Registration for the 2018 Escape to Europe is now closed! We hope you will join us instead in 2019 as we travel to Bermuda and Alaska
General Information
These are exclusive on-board needlework classes for Stitchers’ Escapes. You must be registered for the 2018 Escape to Europe Cruise in order to participate. If you are not currently registered, complete your cruise registration here.
The teaching fee for one Included Class is part of the Stitchers’ cruise fare. Kit fees are additional due to the wide variety offered. The Included Classes are noted in the class descriptions. If space allows, students will be able to enroll in additional Included Class sessions for the full class fee.
There is no minimum enrollment. The maximum enrollment per class is 24 students.
Note that there is a slight change from how we handle registration for other activities: each student will need to fill out an individual registration form. If you wish to register and pay for your traveling companion, you will need to fill out their form and make a note that you will pay both registration fees.
Payment
We will send an invoice to you within 10 days of receiving your class registration. Your space is secure once we receive payment in full from you.
Choose carefully. Refunds will only be made if the class is at capacity and we can fill your spot.
Monday, August 27
Morning Session
2018 Cruise Keepsake Sewing Case
Teacher: Jean Farish
8:30am-Noon
Requirements: This class is suitable for stitchers of all levels.
Learn five stitches: nun’s, herringbone, four-sided, waffle, and satin to create this souvenir sampler suitable for framing or to make into a workhorse of a sewing case. Written finishing instructions will be provided and how-to tips given during class but there will not be time to put the case together.
If you like to work on scroll bars, please note that the stitched area is approximately 5” x 10.” The linen in the kit is cut 16” x 27” so that you will have a “gracious plenty” to stitch the outer sampler and the interior accessories (mattress-style pin cushion, needle book pages, and scissors holder). You may wish to cut the linen for the sampler for ease of handling; Jean suggests a cut size of 11” x 16.”
The floss for this class will be packed in your group stitch-along project which every stitcher on the cruise will receive.
Your class kit includes:
- 28-count Cashel Linen
- Number 12 Pearl Cotton
- Easy-to-read chart & stitch diagrams
- Tapestry needle
- Finishing instructions
England’s Royal Tudor Rose
Teacher: Kelly Clark
8:00am-Noon
Requirements: Student must be comfortable with silk floss and working with a laying tool; intermediate skill level.
Steeped in the history of the British Isles, the Tudor Rose has long been associated with the monarchy. Now you can create a magnificent souvenir of the embarkation point of our cruise. This 4” x 6” painted canvas is the perfect size to experience the wonderful way Kelly embellishes a canvas. You’ll stitch with rich, traditional silks and then add a little bling with gorgeous metallics and beads. The class will focus on numerous combination stitches, padded satin stitch, beading, couching, French knots, bullion and colonial knots.
Please note: This photo does not show all of the threads Kelly will provide. The photo was taken before final selection. Substitutions could made due to availability.
Your class kit includes:
- 18-mesh painted canvas
- Stitch guide
- 100% silk floss
- Metallic threads
- Beads
- Needles
- Stretcher Bars
Afternoon Session
Painted Pear
Teacher: Jean Farish
1:00pm-4:30pm
Requirements: This class is suitable for stitchers of all levels.
Create a perfect pear using a single skein of Caron Collection’s beautifully shaded silk, Waterlilies, and allow the striking colors of the pear to show through as you manipulate the fiber to match the handpainted canvas. Likewise, the open-canvas style stitching of the background enhances rather than covers the more subtle shading of the wall.
Your class kit includes
- Hand painted canvas (13 mesh)
- Fibers from Caron Collection (Waterlilies & Watercolours), Threadworx, Straw Silk, and Classic Colorworks
- Easy-to-read stitch guide
- Tapestry needle
- 12” stretcher bars and tacks
Belgium’s Red Poppy
Teacher: Kelly Clark
1:00pm-5:00pm
Requirements: Student must be comfortable with silk floss and the use of a laying tool; intermediate skill level.
Belgium’s national flower, a flower of remembrance, will be brought to its full glory under Kelly’s creative touch. Stitch your own memory of this wonderful cruise as you learn numerous combination stitches as well as French knots, bullion, and colonial knots. You will also learn a variety of techniques: wrapped wire, ribbon work, beading, stranded beading, turkey work, and couching. You’ll stitch with sumptuous 100% silk floss and silk ribbon; beautiful beads and deluxe metallic threads. Design area is 4” x 6” on this painted canvas.
Please note: This photo does not show all of the threads Kelly will provide. The photo was taken before final selection. Substitutions could made due to availability.
Your class kit includes:
- 18-mesh painted canvas
- Stitch guide
- 100% silk floss
- Silk ribbon
- Beads
- Metallic threads
- Needles
- Stretcher Bars
Two-Day Class, Wednesday, August 29 & Friday, August 31
Celebration Birdhouses
Teacher: Kelly Clark
Taught in two half-day classes; 8 hours total with extra help sessions in the evenings after dinner.
Wednesday, 2:00pm-5:00pm
Friday, Noon-5:00pm
Requirements: Student must be comfortable with silk floss and the use of a laying tool; intermediate skill level.
The birds are celebrating and you will, too, as you stitch this happy canvas with pretty colors in silk, Egyptian cotton, metallic, and even a rayon-metal filament blend. Then add the delightful beads, charming pearls, and sparkly Swarovski crystals and you will have a show-stopper canvas. Kelly guides you expertly amongst the combination stitches, stranded beading, messy beading, pearl and crystal attachment, and couching. You’ll learn wrapped rings, buttonhole wrap, turkey work, French knots, bullion, and colonial knots. The design area is 7” x 10.5” on 18 mesh canvas.
Please note: This photo does not show all of the threads Kelly will provide. The photo was taken before final selection. Substitutions could made due to availability.
Your class kit includes:
- 18-mesh painted canvas
- Stitch guide
- 100% silk floss
- Egyptian cotton
- Rayon/metal filament blend
- Metallic threads
- Beads
- Pearls
- Swarovski crystals
- Needles
- Stretcher Bars
Wednesday, August 29
Morning Session
English Floral Window Box
Teacher: Maureen Appleton Sorenson
9:00am-11:30am
Maureen brings us a delightful souvenir that is sure to be a reminder of all the beautiful window boxes we will see as we walk the streets of London, Bruges, Oslo, and Hamburg! The design is stitched on 40-count pure silk gauze, and uses 36 shades of French Soiè ‘d Alger premium silk fibers. The design is 135 x 93 stitches and measures approximately 3.4” x 2.3” when stitched. Maureen not only brings her needleworking skills to the classroom but also her ability to cheer on her students who are new entrants into the world of stitching on silk gauze.
Your class kit includes:
- 40-count silk gauze, mounted on an acid-free mat
- Two sharp needles intended only for silk gauze stitching
- Several color photos of different views of finished model
- Easy-to-read graph with special instructions
- Printed stitching and finishing instructions and suggestions
- 36 hues of finesse French Soiè `d Alger silk floss, individually number tagged
- Two coordinating fine fabrics to construct the inside and outside of box.
- Silk ribbon for finishing closure of box
- Two vintage mother-of-pearl buttons for closure of box
Stumpwork Harlequin Pillar Tree
Teacher: Kelly Clark
8:00am-1:00pm
Requirements: Student must be comfortable with silk threads, use of a laying tool, and be Intermediate skill level.
Kelly is well known for her incredibly creative use of stumpwork and imaginative embellishment on her painted canvases. Join her in this class to stitch a 12.5” tall 3-D conical Christmas decoration that is sure to become a family heirloom. In addition to numerous combination stitches, she will feature wrapped beads, beading, picot, needleweave, and padded satin. Kelly will also cover crystal and pearl attachment. You’ll stitch your painted canvas with a lovely assortment of 100% silk floss, magnificent metallics, fabulous silk ribbon and other threads; luxurious pearls, beads, and crystals.
Please note: This photo does not show all of the threads Kelly will provide. The photo was taken before final selection. Substitutions could made due to availability.
Your class kit includes:
- 18-mesh painted canvas
- Stitch guide
- 100% silk floss
- Metallic threads
- Silk ribbon
- Other threads
- Pearls, beads, and crystals
- Needles
- Stretcher bars
Afternoon Session
Rosemåled Pattern BellPull
Teacher: Maureen Appleton Sorenson
1:30pm-4:30pm
A gentle color scheme stitched over-one on Zweigart’s 24-count unbleached linen banding is inspired by Maureen’s love of Rosemåling, a traditional Norwegian decorative folk art form, dating back to the mid 18th century. Maureen and husband, Dennis, are especially excited about our visit to Oslo, as it is the homeland for the Sorenson family. Dennis brings his considerable woodworking talents to this class project, too. He is producing hand-made bell pull hardware with a hand rubbed finish, using no chemicals, and included in every class kit.
Your class kit includes:
- Quality hand-crafted Bell Pull hardware, hardwood walnut hand-rubbed finish
- 24-count quality German linen banding
- DMC cotton flosses, individually number tagged
- 26 & 28 gauge tapestry needles
- Finishing instructions
- Easy-to-read graph
- History of Norwegian Rosemaling
- Coordinating fabric for backing of finished stitchery
Friday, August 31
Morning Session
The Emmeline Braan Sampler
Reproduction Sampler from Bruges, Belgium, Circa 1798
Photo coming soon!
Teacher: Maureen Appleton Sorenson
9:00am-11:30am
As Maureen has traveled and studied abroad, she was often fortunate to discover school girl samplers which became mementos of her journeys. To her immense joy, one of these treasured antique samplers was created in Belgium by 11-year-old Emmeline Braan, whose name means “hardworking embroiderer.” Emmeline stitched with a mixture of both silk and cotton, on a 40-count linen that has faded but was clearly a natural linen. And so Maureen has respectfully reproduced this treasure to share with us on a hand-dyed 40-count natural linen with a great mixture of cotton floss and Gloriana’s Finesse Tudor Silk floss. Maureen will demonstrate the specialty sampler stitches used on this antique sampler. The finished size is approximately a 4” – 5” square.
Your class kit includes:
- 40-count natural linen, hand-dyed
- 18 hues premium Gloriana Tudor Silks imported from Switzerland
- DMC cotton floss
- 26 and 28 gauge English tapestry needles
- Lace (cotton thread) panel duplicated on Emmeline’s sampler
Norway’s Purple Heather / Germany’s Cornflower
Choose One or Both!
Teacher: Kelly Clark
8:00am-11:00am
Requirements: Student must be comfortable with silk floss & silk ribbon and the use of a laying tool; intermediate skill level.
You choose which national flower you want to stitch and if you cannot decide, then choose both! Bring your love of needlework and create wonderful souvenirs with these two national flowers. Each botanical style flower canvas will have its own look and techniques. You’ll stitch with an assortment of beautiful 100% silk floss and silk ribbon, splendid beads and crystals, and scrumptious metallic threads on this painted canvas with a 4″ x 6″ design area.
In addition to numerous combination stitches, this project features silk ribbon work, beading, stranded beading, turkey work, couching, French knots, bullion, and colonial knots.
Please note: This photo does not show all of the threads Kelly will provide. The photo was taken before final selection. Substitutions could made due to availability.
Your class kit includes:
- 18-mesh painted canvas(es)
- Stitch guide(s)
- 100% silk floss
- Silk ribbon
- Metallic threads
- Beads and crystals
- Needles
- Stretcher bars
Afternoon Session
Forever in our Hearts
Photo coming soon!
Teacher: Maureen Appleton Sorenson
1:30pm-4:00pm
Our 2018 Stitchers’ Escape Cruise will certainly brand numerous fond memories into our hearts forever. Why not commemorate each of the four countries visited by stitching with Maureen in class aboard the Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas? This sampler will portray something special from each country we visit, stitched on 36-count hand-dyed linen with 24 cotton fibers. As a special bonus, Maureen incorporates bits of the lace that she collected on a former visit to Bruges into this sampler design and will include pieces of it in your kit as well.
The truly unique component of this sampler is the hand-crafted frame that Maureen and her husband, Dennis, have created. Dennis crafts the frames by hand and then Maureen adds the beautiful and unique Norwegian rosemaling to complete its European theme. This frame is not included in the class kit but can be ordered in class so that Maureen can personally rosemal your frame when she returns home.
Your class kit includes:
- 36-count hand-dyed linen
- Twenty-four cotton fibers, all number tagged
- 26 & 28 gauge tapestry needles
- Easy-to-read graph
- Personalization alphabets and suggestions for your personalization
- Bruges, Belgium lace to embellish your sampler
- The history of Norwegian Rosemaling
- The history of the lace capitol of the world, Bruges, Belgium
Class Schedule at a Glance
| Monday, August 27 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8:30am – Noon | Keepsake Sewing Case | 8:00am – Noon | England’s Royal Tudor Rose | |
| 1:00pm – 4:30pm | Painted Pear | 1:00pm – 5:00pm | Belgium’s Red Poppy | |
| Wednesday, August 29 | ||||
| 9:00am – 11:30am | English Floral Window Box | 8:00am – 1:00pm | Stumpwork Harelquin Pillar Tree | |
| 1:30pm – 4:00pm | Rosemåled Pattern Bell Pull | 2:00pm – 5:00pm | Celebration Birdhouse, Part 1 | |
| Friday, August 31 | ||||
| 9:00am – 11:30am | Emmeline Braan Sampler | 8:00am – 11:00am | Norway’s Purple Heather / Germany’s Cornflower |
|
| 1:30pm – 4:00pm | Forever in our Hearts | Noon – 5:00pm | Celebration Birdhouse, Part 2 | |