Winter/Spring Classes 2011

Here are the Classes that I will be teaching this Winter/Spring session at Joggles.com.

Beginning Embroidery with Bead Embellishment

This 4 lesson class is scheduled to begin on January 18, 2011.

This is a great introductory class to traditional embroidery stitches with the added flare and dazzle that only seed beads can add. These stitches can be incorporated in any fiber design that you choose, whether it be an already stitched crazy quilted block, a strip pieced pillow top, or an appliquéd art quilt block. A variety of stitches are used in each separate embroidered design, a Base Stitch, a Design Stitch, and an Embellished Stitch. Additional embellishments will also be covered such as adding in buttons, sequins, large beads and charms.

Flora Dora and Daisy Chain RAW Bracelets: Two for One

This 3 lesson class is scheduled to begin on January 28, 2011.

Do you have a wonderful stash of buttons and beads that are just waiting for the right project to come along? Well consider these beaded and buttoned up bracelets, which are made using two different Right Angle Weave techniques. The first bracelet simple and elegant the other feminine and charming; both take only a short amount of time to make.

Scrumptious Scraps

This 5 lesson class is scheduled to begin on February 25, 2011.

Scrumptious bit and pieces of vintage laces are melded and stitched together to form a unique and beautiful base for your creative stitched designs. Once the lace scraps are turned into a base, I will show you how to dye the base and a variety of ribbons (some silk) that can be later used in the embroidery and ribbon worked vignettes.


A Rose Garden

This 2 lesson class is scheduled to begin on March 15, 2011.

Your purse or pillow will start with a base of cotton velveteen or silk dupioni fabric. This is embroidered with silk ribbon and silk buttonhole embroidery stitches. A few beads here and there can add a magical glimmer to the design.

Color Me Happy

This 2 lesson class is scheduled to begin on April 1, 2011.

This is a technique class that debunks myths, decodes terms and will open your world to the possibilities of COLOR, creating your own colors and dye baths to be exact. The goal of the class will be to record the samples in a journal in addition to the dyed silk swatches that you create in each lesson. We will discuss working with color in different mediums. The class will only use Colorhue dyes; no other dye will be covered.

Creative Thread Embroidery

This 3 lesson class is scheduled to begin on April 19, 2011.

Explore the possibilities and broaden your creative stitched repertoire to add to your CQ and other embroidery projects. We will work the embroidery stitches using a variety of threads such as pearl cotton; buttonhole twist; rayon and cotton floss on a fabric base that you can use later as needle case.

Some stitches will blend thread to create new colors and textures. The dimensional embroidery stitches that will be covered are bullion knot, cast on buttonhole, drizzle, woven, whipped and tatted. Traditional stitches such as the buttonhole, chain stitch, feather stitch, feather stitch leaf, French knot, lazy daisy, pistol stitch and straight stitch will be also covered.

Magic Web

This 2 lesson class is scheduled to begin on May 17, 2011.

This is a great technique project; I call it Metallic Threads 101, but it doesn’t stop there. In class you will make a “magic web” from bits of precious scraps, decorative yarns and metallic threads, sandwiched together with Solvy and machine stitching, lots of machine stitching. The unique fabric that you create will be used as a base for a heart shaped brooch that will be embellished with buttons and beads.

I hope that you find something to spark your creative spirit.
In the meantime, Happy Stitching! Christen

Silk Ribbon Embroidery combined with Ribbonworked Flowers

Silk Ribbon Embroidery is one of my favorite forms of handwork, and adding in a bouquet of ribbon- worked flowers just seems so natural!

I have created a few classes and patterns using this technique. These projects are focused primarily on silk ribbon embroidery with additional flowers made from ribbon worked flowers.
(If you click the link it will take you to the page, where you will find information on the class or pattern for the instructions.)

A Walk Through My Flower Garden
The fabric base machine quilted with metallic threads. Machine stitched ribbons form a trellis; silk bias ribbon forms the "walk" or path for the floral motifs.
The "enchanted gardens" of silk and rayon ribbons and fabric flowers and leaves are stitched first, then attached to the fabric base. The vignettes are embroidered with smaller flowers and leaves stitched with silk ribbon embroidery, Brazilian embroidery and traditional free form embroidery techniques.

Afternoon Tea Brooch
Create a feminine brooch from a variety of ribbons, which include: velvet, vintage grosgrain's, French Jacquards, moire, dyed silk bias. Some beads were used for further embellishment.

Beribboned
The base fabric is first stitched with playful grids of randomly placed satin ribbons. These sections can then be embellished with hand dyed lace appliques resembling vignettes of baskets.
These baskets are filled with silk and satin ribbon worked flowers and leaves; further embellished with silk ribbon and traditional embroidery stitches and beading.

Elegant Additions Wall Hanging
The sample is comprised of 9 squares full of extraordinary examples of silk ribbon embroidery. Click on the image for a full page image of a larger image, then click on each square for a larger image still.
Embroidery knowledge is a must for this class. Seven stitches are a prerequisite for the twenty or more stitches that will be needed to complete the wall hanging: lazy daisy, French knot, stem stitch, straight stitch, pistil stitch, feather stitch, buttonhole stitch.
All the components and the designs can be adapted to a current crazy pieced or quilted project that you are working on.

Floral Brooches
Embellish a special piece of tapestry or silk with a few artfully placed flowers and embroidery stitches. The pattern includes directions for three different brooch shapes: a heart, paisley or tableau.
Beads and charms will add just the right touch to make this a contemporary piece of jewelry. You may be tempted to make one of each!

Silk Ribbon Embroidered Etui
Etui is French for "small ornamental case", and the one you will make with this pattern will hold your favorite needles, pins, and scissors in a size convenient enough to travel with. You'll be able to showcase these needle working skills on its cover: applique, ribbon-work, silk ribbon embroidery, traditional embroidery, beading on fabric.

Scrumptious Scraps
Bits and pieces of precious laces are melded and stitched together to form a single fabric. After the lace fabric is formed, it is then dyed, along with ribbons to embellish the piece with. The second part of the class will focus on silk ribbon embroidery and flower making, using the ribbons that you dyed in the first part of class and the base of lace fabric.

Vintage Redressed
This is a perfect venue for all of those vintage trims and buttons you have been saving to recycle onto wonderful.
The body of the vest is pieced in sections of woven ribbon and fabric. The body of the vest is embellished with silk ribbon embroidery, buttons and beads.

Happy stitching, enjoy what you do and the time that you have to create!

Silk Ribbon Embroidery

Silk Ribbon Embroidery is one of my favorite forms of handwork, I truly feel so much a part of history every time I pick up a needle and create a bouquet of silk flowers!

I have created a few classes and patterns using this technique. These projects are focused primarily on silk ribbon embroidery.
(If you click the link it will take you to the page, where you will find information on the class or pattern for the instructions.)

Climbing Wisteria Vines: Purse
When you wear this elegant embroidered purse out you will be the envy of all your friends, and they will probably ask you to make one for them! The fabric is pieced first, in a simple striped fashion of silk, moire, or tapestry. The front and back pieced sections are then embroidered with feather stitch vines and silk ribbon-embroidered lazy daisy leaves. Beads and buttons provide flash and style, probably just like that favorite aunt would have done.

Covent Gardens Collar
Silk ribbon berries and blooms cascade in a gentle curve around this peter-pan styled collar with adjustable ties and decorative buttons. I display this collar with my collection of embroidered handbags and pillows. It is very feminine and beautiful.

Ellen Matilda's Rose Garden: Purse
This project was named after my grandmother and aunt with the same first name. They both loved roses and gardens. The purse (or pillow if you like) starts with a velvet or silk fabric as the base, which is embroidered with silk ribbon roses and other flowers and leaves. Beads and charms add a magical glimmer to the design.

Fleur de France: Purse
The graceful curves of this purse complement the enchanting arcs of silk ribbon embroidery and ribbon work rosettes that adorn the curved seams. The embroidery stitches used are woven rose, lazy daisy, French knots and more. The fabrics that you chose for your project can be anything from silk, velvet, moire, cotton and tapestry.


Garden Brooches
This pattern includes three different shapes and three different garden designs. Five of the basic embroidery stitches will be covered: woven rose, feather stitch, chain stitch, lazy daisy, French knot. The project is easy, and works up quite quickly, so it is a great gift idea!

Quelque Fleur
The body of the vest is curved pieced, with cotton, silk and tapestry fabrics. Each seam of the curved sections are embellished with either silk ribbon embroidery, stitched handmade trim, or bouquets of ribbon worked flowers. The ribbon worked sections are made from satin and novelty ribbons. These can be enhanced with lace trims, buttons and bead embroidery.

Renaissance of Ribbon Embroidery
This pattern encourages you to spend a day or two with the finer things in life: silk ribbon embroidery, tapestry fabrics, and (of course) some beads. The stitches that you will learn are embroidered on a piece of muslin so you can use for reference later. You will also learn to make a few flowers from satin ribbon to further enhance your creation. There will be a few beading tips as well.

Happy stitching, enjoy the time that you have to do these marvelous things!