Where Stitches Become Stories

Live Presentation: Wednesday, March 4, 2026 at 10 am PT

Recordings available: March 6, 2026

Embroidery Extravaganza 2026 is a one-day, live virtual event designed to expand what you believe is possible with needle and thread. Join an extraordinary lineup of embroidery educators for a full day of fresh ideas, smart techniques, and creative momentum you can carry into every future project.

Keynote Presentation

This year’s event opens with an inspiring keynote from internationally known fiber artist, teacher, and author Judith Baker Montano. Approaching embroidery as an artist approaches paint, Judith demonstrates how just a handful of traditional stitches—worked in threads, yarns, and ribbons—can evolve into richly textured landscapes and under-the-sea scenes.

You’ll see how one simple stitch can become grasses, shrubs, seaweed, coral, or trees, depending on scale, direction, and a subtle twist of the needle. Judith shares how simple techniques can grow into complex, organic designs—building both skill and creative confidence.

A Day of Technique, Texture, and Creative Breakthroughs

After the keynote, you’ll choose your own creative path through multiple breakout sessions focused on expanding your embroidery toolkit. Each session offers a different perspective on how stitches, materials, and processes can work together in exciting new ways.

Here’s some of what you’ll experience and take away:

• Transform basic stitches into playful, dimensional textures by varying, layering, and combining familiar stitches to create expressive designs from landscapes to organic shapes that feel uniquely yours.
• Stitch with precision and control using a flat-surface hand-stitching method that reduces strain, smooths stitches, and works beautifully on layered or textured fabrics.
• Intermediate stitchers will love sessions on variegated thread and stumpwork skills, including how to make your own variegated thread and skills to build 3D elements.
• Elevate embroidery on garments and specialty fabrics by embellishing sweaters with tapestry wool, stitching confidently on silk, and finishing projects into polished, gift-ready pieces.

What Makes Embroidery Extravaganza Special

Choose Your Creative Path: Attend one live presentation per breakout session, then enjoy access to all recorded sessions afterward—so you never miss a thing.

Technique-Focused Learning: Each class zeroes in on how and why techniques work, giving you tools you can adapt to your own style rather than one-off projects.

Learn From Trusted Experts: Our instructors are known not just for beautiful work, but for clear, encouraging teaching that makes even advanced techniques approachable.

Stitch From Home: Join from your favorite chair. No travel, no packing—just a full day of embroidery inspiration delivered to you.

Bonuses & Extras: Enjoy downloadable resources, patterns, and handouts from presenters, plus a digital swag bag and live-event giveaways.

How the Live Event Works...Step By Step

Embroidery Extravaganza is easy, friendly, and fully guided—no tech stress required.

1. Everyone begins together in the Main Room
2. You’ll get a brief overview of the breakout options
3. A simple poll lets you choose which session you want to attend
4. You’ll be automatically moved into your selected presentation
5. After each session, everyone returns to the Main Room for the next round

You’ll watch one session live during each breakout, but every session is recorded, so you’ll have full access afterward to watch, rewatch, and stitch along at your own pace.

Our tech team will walk you through everything live, and detailed instructions are available ahead of time so you can arrive confident and ready to enjoy the day.

The Best in the Business—Threaded Together

Award-winning embroidery teacher, author, and keynote speaker Judith Baker Montano demonstrates how a handful of traditional stitches, worked in threads, yarns, and ribbons, can be varied and combined into richly textured freeform landscape and Under the Sea designs that elevate skills and creative confidence. judithbakermontano.com

Create elegant hand embroidery on sumptuous dupioni silk as quilting icon Alex Anderson demonstrates essential stitches, tools, and smart techniques that translate beautifully to both silk and cotton for stunning stitched results. thequiltshow.com

Beloved embroidery designer Anne Oliver of Lolli and Grace teaches stitchers how to select, plan, and stitch with variegated thread for intentional, color-rich results—then reveals how to create custom variegated thread and use it in a beautifully designed project. lolliandgrace.com

Designer and author Betz White unlocks the secrets of tapestry wool embroidery, helping stitchers customize sweaters and accessories without any knitting. Students learn materials, design planning, key stitches, and care tips, supported by downloadable motifs and stitch resources. betzwhite.com

Transform folk art–inspired embroidery into standalone appliqué pieces as acclaimed textile artist Catherine Redford demonstrates layering, stitching, and finishing techniques for sturdy, sculptural results. Stitchers learn smart strategies that turn their work into eye-catching embellishments for home décor, garments, and accessories. catherineredford.com

Discover a smarter way to slow stitch with Diana Li Fitzgerald as she shares a non-traditional, flat-surface method that boosts control and consistency. Taught by this textile instructor and pattern designer, stitchers learn to create even, confident stitches on layered textiles and other slow-stitching projects. banjoflannel.com

Fiber artist Melissa Galbraith of MCreativeJ teaches how to stitch dimensional stumpwork strawberries using wire, padding, and textured embroidery stitches. Students learn foundational 3D techniques they can apply to future nature-inspired embroidery projects. mcreativej.com

Hand embroidery expert Sharon Boggon inspires stitchers to transform foundational stitches into playful, innovative textures. In this presentation, she demonstrates how to vary, layer, and combine familiar stitches in unexpected ways, giving students practical techniques and fresh ideas to make their embroidery designs truly stand out. pintangle.com

Bestselling author Shelley Cavanna shows how to finish cross-stitch smalls as eye-catching biscornu pincushions instead of defaulting to a frame. Stitchers learn planning, assembly, and embellishing techniques that turn simple squares into sculptural, gift-ready treasures. corasquilts.com