Friends, I’m excited to share this calendar of in-person classes that I’ll be teaching in April and May 2022! You’ll find me in my new hometown of Sonoma, CA at the venerable Sonoma Community Center, and traveling to teach at the brilliant Monster Shop in Seattle, WA and renown Fancy Tiger Crafts in Denver, CO! Click on the class names below to be whisked away to the respective workshop venue for complete details and sign up information. I would love to have you join us for one or more workshop! Questions? You can always reach me at robert@robert-mahar.com.
April 23, 2022, Suminagashi: Japanese Paper and Fabric Marbling, Sonoma Community Center, Sonoma, CA
April 30, 2022, Book Cover Embroidery, Monster, Seattle, WA
April 30, 2022, Circular Weaving, Monster, Seattle, WA
May 1, 2022, Embroidering on the Photographic Image, Monster, Seattle, WA
May 12, 2022, Embroidering on the Photographic Image, Sonoma Community Center, Sonoma, CA
May 14, 2022, Book Cover Embroidery, Fancy Tiger Crafts, Denver, CO
May 14, 2022, Circular Weaving, Fancy Tiger Crafts, Denver, CO
May 15, 2022, Embroidering on the Photographic Image, Fancy Tiger Crafts, Denver, CO
Class Descriptions
Book Cover Embroidery
Fancy writing a novel, your life story or a bestseller – but you’ve only nailed down the title? High fives! Let’s commemorate that accomplishment in embroidery. Designer and maker Robert Mahar has photographed beautiful vintage book covers and had them printed on ready-to-stitch linen cotton canvas. At its core, this is class focussed on showing you how to embroider legible, visually appealing typography.
We’ll review core embroidery stitches, learn multiple methods of creating and transferring your title text onto a fabric book cover image and then stitching it in spectacular fashion! It won’t result in a Pulitzer, but your embroidered literary masterpiece will look award-winning – framed
and hanging on your wall.
Please note that this class is is best suited for students with basic embroidery knowledge, however, adventurous beginners are welcome to join in.
All materials (a custom 18×24” sampler with multiple book cover images, typography transfer designs, a limited palette of embroidery floss, wood hoops and needles!) along with instructional diagrams are provided and included in the cost of the class. However, if you have favorite embroidery tools or prefer specific colors of embroidery floss (6-strand or perle) you are encouraged to bring these items to the workshop.
Circular Weaving
Traditional weaving looms are amazing – they also tend to be the size of an upright piano (or small pipe organ!) Consider this class an introduction to NON-traditional weaving – with round looms that fit perfectly in your lap. Join designer and maker Robert Mahar and learn a unique approach to an old-school craft – it’s an opportunity to play with beautiful yarn and make a grouping of three weavings to hang on your wall.
The heart of this class is an elegant craft hack in which you’ll learn how to transform classic embroidery hoops into round weaving looms. The technique takes a little practice, but it’s so rewarding! Need a little encouragement? You’ll receive enough materials to create a trio of circular weavings and Robert will have one loom already warped for you and ready to weave.
All materials (embroidery hoops, warp string, a limited palette of beautiful yarns and weaving needles!) are provided and included in the cost of the class. However, if you have favorite yarn (worsted-weight, bulky or chunky yarns work best!) or want specific colors – you are encouraged to bring them with you to the workshop.
Embroidering on the Photographic Image
Re-imagine the family photo album and learn how to transform classic black & white photographic images with colorful embroidered embellishments. Join designer and maker Robert Mahar in learning core embroidery basics, essential stitches and how to apply them to a selection of vintage photographs custom printed onto cotton linen canvas.
Have a yearbook photo that need a make-over? A group portrait that doesn’t quite convey the joy of of the occasion? This workshop is a unique approach to needlework utilizing a non-traditional, free-form sampler that allows you utilize your favorite embroidery stitches and their placement. While you’ll experiment and play with some of Robert’s favorite vintage photos, you’ll also learn how to have your own images printed on fabric for future projects, turning your own photo archive into wall-ready works of art.
This class is well suited for beginners, however, students with more embroidery experience are encouraged to join for a fun refresher course and the opportunity to apply their skills to photographic imagery.
All materials (a custom 18×24” sampler with multiple photographic images, a limited palette of embroidery floss, wood hoops and needles!) along with instructional diagrams are provided and included in the cost of the class. However, if you have favorite embroidery tools or prefer specific colors of embroidery floss (6-strand or perle) you are encouraged to bring these items to the workshop.
Suminagashi: Japanese Paper and Fabric Marbling
Join artist and maker Robert Mahar in a playful introduction to suminagashi, a Japanese marbling technique that creates beautifully muted patterns of color captured on paper and fabric. Learn best practices for working with these specially formulated floating inks, explore creative ways to manipulate them on the surface of a water bath and experiment transferring them onto a variety of paper and silk fabric. This near foolproof method creates surprising results and we’ll discuss a variety of ways you can utilize your marbled paper and fabric once you’re home – including stationery, book binding, paper florals, gift wrap and wardrobe accessories!
All materials provided. Each student will receive, and may take home at the end of class, an individual set of marbling inks, brushes, water pan, paper and silk handkerchiefs. Please wear clothing and shoes that you won’t mind potentially getting splashed with water and stained with ink. Note: this class will be held outdoors in the Redwood Grove!