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.
2023 Classes
Snowflake Mandalas with Di Kirchner
Dates: POSTPONED – new dates TBA
Time: 10am – 4pm
Cost: $200 members, $220 non-members
Kit Cost: $50 paid direct to tutor on first day
Payment Due: TBA
Location: 100 Maitland Street, Hackett (Embroiderers’ Guild of the ACT Inc rooms)
The Snowflake Mandalas are embroidered in the style of Aemilia Ars, an Italian needlelace embroidery technique. Often called ‘Punto in Aria’ or ‘Stitches in the Air’ this type of embroidery uses foundation threads couched on to card as a base for the embroidery stitches such as needlelace, wrapping and Venetian Picots.
Design size is 9cm.
The kit will contain the threads, needles, metal rings, card, and instructions.
Students will need to have some embroidery experience.
Canvaswork Happy Hussif with Ann-Marie Anderson-Mayes
CLASS FULL – if you are interested in joining a waiting list, please contact us
Dates: Sat-Sun 21 & 22 October 2023
Time: 10am to 4pm
Cost: $200 Members $250 Non-Members
Payment Due by: 29 September 2023
Materials Kit Cost: $40.00, plus Optional Thread Pack $45.00 paid direct to tutor
Location: 100 Maitland Street, Hackett (Embroiderers’ Guild of the ACT Inc rooms)
The Happy Hussif is worked in stranded silks on 24-count Congress Cloth, but it will work just as well if it is worked in stranded cottons, therefore you may choose to provide your own stranded cottons, or purchase the Optional Thread Pack containing hand-dyed silks, and Ann-Marie will be happy to customise your thread set should you wish.
Students will have the option to choose from two designs. The first, Ann-Marie’s original version, is embroidered using simple canvaswork and blackwork stitches and measures approximately 16cm wide with a diameter of 6cm. The second, newer version is the same size but includes a wider range of canvaswork stitches to learn. The class notes will include full instructions for both designs. The workshop will cover all the stitches required to complete the project as well as demonstrating how to complete the construction.
Suitable for embroiderers with some experience.
Limerick Lace with Annette Meldrum
CLASS FULL – if you are interested in joining a waiting list, please contact us
Dates: Sat 11 & Sat 18 November
Time: 10am to 4pm
Cost: $120 Members $140 Non-Members
Payment Due by: 14 October 2023
Materials Kit Cost: $30.00 paid direct to tutor
Location: 100 Maitland Street, Hackett (Embroiderers’ Guild of the ACT Inc rooms)
Machine made netting has been available since the early 1800’s and women in many cultures have embroidered onto it to create items of beauty to wear or ornament their homes. This class will explore the technique and stitches of Limerick Lace, whereby designs are outlined and embroidered onto the net to produce pleasing results. Though traditionally worked in white or ecru, soft colours can also be effective.
Limerick lace manufacturing was the largest lace industry in the history of Irish lace and one of the largest industries of any kind to operate in the Limerick township. Over many decades, dresses, christening dresses and shawls, wedding veils, ecclesiastical robes, handkerchiefs and doilies were produced in workshops and in humble homes.
The class will explore light and heavy darn stitches traditionally used in Limerick Lace, and a variety of other filling stitches as time allows and eyelets. The project as shown is 11 cms wide, and can be framed or edged or appliqued onto a dark fabric for effect. Suitable for embroiderers with some experience of fine work and good eyesight or able to use some form of magnification.
2023 Classes already held
Embroidery framing tips and techniques With Fine Framing by Antoinette
Sunday 6 August 2023
Antoinette has over 20 years’ experience in all kinds of framing, and will be delighted to share her tips and techniques for framing your embroidery items. During the morning she will cover all aspects of framing different types of embroidery, including preparation, cleaning, blocking and lacing, through to the final framed result.
Temari Balls with Leanne O’Sullivan
Saturday – Sunday 22nd – 23rd April 2023
An enjoyable workshop with Leanne O’Sullivan from Kimono House Japanese Textiles & Craft making temari – the traditional Japanese surface embroidered decorative ball.
Geometric needle run embroidery on net with Annette Meldrum
18th and 25th March 2023
This class will explore the geometric needle run, a counted thread tradition that was widely worked in Colonial Australia when materials were scarce, but mosquito netting was readily available. Women sought to decorate their homes using the meagre supplies available.
Patterns are mostly running stitch, over/under each bar of the net or sometimes both bars either side of a single hole of the net. We will follow patterns by counting the bars or meshes.
This technique is simple and relaxing and will be a favourite!
The net is a little coarser than usual with slightly larger holes than traditional tulle making it easier on the eyes to stitch. It is imported from the Czech Republic and is very robust making it easy to wash and suitable for a scarf.
Sculptural Embroidery + Shadow Mounting Workshop With Meredith Woolnough
Saturday – Sunday 24th – 25th June 2023
This technique-based workshop explores the unique embroidery processes that Meredith uses to create her artworks. By (machine) stitching onto a combination of woven and water-soluble fabrics we will create a range of experimental embroidered artworks. Students can expect to create a range of experimental stitched surfaces and sculptural forms in this workshop. We will also explore Meredith’s signature shadow mounting technique so your embroidered creations can be presented in a professional manner, ready for framing.
2022 Classes
Japanese Bead Class ‘Macaron Magic’ with Merrilyn Whittle
23-24 April
This class will be teaching Japanese Beadwork and is based on the ‘Macaron Magic’ project which was published in Inspirations Magazine Vol. 111.
The Art of Stitch with Barbara Mullan
11-12 June, 2022
Discover how traditional embroidery stitches can be changed by playing with them. Widen, shrink, lengthen, rotate, change direction and attach with stitches such as chain, herringbone, fly and buttonhole. Explore how embroidery stitches can be used to create texture, design and impact. This workshop is about experimenting with the traditional to create the contemporary. Small embroidery pieces will be created.
Box construction workshop with Pat Bootland
25-26 June 2022
Pat is running a class for those who are interested in making a box to show off a pieces of their embroidery, especially one that has been lying around for ages and you need something to do with it!
Thread Painting with Di Kirchner
5 August 2022
Have you always wanted to try thread painting or still find it a bit tricky?
Di Kirchner is teaching this lovely design of gum leaves and blossoms.
Crewelwork with Di Kirchner
6-7 August, 2022
Class attendees will stitch a beautiful panel of flowers in either pink or blue.
Improv Embroidery (Freehand Florals) with Carol Cooke
22-23 October 2022
This class is about exploring new ways of using traditional stitches. Carol is the author of Improv Embroidery, a place of mindfulness, exploration and creative escape.
In the class students will create their own freehand florals using simple techniques to draw small flowers, playing with colour and stitch combinations.
Schwalm Whitework with Deborah Love
29-30 October 2022
Class attendees will stitch this lovely Schwalm Flowers design.
Deborah is an experienced tutor from Queensland who has published designs in the inspirations and held classes at Beating Around the Bush.
Needlepoint Berry with Lel Whitbread
8th December
Learn how to stitch this Needlepoint Berry, it makes a great gift for someone special, it looks fabulous as a key tassel or scissor keeper. Maybe you will be inspired and make heaps to hang from your Christmas tree. It has been adapted from a design by the Kreinik Manufacturing Co.
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 50% 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
