Available Workshops
Below are the workshops we can teach for your group.
Please contact us to schedule a workshop or if you need more information.
One Hour Lecture
One Hour Lecture & Trunk Show*
$50.00 when combined with a workshop.
$150.00 without a workshop
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We have two different one hour lectures available:
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1. “Combining Embroidery & Quilting”
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This is a one hour lecture with Power Point presentation about adding hand embroidery to quilts. The emphasis is on wool appliqué, but we also discuss and show examples of cotton pieced and appliquéd quilts.
*We sell wool appliqué & embroidery kits from MacAvoy Sisters (as seen on at our Etsy shop)
Also Wonderfil Merino wool fabric, Wonderfil size 8 Perle Cotton, embroidery books, hand sewing needles, a selection of Sue Spargo patterns and marking tools, and more.
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2. “Hand Sewing Needles from the Stone Age to the Space Age”
This is a one hour lecture with Power Point presentation. We begin with the dawn of human civilization and the importance of hand sewing. You will learn about the invention of the sewing needle in the Stone Age, and follow its development through history. In addition of a historical perspective, you will also leave with practical information and advice about choosing needles for your hand sewing projects.
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Three Hour Classes
$300 - 20 student limit
Embroidery Basics I
Technique- Hand Embroidery
This is the perfect class for beginning embroiderers and quilters who wish to add hand embroidery to their quilts.
Learn the fundamentals of hand embroidery as you stitch this lovely 5 inch heart design with variegated Perle Cotton on linen/cotton blend ground fabric. In this workshop we will teach you everything you need to know, whether you are just starting your embroidery journey or reviving an old skill. We’ll cover threading a needle and setting up your fabric in a hoop, plus “stab stitch” vs “sewing stitch.” You will then learn the basic straight embroidery stitches, with fun variations. Finally, we will show you how to “frame” your embroidery in the hoop.
Skill Level- Beginner
Kit Fee- $10.00
This includes Perle Cotton, Ground Fabric, Needles and Marking Pen.
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Know Your Knots
Technique- Hand Embroidery
Quilters and embroiderers will appreciate learning versatile and useful techniques, which they can take to their own appliqué and embroidery projects.
Take your embroidery skills to the next level as you embroider the Forget Me Knots pincushion on a wool ground with DMC Perle Cotton. In this workshop you will learn six different knot stitches- French Knot, Colonial Knot, Pistil, Bullion, Cast-On and Drizzle. Two pincushion patterns are included in this workshop. You can choose one, or mix & match. Then sew your pincushion together by machine, and add stuffing of your choice.
Skill Level- Intermediate
Kit Fee- $20.00 This includes Perle Cotton, Wool Ground Fabric, Needles and a Marking Pen. (Stuffing and backing fabric are not included in your kit.)
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Morning Glory Needle Book
Technique- Wool Felt Appliqué with Hand Embroidery
Perfect class for those who want to get started with wool and appliqué and embroidery. Includes an easy method for transferring your design to the wool felt.
Learn how to appliqué a fresh summer Morning Glory bloom, and embellish it with basic embroidery stitches using Perle Cotton on wool felt. We also teach you how to sew together your needle book by hand, with a bit of machine sewing to attach the pocket and pages.
Skill level - All Levels
Kit Fee- $28.00
includes 100% wool felt, Perle Cottons, DMC floss, needles, freezer paper, Frixion pen, practice felt, and pattern with instructions.
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Embroidery Basics II
Technique- Hand Embroidery
Great class for adding more embroidery stitches to your quilts and other projects.
Expand your repertoire with this multicolored five inch heart design, worked in DMC Perle Cotton and Floss on cotton/linen blend ground fabric. In this workshop we’ll review Stem and Back stitches, and also teach you how to do Chain, Fly, French Knots, Herringbone, Lazy Daisy and Tete de Boeuf. Learning these stitches will enable to take on a wide variety of hand embroidery projects. We will also show you how to “frame” your embroidery in the hoop.
Skill Level- Advanced Beginner
(Some experience with hand embroidery is helpful but not required.)
Kit Fee- $15.00
This includes Perle Cotton, Floss, Ground Fabric, Needles & Marking Pen
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Spotty Rabbit Embroidered Mini Quilt
Technique- Hand Embroidery
Great class for those who like to work with wool and embroidery.
Stitch a picture of a rabbit based on the English Spot Rabbit. Great next project, whether you are looking to add to your skill set or add a fresh look to your décor. The embroidery is done with DMC floss on wool and uses familiar stitches such as Back Stitch and Chain Stitch, plus a few fancier stitches such as Algerian Eye and Tulip Stitch. Includes an easy technique for transferring design to background (no drawing skills needed).
Skill level - Suitable for all skill levels. Beginner friendly. Students must be able to thread a hand sewing needle. Students can practice stitches on the “doodle cloth” provided or work directly on their mini quilt top. The embroidered top can be quilted by hand or machine and finished into a mini quilt measuring 11” X 9” with the use of a sewing machine outside of class time. Students will make significant progress on the embroidery during class. 3-hour class.
Class kit will include printed pattern with complete instructions, needles, embroidery thread, Frixion pen, freezer paper, wool fabric, plus cotton fabric for borders, backing and binding.
Kit fee: $25
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Sweet Pea Pincushion
Technique- Hand Embroidery on Wool Felt
Anyone who sews would like a lovely new pincushion. The techniques learned in this class can be used to embellish anything from modern to traditional quilts and embroidery projects.
Learn how to embroider a charming little pincushion with Perle Cotton on wool felt using basic embroidery stitches. We will teach you how to sew together the pincushion by hand and fill it with stuffing.
Skill Level- All levels
Kit Fee- $28.00 - Includes 100% wool felt, Perle Cottons, DMC Floss, needles, freezer paper, Frixion pen, practice felt, Poly-Pellets, and pattern with instructions.
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Moira's Pincushion
Technique- Hand Embroidery on Wool Felt
This is a great class for learning a few fancy stitches, which can be adapted to a variety of appliqué and embroidery motifs. Learn how to plan, mark and embroider your design.
Learn how to embroidery a radiating floral design on wool felt with Perle Cotton, using seven of Moira’s favorite embroidery stitches. We will also teach you how to sew the pincushion together by hand and fill it with stuffing.
Skill level - All Levels
Kit Fee- $28.00 - Includes 100% wool felt, Perle Cottons, DMC Floss, needles, freezer paper, Frixion pen, practice felt, Poly-Pellets, and pattern with instructions.
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Four Hour Classes
$400 - 20 student limit
Contact us if you would like information on adapting these
to three hour workshops.
American Dogwood Needle Book
Technique - Wool Felt Appliqué with Hand Embroidery
This beloved motif is popular with quilters and embroiderers alike.
Appliqué and embroider a lovely American dogwood flower, and then add some decorative stitches across the front and an embroidered butterfly on the back. Make the needle book from wool felt with perle cotton and DMC floss. For this design you will use nine different embroidery/sewing stitches, both “plain and fancy.” Then assemble your pretty and practical wool felt needle book, which includes felt pages and a little pocket to hold a package of needles.
Skill level - Requires basic hand sewing and embroidery skills to complete. Suitable for all levels. Students can practice stitches on the “doodle cloth” provided or work directly on their needle book cover. You can expect to make significant progress during class. For those who complete the appliqué and embroidery during class, we will have sewing machines available for you to attach the pocket and pages. We will teach techniques for finishing with blanket stitch, which can be done in class or completed later.
Kit includes 100 percent wool felt, embroidery threads, needles, Frixion pen, freezer paper, and pattern with complete instructions.
Kit fee: $28
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Butterfly Garden Pincushion
Technique - Wool Felt Appliqué with Hand Embroidery
Perfect class for those who want to get started with wool appliqué and embroidery. Each student can select either purple or yellow.
Hand appliqué a red violet or golden yellow wool butterfly onto a wool background, then embellish it with basic embroidery stitches using seven colors of DMC floss. Learn techniques for perfect pincushion stuffing and finishing.
Skill level - Suitable for all skill levels. Beginner friendly. Students must be able to thread a hand sewing needle. Students can practice stitches on the “doodle cloth” provided or work directly on their pincushion top. You can expect to make significant progress during class. The embroidered top can be finished into a pincushion with the use of a sewing machine outside of class time. For those who complete the applique and embroidery during class, we will have sewing machines available for you to finish the pincushion.
Class kit will include needles, embroidery thread, wool fabric, cotton backing and lining, walnut shell filling, Frixion pen, freezer paper, and printed pattern with complete instructions.
Students will specify in advance their choice of Golden Yellow or Red Violet kit.
Kit fee: $25
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Irish Rose Pincushion
Technique- Wool Felt Appliqué with Hand Embroidery
A fresh take on a traditional motif- any stitcher would love to have this in her sewing room.
Friendly bees surround a wild Irish rose on this pretty pincushion. First you will appliqué the rose petals to the ground fabric. Then you will learn 9 different hand embroidery stitches- both plain and fancy. Finally, we will teach you how to sew together the pincushion by hand and fill it with stuffing.
Skill Level- Advanced Beginner to Intermediate
Kit Fee- $28.00 - Includes 100% wool felt, Perle Cottons, DMC Floss, needles, freezer paper, Frixion pen, practice felt, Poly-Pellets, and pattern with instructions.
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Little Bird Needle Book
Technique - Wool Felt Appliqué with Hand Embroidery
The whimsical Little Bird Needle Book is our best selling design.
Appliqué and embroider a charming little bird, using wool felt, perle cottons and DMC floss. For this design you will use nine different embroidery stitches, both “plain and fancy.” Then assemble your pretty and practical wool felt needle book, complete with felt pages and a little pocket to hold a package of needles.
Skill level - Requires basic hand sewing and embroidery skills to complete. Suitable for all levels. Students can practice stitches on the “doodle cloth” provided or work directly on their needle book cover. You can expect to make significant progress during class. For those who complete the applique and embroidery during class, we will have sewing machines available for you to attach the pocket and pages. We will teach techniques for finishing with blanket stitch, which can be done in class or completed later.
Kit includes 100 percent wool felt, embroidery threads, needles, Frixion pen, freezer paper, and pattern with complete instructions.
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Kit fee: $28
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Ellen's Needle Book
Technique- Hand Embroidery on Wool FeltTechnique- Hand Embroidery
Show off your embroidery skills with this miniature stitch sampler, which is make into a practical needle book.
Learn to embroider wool felt with Perle Cotton using 11 of Ellen’s favorite stitches in this fresh take on the traditional sampler style. You will then learn to sew together your needle book by hand, with a bit of machine sewing to attach the pages and inside pocket.
Skill Level- Advanced Beginner to Intermediate
Kit Fee- $28.00 includes 100% wool felt, Perle Cottons, needles, Frixion pen, practice felt, and pattern with instructions.
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Little Bird Pincushion
Technique- Wool Felt Appliqué with Hand Embroidery
Bring this modern, whimsical design to life as you make a pincushion you will cherish.
Six cheerful little birds wheel around this wool felt pincushion. You will learn how to appliqué and embroider the design with wool felt, Perle Cotton and DMC floss, using ten different “plain and fancy” embroidery stitches. You will then learn how to sew together the pincushion by hand and fill it with stuffing.
Skill Level- Advanced Beginner to Intermediate
Kit Fee- $28.00 - Includes 100% wool felt, Perle Cottons, DMC Floss, needles, freezer paper, Poly-Pellets, Frixion pen, practice felt, and pattern with instructions.
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Moira's Needle Book
Technique- Wool Felt Appliqué with Hand Embroidery
This makes a great home for your favorite needles and a lovely example of your sewing prowess.
Learn 14 of Moira’s favorite stitches as you embroider a little bouquet of flowers in an appliqué vase. This needle book is made of wool felt, embellished with Perle Cotton and DMC floss. You will learn how to sew it together by hand, with a bit of machine sewing to attach the pages and inside pocket.
Skill Level- Advanced Beginner to Intermediate
Kit Fee- $28.00 includes 100% wool felt, Perle Cottons, DMC floss, needles, freezer paper, Frixion pen, practice felt, and pattern with instructions.
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Six Hour Classes
$550 - 20 student limit
“Seahorse” Small Quilt with Appliqué & Embroidery
Technique- Wool Applique with Hand Embroidery
Create a pleasant little seahorse in wool-on-wool appliqué, embellished with twelve different hand embroidery stitches. A great project for taking your embroidery and appliqué to the next level. After completing the hand stitching you can add borders and turn your creation into a little quilted wall hanging, either by itself or with other designs from the Little Fish Quilts series.
Students should be familiar with basic hand embroidery. During the workshop you can practice stitches on the “doodle cloth” provided or work directly on your French Angelfish.
Class kit includes wool fabric, thread for appliqué, perle cotton embroidery threads, needles, and freezer paper. The included pattern has diagrams, step by step instructions for the appliqué and embroidery, and an illustrated stitch guide.
Kit fee: $22.00
Skill level - Intermediate
Queen Triggerfish
Technique- Wool Appliqué with Hand Embroidery
Take your embroidery to the next level with our lovely Queen Triggerfish design. In this workshop you will learn Spiral Trellis, Jacobean Couching, Palestrina Stitch, Zigzag Double Running, and more. Some experience with appliqué and hand embroidery is required. The wool appliqué elements will be sent to you before class so you can have that completed and be ready to embroider!
When your Queen Triggerfish is finished you can add borders if you like, then quilt it by hand or machine to make into a quilt, either by itself or with other designs from our Little Fish Quilts series.
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The class kit includes Merino Wool for background and appliqué, Perle Cottons for embroidery, appliqué threads, needles, freezer paper, and practice wool.
Kit Fee- $22.00
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Skill Level- Advanced Intermediate
French Angelfish
Technique- Wool Applique with Hand Embroidery
In this workshop you will learn how to embellish a wool appliqué design with simple hand embroidery stitches. Our lovely French Angelfish is made of Australian Merino wool, and is embroidered with Wonderfil Perle cotton. These techniques can easily be transferred to your own future appliqué projects, so you will be practicing a versatile skill.
After completing the hand stitching you can add borders and turn your creation into a quilted wall hanging, either by itself or with other designs from the Little Fish Quilts series.
Students should be familiar with basic hand embroidery. During the workshop you can practice stitches on the “doodle cloth” provided or work directly on your French Angelfish.
Class kit includes wool fabric, thread for appliqué, perle cotton embroidery threads, needles, and freezer paper. The included pattern has diagrams, step by step instructions for the appliqué and embroidery, and an illustrated stitch guide.
Kit fee: $22.00
Skill level - All Levels
Two Day Workshops
20 student limit - contact for pricing
“Fantasy Fish” Wall Quilt with Appliqué and Embroidery (Two 6 hour sessions)
Technique- Hand Embroidery and Apliqué
Enjoy twenty different stitches as you make this little wool appliqué wall hanging, featuring a decorative fish swimming in an ocean of embroidered life forms. The project is worked in Wonderfil #8 perle cotton, and the appliqué is wool on a hand-dyed wool background. When you have completed the appliqué and embroidery you will have options for finishing your quilt after class. Add a border if you like, then you can quilt it by hand or by machine, or display your Fantasy Fish without quilting. Either way, you will have a very pretty creation.
Skill level - Intermediate skill level. Students should be familiar with basic hand embroidery. On the first day, you will complete the appliqué and begin embellishing the fish. One the second day, you will embroider the ocean floor and floating life forms. Students can practice stitches on the “doodle cloth” provided, then work the stitches on their small quilt top. You will complete the appliqué and will complete or make significant progress on the embroidery during the two days of class. For the adventurous embroiderer, this is your chance to use a beautiful range of stitches such as Palestrina Stitch, Oyster Stitch, Crested Chain, and more! 2-day class.
Class kit includes needles, thread for appliqué, perle cotton embroidery threads, Frixion pen, freezer paper, and wool fabric. The included pattern has diagrams, step by step instructions for the appliqué and embroidery, and an illustrated stitch guide.
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Kit fee: $40
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