What’s Happening?
On this page you’ll find out about everything going on in our guild at the moment:
Regular meetups every month across the Wellington City area.
Classes, exhibitions and gatherings that we are a part of.
Ongoing projects that our guild members are working on.
Calendar
Guild Meetings
Bring whatever you’re working on, or just come and have a look.
Everyone is welcome, members or not!
The Guild Meeting
This is an excellent place to start for people curious about the guild. We host speakers, show new work, enjoy the sale table and stitch together. Check out our calendar and upcoming events to learn more about our monthly speakers and activities.
Find us at: The Loaves and Fishes Hall, St Paul’s Cathedral, Hill Street, Wellington.
Happening: Every Second Wednesday of the month February to December.
Doors Open: 7pm, any events start at 7.30pm.
Accessibility: Accessible parking and no steps.
Katherine Mansfield House and Garden Stitch-In
A beautiful location to stitch in the afternoon sun and explore the house and garden. This is another great place for beginners if you want to have something to work on while meeting new people. All crafts welcome, tea and coffee provided. Free for Friends of Katherine Mansfield House & Garden and Wellington Embroiderers’ Guild members, koha appreciated to support the house. Keep up to date here with the Facebook events.
Find us at: Katherine Mansfield House, 25 Tinakori Rd, Thorndon.
Happening: Every Third Sunday of the month, February to November.
Doors open: 2pm and we finish by 4pm.
Accessibility: House contains one flight of narrow stairs.
Seatoun Stitch-In
An evening social meet up where we work on our projects, have a cup of tea and chat. Ideal if you are based in the Eastern Suburbs.
Find us at: Seatoun Village Hall, 22 Forres Street, Seatoun.
Happening: Every First Wednesday of the month, February to December.
Doors open: 6.30pm and we usually finish around 9pm.
Accessibilty: Ramps available around two small steps.
Johnsonville Stitch-In
A weekend social meet up where we work on our projects, enjoy afternoon tea together and have show and tell. Please bring a gold coin donation to cover the afternoon tea.
Find us at: Room 1, Johnsonville Community Centre, 3 Frankmoore Ave, Johnsonville.
Happening: Every Third Saturday of the month, February to November.
Doors open: 1.30pm and we finish by 4.30pm.
Accessibility: Accessible parking and no steps.
Exhibition Group
Catch up at a local cafe or eatery and visit a local new textile based exhibition at a gallery or museum. Reach out via our Contact Us page to register interest.
Find us at: A new place every month.
Happening: Every First Thursday of the month, every month.
Begins: at 1pm
Accessibility: Varies due to venue change.
Current/Upcoming Events
Check out local speakers, exhibitions, classes and community efforts that our members are a part of and get inspired!
WEG Annual General Meeting
Wednesday 13th May 2026
7:30pm – 8pm
Loaves & Fishes, 2 Hill Street, Thorndon
This month’s meeting will be our Annual General Meeting – perfect for current members to attend and have their say. Bring a project and stitch along with the proceedings.
After our AGM artist, Hâf Weighton, will speak to the guild.
Guild Meeting Speaker: Hâf Weighton
Wednesday 13 May 2026
8.00pm
Loaves and Fishes Hall, 2 Hill Street, Thorndon
Our international guest speaker for May is Hâf Weighton, a Welsh textile artist, educator, collaborator and public figure. Haf’s work explores architecture, memory, and place through layered techniques of paint, print, and stitch. Having worked as an art teacher in London and as a creative practitioner for many Lead Creative Schools Projects for The Arts Council of Wales. Hâf has become an experienced workshop facilitator, tutor, trainer and public speaker.
We are very pleased to have her!
Be sure to check out Hâf Weighton’s art below!
Guild Meeting Speaker: Kimberly Sheridan
Wednesday 10 June 2026
7.00pm
Loaves and Fishes Hall, 2 Hill Street, Thorndon
Our lovely guest speaker for June is Kimberly Sheridan Owen (she/her) an artist and nonfiction writer. Kimberly’s work currently includes painting, embroidery, beadwork, and handbound books. She holds a bachelor’s in illustration from the School of Visual Arts in New York City.
In December 2025, Kimberly had a solo show, Slow Symbolism, at Covenant Gallery in Wellington. Slow Symbolism explores the power of symbols from the political to the mystical. The works are slow-made and hand-stitched, an antidote to hustle and tech — and an ode to visual language and shared humanity.
Join us to learn about her journey in the arts and any upcoming exhibitions she is a apart of!
Be sure to check out Kimberly’s art below!
Solstice 2026 Stitching Weekend
“Stichers Doing it for Themselves!”
Our tutor line up for our annual Solstice Weekend is comprised of our own talented members!
Saturday 27 June 2026
10:00am – 1:00pm (Half Day)
Karori Arts & Crafts Centre, 7 Beauchamp Street, Karori
Cost: $30 for members
$45 for non-members
Discover the joy of darning! This beginners aimed class blends traditional techniques with contemporary methods to teach you how to repair and enhance your favourite garments with darning. You’ll learn to combine colours, create patterns, and watch a demonstration on using a ‘speed weave’ darning loom. Whether you’re new to darning or looking to refine your skills, join us to see how fun and creative darning can be.
This class has 12 spaces available.
There will be an optional purchase for stabilisers during the class.
The timing of this class allows you to have a full day of stitching when you sign up for both Darn Good Fun in the morning followed by Mindful Moss in the afternoon!
Saturday 27 June 2026
2:00pm – 5:00pm (Half Day)
Karori Arts & Crafts Centre, 7 Beauchamp Street, Karori
Cost: $30 for members
$45 for non-members
This is a beginners level mindful exercise, all about texture, colour, experimentation and calm. Ever wanted a terrarium or houseplant that you never need to water and will never wilt? A ‘fairy bed’ of delicate moss in a walnut shell? They are made of simple freeform surface stitches, and can be made out of a wide range of materials, yarns, and embellishments (a great way to use up your own favourite odds and ends) This is a class that can be beginner friendly, or an opportunity for experienced stitchers to unwind with a mindful activity where mishaps do not matter and the joy is in the process.
This class has 15 spaces available.
The timing of this class allows you to have a full day of stitching when you sign up for both Darn Good Fun in the morning followed by Mindful Moss in the afternoon!
Saturday 27 June 2026
10:00am – 4:00pm (Full Day)
Karori Arts & Crafts Centre, 7 Beauchamp Street, Karori
Cost: $75 for members
$100 for non-members
In this workshop, led by seasoned embroiderer Cathrine Lloyd, you’ll learn the art of stitching a beautiful beetle using vibrant threads, sequins, and beads. Whether you’re an experienced stitcher or a newcomer to embroidery looking to challenge yourself, this class offers the perfect opportunity for you to express your love for gardens and insects while transforming your stitches into a piece of art that celebrates the magic of nature.
This class has 10 spaces available.
This workshop includes a catered afternoon tea from 1-2pm.
Materials to bring:
6 inch hoop
Saturday 27 June 2026
10:00am – 4:00pm (Full Day)
Karori Arts & Crafts Centre, 7 Beauchamp Street, Karori
Cost: $55 for members
$80 for non-members
This is an advanced level colour exercise class. Using Wessex work as your tool, you will learn how the placement of different colours and types of thread impacts your final product. To start the class you will be given a traditional Wessex pattern to stitch. From there you will build up to designing your own stitch pattern on grid paper, which you can then use to experiment with thread colour and position. You’ll come away with a good foundation and confidence to use Wessex in your future stitched pieces.
This class has 12 spaces available.
This workshop includes a catered afternoon tea from 1-2pm.
Materials to bring:
• Fabric – 1 or 2 reasonably substantial fabrics, big enough to fit in your hoop.
• Threads – bring a selection of your favourite threads, 8 to 10 different ones. Look for different textures, types.
• Hoops – either the Nurge No2 or a 22cm circular one. Two hoops will allow you to move between samples, but it’s not mandatory.
• Needles – embroidery/crewel needles sizes 1-5 would be good, otherwise a selection of sharp needles.
• Pliers – may be required to pull the needle through the fabric at the end of the stitching.
• Tweezers/stitch unpick.
• Your usual sewing kit; including sharp scissors (fabric and thread), thimble if used, pins, magnifying glass if used, additional lighting if desired, etc.
• Paper and pen for making notes.
• Felt pens or coloured pencils in a similar colour to your threads. This is to help with your stitch designing (only if you have them; some will be available to use).
• Gay Eaton’s ‘Wessex Stitchery’ book – but only if you have one.
Guild Meeting Speaker: Stella Peg Carruthers
Wednesday 9 September 2026
7.00pm
Loaves and Fishes Hall, 2 Hill Street, Thorndon
Our creative guest speaker for September is Stella Peg Carruthers, a self-taught stitcher, all about creative exploration and a handmade aesthetic. Folk Art inspired, Stella’s less than perfect approach to stitching also lends itself to her material practice which utilises a lot of upcycled fabrics and threads. She not only uses embroidery floss but enjoys exploring thicker lines with yarns of various types, DIY t-shirt yarn and knitted i-cords as well as a range of haberdashery. Bright and bold, Stella’s style is marked by the application of the simple embroidery technique of couching which makes many of her classes perfect for beginners.
In her work as a textile craft artist, Stella embraces second-hand materials, weaving sustainable creativity into every stitch. Guided by the quiet rhythms of nature, the nuances of mental wellbeing, and the intimacy of the domestic realm, her practice gently navigates the spaces between art and craft.
Be sure to check out Stellas’s art and workshops through Yonder Craftroom below!
Classes at Hutt Art Society
Textile Art Classes
Hutt Art Society, 9/11 Myrtle Street, Hutt Central, Lower Hutt 5010
Check out the amazing range of courses run at Hutt Art. Our own members Jo Dixey, Katherine Pepperell, Maria Champion-Forster and Sue Swann, are running courses that include long & short stitch, pulled thread, wired stumpwork, Spanish Moorish tile, blackwork, lace, canvas work, kutch Work, shisha mirror application as well as a collection of beginner friendly stitches.
Made on silks, canvas, organza, hand-dyed fabrics, linens and more. Using metal threads – such as gold, silver and copper, cottons threads and perles to make decorative and practical peices there is something for you to explore no matter your curiosity or skill level.
Classes at Yonder Craftroom
Textile Art Classes
Yonder Craftroom, 151 Cuba Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011
At Yonder Craftroom our member Stella Peg Carruthers teaches as their resident textile tutor. Hosting workshops on all things crochet, knit and of course embroidery. Stella’s craft workshops are warm, welcoming, and rooted in the values of curiosity, sustainability, and lifelong learning. Through gentle guidance and a spirit of exploration, Stella invites participants to slow down, make thoughtfully, and discover the powerful change that can emerge from everyday creative practice. In all her workshops, Stella crafts not only objects, but also connection, creating relational spaces that reverberate past the walls of the classroom.
Her upcoming workshops include ‘Not your Nana’s embroidery’ ‘Doodling with thread’ and a Mataraki themed event. Check out the link below to see all her workshops!
Click to see Past Events
Guild Meeting Speaker: Tash
Wednesday 8 April 2026
7.00pm
Loaves and Fishes Hall, 2 Hill Street, Thorndon
Cancelled
Our wonderful guest speaker for April is Tash from Holland Road Yarn.
Tash is a multi disciplinary crafter and owner of the yarn store Holland Road Yarn, were she hosts classes, workshops, stitch in events and retails fabulous craft supplies. Here you can find resources for crochet, knitting, spinning a haberdashery and friendly face.
Come along to the meeting to learn more about Tash’s experience in the craft space and further opportunities to learn and connect with others through crafts.
Be sure to check out Holland Road Yarn Below!
Stitch Hui
Saturday 14th March 2026
10am – 3pm
Johnsonville Community Centre, 3 Frankmoore Avenue
Cost: $5 door fee
All are welcome to attend our Stitch Hui held this year held this year at Johnsonville Comminty Centre! Bring along a project to work on or bring your tools and use one of our slow stitching packs. If you’d like to partcipate, bring along a piece of completed work to enter into the Diana Parkes award (check out the criteria below). We will have traders selling beautiful unique threads, hand dyed fabrics, detailed patterns and fine tools. There will be tea, coffee and baked treats to enjoy all day and we will be opposite the Johnsonville Mall if you need to pop out and grab anything else.
Along side the DIana Parkes Award, there are two a Stitchbird giftcards for $50 to the Viewers Choice award winners, one for a kit or pattern based work and the other for original work. If a work has won a viewers choice award at another Guild’s event then it will not be eligible for the prize but we would still love to see it.
The Diana Parkes Award:
This award presented at this event is given to the work that best displays the attributes of Diana herself. A highly valued and skilled past member, who believed that telling a story was paramount.
Show us your creativity and mixed media work. The criteria for the award are as follows:
- An original work, completed in the last two years by a member of a Tararua Guild
- There is no size limitation, can be three dimensional, can be a banner or clothing and can be a joint project.
- Each entry should be accompanied by a short statement describing the inspiration and /or the technique used (no more that 50 words).
- The work may have been exhibited previously.
Diana Parkes, MNZM joined the Wellington Embroiderers’ Guild in 1972 and was a committed member until her untimely death in 2011. Diana’s work was shown in WOW in 2006, 2007 and her work remains very inspirational.
You can refer to and be inspired by her blog, which remains online, check our the link below to see more.
Guild Meeting Speaker: The Chosen Family Project
Wednesday 11 March 2026
7.00pm
Loaves and Fishes Hall, 2 Hill Street, Thorndon
The Guild is proud to annouce our guest speakers for Pride month are Steven Sue and Arlo Campbell, creators of the Chosen Family Project.
Chosen Family are the people who understand you, lift you up, celebrate you, help you, and love you, without the need for biological bonds. A chosen family is a concept particularly meaningful to the rainbow community who often experience alienation from their biological family and community simply for being who they are. This project is an invitation to come together, find joy, and celebrate the family you’ve made with people you have found.
Steven and Arlo will speak to the experience of this massive collaborative project at our meeting as a part of the Wellington Pride Festival 2026.
Be sure to check out the rest of the Festival below!
Stitch Summer 2026
Sunday 28th February 2026
Allday
Anywhere
An annual event to get out in public and stitch!
A call to get embroiders stitching along coastlines, at scenic spots, park benches – wherever. Head out to your local cafe for a coffee and bring your project along.
Organise meet ups with your craft friends at beaches, gardens and community spots and get to sitching!
Use the hastag #nzstitchsummer to share and connect with others on the day.
60th Anniversary Celebration: Garden Party
Sunday 22nd February 2026
1.00pm – 4.00pm
Katherine Mansfield House & Garden, 25 Tinakori Road, Thorndon
Come and join us for a garden party at Katherine Mansfield House to celebrate our Diamond Anniversary. Enjoy a Devonshire tea in the beautiful surroundings of this historic House. Ticket cost of $15 includes entry to the house which will be hosting an exhibition curated by Jo Dixey. Where each embroiderer has been inspired by a different short story written by Katherine Mansfield.
Bring your stitching project for a relaxing afternoon amongst the flowers in the summer garden. There will be readings from old newsletters, minutes and other historical displays to celebrate our history.
Guild Meeting Speaker: Trinity Nevil
Wednesday 11 February 2026
7.00pm
Loaves and Fishes Hall, 2 Hill Street, Thorndon
Our guest speaker this month is Trinity Nevil, a maker of delicate hand-embroidered home linens and aprons.
“My passion is for preserving the art of hand embroidery and sewing through creating high quality, heirloom pieces. Each piece takes exquisite time and care and is handmade by me, here in Wellington, New Zealand. I use only pure linens and cottons that, with good care, will last generations! Just as I hope my cherished wares are passed down through generations, I also hope to contribute to passing down the skills to make them. I was taught to sew and embroider by my mother, who was taught by her mother, who was taught by hers, and so on! I’m excited to add my daughter to this list when she is old enough.”
Short Threads Exhibition
November 1st -22nd February 2026
Tuesday – Sundays 10.00am – 4.00pm
Katherine Mansfield House & Garden , 25 Tinakori Road, Thorndon
A talented group of 15 New Zealand embroiderers were asked to create stitched pieces inspired by the short stories of Katherine Mansfield to be displayed over the summer at Katherine Mansfield House and Garden.
Some stitchers had stories that they loved while others were given stories at random to interperet. No two have used the same story which will hopefully introduce you to some of the lesser known texts.
This exhibition will be avaliable to view during our Garden Party celebrations – more info below!
Christmas Party
Wednesday 10th December 2025
Loaves & Fishes, 2 Hill Street, Thorndon
Join us for some festive celebration at our end of year meeting!
All are welcome so bring a long a friend and enjoy the Bake Sale with its dried fruits, fudges, truffles, biscuits, jams and marmalades.
Enter in the Raffle and Quiz to win the highly competitive title of WEG Quizmasters! Dont forget to bring along a piece of work to submit for the viewers choice award 2025 – Good luck!
Classes at Hutt Art Society
Textile Art Classes
Hutt Art Society, 9/11 Myrtle Street, Hutt Central, Lower Hutt 5010
Check out the amazing range of courses run at Hutt Art. Our own members Sue Swann, Katherine Pepperell and Jo Dixey are running courses that include Gold Work, Creative metalwork, Stumpwork strawberries, Contemporary Landscape, Blackwork, and Petroglyphs inspired designs.
Made on silks, calico, hand-dyed fabrics, linens and more. Using metal threads – such as gold, silver and copper, cottons threads and perles there is something for you to explore no matter your curiosity or skill level.
Guild Meeting Speaker: Mary Self
Wednesday 12 November 2025
7.00pm
Loaves and Fishes Hall, 2 Hill Street, Thorndon
The Guild is delighted to have Mary Self as our guest speaker this month. Mary was the Artist in Residence at the Botanic Gardens in Wellington, based in the garden’s treehouse. We will hear about her residency and her concern about the possible demise of the Begonia House.
Bejeweled Insects with Cathrine Lloyd
Saturday 8 November 2025
10.00am – 4.00pm
Karori Community Centre, 7 Beauchamp Street, Karori
In this workshop, led by WEG’s President and seasoned embroiderer Cathrine Lloyd, you’ll learn the art of stitching a beautiful garden insect using vibrant threads, sequins, and beads. The Beetle workshop is the second in a series of three workshops; come to one workshop or all three – Dragonfly, Beetle, and Butterfly.
Whether you’re an experienced stitcher or a newcomer to embroidery, this class offers the perfect opportunity for you to express your love for gardens and insects while transforming your stitches into a piece of art that celebrates the magic of nature.
Craft & Curio Market
Sunday 2 November 2025
10.00am – 2.00pm
34 Mulgrave Street, Pipitea, Wellington
As part of this year’s Heritage Festival the grounds of Old St Pauls’s @oldstpaulsnz will be transformed into a vibrant Craft & Curio Market which will feature a handpicked selection of stalls showcasing all kinds of lovingly produced local crafts and incredible curiosities. This boutique market is a unique and fun heritage shopping experience for all!
As well market stall there will be games, music, tours and activities and captivating live demonstrations from the Wellington Embroiderers’ Guild @wellingtonembroiderersguild and the Wellington Combined Society of Bellringers @wellingtonbellringers.
Glimmers of Gold by Jo Dixey
1st -30th September 2025
10.00am – 4.00pm
Old St Paul’s, 34 Mulgrave Street, Pipitea, Wellington 6011
Welcome to Glimmers of Gold, atomic number, 79.
79 gorgeous hand embroidered gold humans will adorn OSP’s vestry for the month of September. ‘Glimmers of Gold’ is an exhibition created by Royal School of Needlework trained embroiderer Jo Dixey.
Jo is constantly fascinated by the short interactions we have as humans that leave us with calm or happy feelings.
‘In psychology, these tiny moments that stimulate [these feelings] are called glimmers’.
Petals and Threads: Patterns in Nature and Needle Exhibition
19th -27th September 2025
Monday – Friday 8:30am – 6pm
Weekends 10am – 3pm
Te Auaha Exhibition Gallery, 65 Dixon St, Te Aro, Wellington
Explore the beauty, diversity, and detail of Aotearoa’s plant life through an extraordinary collaboration between ecologist and artist Kate McAlpine and our members of the Wellington Embroiderers’ Guild.
This exhibition, Petals and Threads: Patterns in Nature and Needle features 44 original works: Kate’s nature-based art, created using found materials such as leaves, flowers, and insect wings, paired with unique hand-stitched interpretations by over 20 Guild members. Each embroidery reimagines the original artwork, using a variety of techniques and creative approaches to bring patterns in nature to life through needle and thread.
Alongside the exhibition:
Online Auction: Bid on all 44 artworks during the exhibition period.
Two Workshops at Te Auaha:
Stitching with Nature – 1pm 20th September
Hands-on Plant Art – 1pm 27 September
Register to save your seat below!
Calendar: A beautifully designed 2026 calendar featuring 12 pairs of selected works, available for purchase via the WEG Website and in person. More details to come!
Any questions email: PetalsAndThreads2025@gmail.com
Or check out Kate McAlpine’s site: https://plantart.nz/portfolio/petals-and-threads-patterns-in-nature-and-needle/
The exhibition is part of a fundraising project supporting the New Zealand Plant Conservation Network https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/ and us here the Wellington Embroiderers’ Guild.
AUCTION: Petals and Threads
27th August -27th September 2025
Online Auction
Here’s your opportunity to own a beautiful piece of hand stitched embroidery artwork inspired by nature.
Petals and Threads is a collaborative project that brings together the work of plant artist Kate McAlpine and the talented members of the Wellington Embroiderers’ Guild. Kate – weed ecologist by day, plant artist by night – creates her original artworks using materials gathered from the natural world: native and invasive plants, seedpods, cicada shells, butterfly wings, and more.
For Petals and Threads, 20 Guild members have each selected one of Kate’s pieces to interpret in stitch. Using a wide range of embroidery techniques – and plenty of artistic licence – each embroiderer has created a unique response to Kate’s composition. The result is a series of paired works that celebrate pattern, form, and texture – expressed through the interplay of paint and thread, plant and needle, science and art.
Check it out at the link below and be sure to come along and see the artworks in person at
Te Auaha, 19th-27th September 2025
Petals and Threads Workshop: Hands-on Plant Art
Saturday 27th September 2025
1.00pm – 3.00pm
Te Auaha Exhibition Gallery, 65 Dixon St, Te Aro, Wellington
Come and join us for a creative workshop hosted by Kate McAlpine. The workshop supports the exhibition Petals and Threads: Patterns in Nature and Needle, a collaboration between plant artist and ecologist Kate Mc Alpine and The Wellington Embroiderers’ Guild.
In this relaxed, hands-on Plant Art Workshop, learn how to arrange natural materials into unique, ephemeral artworks inspired by the beauty, shapes, and textures of Aotearoa’s flora.
All materials are provided, including a variety of leaves, flowers, seeds, and other found treasures. Or feel free to bring along your own natural finds—plant material or anything else that sparks your creativity. There are no rules! Whether you’re new to art or a seasoned nature-lover, this is a chance to experiment, play, and see the natural world in a new way.
Check out Kate McAlpine’s site: https://plantart.nz/portfolio/petals-and-threads-patterns-in-nature-and-needle/
Alongside the Workshop:
The Exhibtition: Petals and Threads: Patterns in Nature and Needle Exhibition
Online Auction: Bid on all 44 artworks during the exhibition period.
Another Workshop at Te Auaha:
Stitching with Nature – 1pm 20 September
Register to save your seat below!
Calendar: A beautifully designed 2026 calendar featuring 12 pairs of selected works, available for purchase via the WEG Website and in person. More details to come!
The exhibition is part of a fundraising project supporting the New Zealand Plant Conservation Network https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/ and us here the Wellington Embroiderers’ Guild.
Celebrate the Fabric
Wednesday 24th September 2025
10.30am
Loaves and Fishes Hall at Wellington Cathedral of St Paul, Corner of Molesworth and Hill Streets, Thorndon
Exquisite pieces of needlework are on display and in use every day at Wellington Cathedral of St Paul: beautifully decorated fabrics that hang at the front of the altars, spectacular robes and stoles worn by priests at services, and fine linens used at every service of Holy Communion. You’ll learn much about this remarkable fabric artistry when Jo Dixey talks to the Friends of Wellington Cathedral of St Paul and guests.
The event is free to Friends of Wellington Cathedral of St Paul and a donation of $10 from non-members would be appreciated.
Light refreshments will be served.
Petals and Threads Workshop: Stitching with Nature
Saturday 20th September 2025
1pm – 3.00pm
Te Auaha Exhibition Gallery, 65 Dixon St, Te Aro, Wellington
Come and join us for a creative workshop hosted by The Wellington Embroiderers’ Guild. The workshop supports the exhibition Petals and Threads: Patterns in Nature and Needle, a collaboration between plant artist and ecologist Kate Mc Alpine and The Wellington Embroiderers’ Guild.
In this workshop you’ll be using nature as a resource, including seeds, seed pods and leaves. Participants will explore techniques for combining traditional embroidery with natural materials to make one-of-a-kind textile art pieces.
All materials will be provided and the workshop is koha.
Alongside the Workshop:
The Exhibtition: Petals and Threads: Patterns in Nature and Needle Exhibition
Online Auction: Bid on all 44 artworks during the exhibition period.
Another Workshop at Te Auaha:
Hands-on Plant Art – 1pm 27 September
Register to save your seat below!
Calendar: A beautifully designed 2026 calendar featuring 12 pairs of selected works, available for purchase via the WEG Website and in person. More details to come!
The exhibition is part of a fundraising project supporting the New Zealand Plant Conservation Network https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/ and us here the Wellington Embroiderers’ Guild.
Fabric-a-brac: Wellington
20th September 2025
10am – 1pm
St Anne’s Hall, Newtown, Wellington
Fabric-a-brac is a fun fabric and sewing supplies market where you can shop for vintage and modern sewing and upholstery fabric, patterns, haberdashery and more. It brings the sewing community together to share stashes, stories and delight in our mutual love of textiles.
Fabric-a-brac is volunteer-run, and is a fundraiser for hospice – in Wellington this is Mary Potter Hospice. All profits from this event are donated to their work. They’ve raised over $80,000 since their first event in 2009.
The fabulous cafe is back with all of its gorgeous volunteers and fab food. There will be tea, coffee and sweet treats for sale, so you can sit down and chat over your new projects and fabric purchases. All proceeds from the cafe also go to Hospice.
Costume Showcase 2025
September 19th & 20th 2025
Te Whaea: National Dance & Drama Centre, 11 Hutchison Road, Newtown, Wellington, New Zealand
Not to be missed annual showcase of costume design and crafting talent by the costumier graduates of Toi Whakaari 2025.
With two showings per evening on September 19th & 20th, this 30 minute showcase is one of the highlights of the academic year.
Embroidered Leaves: an Arts & Crafts Inspired Workshop
Sunday 10 August 2025
10.00am – 1.30pm
Katherine Mansfield House & Garden, 25 Tinakori Road, Thorndon
In this embroidery class seasoned embroiderer Cathrine Lloyd will guide you through a series of stitches to complete a beautiful leaf design. Inspired by the wallpaper found on the walls of Katherine Mansfield House, embellish this design with beads, sequins and beautiful threads. Whether you’re an experienced stitcher or a newcomer to embroidery, this class offers the perfect opportunity for you to express your love for nature and the style of the Arts and Crafts movement.
Morning tea and all materials provided except those noted below. This class will be followed by our monthly Stitching Circle from 2pm, so feel free to bring your lunch and stay on for the Stitching Circle.
Beginners are very welcome.
What to bring: sharp embroidery scissors, a 8-inch hoop. The fabric will be cut for this size hoop only. You can buy a hoop for $15 from the tutor at the start of the class if you don’t have one.
Please note: The class will take place upstairs.
Bejeweled Insects with Cathrine Lloyd
Saturday 9 August 2025
10.00am – 4.00pm
Karori Community Centre, 7 Beauchamp Street, Karori
In this workshop, led by seasoned embroiderer Cathrine Lloyd, you’ll learn the art of stitching a beautiful garden insect using vibrant threads, sequins, and beads. The Dragonfly workshop is the first in a series of three workshops; come to one workshop or all three – Dragonfly, Beetle, and Butterfly.
Whether you’re an experienced stitcher or a newcomer to embroidery, this class offers the perfect opportunity for you to express your love for gardens and insects while transforming your stitches into a piece of art that celebrates the magic of nature.
Jogakbo Bojagi by Moonhee Han
Saturday 28 June 2025
10.00am – 4.00pm
Karori Community Centre, 7 Beauchamp Street, Karori
Cost: $50 for members and associate members
$80 for non-members
$25 for the materials kit, to be paid on the day in cash or bank transfer
This workshop is now FULLY BOOKED, please check out our other International Stitching Weekend classes!
Discover the art of jogakbo bojagi (patchwork quilting) the traditional Korean wrapping cloth made by piecing together fabric in beautiful colour compositions. In this workshop, you’ll create your own bojagi using traditional Korean silk and silk thread, while learning techniques for layout, colour matching, and hand-stitching. This session is best suited for those who already have sewing experience, and is especially designed with the Embroidery Guild community in mind.
All essential materials will be provided. You’re welcome to bring along any helpful tools you already use, such as sewing glasses, scissors, a firm felt or soft mat to work on, a grid ruler, a marking tool (like a thick needle), fine sew needles, and a few thin pins.
Come and enjoy the meditative rhythm of stitching while exploring
a rich Korean textile tradition.
Check out our May Newsletter for more info on Moonhee Han and our other talented tutors.
Ei Katu and Tivaevae with Mii Tupangaia and Friends
Saturday 28 June 2025
10.00am – 4.00pm
Sunday 29 June 2025
1:30am – 4:pm
Karori Community Centre, 7 Beauchamp Street, Karori
Saturday Class Cost: $50 for members and associate members
$75 for non-members
Sunday Communal Quilt Cost: $25 for everyone
On Saturday, learn the beautiful techniques to make both Ei Katu (floral head garlands) and Tivaevae (appliqué quilts) with guidance from our guest expert, Mii.
On Sunday, come together to stich a communal Tivaevae with friends.
Attend both days for the full experience, but if you can’t make it to one, you’re still welcome and encouraged to come along to the other.
Mii Hinarere Tupangaia is an amazing cultural advocate and teacher of Cook Islands heritage. Particularly of language, artistic practices and traditions. Mii has led numerous workshops and education programs across the country – we are very lucky to have her for a class teaching traditional crafts.
This will be a lovely social class, perfect for bringing along a friend and spending some quality time doing a hands on activity. Have a go and come along, learn a new fabric craft, technique and work with new materials.
Check out our May Newsletter for more info on Mii Tupangaia and our other talented tutors.
Tatreez by Meena Al-Emleh
Sunday 29 June 2025
10.00am – 1.00pm
Karori Community Centre, 7 Beauchamp Street, Karori
Cost: $35 for members and associate members
$65 for non-members
There may be an additional small materials cost to be confirmed
This workshop has been cancelled.
Meena Al-Emleh (Palestinian, Pākehā, Darkinjung) is a researcher, writer, speaker, and traditional Palestinian tatreez embroiderer. Tatreez, which translates to embroidery in Arabic, is a traditional artform and storytelling method from Palestine. This form of embroidery is a secret language, with each motif holding deep significance and layers of meaning.
In this workshop Meena will speak to the 3,000 year old history of this artform, as well as the meanings of some motifs and colour-use. We will then learn and practice tatreez together.
Check out our May Newsletter for more info on Meena Al-Emleh and our other talented tutors.
Kawandi with Wendy Welsh
Sunday 29 June 2025
10.00am – 3.00pm
Karori Community Centre, 7 Beauchamp Street, Karori
Cost: $50 for members and associate members
$80 for non-members
The traditional Kawandi is a hand stitched quilt originating from the Siddi people, made from scrap fabric, including old saris. Come along and learn this new way of assembling quilts by hand with Wendy.
Requirements:
Fabric:
A 12” x 12” square of a soft, open weave fabric for the backing.
A piece of batting the same size as the backing – preferably Pellon or lightweight batting.
A variety of scraps ranging in size from 3” to 6” width. Include a range of patterns – florals, stripes, spots etc.
Equipment:
Thread. Aurifil 12wt or DMC Perle 12 or 8 in a colour of your choosing.
A needle big enough for your thread, sharp and longish. E.g. Chenille or Milliner.
Small sharp scissors
Thimble (optional)
Pins
Wendy can provide the backing and the batting for $10. Please advise on
the registration form if you require this material pack.
Check out our May Newsletter for more info on Wendy Welsh and our other talented tutors.
Embroidered Heart with Cathrine Lloyd
Saturday 14 June 2025
10.00am – 3.00pm
Karori Community Centre, 7 Beauchamp Street, Karori
$30 Materials fee included in the price of the class.
This Karori Arts & Crafts workshop is suited to all levels, from beginners to experienced embroiderers who want to have a few hours of fun. Learn how to mount fabric in a hoop. Practice using running stitch, chain stitch, blanket stitch, and French knots. Incorporate fun embellishments into your embroidery work, like sequins, beads, and pipe cleaners.
Cathrine Lloyd is our guild president and a seasoned embroiderer. She holds an MA, Certificate in Adult Teaching, and City and Guilds Certificate in Surface Embroidery. Cathrine has undertaken courses at the Royal School of Needlework, the Pascal Jouen School of Embroidery in Brittany, and L’Ecole Lesage in Paris. Her work was recently exhibited in the Dream Gardens exhibition at the Aratoi Museum and Art Gallery.
Real Bodies by Jo Dixey
22 April 2025 to 4 May 2025
Hutt Art Society, 9/11 Myrtle Street, Hutt Central, Lower Hutt 5010
This show is not to be missed. Jo’s life drawing studies have been transformed into beautiful and intricate thread works for this exhibtion. The exhibition shows pieces from sketch to finished embroidery, really showing the breadth of visual drawn art and embroidery techniques.
We Did It Our Way II
22 April 2025 to 4 May 2025
Hutt Art Society, 9/11 Myrtle Street, Hutt Central, Lower Hutt 5010
This exhibition is a showcase of various member from the Tararua area. You can check out both Real Bodies and this together! A lovely collection by some talentent artists, noteably exploring mixed media, texture with 3D qualities, unique canvas choice such a wood, music sheets and collaged fabrics. Beautiful to see in person.
40 Years of Stitch in Upper Hutt
22 February 2025 – 4 May 2025
Whirinaki Whara Taonga, 836 Fergusson Drive, Upper Hutt 5018
This exhibition marks a significant milestone – 40 years of the Upper Hutt Stitching Guild, a community that has nurtured creativity, craftsmanship, and connection through the art of stitching. Showcasing a rich variety of works from intricate, fine art pieces to playful, accessible designs, each work tells a story of personal expression, skill, and the creative journey of its maker.
Dream Gardens at Katherine Mansfield House
15 Mar 2025 to 27 Apr 2025
Katherine Mansfield House & Garden, 25 Tinakori Road,
Thorndon, Wellington, 6011, New Zealand
After a season at Aratoi Wairarapa Museum of Art and History, a smaller ‘Dream Gardens’ comes to Katherine Mansfield House & Garden to continue the conversation between threadwork artist Cathrine Lloyd, sculptress Emily Efford, and painter Keren Chiaroni in a new setting. The exhibition also features an AV work by Kim Potter.
This mini exhibtion conisides with our Sunday 13th Stitch in at the Katherine Mansfield House so you can check out the incredible work and then have a coffee and do some of your own!
Dream Gardens
Stich Summer
2024 Christmas Meeting
Adorn
Old Saint Paul’s Stich In
Guild Projects
Here’s where you can find larger projects that members of the guild work on.
Chosen Family Project
The Guild is proud to contribute to the Chosen Family project, created by are Steven Sue and Arlo Campbell.
Chosen Family are the people who understand you, lift you up, celebrate you, help you, and love you, without the need for biological bonds. A chosen family is a concept particularly meaningful to the rainbow community who often experience alienation from their biological family and community simply for being who they are. This project is an invitation to come together, find joy, and celebrate the family you’ve made with people you have found.
We contribute by embellishing crochet and knit houses made by others. With various techniques and colourful thread we stitch flowers, windows, garden visitors, awnings and the little details that make a house a home.
Wellington Hospital Donation Effort
In this special project, we make embroidered keepsakes for families who have had a stillborn baby. The project provides families with a handmade decorated felt memento to hopefully help them through the process of grief. We make them in many shapes, including our initial teddies, the beloved angel, hearts, and various animal silhouettes. Using a wide range of embroidery techniques, our participating members decorate and assemble the keepsakes for the Wellington Hospitals Foundation. We strive to complete over 100 a year, and we hope to have the privilege to continue this effort for many years to come.
In the lead up to the end of the year we create handmade Christmas stockings to be filled and gifted to babies in the neonatal ward and to children on the paediatric ward. We make them in seasonal, joyful fabrics and decorate them with sequins, trims, embroidery, beadwork and felt shapes. Our aim is to create joy and provide families and children with a thoughtful, hand crafted gift.
If you would like to participate you will find patterns at the link below.
If you are curious about how to help and to donate your time or crafts, we encourage you to check out the
Wellington Hospitals Foundation.
ANZEG Fundraising for 2026 Conference
Mystery Stitchery
This exciting mystery spot sampler fundraiser for the ANZEG biennial Conference and National Embroidery school is under way, the first section being published on the 1st of March 2025 and with more to come. You can join anytime and participate from anywhere. With over 400 signed up already it’s proving popular and a great way to connect with other participants. You can join the supportive Facebook group or check out the site for more info and registration!
Floral Quilt Raffle
Members of ANZEG have been asked to sew a leaf or flower onto a square of calico. Once gathered all together, the regional rep Gloria, has kindly agreed to sew the squares into a quilt with pillowcases and perhaps some cushions. A raffle will then be hosted to fundraise for the 2026 Conference
Click to see Past Projects
BLUE Colour Challenge 2025
For more infomation about this exciting project and to send in your application, check out the ANZEG page.
Collaboration Project with Kate Mc Alpine
Following Kate’s wonderful talk to the Guild recently we are embarking on a collaboration project that will be so much fun. This project is a collaboration between artist Kate McAlpine and the Wellington Embroiderers’ Guild. The images belong to Kate McAlpine and must not be used for any purpose without her permission. Members of the Guild are invited to choose three images in order of preference to work in embroidery. Once you have registered your preferences with Cathrine (wembroiderersg@gmail.com) you will be allocated an image and be provided with an A4 copy of the original image (which may be larger then the on-screen image) for you to interpret as you want. You can of course take a small part of the image as inspiration. If you would like to have something to follow, Jo Dixey has offered to draw something for you, of the image you pick. The project will culminate in an exhibition with Kate, a calendar in September 2025, and will be a fundraiser. Further details will be provided to participants as they are allocated an image.
NOTE: Images may display in a different order depending on which device you are viewing this on. This project will run until July 2025
