Embroidery is a skill that has been practiced throughout history by both men and women as a form of visual storytelling; like many crafts, embroidery has regained popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Join Central Florida Community Arts (CFCArts) Teaching Artist Ashleigh Ann Gardner to learn the simple fundamentals of embroidery. This class will cover basic simple stitches that make up the foundation of all embroidery and will show students how to embroider a small sheep with stars and a crescent moon.

By participating in this program, you can expect to:

• learn the history of embroidery;
• learn basic stitches;
• and create a small embroidered design.

Materials Needed:

• Piece of 12”x12” cotton or cotton/polyblend cloth (a light color works best)
• Black (or similar dark color) thread (DMC embroidery floss/thread can be found at any Joann’s or Michael’s store; a spool of sewing machine thread is fine if you don’t have embroidery floss!)
• 1 sewing needle
• A pencil (for drawing the pattern)
• A pair of scissors

Provided at Program Registration: an embroidery stitch handbook that teaches stitch fundamentals.

This program is presented by Ashleigh Ann Gardner and is hosted by the Winter Park Health Foundation in collaboration with CFCArts.

How to join the Zoom Program:

Upon registration for this program, you will receive two emails:

• One email from Eventbrite: you can either disregard this email or save it for your records. No action needed with this message.
• One email from the Center for Health & Wellbeing: this email will contain your link to join the Zoom meeting. Simply select the link and the Zoom Meeting will launch. Please allow yourself five – 10 minutes before program start to launch Zoom and confirm your technology is properly working.

For troubleshooting and other Zoom-related questions, please email us at [email protected]

All CHWB Digital Education Programs are now presented with live captioning service. Please refer to your registration confirmation email for instructions on enabling live captions.

By participating in this program, you agree to the CHWB’s Gracious Space policy. Unless otherwise noted, all CHWB Digital Education programs hosted via Zoom are recorded and made available for on-demand viewing on WellbeingNetwork.org. If you prefer to be left out of the program’s recording, please leave your camera and microphone off for the duration of the program.

About the Program Presenter

Central Florida Community Arts Teaching Artist Ashleigh Ann Gardner is originally from Columbia, Missouri, but has called Orlando home since moving here with her family in 1994. When she’s not performing around the city, you can find her at a locally owned coffee shop writing plays, at Rollins College’s WPRK 91.5FM hosting Orlando Theatre Hour, photographing local theatrical productions, painting scenic backdrops at CFCArts, creating embroidered masterpieces, or composing original folk music on her guitar, ukulele, and mandolin.