All levels of experience will enjoy the workshops, from beginners to advanced!
Hand-stitching and embroidery are the primary focus. But paper cutting is an important craft in Denmark. And so we added paper workshops and our focus is on the "fiber arts."
Jessie Chorley
"Be inspired by my original artwork and materials that will surround you."
We each have our own stories and memories of the Christmas holiday and Jessie’s embroidery artworks remind us of those stories and warm feelings.
Christmas Embroidery Time
2-day Workshop
This masterclass will focus on Jessie’s signature style of hand embroidery, combined with patching and appliqué techniques. We will explore several stitches, including couching, running, satin, seed and back stitch.
To start, Jessie will show you a selection of her original festive embroidered samples/templates to inspire you. She will then direct you both as a group and individually to create your own version of one of her signature embroidered Christmas designs. Jessie always encourages you to personalize her designs as much as possible.
The main focus of this masterclass is to create a beautiful, one-off stitched memento. Jessie will work with each individual, to choose a color palette that suits you, the maker. The kit you will be given at the start of the class will include one of her hand-printed fabric templates. The exact design can be chosen by you at the start of the class. Jessie will have several designs for you to select from. She will help you choose a design which is appropriate for you. There will be several new festive designs coming from Jessie in 2026!
"As with all my masterclasses, I suggest you approach this class and time with me, as an explorative and peaceful slow-stitching experience, while being inspired by my original artwork and materials that will surround you. I encourage you to enjoy this creative time without focusing too much on having to finishing your work. Allow yourself to embrace and learn many new techniques, while you are in my company and the company of your fellow students. Finally, do remember to read over my suggested materials list and be sure to bring a sketchbook to class and make any notes to help you finish your work, at home,” Jessie Chorley.
A London-based embroidery artist, author and tutor, Jessie’s hands-on approach, her appreciation of slow craft, and the creative way of life that she celebrates as an artist, were passed down to her through her own family of artists, makers and craftspeople.
Hand embroidery and appliqué as forms of drawing, combined with traditional quilting methods, lie at the heart of Jessie’s making. She uses them to create scenes and stories, combining stitched, quilted and appliquéd images with mark making and the combining of found objects, largely on time-worn fabrics.
Jessie’s South London studio is both her private making space, as well as the home to her online shop. Jessie also delivers masterclasses from her studio, as well as teaching at venues worldwide.
Website: www.jessiechorley.com
Instagram: jessiechorley
Greve Museum
At Greve Museum, a group of women discovered the secrets of old Hedebo textiles and recreated them in their own work. The museum offers classes where students can try their hand at these traditional forms of embroidery.
Hedebo Embroidery
"We will arrange a special day for your group, combining a workshop, guided tour, talk, as well as lunch and afternoon coffee, tea, and cake."
Greve Museum is an old farm with exhibitions on rural life from 1800-1900, local history, art and craftsmanship including embroidery. Hedebo Embroidery is the common name of seven different embroidery variations which were developed sequentially and used in Denmark from the end of the 1700s to the mid 1900-century. Hedebo embroidery is something quite special in Denmark and is internationally mentioned in connection with other white embroideries such as Venetian embroidery and Hardanger embroidery. These types of embroidery are done on white linen using white linen or cotton thread.
We will have a very experienced teacher of Hedebo embroidery, who can lead a workshop in English. Each participant will be able to take home embroidery materials and a written English guide.
Torben Jarlstrøm Clausen
"It would be a great pleasure for me to do a paper cut workshop with you."
The Paper Cut People
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Paper cutting holds significant cultural importance in Denmark as a deeply ingrained folk art tradition, storytelling medium and iconic national craft.
The most famous enthusiast of paper cutting was the renowned 19th-century fairy-tale author Hans Christian Andersen. He would simultaneously cut intricate paper designs (called a "whole cut fairytale") while improvising stories, unfolding the finished piece dramatically at the end to the delight of his audience. His work cemented paper cutting as a distinctive art form related to storytelling in Denmark.
Through my paper cuts, I’m telling the story of the paper cut people, who are trapped deep inside the paper, before I start cutting and creating their shapes and sizes.
I can sense that the paper cut people are caught in their sadness within the paper. They are unfulfilled and have something in their lives that weighs them down. After I start cutting, they are all cut free and given the freedom to travel around in this wonderful and diverse world we live in.
It’s a universal story about us as human beings and how we must take care of our own lives in order to figure out what makes us unhappy – and how we can find happiness. That’s why all my paper cut people smile and are happy.
At all my workshops I share the many exciting experiences I have had in service of the scissors over the years.
My goal is to spread awareness that something as simple as a pair of scissors and a piece of paper can be used for reflection, meaningful connection—and to create imaginative and creative paper cuts.
Since launching as a practicing paper artist in 2004, I have exhibited in more than 110 venues across Denmark, the USA, and Japan. I have also led over 100 physical and online paper cut workshops with nearly 2,000 participants in the same three countries.
Website: www.jarlstroempaperart.dk
Instagram: jarlstroempaperart
Kari Bender
"I'm excited to go to Denmark again. The people are extremely friendly and warm. The custom of hygge creates an atmosphere unlike anything I have experienced."
Woven Heart Scarf
Make a quintessential Danish wardrobe addition - a cozy embroidered scarf. We'll start by weaving a traditional Danish paper art heart, only we are using felted wool. It will be stitched to your scarf, then trailing vines will accent the heart. When finished it will be the perfect "hygge" addition to wear while exploring the Christmas markets.
The Danish woven heart is a deep symbolism of love, togetherness and shared tradition, especially during Christmas. Often used as handmade ornaments and filled with treats that represent connection and family joy, it is a cherished Danish heritage craft.
Website: www.needlequiltworkshop.com/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/profile
"In March 1993, I took over ownership of the Needle Workshop - needlework was my passion at the time. I opened the Quilting Workshop in 2002 and have since proven to the community that I'm not just a stitcher but also a quilter.
Much like the building the shops live in, I've had many careers. This includes working at other craft supply stores and working as a Family and Consumer Education teacher. My college degrees are in Textiles and Clothing from UW-Madison, and Teaching from UW-Stevens Point."
Kari will be joining us for the duration of the trip - our tourmate.
Sew & Sew Retreats brings together people with a similar interest and then offers the opportunity to spend memorable moments creating, learning, exploring, relaxing and laughing with like-minded people. I hope you will join us!
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