☀️ New Summer Embroidery Workshop: Coral, Beads, History & the Sea 🌊
Join me in August for a Jacques Fath + shells + coral motif!
Dear embroidery and textile friends,
As summer drapes the world in gold, and warm breezes carry the scent of salt and sun, I’m delighted to share something special for these long, luminous days: a brand-new online embroidery workshop designed to transport you — not just to the seaside holiday towns around the world, but deep into the sparkling world of French haute couture.
🌊 Introducing: August Online Embroidery Workshop!
On Saturday 23 and Saturday 30 August, let’s gather on Zoom to stitch something spectacular together. This new online embroidery workshop is inspired by a dazzling yet almost-forgotten fashion history piece: a gorgeous 1949 Jacques Fath cocktail dress called “Récif” (or reef, in English) brought to life with stunning embellishments by the the talented Rébé atelier — whose clients included Christian Dior, Givenchy, Balenciaga and genius shoemaker Vivier.
Over two joyful sessions, I’ll guide you through this summery motif that draws on my years of research in the Rébé archives. We’ll dive into the rich stories behind the stitches — from the original sketches and museum samples to the final shimmering garment — and then we’ll bring the motif to life with a lush mix of materials that feel like treasures directly emerged from the sea. You can do the embroidery on the provided printed base or on your clothes! Imagine embellishing a white tunic or an evening jacket?
🌺 You will receive a limited-edition kit that includes:
A cotton panel printed with the Fath-inspired motif should you want to embroider on it
The same motif printed on a self-adhesive Solvy paper if you want to embellish directly on your clothes
Real mussel shells, perfectly clean, pierced and ready to be stitch
Swarovski crystals & golden faceted beads
Genuine coral beads
Golden sequins and seed beads in sunlit tones
We’ll use simple yet sophisticated techniques to build interesting dimension and movement — perfect for beginners eager to try something new, and for seasoned stitchers looking for a creative challenge rooted in couture tradition.
Think of it as a summer postcard in stitches: tactile, glistening, and full of stories. You could
🌞 Workshop Details:
Dates: Saturday 23 & Saturday 30 August 2025
Time: 15:30–18:00 CET (2 sessions of 2.5 hours, with breaks)
Format: Live on Zoom, with recordings available for 3 months
Price: €169 (includes the limited-edition embroidery kit shipped to your door and the shipping costs worldwide)
A few days before our first session, you’ll receive a detailed tech pack with stitch guides, materials layout, and step-by-step instructions to help you feel confident and prepared before our session.
Whether you're stitching from a shady garden, a seaside terrace, or your favorite armchair, I hope you’ll join me for this summer celebration of craftsmanship, couture, and creativity. Let’s embroider something beautiful together.
Warmest wishes from a very warm and sunny Florence,
Nadia