Discover the Best Embroidery Classes in Los Angeles
Embroidery is a type of fiber art that involves using a needle and thread to create beautiful designs on fabric. Basic embroidery usually consists of using a hoop to hold your fabric taut and sewing a pre-made design or pattern that has been drawn onto your textile. Using a variety of stitches and techniques, embroiderers can create intricate and fun designs on textiles such as pillows, clothing, blankets, wall hangings, and essentially anything made from fabric. Advanced embroiderers have had a significant amount of practice mastering the basics and have become skilled at keeping their stitches clean and consistent. Some embroidery tools and supplies include hoops, patterns, fabric, embroidery floss, thread, needles, and embroidery scissors.
Why You Should Learn Embroidery in Los Angeles
If you are looking for a fun, relaxing hobby, embroidery may be perfect for you. The intricate needlework is a great way to occupy your mind and relieve stress, likely a healthier option to other free time activities like watching T.V. or scrolling through social media. Additionally, you can take pride in the ability to complete a beautiful project with simple tools. Embroidered textiles also make great gifts for numerous occasions, for example, baby showers, birthdays, weddings, housewarmings, and teacher appreciation. Many embroiderers have even created a side hustle from their embroidery by selling items on websites like Etsy and Facebook Marketplace. Depending on how much effort you want to put into it, you could even create a steady job by selling your embroidery projects online or to local stores.
Taking on embroidery as a hobby will plug you into a larger community of fiber artists. You may be able to find embroidery clubs through your local library or Facebook Groups. These clubs often meet regularly to bond as they embroider together and share embroidery tips and tricks. The Embroiderers' Guild of America (EGA) is a national organization with local chapters that meet regularly in person for embroidery exhibits, classes, and programs. Their membership also includes access to a large library of projects. You can find other embroidery clubs online that provide subscription access to pattern libraries that have unique and quality designs.
In-Person Embroidery Classes in Los Angeles
If you are looking for an in-person embroidery class in Los Angeles, The Knitting Tree is a great option for fiber artists of all skill levels. Located in Inglewood, The Knitting Tree has a wide variety of supplies for purchase as well as hands-on classes in areas such as embroidery, knitting, crochet, spinning, weaving, and needle felting. The class Beginning Embroidery is for beginners ages 13 and older to learn the basics, including 10 of the most used embroidery stitches. Materials are included in the class but participants are advised to bring their own scissors.
The Knitting Tree offers other fiber arts classes, such as Beginning Knitting Saturdays, where students learn the basics while knitting a scarf, hat, and shawl. This course is intended for ages 13 and older and consists of four, two-hour sessions. Beginning Crochet Wednesdays is another class option for beginners ages 13 and older. Also a four-part course, students will learn in this class how to crochet a scarf, hat, and shawl. For both classes, students must buy their own materials but can receive a 10% discount for supplies purchased from The Knitting Tree.
In Silver Lake, Los Angeles, Makers Mess offers the class Intro to Embroidery: Forms and Figures to beginners ages 18 and older. This workshop covers the basics of embroidery such as how to transfer designs and create various stitches. Students will embroider minimalist figures onto a fabric that they can hang on their walls or gift to others. All materials are included. Makers Mess is a creative space for adults and kids, offering art classes and hosting events such as bridal/baby showers, birthdays, or art exhibitions.
Also, Craft Sierra Madre, a supply store and workshop in Sierra Madre, offers the class Floral Embroidery to all skill levels ages 16 and older. In this fun and relaxing hand embroidery class students learn five basic stitches while embroidering a modern floral pattern that was designed specifically for this class. Students will learn more about embroidery tools and supplies and how to finish and hang their embroidery projects. All materials are provided.
If you are interested in sewing, there are a variety of classes offered in the Los Angeles area, including Beginner Sewing taught at The Workshop @ Haley Solar in Eagle Rock. In this two-hour class, beginners ages 10 and older will learn how to thread and unthread a sewing machine and how to sew a tote bag from start to finish. It is highly advised to bring your own sewing machine and materials but not required. The Workshop @ Haley Solar is a retail space and designer's studio featuring classes with a focus on fashion, rather than craft sewing.
For another beginner sewing class, individuals can attend Sewing Made Easy offered through Los Angeles City College. This class consists of five, two-hour sessions where students are taught the basics of operating a sewing machine and will sew their own pillow. Sewing machines are provided but students should bring their own supplies (a materials list is posted in the course description). Los Angeles City College, located in East Hollywood, provides a variety of classes, workshops, and seminars to all members of the community.
Virtual Embroidery Classes
While in-person embroidery classes are often held at a craft store, workshop, or community center, virtual classes can be taken from anywhere. Virtual classes are conducted live online with an instructor who can answer questions in real-time. Taking a virtual class is an excellent option if there are no in-person embroidery classes in your area. Moreover, even if there are in-person classes near you, you may choose to take a virtual class for the flexibility it provides. Some individuals may feel more comfortable embroidering from the comfort of their own homes and will save time by not having to commute to class. The main drawback to online embroidery classes is that you generally have to provide your own tools and supplies.
The Art of Contemporary Embroidery is a live online embroidery class offered through the Evanston Art Center. In this beginner-friendly class for ages 16 and older, students will learn how to embroider using essential techniques such as mending, darning, sashiko, couching, and quilt-blocking. The class is held online via Zoom, for which attendees will receive instructions for joining prior to class. Individuals must purchase their own supplies, which include items such as hoops, fabrics, needles, thread, and floss. A full list of materials, including where to purchase them, can be found online in the course description.
Private Group Embroidery Classes in Los Angeles
Are you looking for a fun, team-building opportunity for a group at your business or organization? If so, consider scheduling live online group classes through CourseHorse. CourseHorse offers embroidery classes for private groups in Los Angeles as a unique and enjoyable way to bond with your team or group.
CourseHorse's Virtual Modern Embroidery Art is a fun, low-pressure online class where individuals will learn basic embroidery techniques that can be applied to numerous projects. Specifically, students will learn how to prep their hoop, how to select the best thread, and how to begin and end an embroidery project. A variety of stitches will be taught including floral stitches, french knots, fishbone leaves, and the stem stitch. No previous skills are necessary for this two-hour course and materials are provided, which include embroidery hoops, colorful threads, patterns, needles, and a tote bag.
The benefits of booking with CourseHorse include receiving a confirmation within 24 hours and being able to change your group size after booking. Also, you will have a dedicated event provider who will contact you prior to the class with instructions and answer any questions you have. While CourseHorse's default videoconferencing platform is Zoom, they are able to accommodate other platforms by request, such as Microsoft Teams, Google Meets, and WebEx. You can also customize your event for a fee if you are interested in adding a game or special theme to your learning.
For other fiber arts classes offered through CourseHorse, individuals can attend the Virtual Macrame Workshop. In this one-hour class, individuals will learn about the art of tying knots to create beautiful textiles, a technique thought to have derived from 13th-century Arab weavers. Students will create a beautiful hanging planter to display in their home or gift to others. All materials are shipped ahead of time and included in the class costs.
In Virtual Tapestry Loom Weaving, offered by CourseHorse, individuals will learn the trendy – yet centuries-old – art of tapestry weaving to design and make their own woven wall hanging. This beginner-friendly, two-hour class teaches students how to make their own loom from chipboard, how to weave stitches and add fringes to their project, and how to incorporate various fiber weights and textures in their design. Materials are shipped to each participant, including three different yarns, a loom, and a dowel.
