Last week I walked into Target and was confused as to why it looked so ravaged. We're talking barren shelves type of ravaged here. Then I remembered it's back to school time and everyone is stocking up on outfits, school supplies, and so much more for the new school year.
As a kid it seemed like everything revolved around the school year. Now that I'm now longer in school and only have fur babies, the school year feels foreign to me. Actually, since becoming self-employed the concept of time has become very foreign to me. If I didn't have my planner, I would be very lost as to what day of the week it is. Anyone else living by their planner these days?
Even though I don't live by the school calendar anymore, I do miss all the classes. Art was my favorite all throughout K-12 and even in college.
One of the many things I love about being an adult, is that we get to take the classes we want to take, instead of what's required of us. We can pick and choose based on our interests and what fits in our schedule. No more needing to slog through pre-calc (that was to worst for me!).
And this September there are sooooo many workshops for you to choose from! From ice dyeing to indigo dyeing and fabric landscapes to 3D strawberries and mushrooms, the crafting workshop options are endless (well almost!) See all the upcoming workshop below.
I can't wait to stitch, dye, and craft with you! -Melissa
September 7: Ice Dye at The Works from 7-9pm PST
Explore the magic of ice dyeing! Learn how to fold and bind fabric to create patterns and designs as well as the playful nature of ice dye. You’ll love playing with different folding techniques and seeing your designs come to life after the ice melts! Each attendee will receive four cotton tea towels to create their own patterns and are also encouraged to bring additional cotton materials to dye. This class can get messy, so please wear clothing you don’t mind getting a little dye on. Get your dye on!
September 9: SODO Flea - *New location* 2401 S. Utah Ave., from 10am - 4pm PST
September 16: Textural Gourds at Quilting Mayhem from 10:30am- 12:30pm PST
Want to learn how to create textural embroidery? Join me for a 2 hour, hands-on workshop. We’ll be stitching nobly, texture-filled gourds using the chain stitch, colonial knot, split stitch, and Danish knot. When you join this class, you’ll also receive a full kit that includes a beechwood embroidery hoop, cream cotton fabric, embroidery needle, full skeins of thread, gourd transfer patterns, backing materials, and printed instructions. Save your spot in class.
September 17: Pacific Northwest Pendants at Wyldwood Creative from 10-12noon PST
Calling all pacific northwest lovers! Want to learn how to hand embroider a mountain range landscape pendant? This hands-on experience includes all the materials you’ll need to create a beautiful hand embroidered pendant. The workshop covers beginner friendly embroidery stitches such as the satin stitch, back stitch, reverse chain stitch, and long and short satin stitch. Each attendee will receive a full kit that includes a silver oval pendant setting, full skeins of DMC embroidery floss, an embroidery hoop, blue fabric, printed instructions, and an embroidery needle. RSVP to stitch a PNW pendant.
September 18: Floral Embroidery Basics with The Gathering on Mercer Island from 10-12noon PST
Flower power time! Learn to embroider flowers in this hands-on embroidery basics workshop. This two-hour class covers a variety of beginner-friendly embroidery stitches like the satin stitch, back stitch, stem stitch, detached chain stitch, leaf stitch, and French knot. Each attendee will receive a full kit that includes a wooden embroidery hoop, floral transfer designs, embroidery needle, full skeins of embroidery thread, a yellow pattern fabric, backing materials, and printed instructions. RSVP to embroider flowers here.
September 19: Clothing Embroidery at Monster from 6:30-8:30pm PST
Cover up stains and small holes in your clothing with hand embroidery. Join me 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. Get your ticket for class and start planning what garment to embroider.
September 21: Fluffy Moths with On the Eastside at L'Ecole Winery in Woodinville from 6-8pm PST
You’ll be a flutter over these whimsical and fluffy moths. Do you want to learn to create fluffy stitches? Join me for a hand embroidery workshop. In a two hour, hands-on workshop we’ll cover a variety of embroidery stitches such as the satin stitch, split back stitch, fly stitch stitch, French knot, and turkey work. Each attendee will receive a full kit that includes a wooden embroidery hoop, moth transfer designs, an embroidery needle, full skeins of embroidery thread, cream cotton fabric, backing materials, and printed instructions. This workshop is for makers of all skill levels and no prior embroidery experience is required. Get your ticket to embroider moths here.
September 22: Indigo Dye at Monster from 6:30-8:30pm PST
Explore the magic of indigo dyeing with me. Learn how to fold and bind fabric to create patterns and designs with indigo dye. You’ll love seeing the dye change colors, and your designs come to life! Each attendee will receive four cotton tea towels to create their own patterns and are also encouraged to bring additional materials to dye. This class can get messy, so please wear clothing you don’t mind getting a little dye on. Ready to get your dye on? Get your ticket for class here.
September 23: Mini 3D Woodland Mushrooms at Monster from 2-4pm PST
Learn hand embroidery stitches that pop off the fabric in this hands-on, Mini 3D Woodland Mushroom workshop. Over 2 hours, I'll share how to embroider the padded satin stitch, French knot, pistil stitch, cast on stitch, and needle weaving bar. These stitches will add depth, texture and movement to a delightful forested mushroom design. Included in the workshop you will also receive a class kit complete with a 4-inch embroidery hoop, transfer pattern, terracotta cotton fabric, embroidery needle, assorted full skeins of DMC thread, and printed instructions. This class is best suited for those who have stitched before, however, all are welcome to join. RSVP for class here.
September 24: Valley Made Market from 10am-4pm PST
September 25-29: Making Zen Virtual Retreat
Give yourself some flowers! Embellish a bouquet into your pocket. This could be a shirt pocket, pants pocket, or even a dress pocket. Any pocket that needs florals. Join me for a hands-on overview of how to add embroidered flowers to your garment pockets during the Making Zen virtual retreat. I’ll show you how to get started with embroidering your clothing and cover stitches like the stem stitch, detached chain stitch, long and short satin stitch, leaf stitch, French knot, and bullion knot. RSVP for this virtual retreat here.
September 26: FREE Virtual Embroidery workshop with Fave Crafts from 10-11am PST
Join us on Tuesday, September 26, 2023 and learn to make embroidered knots! Sponsored by MCreativeJ, this FREE one-hour class is the perfect introduction to textural embroidery that pops off the fabric. Learn 4 hand embroidery knot stitches that add raised elements to your stitching. Melissa will introduce you to just some of the many three-dimensional embroidery stitches included in her book, How to Embroider Texture and Pattern. Join us for a free hour-long demonstration to learn how to create the French knot, pistil stitch, bullion knot, and Danish knot. RSVP for this free workshop here.
September 27: Woodland Napkins at Monster from 6:30-8:30pm PST
Bring the woodlands to your table with these embroidered napkins. From flowers to trees and fruits to mushrooms, these forest forage designs are perfect to celebrate spring and summer dining. Join me for a 2 hour, hands-on workshop stitching your own unique napkins. We’ll cover the seed stitch, stem stitch, detached chain stitch, French knot, and button hole stitch. When you join this class, you’ll also receive a full kit that includes a beechwood embroidery hoop, two white cotton napkins, an embroidery needle, full skeins of DMC embroidery thread, forest forage transfer patterns, and printed instructions. Get your class tickets here.
September 28: Flower Pocket Clothing Embroidery at Ben Franklin Crafts in Bonney Lake from 1-3:30pm PST
Give yourself some flowers! Embellish a bouquet into your pocket. This could be a shirt pocket, pants pocket, or even a dress pocket. Any pocket that needs florals. Join me for a hands-on, 2.5 hour workshop. She’ll show you how to get started with embroidering your clothing and cover stitches like the stem stitch, detached chain stitch, long and short satin stitch, leaf stitch, French knot, and bullion knot. A full kit is included with this class and comes with full skeins of DMC thread in various colors, transfer designs, a wood embroidery hoop, an embroidery needle, and printed instructions. Attendees will need to bring their own garments with a pocket to embroider. RSVP for class here.
September 28: Stumpwork Strawberries at Ben Franklin Crafts in Bonney Lake from 3-7pm PST
Want to create textural embroidery that pops off the fabric? Join fiber artist and author Melissa Galbraith of MCreativeJ to learn stumpwork with this delightful strawberry design. Stumpwork is a type of textural embroidery that uses padding and wire to create elements that stand away from the fabric creating 3D elements. In this 3 hour class you’ll learn how to make a sculptural strawberry and leaves that stick out from the fabric. You’ll learn how to stitch the stem stitch, pistil stitch, detached chain stitch, berry stitch, couching, long and short satin stitch, button hole stitch, and corded detached buttonhole stitch. All materials are included. This class is best suited for makers that have stitched before, however all are welcome. Save your spot to stitch strawberries here.
September 30: Making Local Market in Bothell from 10-4pm PST
September 30: Upcycle Your Clothing with Hand Embroidery at PNW Fiber Expo from 9-12pm 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. Join the workshop here.
September 30: Stitch a Fabric Landscape at PNW Fiber Expo from 1:30-4:30pm PST
Let’s create collage landscapes with fabric! Learn how to create your own fabric landscape using applique embroidery with fiber artist Melissa Galbraith of MCreativeJ. This two-hour, hands-on workshop will cover how to pair fabrics to create your own unique landscapes, basic applique and beginner-friendly embroidery stitches like the running stitch, satin stitch, chain stitch, and fly stitch. Each participant will receive a full class kit that includes an embroidery hoop, cotton fabrics, full skeins of embroidery thread, embroidery needle, sewing pins, backing materials, and printed instructions. RSVP for class here.