Stumpwork Embroidery & Thread Painting Class Plan

Embroidering Accessories with Yarn 

Project: Dandelion Tote Bag (pages 128-131) from Stumpwork Embroidery & Thread Painting: Stitch 3D Nature Motifs by Megan Zaniewski

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Class Description

This class is best taught in a small group of 12 or fewer students. Students will combine padded stumpwork, tapestry wool yarn, and raised stitches to embroider a subtly 3-dimensional dandelion pattern on a tote bag. Students will learn the following skills in this class:

  • Transferring designs to fabric using carbon paper
  • Embroidering with tapestry wool yarn
  • Using felt padding to add fullness and depth to an embroidery
  • Using raised stitches like turkey stitch to create height in an embroidery

This class is suitable for all skill levels. You do not need to be an experienced embroiderer to create a beautiful project with tapestry yarn—in fact, it is great for beginners because it is such a fun and forgiving fiber to work with. The fullness of the yarn also allows you to fill in a pattern quickly, so this project can be completed in an afternoon or two. 

Class Length

This class can be taught in two 4-hour sessions, or one 8-hour session with a lunch break. The first session should focus on transferring the pattern and completing the embroidered greenery (leaves and stem). The second session will focus on preparing the padded stumpwork base and embroidering the flowers and seeds of the dandelion pattern. Optional finishing techniques like using an iron-on interfacing can be taught in the second sessions as well. 

Class Supply List

  • Stumpwork Embroidery & Thread Painting: Stitch 3D Nature Motifs by Megan Zaniewski
  • 2 embroidery hoops, sizes 5" (12.5cm) and 9" (22.9 cm)
  • Size 18 tapestry needle
  • Size 10 embroidery needle
  • White or black graphite transfer paper (depending on the color of the tote bag)
  • Scissors
  • 12" x 18" (30.5 x 45.7 cm) sheet of Benzie wool-blend felt in Ecru
  • Cotton linen tote bag
  • DMC cotton embroidery floss in any color for attaching felt
  • DMC tapestry wool yarn (1 skein of each): Ecru, 7043, 7342, 7344, 7348, 7433, 7435, 7510, 7538

Optional Supplies

  • Project bag or organizer to store materials between classes
  • Iron-on fusible interfacing (like Sulky Tender Touch) for covering the backside of the embroidery and lining the tote bag
  • Small sewing/quilting/crafting iron, like the Oliso M2 Mini Iron

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