At a time when I had to travel to find teachers I wanted to take classes from, I decided I should see if they'd come to me! Imagine my surprise when I discovered that you don't have to be a shop to schedule wonderful teachers. I certainly schedule them for the shop these days, but BTS (Before The Shop) I arranged classes for myself and others interested in similar teachers and techniques.
| Maureen Appleton - Alameda 1998 | Information on Maureen's March 1998 class |
| C.A. Wells classes | C.A. is always a treat... |
1998 Information - Alameda classes |
Feb. 1998 classes |
1998 Teaching Schedule (world wide) |
C.A.'s 1998 teaching schedule |
1997 Teaching Schedule (world wide) |
C.A.'s 1997 teaching schedule |
1997 Information - Alameda classes |
Information on what C.A. taught for me in 1997 |
1996 Information - Alameda classes |
Information on what C.A. taught for me in 1996 |
For the latest on what C.A. will be teaching at the shop in 1999, visit the Needle In A Haystack website.
Needlework designer and teacher C.A. Wells was in Alameda February 21st and 22nd teaching 4 of her exquisite pieces. To see what she taught this time check out C.A. Wells 1998 Alameda Classes and you can see color pictures of the pieces and descriptions. C.A. will return in February 1999 to teach for the shop. Details are on the shop website.
C.A. taught 5 of her pieces here in March 1997; Silk Rosebud Scissors Keeper, Silk Sampler Pyramid, Sampler Tri-block, Sampler Block Cushion and Pocket Pendant. For more information on those pieces please check out C. A. Wells 1997 Alameda Classes.
C.A. was first came to teach in Alameda January 1996 and taught 4 of her signature pieces. She is an absolute jewel of a teacher and a terrific person. Those of us in attendance has a great time learning, stitching and just talking about needlework.
Two of her designs were companion pieces based on a 1777 Danish sampler that included peacocks. Both the Peacocks Silk Sampler Purse and the Peacocks Silk Sewing Case were stitched with silk Waterlilies (in the color "Peacock") on 35 count ivory linen and C.A. taught not only the stitches but the finishing techniques as well.
The Sampler Storage Roll is used to to preserve needlework or linens and was stitched on 26 count natural linen embellished with traditional sampler stitches in sage green and gold DMC floss. The Royal Acorn Beaded Sachet included an acorn motif from 1879 and stitched in deep jewel tones of Soie Cristale silk floss with pulled thread work on 30 count ivory linen.
I actually finished the sachet and liked it so much I altered the design slightly by enlarging it a bit and changing the color scheme. I scanned the modified sachet by laying it flat on the scanner before I finished putting it together. The back, when finished was a pulled-thread stitch I call the popcorn stitch (because I can never remember its real name). The sides include amethyst beads and ribbons at the corners.
If you'd like more information on the designs she taught in 1996 check out C.A. Wells 1996 Alameda classes.
If you are interested in finding out where else C.A. will be teaching in 1998 be sure to check out C.A. Wells 1998 teaching schedule.
