Activity

Stitch your own lucky charm. A treasure to wear or hang as a decoration to protect and inspire.

This class is an exploration in inspiration, design, and stitching technique. Amulets are a way to incorporate favorite charms, beads, buttons, fabric scraps, and stitch patterns. You can also tuck words inside the amulet – a little mantra, a memory to hold close, an ode to a person you love, a reminder. The process is a balance of creative (shape and decoration) and mechanical/technical (assembly) and we will delve into the overlap between the two. The technical aspects can be very creative as there are many ways to finish each piece. We will discuss intentional misalignment and asymmetry, the use of negative space, color choices, stitch possibilities, and ways to personalize an amulet.  Each participant will receive a Blue Amulet DIY kit and will need to collect a few items from home (see below).

Date + Time

Thursday, January 8th, 2025

12:00 pm – 2:00 pm ET 

Cost

Virtual class + kit: $105

Location

Zoom, access link will be sent out the day before class.

Recording

Class will be recorded. A link to the recording will be emailed to all registrants following the live session and available for one month.

DIY Kit contents

·       (2) 2 x 2” square of indigo dyed organic linen fabric (blue tones vary)

·       (1) 2 x 4” piece of indigo dyed organic linen fabric (blue tones vary)

·       4 colors of embroidery floss

·       5g crushed walnut shells

·       2g buckwheat hulls

·       3g of assorted beads and fabric scraps

·       (1) 48 x .25” plant-dyed dark grey silk ribbon 

·       (1) hand sewing needle

·       (1) straight pin

·       (1) collarless safety pin

·       inspiration booklet with photos

·       full page of stitch designs

Gather from home:

·       scissors

·       pencil or pen 

·       paper

·       additional ephemera for decorating: favorite charms, beads, buttons, a note to tuck inside, etc. (optional)

·       fray check, used to dab the raw edges, helps them from fraying too much (optional)

Our Teacher

My studio, the home ofKata Golda, is nestled snugly in the small, mossy seaside town of Port Townsend, Washington. Much of the inspiration for my work comes from the subtle details in the natural world, where nothing is straight and nothing is perfect. I try to begin each day with a walk in the woods or time in my dye garden. The flow of my day shifts between the repetitive production of filling orders, scheming and sketching new ideas for my line, dyeing fabric, and stitching something simply for pleasure. The rhythm of my creative endeavors is punctuated by domestic arts— cooking, gardening, mending, and keeping a tidy and organized space. I find that chores clear my head, structure my day, and focus my craft. I love the sense of order and accomplishment from a thoughtfully planned routine. I almost always have a hand-bound journal and sharp pencil within reach. It is a practice that I started over twenty years ago to make space for my artistic, wandering ideas while keeping my methodical mind at peace. I work with sustainable fabrics, and I love growing a dye garden and coaxing color from plants in my home dye studio. I create slowly and with intention and try to use up every little scrap of fabric. The things I make take time. I find immense joy in sharing my love of hand work with others through free sewing tutorials, DIY kits, and carefully curated bundles of plant-dyed fabrics. Taking the time to slow down and make something with your hands using quality materials is such a gift, and I feel so lucky to do this work.