Needlebook with Jennifer Bennett
Dates: 15 /16 November
Price: $230 members, $280 non members
Full payment due 24 October
Kit cost: $230, paid direct to tutor
Location: The Embroiderers’ Guild ACT rooms, 70 Maclaurin Crescent, Chifley
Annemieke Mein OAM is a Dutch-born Australian textile artist, based in Sale, Gippsland, who has drawn acclaim nationally and from abroad for her vivid recreations of Australian native fauna and flora. Annemieke has kindly granted Jennifer Bennett permission to recreate her amazing textile designs as hand embroidery kits.
This delightful needlebook consists of 7 designs of Annemieke’s textile art, and the finished book measures 5 1/2″ x 7 1/2″. The comprehensive kit includes 10 cards of silk threads, cottons, silk ribbons, printed pages, wool flannel, needles, comprehensive notes and photos to complete the project.
Skill level: This is an intermediate level project
2026 Classes
Enrolments for 2026 classes will go on sale at 9am on Sunday 7th December
Princess Lace with Annette Meldrum
Dates: Saturday 14th and 28th February 2026.
Time: 10am – 4pm
Price: $180 members, $230 non members
Kit cost $30 paid direct to tutor
Location: The Embroiderers’ Guild ACT rooms, 70 Maclaurin Crescent, Chifley
Using pretty machine-made Princess Lace tapes of various styles and shapes, we will position, fold, and join together to produce a motif which can be appliqued or inserted into a garment or textile. Embellishments can be added including bars and fillings.
Skill level: This class is suitable for embroiderers at all levels of experience.
Designs will be based on a beautiful white tablecloth, the first item catalogued into our Guild Heritage Collection no.1 1982, dated 1885-90, donated by J. Williams with Princess Lace butterflies inserted at intervals throughout the 92cm square cloth. Every butterfly is different, and they are each artistically beautiful.
Angels Breath Wreath or Wildflower Meadow Lampshade Ribbon and Surface Embroidery with Taetia McEwen
Dates: 14/15 March
Time: 10 – 4
Please nominate your preferred project when booking.
Cost: Members $230, Non Members $280
Kit cost: $160 paid direct to tutor
Angel’s Breath
Velvety blossoms, lustrous hard-dyed silk ribbons, a myraid of textures and techniques, this graceful and charming design would also look divine with the child’s name stitched in the center, or perhaps a wedding date, or a favorite saying.
During the class, we will cover the following stitches: detached twisted chain, chain stitch, fly stitch, French Knot, colonial knot, straight stitch, stem stitch, (ribbon) loop stitch, ribbon knot stitch, granitos, drizzle stitch, Ghiordes knot, fishbone stitch.
Wildflower Meadow Lampshade
Stitched On the palest pink silk dupion, are a field of delicate wildflowers, stitched and then attached to lampshade, so that the scene changes as you run it.
Stitches in the design are as follows: back stitch, couching, stem stitch, straight stitch, French knot, colonial knot, detached chain stitch, herringbone stitch, loop stitch, palestrina stitch, padded satin stitch, long and short stitch, trellis stitch, whipping.
A lamp shade not included . These can be purchased separately from Amore Lampshades.
“Taetia will also demonstrate, and you can try flower-pounding as an option fabric embellishment“
Persian Chair Canvas Work with Anne-Marie Anderson-Mayes
Dates: 16/17 May
Time: 10 – 4
Costs: Members $230, Non members $280
Kit cost paid direct to tutor
- Standard Kit – $50
- Optional Thread Pack – $99
Create a miniature Persian-style chair using needlepoint stitches on 24-count Congress Cloth. Learn all embroidery and construction techniques in class. There is an optional flat design charts available for framing or decorative use
Finished Size Approximately 15cm (W) x 17cm (H)
Optional Thread Pack – $99
16 skiens of hand-dyed silk + extra for twisted cord.
Sweet Repose Sur with Anna Scott
Dates: 13/14 June
Time: 10 – 4
This workshop is a Level 2 – Basic Intermediate project designed as an introduction to crewel embroidery.
Costs: Members $230, Non-members $280
Kit cost paid direct to tutor $75
Students should have experience with general embroidery and be comfortable with basic stitches. A little experience in crewel embroidery is an advantage but not essential.
What You’ll Learn
- 20 different stitches and combinations
- Techniques for texture and pattern creation
- Tips for mastering common crewel stitches
- Insights into crewel embroidery history and style
En Blanco y Negro (Spanish Lace) Blackwork with Christine Burton
Dates: 25/26 July
Time: 10 – 4
This workshop is an intermediate level and will require some commitment to complete.
Costs: Members $230, Non-members $280
Kit cost paid direct to tutor: $95 (Optional Finishing Kit – $45)
Inspired by the artistry of traditional Spanish work embroidery this project captures the drama of black on white glistens with the sparkle of gold. Worked on 28 count. Evenweave, the central diaper pattern is formed using three different medallion designs with the dense outer border based on a single floral motif.
Worked primarily in back stitch and running back stitch, three different thread weights are used along with metallic thread, beads and sequins for the final touches.
Coral Textured Surface Embroidery with Amy Jones
Dates: 22/23 August
Time: 10 – 4
This workshop is aimed for beginners to intermediate and will allow your imagination to run free.
Costs: Members $230, Non Members $280
Kit cost paid direct to tutor: $50
During this workshop, you will learn to create your own unique coral inspired piece, filled with color and texture.
You will learn to adapt spiderweb stitch to create shells and sea urchins, how to pad satin stitch, needle weaving stitches and more.
Attendees will have a choice of a rainbow or neutral colorway which must be chosen in advance of the class.
Heart Motif Drawn Thread with Jennifer Kennedy
Dates: 17/18 October
Time: 10 – 4
The workshop is for those that are interested in drawn thread work but a little scared to start.
Costs: Members $230, Non Members $280
Kit cost paid direct to tutor: $30
This project will ease you into drawn thread work and take away the fear (without the added pressure of corners). A variety of drawn thread stitches and combinations will be worked side by side to fill the center of a heart motif can then be edged with surface stitches, laid or braid.
What You Will Learn
- A variety of drawn threads stitches and combinations
- Confidence to cut threads to create beautiful designs
The completed motif could be used as a centerpiece for a cushion, bag or framed picture.
Previous Classes
Ribbon Embroidery with Jan Hure
8 November
If you are a beginner or need to brush up on ribbon embroidery skills this could be the class for you. A chance to make a ribbon embroidery sampler.
Creative manipulation of fabric and thread with Catherine Howell
26 – 27 July
In this class Catherine will lead you in creating your choice of either of these sweet and useful needlecases incorporating her creative manipulation of threads and textiles.
Ganutell Flowers with Victoria Muscat
24 June
Ganutell is a Maltese art form of making artificial flowers from wire, thread and beads.
Victoria will begin with a short description of the history and development of Ganutell flowers in Malta, including showing some examples, followed by a relaxed and informative workshop where you will learn how to make your own flowers.
Gabi Tote with Jane MacDonald
31 May – 1 June
The Gabi Tote covers a number of sashiko techniques including hitomezashi (one stitch sashiko). The bag is an idea of what can be made out of the samples and the instructions are included. Alternatively, a table
runner or small quilt could be made out of the samples.
Using a Smocking Pleater – A one day workshop for members with Lyn Weeks
4 May
Following are some of the areas of pleating that will be covered:
- Understanding and caring for your pleater
- Preparing to pleat with the correct threads and needle spacing
- Pleating a straight piece of fabric and an area to be smocked in the middle of a fabric width
- Pleating a curved fabric edge
- Pleating delicate fabrics or Liberty of London® where the pleats will need stabilising
- Problem solving for the things than can go wrong when pleating
Fairy Wrens with Bev Tully
5 – 6 April
This is a fine embroidery in silk thread and textured nest with baby birds.
Beginners Class with Louise
1 February, 15 February, 1 March, 15 March, 29 March
In the class you will stitch a needlebook featuring an embroidered swirl of leaves, flowers and insects. The project is stitched with DMC threads on linen.
This class has been specially designed for people new to embroidery or for those wishing to consolidate their skills. In the class a wide range of basic embroidery stitches will be taught, and the finished project will be both lovely and useful. In class, not only will there be lots of classic stitches to learn but also discussions on needles, threads and fabrics, and tips and tricks.
Cleo Butterfly with Alison Cole
20/21 March OR 22/23 March
Cleo is worked in both English and Indian threads along with silk, beads and beetlewings. It’s an easy paced class and each of the techniques is covered over the two days, so it’s great for beginners to goldwork and above.
Enrolments
To enrol in a class, download & print out the enrolment form:
Guild classes enrolment form (pdf, 44KB)
Guild classes enrolment form (docx, 22KB)
Complete and return as per instructions on the form.
A deposit of $100 is payable on enrolment and the balance is due three weeks before the class commences. For any given class, enrolment closes either when the class is full or three weeks before commencement, whichever is earlier.
If you have enrolled in a class, but are unable to attend, please notify the guild immediately. There may be a waiting list and the guild may find someone to fill your place. Refunds are not generally available for cancellation within three weeks of class commencement.
Fees cover the cost of tuition. Where kits are available from tutors, the cost of kit is to be paid direct to the tutor at the class, not to the guild. Please be aware that you will have to have your own basic sewing supplies and that most classes have a requirements list.
This page contains information on classes for adults and the policy for classes can be found here. For information on the Young Stitchers’ program and School Holiday classes see the Young Stitchers page
