The Raojia people are an ethnic minority group with a population of less than 10,000 living deep in the mountains of Guizhou, Southwest China. In 1992, the Raojia were recognized by the Chinese government as a clan of the Yao, one of China’s 56 ethnic groups. Before then, Raojia recieved little attention from the outside world, due to their “unrecognized ethnic group” status. Since 1992, the Raojia people have maintained the attention of collectors internationally with their brilliant textile traditions, from maple resin resist batik to embroideries and appliqués.

Traditionally, Raojia women make their own textiles, beginning with the growing and processing of the cotton that they use. Their traditional costumes include 6 piece jackets, which can take years to complete. They sharpen bamboo sticks with sickles to draw intricate batik designs. Whenever they part with their textile work, Raojia women always cut out a small piece of cloth to ensure that their needlework skills will be passed down to the next generation. 

In this class, Selina Ben will walk students through the brilliant textile heritage of Raojia people. She will talk about Raojia traditional patterns and material culture while presenting images of historical Raojia costumes, bed covers, and baby carriers. Selina will discuss the changes that Raojia embroidery has undergone over time, as well as some Raojia artists’ contemporary practices. Students will learn how to stitch a traditional Raojia bird motif with a chicken crest and a flower petal tail, a design which is often embroidered onto Raojia baby hats for blessings.

A PDF design pattern will be shared one week prior to class for participants to transfer onto their fabric in advance.

Date
Thursday, October 8th, 2026

Time
12:00-2:30 pm ET

Location
Zoom, a link will be sent to participants the day before class

Cost
$75

Recording

All World Embroidery Series sessions will be recorded. A link to each recording will be emailed to all registrants following the live session. Each link is live for three months after the live session.

Class Materials

• Base fabric top layer (16x12cm minimum) medium-weight non-stretch cotton twill fabric with high thread count (for example, summer chino fabric), preferably in black or dark blue.
• Base fabric bottom layer (16x12cm minimum): loosely woven non-stretch cotton fabric. Should be heavier than quilt-weight cotton. Selina prefers Azumino-Momen Sashiko fabric. Wash, dry, and iron all fabrics in advance to avoid shrinkage and color bleeding.
• Fusing material: Selina uses Mistyfuse Sheer Fusible Web in White. Separate PDF instructions on how to fuse the fabrics will be shared one week before the class.
• Silk thread: Selina uses Au Ver à Soie Soie d’Alger. Color Pink (1034A) and Dusty Pink (2578A) on sampler.
  • Less traditional alternative: stranded cotton embroidery floss in 2 colors
• Needle: Selina uses John James Quilting Mi-Longues, size 5
• A pair of small, sharp scissors
• A small bowl of water
• Heat erasable fabric marker in white
• Iron
• Carbon paper for transferring design pattern to fabric (1pc): Olympus carbon paper. Use blue for light colored fabrics and white for dark colored fabrics. Alternatives: using light box and fabric markers to transfer the design pattern.
• Parchment paper

About the World Embroidery Series

TATTER’s World Embroidery Series is a celebration of global embroidery craft. Sewists will encounter an astonishing array of culturally specific techniques, and will have the opportunity to learn from accomplished practicing teachers who are equally purposed in preserving heritage techniques.

Bundle Discount

When four Hand Sewn Quilting classes are added to your cart, a 25% off code will be automatically applied. All classes must be in a single order to qualify for the discount.

Scholarships

We have one scholarship seat available for this workshop. To be considered for a scholarship, please fill out this scholarship application form.