World-class needlework instruction has come to Chicago! Whether you’re looking for the gentlest possible introduction to embroidery or an in-depth technique intensive, chances are you’ll find it at our flagship Ravenswood location. Maydel hosts teachers from all over, as well as beloved locals Lauren Yeager, Shannon Downey, Connie Toebe and Jean Ogilvie.
Coming up next:
Gurzeh min Gazeh (A Stitch from Gaza) with Tamara
Saturday, March 29th from 1–3pm
Teaching traditional Palestinian tatreez embroidery techniques with a focus on motifs from the historic Gaza region. The motif shown is only one example of several you can choose from.
You’ll learn how to thread a needle, weave the thread through Aida cloth and secure the thread, as well as the basics of cross-stitch embroidery. All skill levels are welcome, whether you’re new to embroidery or a skilled practitioner.
If you have existing Gaza tatreez projects and would like to bring them to work on those alongside, feel free to.
Class fee includes all necessary supplies, including 11-count Aida fabric, DMC perle cotton thread size 8, and a tapestry needle. A portion of each class fee will be donated to Heal Palestine.
Introduction to Tambour with Lauren Yeager
Saturday, April 5th & Sunday, April 6th from 10am–3:30pm (with a break for lunch)
Learn how to embroider like the famous French couture houses in this 2-day weekend workshop.
Tambour embroidery uses a hooked needle on framed fabric to create an efficient method for embellishing in a variety of ways using a linked chain stitch. In this two-day workshop students will learn the basics of fabric set up, fabric transfer methods, and a selection of techniques widely used for creating elaborate works on a sheer ground.
Techniques will include:
- Basic chain, starting and stopping a lock stitch
- Chain Stitch for Filled Areas, Reverse Chain Fill, and Herringbone
- Basic Sequin application, Directional Sequin Cascade, and Flat Stitched Sequin.
- Seed bead application, Bugle bead application, Alternating Beads for Creating Patterns.
Price includes all materials, including a wooden tambour handle, 3 tambour hook needles, sequins, beads, organza fabric and gloving thread. Students will be able to choose from several color palettes on the first day of class.
Floral Embroidery Photo Hoop with Jean Ogilvie
Saturday, April 26th from 2–4pm
Create an unexpected photo frame in this basic floral embroidery class taught by Jean Ogilvie of Sew Choice. Participants will use decorative stitches to construct roses, leaves, and framing stitches to secure a standard Instax photo*. Design will be stitched on felt and housed in a 6” hoop for hanging or tabletop display. Techniques include:
- Wagon wheel stitch
- Leaf (satin) stitch
- French knots
- Back stitch and straight stitch for functional purposes
Registration fee includes all needed materials, including hoop, felt, threads, needle, and optional photo. Makes a wonderful gift for your favorite caregiver!
Introduction to Goldwork with Lauren Yeager
Sunday, April 27th from 10am–4pm (with a break for lunch)
In this class, students will learn several basic historical goldwork techniques to create a raised leaf that can be finished as a framed piece or a cutwork brooch.
This class is best for students with some prior experience with embroidery or hand sewing.
Techniques included:
- Basic identification of several metalwork threads
- Metal thread handling
- Proper thread waxing
- Cut work
- Couching
- Goldwork applique
- Applying spangles
Registration fee includes the cost of all needed materials, including real gilt wire threads and spangles, fabric, needles, real wool felt, and locally made beeswax.
Stitch Builders: Fill Stitches with Lauren Yeager
Saturday, May 3rd from 10am–3:30pm (with a break for lunch)
In this beginner- and intermediate-friendly class, students will spend the day practicing 8 different embroidery stitches as they create a sampler to showcase what they’ve learned. This session will cover a group of stitches used for filling in areas of a design, including:
- Battlements couching
- Padded satin stitch
- Herringbone
- Herringbone filling
- Van Dyke stitch
- Pekinese stitch
- Chevron filling
- Cretin stitch
The Stitch Builders series will also introduce you to foundational embroidery skills such as how to thread the needle, how to start and end your threads, and how to use an embroidery hoop.
May the Fourth Be With You – Intro to Needlepoint with Lauren Yeager
Sunday, May 4th (obviously) from 10am–3:30pm (with a break for lunch)
Celebrate May the 4th with a space-themed intro to needlepoint!
Learn how to create your very own solar system in wool! This course will teach students how to start and stop threads utilizing a counted canvas ground, along with principles of tent-stitch shading in wool threads, by blending colors in the needle with stitching.
Registration fee includes all materials, including pre-drawn needlepoint canvas, wool threads, needle, and printed instruction booklet.
Colorful Clouds Shoe Embroidery with Melissa Galbraith
Saturday, May 10th from 10am–12pm
Join us for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn with visiting Seattle artist and author of DIY Embroidered Shoes, Melissa Galbraith of MCreativeJ!
Do your shoes need some pizazz? Want to jazz them up with embroidery? Learn how to embroider your canvas shoes with colorful clouds in a hands-on class with all materials included.
In this two-hour shoe embroidery workshop, you’ll learn how to get started with shoe embroidery, transfer your design onto shoes, prep your thread, and what tools and stitches are helpful for embroidering on shoes. During the workshop, you’ll be able to choose your own color assortment to create a unique colorful cloud design as well as the satin stitch, long and short satin stitch, and stem stitch.
Embroider a Vintage Postcard with Connie Toebe
Saturday, May 10th from 1–3pm
Spend time with your favorite caregiver or make them a fabulous handmade gift!
In this class you’ll learn how to embroider on a (reproduction) vintage postcard. You’ll learn how to prep the postcard for embroidery and then practice three embroidery stitches: straight stitch, stem stitch and lazy daisy—all different than the stitches taught in our previous embroidered postcard class. By the end of the session you’ll have a beautiful, textured picture to frame or give as a gift.
Class fee includes all materials, including reproduction vintage postcard, wood handled awl, embroidery floss and needle.
**Note: Are you a left-handed stitcher? Connie is, too! She can demonstrate all of the techniques covered for both right-and left-handed stitchers.
Mother’s Day silk stitching workshop
Sunday, May 11th from 10am–4pm
Treat your favorite caregiver to a special Mother’s Day embroidery event, featuring a limited-edition design with an exclusive English heritage silk floss! Snacks will also be provided as a part of this special event.
This May Morris-inspired embroidery will allow students to make an embellished small-format notebook cover. Students will learn how to handle silk threads, Japanese gold threads and how to stitch them on a linen ground.
Techniques include:
- Setting up a hoop
- Couching
- Stem Stitch
- Laid Work
- Simple Form Darning Stitch
- French Knots
- Monogram
- Construction of the Notebook cover
Registration fee includes all materials, printed instructions, and light snacks. This class is recommended for those with some prior hand-sewing or embroidery experience. All are welcome, whether you bring a companion or not.
Introduction to Embroidery with Lauren Yeager
Saturday, May 17th from 10am–3:30pm
Students will spend the day practicing several of the most commonly used embroidery stitches as they create a sampler to showcase what they’ve learned. The January 26th session will cover all of the following:
- Satin stitch
- Buttonhole stitch
- French knots
- Backstitch
- Whipped backstitch
- Chain stitch
- Whipped chain stitch
- Trellis stitch
- Stem stitch
This class will also introduce you to foundational embroidery skills such as how to thread the needle, how to start and end your threads, and how to stretch fabric in an embroidery hoop.
Great for absolute beginners as well as stitchers who want to brush up on their skills.
Price includes all materials, including silk and cotton fabrics, needles, embroidery floss, perle cotton thread, gum paste wires, and full-color printed instruction booklet.
Private classes and tutoring
To book a private embroidery class in our studio (many levels and techniques available), please get in touch. Private classes require a $150 non-refundable deposit and a minimum of 4 students. Private embroidery tutoring is also available, with pricing set individually by teachers.
Recent previous classes:
Please contact us if you’d like to be notified when we re-open any of our current or past classes.
March 1st: Introduction to Needle Painting with Lauren Yeager
February 8th & 9th: Stumpwork Iris with Lauren Yeager
January 25th: Embroider a Vintage Chicago Postcard with Connie Toebe
December 7–8: Introduction to Tambour Embroidery with Lauren Yeager
November 10th – Intro to Embroidery for Decorative Mending with Lauren Yeager
September 7th – Stitch Builders: Looped Stitches with Lauren Yeager