HAND EMBROIDERY CLASSES My name is Tanja Berlin, I trained at the Royal School of Needlework in all aspects of Hand Embroidery for three years, from 1990 -1993 gaining valuable experience in embroidery and teaching. I spent a further two years in the workroom working on restoration, conservation and commission work. I now teach through out Canada and the USA at national embroidery seminars and at needlework chapters and privately from my home. To read more about my background in embroidery please go to my Personal History page. To read about my teaching experience visit the Credentials page. For up coming classes please visit my Teaching Schedule webpage. If you would like to take a private class from me please visit the Private Classes webpage for further details. If there are any embroiderers guilds that would like to organize a trip for me to come and teach or to arrange a combined tour with other guilds to bring down the travel costs, this can be in Canada, USA or any country, please Contact Me and we can organize a trip. CLASSES 2-Sided Embroidery  /  Blackwork  /  Canvas Painting  /  Etui Box Goldwork: 1 Day   /  Goldwork: 2 Days  /  Goldwork: 1, 2, or 4 Days Hapsburg Lace  /  Modern Jacobean 1 Day  /  Modern Jacobean 2 Days  /  Mountmellick Needle Painting Beginners: 1 Day  /  Needle Painting All Levels: 2 Days Needle Painting Advanced: 3 - 4 Days /  Pulled Work Shadow Work  /  Traditional Jacobean Lecture  /  Class Costs  /  How I run my classes  /  Home Page! Contact me CLASSES COSTS Private Classes: $58 Canadian Dollars Per Hour - divided between the number of students attending Group classes: Day class - $350 Canadian Dollars Maximum 22 Students (Negotiable) for 6 Hours of Teaching

2-SIDED EMBROIDERY: 2 DAYS In this two day class the student has a choice of three designs to work in the class. Apple Blossoms Design 1 Blossom Branch Apple Blossoms Design 2      Front                               Back      Front                                Back      Front                               Back The exciting, rarely explored technique of two sided embroidery can be experience by beginners to advanced embroiderers. This intimidating looking technique will be made easy for all those who venture to try this class. The student will work a sprig of apple leaves and blossoms on a single piece of fabric so that the back is well executed as the front. The student will learn how to work satin stitch, padded satin stitch, stem stitch, and long and short stitch as a reversible stitch, using a single strand of No. 8 DMC perle cotton thread. Most of the design will be worked in the class and the student will go home confident in the knowledge of how to transfer the design onto the fabric, how to work embroidery stitches so that they are reversible and a new confidence in their embroidery skills. This unusual class should not be missed. CLASS COST Click on the link above for the cost of a day class or private class. The cost of the kit is on-top of the class cost, click on the kits below for information about each design and contents of the kits. KITS Apple Blossoms Design 1: $55.00 Canadian Dollars Blossom Branch: $60.00 Canadian Dollars Apple Blossom Design 2: $55.00 Canadian Dollars STUDENT NEEDS TO PROVIDE Stretcher bar frame and thumb tacks and general stitching supplies i.e. scissors and optional light and magnifier. A student supply list will be provided for the class. Contact me

BLACKWORK: 2 DAYS In this two day blackwork class the student has a choice of six blackwork designs to work in the class. The blackwork Peacock design  requires 2 -3 hours of prework which will be mailed out to the student prior to the class. Chickadee Fligth of a Butterfly Spectral Butterfly Peacock Fuchsia Horse 1 Horse 2 We begin the project by transferring the design on to the fabric using tissue paper and tacking method. The student is then taught how to work the blackwork embroidery from a selection of patterns rather than from a chart of the design. The student will take a blackwork pattern and work it within the tacked out line of the design learning how to shade the pattern with different thickness' of thread and how to change a pattern by adding or diminishing stitches within the pattern. The student will be working with either a single or double strand of DMC floss, Over Dyed floss or YLI silk to embroider the counted fabric. The blackwork stitches are worked in a backstitch and running stitch following a stitch pattern and counting the threads of the linen. The blackwork embroideries are not worked as a two-sided piece, instead the class will concentrate on working the embroidery as a 3-dimension piece. The blackwork class is suitable for all levels of stitchers. CLASS COST Click on the link above for the cost of a day class or private class. The cost of the kit is on-top of the class cost, click on the kits below for information about each design and contents of the kits. KITS Blackwork Butterfly(s) Kit: $50.00 Canadian Dollars Blackwork Chickadee Kit: $40.00 Canadian Dollars Blackwork Fuchsia Kit: $40.00 Canadian Dollars Blackwork Horse 1 Kit: $40.00 Canadian Dollars Blackwork Horse 2 Kit: $40.00 Canadian Dollars Blackwork Peacock Kit: $55.00 Canadian Dollars STUDENT NEEDS TO PROVIDE Stretcher bar frame and thumb tacks and general stitching supplies i.e. scissors and optional light and magnifier. A student supply list will be provided for the class. Contact me

CANVAS PAINTING: 1 DAY This one day class covers an easy step by step method to paint your own canvas design, ready to be embroidered. Bring to the class a colour picture that you would like to paint onto the canvas. Also a copy of the picture (can be black and white), enlarged or reduced to approximately 10" square. The picture will be transferred onto the canvas and painted with permanent acrylic paints. There will be a selection of pictures to choose from at the class, if required. This class covers the very basics of painting, I will suggest the easiest way to paint the subject, gearing the class to inexperienced designers and painters. The student does not need to have any art experience. The canvas painting class can be taken in a half day or full day class (in the day class some people will complete two paintings). This class is geared towards those with no painting experience. CLASS COST Click on the link above for the cost of a day class or private class. Kit Cost: $25 Includes One piece of 14 count mono canvas 12" square (each additional piece of canvas costs $6), the use of acrylic paints, tracing paper and an instruction booklet.  (Require a room with a sink). STUDENT NEEDS TO PROVIDE Pictures to translate into a painted canvas, a student supply list will be provided for the class. Contact me

ETUI BOX (VICTORIAN BOX) CONSTRUCTION CLASS: 1 DAY The etui box construction class is suitable for a one day class, in which the student will nearly complete the box.  Etui Box Etui boxes are needlework boxes, (a place to keep your pins, needles, small scissors and thimble). They make great gifts or something special to keep for yourself. In the class we will be constructing the box. If the student wants to cover their box with embroidered pieces, the embroidery needs to be done prior to the Etui box construction class. Plain and patterned fabrics can also be used to cover the panels of the box.  This project is suitable for all levels of stitchers. CLASS COST Click on the link above for the cost of a day class or private class. The cost of the kit is on-top of the class cost, the kit includes an Instruction Booklet, card templates to construct the box with batting padding, and a tube of tacky glue. KIT Etui Box Kit : $35.00 Canadian Dollars STUDENT NEEDS TO PROVIDE Fabric and ribbon to decorate the box, a student supply list will be provided for the class. Contact me

GOLDWORK: 1 DAY In this one day class the student will work the honeysuckle design. Honeysuckle Goldwork We begin by sewing down felt and/or string for padding on to the background fabric. There will be choice of black, dark blue, dark green, and red velveteen fabric. Over the top of the felt and string padding a variety of gold metal threads will be applied. We will explore the use of couching threads such as Japanese Threads, and Twist. We will also learn the technique of sewing down Purl threads which are hollow gold's that cut into chips and sewn down like beads. The student will go home with the knowledge of how to work with traditional metal threads on padding to create a rich 3-dimensional piece. CLASS COST Click on the link above for the cost of a day class or private class. The cost of the kit is on-top of the class cost, click on the kits below for information about each design and contents of the kits. KITS Goldwork Honeysuckle Kit: $55.00 - $65.00 Canadian Dollar STUDENT NEEDS TO PROVIDE Stretcher bar frame and thumb tacks and general stitching supplies i.e. scissors and optional light and magnifier. A student supply list will be provided for the class. Contact me

GOLDWORK: 2 DAYS In this two day class the group can select three of the seven designs to be worked in the class. The student will work one of the three designs chosen. Gold Or Nue Dragonfly Silver Or Nue Dragonfly Copper Or Nue Dragonfly Cardinal Harebell Honeysuckle Marguerite Rooster Tudor Rose We begin by sewing down felt and/or string for padding on to the background fabric. There will be choice of black, dark blue, dark green, and red velveteen fabric for the Cardinal, Harebell, Honeysuckle, Marguerite and Tudor Rose kits. There will be a choice of off white or black silk Fabric for the Or Nue Dragonfly and a choice of gold, silver or copper threads for the Or Nue Dragonfly Kit. Over the top of the felt and string padding a variety of gold metal threads will be applied. We will explore the use of couching threads such as Japanese Threads, Pearl Purls, Twists, Rococco and Cordonnet. Also hollow gold's which are cut into chips and sewn down like beads. The student will go home with the knowledge of how to work with wide variety of traditional metal threads to create a rich 3-dimensional piece. The Harebell, Honeysuckle and Or Nue Dragonfly are for beginners to advanced embroiderers. The Cardinal Bird, Marguerite, Tudor Rose are for intermediate to advanced embroiderers. CLASS COST Click on the link above for the cost of a day class or private class. The cost of the kit is on-top of the class cost, click on the kits below for information about each design and contents of the kits. KITS Goldwork Cardinal Kit: $75.00 - $95.00 Canadian Dollars Goldwork Harebell Kit: $55.00 - $60.00 Canadian Dollars Goldwork Honeysuckle Kit: $55.00 - $65.00 Canadian Dollar Goldwork Marguerite Kit: $66.00 - $85.00 Canadian Dollar Or Nue Dragonfly Kit: $65.00 - $75.00 Canadian Dollar (Choice of Gold, Copper or Silver Threads). Goldwork Rooster Kit: $75.00 - $95.00 Canadian Dollar Goldwork Tudor Rose Kit: $69.00 - $85.00 Canadian Dollar STUDENT NEEDS TO PROVIDE Stretcher bar frame and thumb tacks and general stitching supplies i.e. scissors and optional light and magnifier. A student supply list will be provided for the class. Contact me

GOLDWORK: 1, 2, or 4 DAY CLASS In a one day class the student can choose one of the four designs on the sampler to work. In a two day class the student can choose two of the four designs on the sampler to work, or all four designs if the felt and string padding is done on all four designs prior to the class. In a four day class the student will work all four designs on the sampler. Goldwork Sampler First we begin with sewing down felt and string for padding on to the background fabric. Then we will focus on the application of the gold threads on the design We will explore the use of a wide variety of metal threads such as Passing, Twist, Pearl Purl, Spangles, Japanese Threads, Rococco, Bright Check, Rough Purl, Smooth Purl, Broad Plate, Whipped Plate, and Milliary Wire. We will also learn the technique of silk shading using silk floss in the technique of long and short stitch and making a cord. The student will go home with the knowledge of how to work with wide variety of traditional metal threads to create a rich 3-dimensional piece. The goldwork sampler is for all levels of embroiderers. CLASS COST Click on the link above for the cost of a day class or private class. The cost of the kit is on-top of the class cost, free instructions for this design are featured on my website: Goldwork Sampler but the student will greatly benefit from this four day class. KIT Goldwork Sampler: $120.00 or $160.00 Canadian Dollars STUDENT NEEDS TO PROVIDE Stretcher bar frame and thumb tacks and general stitching supplies i.e. scissors and optional light and magnifier. A student supply list will be provided for the class. Contact me

HAPSBURG LACE: 1 DAY In this one day class a the student will work a beautiful lacy sampler. Stitches are embroidered with white Pearl thread on natural or antique blue 18 count mono thread canvas, giving a very lacy effect. A touch of colour is added to the sampler by introducing fine ribbon and the option of using beads instead of French knots to complete the design (the student can substitute French Knots with beads if desired). A portion of each stitch will be worked in the class and that the student can go home with the confidence to complete the sampler.  The goldwork sampler is for all levels of embroiderers. CLASS COST Click on the link above for the cost of a day class or private class. The cost of the kit is on-top of the class cost, click on the kit below for information about the design and contents of the kit. KIT Hapsburg Sampler Kit: $35.00 Canadian Dollars STUDENT NEEDS TO PROVIDE General stitching supplies i.e. scissors and optional light and magnifier. A student supply list will be provided for the class. Contact me

MODERN JACOBEAN: 1 DAY In this one day Modern Jacobean class the student will work the leaf motif design. Leaf Motif This new embroidery technique takes the traditional designs from the Jacobean period and incorporates modern embroidery threads and fabrics. In the class we will be working on a silk ground fabric. Pieces of organza fabrics are applied to the design and then trellis patterns are worked over the top. The rest of the design will be worked with DMC floss and Kreinik Metallic threads to add highlights to the embroidery. During the class we will cover approximately 12 different embroidery stitches i.e. needle lace, raised stem stitch, spider web filling, bullion knots, French knots, coral stitch, Vandyke stitch and many more. The design is finished off by applying a piece of silver or gold leather. The modern Jacobean class is suitable for all levels of stitchers. CLASS COST Click on the link above for the cost of a day class or private class. The cost of the kit is on-top of the class cost, click on the kit below for information about the design and contents of the kit. KITS Modern Leaf Motif Kit: $35.00 Canadian Dollars STUDENT NEEDS TO PROVIDE Stretcher bar frame and thumb tacks and general stitching supplies i.e. scissors and optional light and magnifier. A student supply list will be provided for the class. Contact me

MODERN JACOBEAN: 2 DAYS In this two day Modern Jacobean class the student has a choice of four designs to work in the class. Bird of Paradise Dragonfly Floral Motif Tree Motif This new embroidery technique takes the traditional designs from the Jacobean period and incorporates modern embroidery threads and fabrics. In the class we will be working on a silk ground fabric. Pieces of organza fabrics are applied to the design and then trellis patterns are worked over the top. The rest of the design will be worked with DMC floss and Kreinik Metallic threads to add highlights to the embroidery. During the class we will cover approximately 12 different embroidery stitches i.e. needle lace, raised stem stitch, spider web filling, bullion knots, French knots, coral stitch, Vandyke stitch and many more. The design is finished off by applying a piece of silver or gold leather. The modern Jacobean class is suitable for all levels of stitchers. CLASS COST Click on the link above for the cost of a day class or private class. The cost of the kit is on-top of the class cost, click on the kits below for information about each design and contents of the kits. KITS Modern Jacobean Bird of Paradise Kit: $38.00 Canadian Dollars Modern Jacobean Dragonfly Kit: $38.00 Canadian Dollars Modern Jacobean Floral Motif Kit: $38.00 Canadian Dollars Modern Jacobean Tree Motif Kit: $38.00 Canadian Dollars STUDENT NEEDS TO PROVIDE Stretcher bar frame and thumb tacks and general stitching supplies i.e. scissors and optional light and magnifier. A student supply list will be provided for the class. Contact me

MOUNTMELLICK: 2 DAYS In this two day class the student will work a corner Mountmellick design. Mountmellick Corner Design Mountmellick is a bold form of white work which originated in Ireland. In the class the student will learn a wide variety of embroidery stitches (approximately 15 stitches) using the two different thickness of Mountmellick embroidery threads on a heavy satin jean Mountmellick fabric. The stitches worked are bold giving the picture a 3-dimensional effect.  It is a quick covering embroidery technique and a great medium to learn different embroidery stitches. The finished embroidery can be made into a picture or cushion. The Mountmellick class is suitable for all levels of stitchers. CLASS COST Click on the link above for the cost of a day class or private class. The cost of the kit is on-top of the class cost, click on the kit below for information about the design and contents of the kit. KITS Mountmellick Corner Design Kit: $45.00 Canadian Dollars STUDENT NEEDS TO PROVIDE Stretcher bar frame and thumb tacks and general stitching supplies i.e. scissors and optional light and magnifier. A student supply list will be provided for the class. Contact me

NEEDLE PAINTING BEGINNERS: 1 DAY In this one day Needle Painting class the student will work a Maple Leaf. Maple Leaf The student will be working the maple leaf using a single strand of DMC floss in the needle at one time. Several professional stitching embroidery techniques will be covered when we work the design i.e. starting and finishing of threads, the use of a split stitch line to create smoothness and dimension and the technique of blending long and short stitches so that they shade beautifully to create a realistic picture The student will go home with all the information required to complete the embroidery. The maple leaf is suitable for all levels of stitchers. CLASS COST Click on the link above for the cost of a day class or private class. The cost of the kit is on-top of the class cost, click on the kit below for information about the design and contents of the kit. KITS Needle Painting Maple Leaf Kit: $35.00 Canadian Dollars STUDENT NEEDS TO PROVIDE Stretcher bar frame and thumb tacks and general stitching supplies i.e. scissors and optional light and magnifier. A student supply list will be provided for the class. Contact me

NEEDLE PAINTING ALL LEVELS: 2 DAYS In this two day Needle Painting class the student will work one of the following designs: Blue Flax Iris Wild Rose Bingo Blue Blotch Pansy Bingo Clear Purple Pansy Bingo Yellow Blotch Pansy Robin in Grass Red Fox Red Poll Baby Burrowing Owl Burrowing Owl The group chooses one or two of the designs to be worked in the two day class. The student will be working the embroidery using a single strand of DMC floss in the needle at one time. Several professional stitching embroidery techniques will be covered when we work the design i.e. starting and finishing of threads, the use of a split stitch line to create smoothness and dimension and the technique of blending long and short stitches so that they shade beautifully to create a realistic picture The student will go home with all the information required to complete the embroidery. All of the designs are suitable for all levels of stitcher. I demonstrate and explain each stage in detail. The easier designs are the Pansies, Wild Rose and the Baby Burrowing Owl. CLASS COST Click on the link above for the cost of a day class or private class. The cost of the kit is on-top of the class cost, click on the kits below for information about the designs and contents of the kits. KITS Needle Painting Blue Blotch Pansy Kit: $40.00 Canadian Dollars Needle Painting Clear Purple Pansy Kit: $40.00 Canadian Dollars Needle Painting Yellow Blotch Pansy Kit: $40.00 Canadian Dollars Needle Painting Blue Flax Kit: $40.00 Canadian Dollars Needle Painting Iris Kit: $40.00 Canadian Dollars Needle Painting Wild Rose Kit: $40.00 Canadian Dollars Needle Painting Baby Burrowing Owl Kit: $40.00 Canadian Dollars Needle Painting Burrowing Owl Kit: $40.00 Canadian Dollars Needle Painting Red Poll Kit: $40.00 Canadian Dollars Needle Painting Robin in Grass Kit: $42.00 Canadian Dollars Needle Painting Red Fox Kit: $42.00 Canadian Dollars STUDENT NEEDS TO PROVIDE Stretcher bar frame and thumb tacks and general stitching supplies i.e. scissors and optional light and magnifier. A student supply list will be provided for the class. Contact me

NEEDLE PAINTING ADVANCED: 3 -4 DAYS In this three or four day Needle Painting class the student will work one of the following designs: Iris Robin on Blossom Branch Robin on Berry Branch Field Mouse The group chooses one or two of the four designs to be worked in the four day class. Optional: On the first day of the four day class the student will transfer either the Iris or the Field mouse onto the fabric using the prick and pounce method. All aspects of this method of design transfer will be taught and undertaken by the student. If three days are chosen instead of four the first day for the four day class is eliminated and the fabric in the kit will come with the design hand drawn for the class. We will cover how to choose our colours for the subject and how to work out the direction in which our stitches will be worked, two or the most important elements in needle painting to create a realistic embroidery. The student will be working the embroidery using a single strand of DMC floss in the needle at one time. Several professional stitching embroidery techniques will be covered when we work the design i.e. starting and finishing of threads, the use of a split stitch line to create smoothness and dimension and the technique of blending long and short stitches so that they shade beautifully to create a realistic picture The student will go home with all the information required to complete the embroidery. The advanced class is geared to embroiderers who want to advance their stitching skills, this class can be undertaken by beginners in the needle painting technique but some competence in needlework is recommended. CLASS COST Click on the link above for the cost of a day class or private class. The cost of the kit is on-top of the class cost, click on the kits below for information about the designs and content of the kits. KITS 4 Day Class: Needle Painting Iris Kit and Prick and Pounce Set: $65.00 Canadian Dollars 4 Day Class: Needle Painting Field Mouse Kit and Prick and Pounce Set: $69.00 Canadian Dollars 4 Day Class: Needle Painting Robin on Berry Branch Kit and Prick and Pounce Set: $69.00 Canadian Dollars 4 Day Class: Needle Painting Robin on Blossom Branch Kit and Prick and Pounce Set: $69.00 Canadian Dollars 3 Day Class: Needle Painting Iris Kit: $40.00 Canadian Dollars 3 Day Class: Needle Painting Field Mouse Kit: $44.00 Canadian Dollars 3 Day Class: Needle Painting Robin on Berry Branch Kit: $44.00 Canadian Dollars 3 Day Class: Needle Painting Robin on Blossom Branch Kit: $44.00 Canadian Dollars STUDENT NEEDS TO PROVIDE Stretcher bar frame and thumb tacks and general stitching supplies i.e. scissors and optional light and magnifier. A student supply list will be provided for the class. Contact me

PULLED WORK: 2 DAYS In this two day class the student will work either the pulled work Giraffe or their own design. Pulled Work Giraffe We begin the project by transferring the design on to the fabric using tissue paper and tacking method. The student is then taught how to work the pulled work embroidery from a selection of patterns rather than from a chart of the design. The student will take a pulled work pattern and work it within the tacked out line of the design learning to use different patterns to create different effects. The student will be working with a double strand of DMC floss, on a 28 count linen fabric. This is a great class for learning the process of designing a pulled work from a picture and by working straight onto the fabric instead of charting out the design before hand. The pulled work class is suitable for all levels of stitchers. CLASS COST Click on the link above for the cost of a day class or private class. The cost of the kit is on-top of the class cost, click on the kit below for information about the design and content of the kit. KITS Pulled Work Giraffe Kit: $35.00 Canadian Dollars STUDENT NEEDS TO PROVIDE Stretcher bar frame and thumb tacks and general stitching supplies i.e. scissors and optional light and magnifier. A student supply list will be provided for the class. The student can also bring a picture that they would like to convert into a pulled work design. Contact me

SHADOW WORK: 1/2 Day - 1 DAY In this one day class the student can choose between the following shadow work designs to work in the class. Shadow Work Shadow Work Shadow Work Shadow Work Shadow Work Shadow Work Tulip Iris Canada Flag Butterfly 1 Butterfly 2 Butterfly 3