Discover the Best Embroidery Classes Near You
Embroidery is the technique of using a needle and thread (sometimes wire) to stitch designs, typically onto a piece of fabric. While it can be done by machine, hand-stitched embroidery is considered an art that has numerous creative possibilities. There are a variety of stitching techniques for embroidery, with one of the more popular among beginners being cross-stitching. Cross-stitch embroidery consists of threading X-shaped stitches onto fabric, typically linen or other fabrics with an open weave. Beginners may find using a hoop or frame to hold the fabric in place useful and there are a variety of kits for DIYers to purchase that have patterns to follow. More advanced users are likely to use a variety of stitch techniques to create their own beautiful designs or follow more difficult patterns.
Why You Should Learn Embroidery
There are plenty of reasons why someone may want to learn the artful craft of embroidery. Many find embroidery to be relaxing and a great stress reliever. This type of detailed and repetitive craft can even be beneficial for mental health by creating a sense of calm while working on a project. Additionally, honing your skills and finishing an embroidery project can feel very rewarding. If you have free time, a hobby such as embroidery will help you be productive and allow you to create beautiful textiles for yourself and others.
Another reason to learn embroidery is that it plugs you into a larger community of needleworkers. Open to embroiderers of all skill levels, the Embroiderers' Guild of America (EGA) has local chapters that meet regularly in person and allow members access to a large library of projects. Other embroidery clubs exist online where users can purchase yearly memberships to gain access to numerous digital designs and patterns. You may also be able to find a local embroidery club through Facebook or your local library. These clubs usually consist of members sharing patterns and tips online or meeting in person to embroider together as a way to bond while doing a fun, relaxing craft.
Many craft artists have even found ways of profiting from their embroidery by selling their projects on websites like Etsy or Facebook Marketplace or to local businesses. Embroidery could turn into a great side hustle or more once you hone your craft and become a master embroiderer. But if you don't want to sell your projects, they make great gifts for several occasions including baby showers, weddings, birthdays, and Christmas.
5 Ways to Learn Embroidery
There are various options for learning embroidery that suit an individual's needs, including in-person, live online, or self-paced classes, learning from family and friends, or teaching yourself by reading books or tutorials on embroidery. In-person classes offer a formal classroom setting where individuals benefit from having a teacher easily correct and critique any mistakes they are making since they can see what they are working on. Additionally, being able to see the teacher's demonstration in person is useful for learning crafts that require such detailed precision.
However, if you want to skip the commute and learn from the comfort of your own home, live online classes offer the benefit of being able to ask teachers questions in real-time. Usually offered via Zoom or another video conferencing platform, live online classes are conducted much like in-person classes and offer a personalized approach to learning from home. Also, self-paced or on-demand classes, such as you may find on YouTube, are an accessible and sometimes free option. These types of classes have the added benefit of being able to be paused and rewound as needed.
Other ways to learn embroidery include learning from a friend or family member or teaching yourself by reading tutorials that you can find in embroidery kits for beginners. You can find books on embroidery at your local library or for purchase online, or simply search the internet for embroidery tutorials, many of which have pictures to assist with learning. While becoming a master embroiderer likely requires a more formal class, these options may be good starting points. After learning an overview of the technique, you can move on to a more structured class taught by a professional in person or online.
In-Person Embroidery Classes
Taking an in-person class is an effective way to learn embroidery, whether you are just beginning or an advanced embroiderer looking to hone your skills. In-person classes provide you with hands-on learning and the benefit of having an instructor nearby to monitor your progress closely. If you get stuck in your embroidery project, the instructor can assist you in taking out your stitches and starting over if necessary, saving you the frustration of figuring it out on your own.
Brooklyn Craft Company in Brooklyn, New York offers a Beginner Embroidery Workshop where adults will learn embroidery basics while creating a peace-sign hoop design by Marigold and Mars. The class, located at a brick-and-mortar supply shop and workshop in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, covers topics such as transferring a printed image to fabric, what types of tools are needed for embroidery, how to do basic stitches, and how to frame your project in an embroidery hoop. The materials are provided and included in the class fee.
Another class held in New York City is the Embroidery Workshop at The New York Sewing Center located in Midtown, Manhattan. The New York Sewing Center, in NYC's Garment District, offers sewing and design classes for kids and adults. Their Embroidery Workshop, open to all skill levels and ages 10 and older, consists of users bringing their own article of clothing and learning to embellish it with hand embroidery. Simply bring your own garment and you will learn how to decorate it with an embroidered word or phrase of your choice. Materials (apart from the textile you bring) are included in the cost of the class.
Los Angeles is another city with in-person embroidery classes, for instance, Beginning Embroidery at The Knitting Tree. Located in Inglewood, The Knitting Tree sells high-quality yarn and supplies for various textile arts and offers hands-on instruction for enthusiasts of all skill levels. In Beginning Embroidery, ages 13 and older have the opportunity to learn ten of the most used stitches in embroidery. Users can join the waitlist to be alerted of upcoming classes.
In the Chicago area, individuals can attend Kimberbell's Spoonful of Sunshine Embroidery Workshop at Linda Z's Sewing Center. Kimberbell Designs, well-known in the embroidery world, consists of high-quality designs for embroidery created by professional artists and designers. This class, for adults 18 and older of all skill levels, teaches modern techniques to complete three Kimberbell projects: Unbe"leaf"able Mini Wreath, Lick the Spoon Apron, and It's a Snap Tea Towel. Attendees will be provided a project kit but extra supplies may be required, determined closer to the event, and it is recommended to bring a sack lunch. Linda Z's, founded in 1967, is located in Arlington Heights and offers classes as well as a service center for clothing repairs.
Kids who are interested in embroidery near Chicago can attend classes at the Evanston Art Center, a non-profit visual arts organization. The Evanston Art Center offers visual arts classes, exhibitions, public lectures, and youth outreach activities, including the Fiber Arts Studio where students learn embroidery, fabric piecing, and rope twisting. Located in Evanston, just north of Chicago, the Evanston Art Center offers two versions of the Fiber Arts Studio, one for 9 to 11-year-olds and the other for 12 to 14-year-olds. The class content covers contemporary artists who incorporate fiber arts into their pieces, as well as how to complete your own mixed media artwork.
Young embroiders in the San Francisco area can attend the Unusual Art Materials class at the Art School of SF Bay. Located in the Outer Richmond District, the Art School of SF Bay has skilled teachers with Fine Arts degrees who teach various drawing classes to all ages. The Unusual Art Materials camp is for students ages 6 to 10 to learn how to implement uncommon art materials, such as embroidery, stained glass, and mosaics, into their drawings. Camp is held from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for five days and attendees should bring their own lunch and snacks. Art materials are provided.
In the Nashville area, adult embroiderers can attend Applique Adventure at Craft South, a fiber-related supply store and sewing and craft studio. This embroidery class is for beginners ages 21 and older and teaches various techniques and tricks to personalize your projects. Students may bring their own in-progress projects or start something new. Craft South provides irons and general cutting and sewing supplies for the class, as well as snacks and beverages. A list of materials will be provided two weeks in advance.
Finally, in the Washington D.C. area, individuals can attend the Octopus Sea Garden class at Artistic Artifacts. Located in Alexandria, Virginia, Artistic Artifacts hosts classes and workshops in addition to selling fabric, fiber, and mixed media art supplies. The Octopus Sea Garden class is for all skill levels, ages 18 and older, to learn hand-embroidery stitches and stumpwork (3-D embroidery). Students will walk away with a whimsical undersea quilt that shows off their 3-D embroidery skills and also receive a pattern to take home.
Virtual Embroidery Classes
While in-person classes often consist of going to a workshop or craft store to learn embroidery, virtual embroidery classes are conducted online and therefore can be attended from anywhere. Virtual classes give users the freedom to learn from the comfort of their own homes, saving them from having to commute to class. On the downside, students may have to supply their own materials and equipment since they will not be going to a physical workshop or art center to learn embroidery.
Online embroidery classes are an effective way to learn embroidery, regardless of your skill level. Classes may be conducted live online so that you can ask questions in real-time. The Evanston Art Center offers the virtual class The Art of Contemporary Embroidery to ages 16 and older. This beginner class, conducted live online via Zoom, consists of five sessions where students will learn how to embroider with and without a hoop. Students will make an original piece using various techniques such as mending, darning, sashiko, quilt-blocking, and couching. The class can be taken as a lecture (attendees are listening and learning techniques to apply to their projects) or as a workshop where you are working on a project during the class. If you would like to embroider along with the instructor, you will need to purchase materials, which are listed in the instructor's recommended supply list.
Private Group Embroidery Classes
If you are interested in scheduling an embroidery class for your business or organization, you can attend a live online group class through CourseHorse. Private group embroidery classes are a fun team-building activity and a great way to encourage creativity while completing a project.
CourseHorse offers the class Virtual Modern Embroidery Art as a fun way for groups to learn the basics of embroidery. In this two-hour private class, groups will learn how to prep their hoop, the basics of choosing the best thread, and how to start and finish your project. No previous experience is required and all the materials for three embroidery projects are shipped to each individual, including three hoops, colorful threads, patterns, needles, and a tote bag. The class is held via Zoom but accommodations can be made for other platforms if discussed ahead of time.
If you are interested in other fiber arts private group classes, CourseHorse offers a Virtual Macrame Workshop where students learn to make a hanging planter and a Virtual Tapestry Loom Weaving class where students learn how to make a simple loom and create their own wall hangings. Like other classes, materials are included in these workshops and mailed to the individuals ahead of time, saving you time from having to gather your own materials.
Another benefit of booking classes with CourseHorse is that they can often accommodate large group sizes and the size of the group can be changed after scheduling the class if needed. Additionally, CourseHorse will send you confirmation of your scheduled class within 24 hours, your event provider will reach out to you prior to the class to provide details and answer questions, and they can accommodate various platforms other than Zoom such as Google Meets, Microsoft Teams, and WebEx.
What Will I Need to Learn Embroidery?
To learn embroidery you will need to purchase materials online or from a craft store. An essential tool used in embroidery is the hoop, which comes in different sizes and is used to hold your fabric taut while you stitch. Embroidery needles also come in various sizes, as certain needles are required for different projects. A few useful needles to start with are the crewel needle, tapestry needle, and milliner needle. Another essential embroidery item is the embroidery scissors, which are small and with a sharp point to facilitate cutting stitches. A popular choice for embroidery thread is stranded cotton floss, although you can technically use any thread for embroidery.
For fabric, embroidery experts advise using cotton or linen with a medium weave when beginning, but any fabric can be embroidered, including denim, wool, and felt. Thicker fabrics will require a sturdier needle. Staying organized is essential for being able to easily pick up where you left off in your project, and therefore it's a good idea to have a storage container or bag to fit your materials. Some additional tips include using compartments to store thread to keep it from tangling and keeping your scissors in a sheath will protect them from dulling.
When you take an in-person class, these materials are often provided to you and included in the class fee. You may have to purchase your own materials for online classes. However, CourseHorse offers virtual classes that will mail you materials ahead of time. So before you begin your CourseHorse virtual class, you won't have to worry about finding and purchasing the supplies, saving you time and streamlining the process. This also provides consistency in a group class by providing the same materials to each participant.
Is it Difficult to Learn Embroidery?
Embroidery is a fun hobby and skill to master, but some might find it intimidating due to all the various supplies and techniques that one can learn. However, you don't have to jump into learning the more difficult stitches and techniques right away; instead, work up slowly to the more challenging embroidery approaches. You can do this by taking beginner classes that teach basic patterns with limited supplies needed. Many beginners start by learning the running stitch, a sequence of small straight stitches, as well as the backstitch, which is done in a backward motion. The more complicated the design or pattern is, the more difficult it will be to embroider, as more advanced stitches will be required. Eventually, after practice and dedication, you will be able to take more advanced classes and master challenging embroidery projects.
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