Registration for Cissy’s classes except the lecture is now closed
Meet our teachers and see what projects they are offering.
Cissy began collecting antique samplers and antique sewing accessories such as needlebooks, pin cushions, sewing boxes, sewing bags, spool holders, needle rolls, and sewing shoes. Many of the antique Smalls in Cissy’s collection were made by members of Shaker communities and she has a large collection of Scottish made Mauchline Ware.
Cissy started designing professionally in 2003 and has enjoyed using the shapes of her antique sewing collectibles to create adaptations of the antiques as teaching projects. Self-lined projects are her favorites because they can easily be finished and are precise in construction.
Her designs have been featured in several publications for EGA, Sampler & Antique Needlework Quarterly, and Just Cross Stitch magazine over many years.
Cissy will be offering three half day classes and a two hour lecture.
In My Heart Needle Book & Scissor Sheath
Wednesday a.m.
Kit fee $115
We are going to have lovely time together in August and you can hold it close in your hearts as you create this beautiful self-lined needle book and scissor sheath duo.
The luscious Swan Bay Longburn linen, six Au Ver A Soie 100.3 silk spools, and gold and silver Accentuate will have you humming as you place thirteen different stitches into the 3.5” W x 3”H scissor sheath and 4” W x 5”H self-lined needle book.
Finishing is simple using silk ribbons, small buttons, and my self-lined technique. Pellon, Skirtex, and wool felt are included in the kits.
Bring usual stitching supplies and paper scissors
Margaret’s Holdall & Pin Wheel
Wednesday p.m.
Kit fee $113
Step back in time to 1795 with Margaret Mutter and her Sampler from the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts.
I borrowed motifs from the sampler to design this 7” W x 4”H self-lined Holdall and Pin Wheel.
The Holdall has an inner pocket that is just large enough to tuck your heart shaped Pin Wheel, embroidery Scissors, and threads into and it is secured with the softest of silk ribbons.
We will use Cedar River Pyrite linen, 11 colors of Needle Point Inc. silks and one spool of Au Ver A Soie 100.3 to create the projects as we incorporate seven stitches into the design.
Finishing the Holdall is a snap with my self-lined technique and kits will include Pellon and Skirtex.
A copy of the sampler that I have reproduced for MESDA is included in the kit. Bring usual stitching supplies.
Updated Red House Patriotic Etui
Thursday a.m.
Kit fee $95
The Red House Patriotic Etui is a self-lined design stitched on 37 count Wild Honey Legacy Linen with 10 colors of Au Ver A Soie 100.3 silk threads and a bit of gold Accentuate. Before folding up and finishing the charming etui is about 9 inches wide and 10 inches tall. The interior features a scissor sheath and a needle book. These were made from a plain suede like fabric in the original model. This fabric was no longer available so Cissy has just created 11 patriotic needlework designs for us to select from! You may choose up to 3 of these patterns for your scissor sheath and up to 3 for your needle book! Linen, silk threads, Accentuate, silk ribbon, and iron on Pellon will be included in the kits.
Bring paper scissors to class to cut out your models.
Useful Antique Tools & Treasures
Lecture Thursday p.m. 2 hours
I have been collecting antique sewing tools for many years because I was charmed by the thought that someone two hundred or more years ago took the time to make something special to tuck inside her own sewing box or created a Small Token of Affection for a friend. In this lecture we will explore sewing accessories from handmade and humble to factory made and fabulous! We will look at needlebooks and pinwheels, shoes and reticules, Shaker made pieces and Scottish Mauchline Ware and will end with Sewing Boxes, small and large. My finest fitted sewing box held a small surprise inside.
Registration for Kim’s classes is now closed
Kim Sanders’ teaching style is relaxed and encouraging. She loves embroidery and relishes the opportunity to share knowledge with students. Class lecture includes tips for better stitching and often some of the history of the class’s technique. Kim is an EGA-certified teacher in Crewel and Surface Embroidery and a Master Craftsman in Surface Embroidery and Smocking. She has taught at national and regional seminars, guilds, and shops as well as an Independent and several Group Correspondence Courses for The Embroiderers' Guild of America. Her designs have been published in Australian Smocking & Embroidery, Needle Arts, and Inspirations.
Silk Ribbon Smalls
Wednesday-Thursday
Kit fee $75
Silk Ribbon Smalls is a suite of four accessories for the embroiderer, a pincushion, scissors keep, ort container and needle book. All materials required to finish the pieces are included in the kit.
The first part of this class focuses on silk ribbon embroidery stitches and related surface stitches. The embroidery is also garnished with seed beads. The second portion of the class will be devoted to finishing techniques such as lacing, making cord, applying it and stuffing a three-dimensional object smoothly.
Embroidery will focus on the scissors keep. Many, if not all, of the students will probably complete the scissors keep embroidery in class and may even complete assembling it leaving only the cord application to be done at home. Who wouldn’t love to go home from Retreat with something almost done!!!
Crewel Necessities Huswife
Friday-Saturday
Kit fee $90
Organize your favorite tools in a beautifully embroidered huswife. Crewel Necessities uses a wide variety of stitches to make the stitching fun. Tips on handling crewel wool, making plump, smooth satin stitch, creating sharp corners with chain stitch and invisibly joining a new thread for line stitches ensure success. Students may embroider the huswife as shown or add their own variations embellishing the diagonal trellis. The back of the class sample is blank. Students may choose to personalize their huswife with initials and/or a date.
Crewel Necessities is a good introduction for those new to crewel embroidery. However, the variety of stitches should hold the interest of those familiar with the technique. The design may be stitched exactly as shown. But more advanced or adventuresome students will be encouraged to experiment with their own design changes for the interior pockets. Certain stitches such as whipped spider web and buttonhole circle are interchangeable in this design. The lattice of the scissors pocket can be left plain or embellished with several variations of the stiches used in the exterior embroidery.
Complete instructions are included to finish the huswife. The finishing techniques which will be demonstrated in class can be applied to future projects.
Lecture during class will include information on why traditional crewel colors were indigo blue, gold, olive green and rusty red. The materials used to achieve these colors, indigo, madder, goldenrod, onion skins and the necessity of mordanting to achieve color fastness will be discussed as students stitch. That each pound of wool required a pound of dye stuff helps explain why historic crewel pieces frequently employed stitches that conserved precious colored thread.
Stephanie comes from a textile background but after discovering Beadwork she has never looked back.She has taught beading for many years in the UK and Europe and in 2006 was also invited to teach 9 classes on a workshop tour of Japan.In 2009, Stephanie opened ‘the Bead Scene Studio’ selling all things bead related including teaching an extensive workshop programme. She then decided to close the studio in 2018 to concentrate much more on Designing and Teaching started whilst in the studio.She has written six beading books and has also worked on live craft channels.During the last 5 years Stephanie has really enjoyed working on zoom from her home in the UK as she feels it such a great vehicle for teaching, especially the live up close demonstrations, screen sharing and being able to connect with students from around the world.
Holly and Noel
Zoom Friday and Saturday a.m.
Kit fee $100
Holly is skating into Winter with her lovely Red outfit and fur muff to keep her warm.
Noel is so excited for his date with Holly.
He's all wrapped up in this chunky jumper, holly hat and scarf ready to skate the night away.
This is an intermediate project with techniques including Brick, peyote & Herringbone stitch.
Quite a lot of size 15 seed beads are used so it can feel quite fiddly at times but so enjoyable to bead.
Techniques include: Peyote, Brick & Herringbone stitch.
Kit fee includes beads, thread and other materials for both figures and 28 pages of color printed instructions.
Kits will be assembled locally to avoid shipping charges and tariffs.
Carmen started her passion for handwork at the age of 9 when her mom taught her to knit to develop patience. She went on to learn how to do all the things she could with a needle and thread and a sewing machine. The quilting bug bit along the way. In addition to piecing, she had a desire to learn how to applique. After trying many methods of applique, she was exposed to prepared edge applique in an introductory class taught by Karen Boe. Constantly learning and trying new things has allowed Carmen to challenge herself with this technique. Carmen's quilts have won awards at various quilt shows in the US. Two of her quilts were also a part of the 2024 and 2025 American Quilter's Society Quilt Art Engagement Calendar. In addition to applique Carmen also enjoys precision piecing and still finds a little time to stitch when she's not quilting.
Prepared Edge Applique
Friday p.m.
Let me share my passion for applique with you in this demonstration type class. During this class I'll demonstrate the prepared edge applique method that I use and discuss two additional methods. We'll cover the supplies used, the technique for making the shapes and how to stitch the shapes in place. I'll share many hints, tips and tricks that make this a very achievable applique method. A handout will be provided.
