Stitchery Classes
All stitchery classes will be held at the Sparta United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall.
INTRODUCTION TO SASHIKO, a Stitching practice with Gail Clement
Beginner to Advanced
This introductory class provides an overview of Sashiko, the Japanese stitching and mending practice. The Instructor guides beginners in gaining basic skills and knowledge to apply this practice to both decorative and functional goods.Participants will practice the unshin method of stitching with palm thimble to complete a small sampler and coaster based on the Hitomezashi (grid based) Sashiko style.
Friday morning- $65.00 plus $45.00 Materials fee
FABRIC COLLAGE MEETS SLOW STITCHING with Beverly Dyer
Beginner and beyond
Join mixed media artist Beverly Dyer, RN, Certified Botanical Illustrator to learn how to create expressive, meditative fabric collages. Works can be fully abstract or representational with added inspiration with words printed on fabric. Techniques in slow stitching and embroidery will be added to the collage. Finished works will fit into a 5 x 7 colored mat for framing.
Saturday afternoon - $60.00 plus $8.00 materials fee
SASHIKO AND BORO INSPIRED MENDING with Gail Clement
Beginner to Advanced
This immersive 4-hour lecture and hands-on workshop introduces fiber artists to the rich cultural traditions and contemporary applications of *Sashiko* (a decorative reinforcement stitching technique) and *Boro-inspired patching* (the art of layered mending). We'll begin with a visual lecture exploring the historical context of these Japanese practices, examining their origins in rural necessity, their evolution into aesthetic expression, and their recent resurgence within the slow fashion and sustainability movements. Participants will gain an understanding of the symbolic meaning, regional variation, and technical structure behind traditional Sashiko patterns, while also engaging in a discussion about how visible mending serves as both a practical and political act in textile work today.
Following the lecture, participants will shift into a guided hands-on session, where they’ll practice basic Sashiko stitching techniques, experiment with layered Boro-style patchwork, and explore methods for creatively repairing or embellishing a Japanese textile panel. The finished piece can be hand sewn into a pouch using class-supplied materials. The small class size allows for personalized instruction, critical dialogue, and experimentation with how these techniques can be integrated into each artist’s broader fiber practice. No prior experience with Sashiko is necessary, though experience with the running stitch is helpful.
Friday, June 5, 2026 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM - $75.00 plus $50.00 materials fee