Stash Busters: Embroidering With Loose-ends

Stash busters: Embroidering with Loose-ends with Laura Berlage

Embroidery doesn’t have to be just for cotton floss. You can use all kinds of leftover threads and strings for embroidery! In this fun and explorative class, Laura will show you how to take your stash and turn it into a beautiful stitchwork. Explore 15 different stitches from the simple backstitch to nuanced long-and-short shading and laid and couched work, and a whole bunch of stitch types in between. Whether you’re looking to spruce up your embroidery skills or try it for the first time, there’s something for everyone in this class. You are welcome to use pearl cotton, crochet cotton, embroidery floss, or other materials you have on hand. Grab a needle, some fabric, a hoop, and let’s start stitching our leftovers into something beautiful.

Notes of preparation: There are many transfer methods available for embroidery. I like to keep mine simple, using a sharpie and a light source to trace the design. I use our farm’s lit bakery case, but a sunny window also works. For the window option, tape the paper onto the window, then tape the fabric up and redraw the lines. A nice aspect of using a sharpie is that it doesn’t rub off during stitching, like many of the other methods do, but you are welcome to use the pen/marking device of their choice.

Fabrics should be a plain weave. Light fabrics show your lines best, but you can also get creative with white or silver pens to work on dark fabric. Linen or cotton napkins, former table cloths or pillow cases, tea towels, muslin…all work well. If someone wants to stitch on handwoven fabric, that is fine too, so long as the weave is dense enough to have lots of options for where to put the needle. Plain weave/tabby is easier to learn on than a twill.

Students will receive a PDF with the design and stitch guide as well as downloadable photo essay instructions.

This small group class is presented in collaboration with John C. Campbell Folk School and Lessonface. Students are invited to attend an optional Orientation and Closing Ceremony to connect with various online Folk School classes.

Class Materials

Students should provide:
- Fabric backing of your choice, preferably a light color—upcycled fabrics or muslins work great!
- Threads from your stash you would like to explore embroidering. All color preferences are welcome.
- Embroidery needle that fits your threads well
- 8 inch embroidery hoop

Before class, students will be sent a PDF of the design to use for transferring to your fabric, along with a stitch guide. Additional materials include a PDF of detailed instructions and pictures for the stitches covered in the course.