Welcome to the ‘What A Weekend’ classes, 2025
All classes are $140, payable at registration (online or form-based) from May 1, 10am.
Please browse and enjoy the selection of classes available.
1801 Stitched Stories: Christine Richards (McGuigan)
Telling stories through illustrative embroidery. In this two-day class, students will learn about using simple motifs and drawings to illustrate an event – a holiday or milestone. While drawing and designing are
concepts many embroiderers shy away from, learning simple techniques of tracing and transferring designs onto cloth can allow one to break free of the safety and conformity of working with commercial kits and bring individuality and vibrant story telling into their work.
The following will be covered in this class:
- Generating ideas and sourcing images
- Creating outlines and transferring these to cloth
- Incorporating raw and turned edge applique
- Using text and choosing stitches, colours and threads
- Presentation of the work
The images show some of the stories Christine has created in embroidery – her love of
cycling, a Japan daily diary, her wedding day and a hexagon diary.
Level: All
Kit: $15 to cover tutor supplies and linen for stitching the final piece. Money is to be paid to the tutor on the day
Finished Project Size: Will vary
1802 Kawakawa Leaf – Needle Lace: Sue Swann
Needle Lace is lace worked with a needle, thread and a limited number of stitch variations. Variations of needle lace are found all over Europe. This project is based on the Needle Lace made in Kenmare, Ireland
In this class you will:
- Learn how to set up a thread or wire cordonet
- Learn how to work a variety of Needle Lace stitches
- Work a small stitch sampler
- Work a kawakawa leaf
- How to finish the piece
Level: Intermediate
Kit: A kit will be provided with all the materials required to complete the project. $30 to be paid to the tutor on the day
Finished project size: ~8 x 10cm
1803 Tidal: Shirley Pygott
Surface stitches, beads and sequins are used on a hand-painted background to create an exploration of shapes and patterns from a tidal environment.
Students will be presented with a range of simple shapes and techniques to create tidal-inspired patterns on their fabric and each piece will be unique. The stitching is in black thread. The sample shows one possibility, which students can loosely follow or create their own. A small amount of mark making will be done on paper on the first morning to guide the stitching.
Techniques to be used include surface stitches: running, stem, chain, whipped chain, buttonhole, straight, cross, feather, knots, beading and couching.
Level: All
Kit: Partial kit $20 to be paid to the tutor on the day
Finished project size: 22 x 16cm (worked area)
1804 Collecting Shells: Anne Jaquiery-Newall
This little shell picture is such a fun class to do. It is stitched on canvas and there are many stitches that can be used.
Techniques to be used include couching, chain stitch, French and Colonial knots, needle-weaving, beads and sequins. I have used a number of different threads and textures.
Level: All
Kit: $40 A full kit with students choosing beads, threads and shells from my collection or bringing their own. Tutor will supply the canvas.
Finished project size: ~12 x 12cm
1805 Rose Vase Punto Antico Mat: Trish Hughes
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- Close-up of top left corner
This Punto Antico mat is designed to showcase a single-rose vase. Students will complete part of the central motif and one quarter of the pea-hole hem during the weekend, but will go home with all the skills needed to finish the piece.
Stitches used include satin stitch, 4-sided stitch, hem stitch, alternate stem stitch and tailor’s buttonhole. A knowledge of satin stitch and hem stitch is required, the others being taught in class. We will practise cutting out the completed mat in class. There is a small amount of accurate pre-class tacking that needs to be done before you arrive.
Level: Intermediate to advanced
Kit: $10 for colour notes to be paid to the tutor on the day
Finished project size: 30 x 30cm
1806 Apple Blossom – Elizabethan: Fiona Crowther-Aker
Inspired by the colour of the thread “Ruby” from Cottage Garden, I wanted to create a new Elizabethan project for beginners to enjoy without the stitches being too overwhelming. The apple blossom is a nice one to start with for a taste of padded detached buttonhole stitch, and who doesn’t like bees with a cut Turkish knot body.
Techniques to be used: Students will be given direction in conjunction with video screen demonstrations (venue dependent) for all the stitches required over a 2 day workshop. Approximately an hour will be spent focused on each stitch. Stitches used include chain, detached padded buttonhole, backstitch with wool padding, padded fly stitch with couched thread padding, cut Turkish knot stitch, couched trellis, bullion knots and web stitch. Each petal takes approximately 30 minutes to an hour for an average embroiderer, so with 24 petals the needlework realistically will not be finished in two days.
Suggested finishes: framing, zip case, book cover, or advanced students may like to finish it as a drawstring sweet bag with buttonhole and picot edgings.
Level: All
Kit: Instruction book and design $23 to be paid to the tutor on the day
Project size: Worked area 12 x 11cm
1807 Mexican Style Sampler: Andrea Old
Mexican samplers are greatly influenced by Spanish elements, but with distinctly Mexican colours and
featuring Aztec Stitch. These are areas where fabric threads are removed and then filled in with brightly
coloured, diagonal stripes of wrapped bars. Variations include changing the directions of the stripes to
create geometric patterns and completing some stripes inside out for a different texture.
This design draws in part on nineteenth century patterns in ‘A Taste of Old Mexico’ by Pat Rozendal (2004) plus several variations of Aztec Stitch.
The design is stitched on 32 count linen with two strands of cotton. Students may choose their own colours. The sampler will not be completed in class, but sufficient will be done to ensure students can finish at home. Most class time will be spent on the Aztec Fillings. Construction will be discussed but not completed in class.
Some pre-work will be required before you arrive.
Level: Intermediate – some experience of counted stitching is required
Kit: $5 for pattern to be paid to the tutor on the day.
Project Size: Finished stitched area – 60 x 10cm
1808 Embellished Felt Christmas Ornaments: Julie Clemett
Add a little sparkle to your tree and make some heirloom ornaments. Using embellishments such as jewels, chains, shisha mirrors, kundan stones and coloured metal threads, these delightful ornaments will brighten up every tree they adorn. The bright felt backgrounds and beaded edging complete these lively little ornaments.
The teaching will include techniques such as working with metal threads, attaching jewels and chains, construction and beaded edging. As each is a small project, participants are encouraged to purchase two kits, as competent stitchers should complete at least one in class time. Multiple variations of kit colours are available and attendees will be contacted re their choices prior to the weekend.
Level: All
Kits: $20 each. Including fabrics, felt, kundan stones, chain, shisha, metal threads, beads, glue, sewing threads and detailed instructions. Select TWO kits for $40 in total
Project size: Variable – up to 10 x 10cm
Additional Selectable ‘What a Weekend’ events
1809 Meet ‘n Greet
An opportunity to meet the tutors and other attendees, collect your registration bags with class and location details, ready for a relaxed start on Saturday.
- Time: Friday 7-9pm
- Where: Waimea College Hall
- Cost: No Charge
1810 ‘What a Weekend’ Buffet Dinner
Time to relax, mingle and dine after our first day, without the worry of ‘What to eat and where?’
- Time: Saturday 5.30pm for a 6pm start
- Where: Club Waimea, 345 Lower Queen St, Richmond
- Cost: $40 per person
- Buffet Menu