April Embroidery Workshops: Learn Mending, Upcycling, and Embroidery Basics

Melissa Galbraith
6 minutes ago
3 min read

April Embroidery Workshops: sashiko style visible mending, clothing embroidery, PNW animal embroidery basics

April showers bring May flowers... or so the saying goes. When it's all rainy in the Seattle area, all I want to do is stay in and craft. Want to join me? This month I have a few upcycling and PNW animal embroidery classes that you can take. Even if you haven't embroidered before, I'll help you feel comfortable getting started stitching.

April Hand Embroidery Workshops

Fruit embroidery featuring a watermelon, lime, papaya, pineapple, lemon, and dragon fruit slices with a strawberry and cherries

April 18: Kids Fruit Embroidery at Swoon City from 10-11:30am PST

Try embroidery with this beginner workshop. Kids (10+) will learn how to embroider fruits using 3 beginner embroidery stitches. This class is great for kids looking to get started with hand embroidery. They’ll learn how to place fabric in the hoop, transfer the pattern, split apart thread, and stitch the satin stitch, back stitch, and seed stitch. Each child will receive hands-on instruction as well as a full kit that includes: a wooden embroidery hoop, fruit transfer designs, an embroidery needle, full skeins of embroidery thread, cream cotton fabric, and printed instructions.

April 22: Clothing Embroidery at UW Botanic Garden from 6-8pm PST

Cover up stains and small holes in your clothing with hand embroidery. Join fiber artist and author Melissa Galbraith of MCreativeJ for a hands-on workshop. Simply bring a garment to embroider and we’ll provide you with playful nature-inspired sample designs to stitch. This class will cover helpful dos and don’ts of embroidering garments as well as stitches best suited for your individual garment and pattern. Each attendee will also receive an embroidery hoop, thread, needle, and stabilizer to get started. This workshop is beginner-friendly and no prior embroidery experience is required.

Denim patched with a darker denim, then embroidered with sashiko style visible mending in dash and plus sign lines.

April 25: Sashiko Style Mending at Make Apothecary from 2-4pm PST

Want to learn how to stylishly mend your clothing? Sashiko is a Japanese mending technique that uses the running stitch to patch and reinforce garments with stylish geometric stitch patterns. In this 2-hour hands-on workshop with fiber artist and author Melissa Galbraith of MCreativeJ you’ll learn how to get started mending your clothing with sashiko. We’ll cover how to design a pattern, reinforce a garment with a patch, prep your thread, create the running stitch, finish your thread, and care for your garment. All materials are provided.

Blue pattern fabric in an embroidery hoop, with a half embroidered otter duo. Embroidery is on the table with a needle book, thimble, thread bobbins, and scissors.

April 28: PNW Animal Embroidery at Fall City Library from 5:30-7:30pm PST

Celebrate animals of the Pacific Northwest in hand embroidery. In this beginner-friendly workshop you can learn how to embroider an orca, black bear, river otter pair, cougar, salmon, or giant octopus. Fiber artist Melissa Galbraith of MCreativeJ will show you how to use beginner-friendly embroidery stitches such as the satin, stem, and reverse chain stitches to bring your animal to life. You’ll receive an embroidery hoop, fabric, embroidery needle, colorful embroidery thread, water soluble animal patterns, and printed instructions in class. This workshop is beginner-friendly and all skill levels are welcome.

Three embroidery hoops on a table featuring PNW animals. An embroidery hoop with a purple tie-dye fabric has an octopus pattern, an embroidery hoop with blue pattern fabric has an otter duo, and an embroidery hoop with grey pattern fabric has a magenta stitched orca whale.

April 29: PNW Animal Embroidery at Renton Library from 5:30-7:30pm PST

Looking for more workshops and crafty events?

See all upcoming hand embroidery workshops and craft events.

Can't join me for an in-person workshop?

Try my Domestika course! This virtual workshop is a great way to learn at your own pace from where ever you are! My course will walk you through how to create a stained glass inspired embroidery. It's beginner-friendly and perfect for anyone who wants to get into hand embroidery.