This class is part of the seven-part virtual World Embroidery Series IV. Classes may be purchased à la carte at $75 or as a six-part package for a discounted price of $450. 

In this lesson, Hester Dennissen will introduce you to the basic principles of gold embroidery: we'll create a small piece using the gold embroidery technique. Gold embroidery is a centuries-old, labor-intensive technique with a grand appearance because it's expensive and exclusive. It was therefore primarily used for the nobility, military uniforms and emblems, banners, and, of course, ecclesiastical textiles.

Besides embroidering, you'll also gain an insight into gold embroidery through the ages.

Specifically, you'll learn about some commonly used metal threads and how to secure them with a working thread. You'll learn how and why certain stitches are used for this purpose. You'll receive an explanation about the use of felt padding and how to apply it.

Five gold embroidery techniques will be covered. Although it's a small piece of embroidery, you won't be able to finish it in the lesson; embroidery is simply a time-consuming activity. Each technique is covered during the lesson, but you will have to acquire the routine afterwards.

The use of metal threads is just one aspect of gold embroidery.

Date + Time

Thursday, December 11th, 2025, 12-2:30 pm ET

Location

Zoom, a link will be emailed to participants the day before class.

Cost

$75 for the individual class
$450 for the series

Materials

Tools:

• Embroidery hoop with a diameter of 20 or 25 cm

• Table clamp or glue clamp

• Frixion pen to transfer the pattern

• Needle no. 9 (for basting thread) and needle no. 11 or 12 (Clover Sharps/Pony Crewel/Tulip/etc.)

   Choose a needle no. 11 or 12 with a large eye!
• Embroidery scissors

• Old scissors for cutting the metal wires

• Ruler 

• A beading plate or a small plate with a slightly raised edge

Optional:

Tweezers

Materials:

Cotton, such as calico, a few centimeters larger than your embroidery hoop (this is the backing)

Dupion silk or a nice smooth cotton or fine linen, 12 by 12 centimeters, in a light color (this is the fabric we will be working with)

Basting thread

Golden yellow machine thread, such as Gütermann. Cotton, polyester, or a blend

Block of beeswax, possibly a tea light or candle

Pearl Purl, 1 millimeter in diameter (at least 50 centimeters)

Rough Purl, 1 millimeter in diameter, a matte purl

Smooth Purl, 1 millimeter in diameter, a high gloss purl

Bright Check 1 millimeter in diameter, sometime  also called Bullion wire

Sequins or spangles, 3 millimeters in diameter (8 pieces); you can also use glass pearls

Piece of yellow felt, 3x3 centimeters, wool or synthetic

Note: The gold threads are available in different thicknesses. The names of these threads vary by country, (I'm using the English names here) and the diameter numbering also varies. Therefore, pay attention to the diameter and make sure you have threads of the same thickness. If you can't get it in 1 mm but you can get everything in 1.25 mm, that's fine. If you're unsure, please see the photos. The gold threads aren't pure gold, but rather gold-plated metal wire. You can also buy colored metal wires, or silver-plated, if you prefer.

Scholarships

We have two scholarships available for this experience. To be considered for a scholarship, please fill out the scholarship application form.

Our Teacher 

Hester Dennissen from Maastricht (NL) specializes in traditional hand-made gold embroidery. She is committed to preserving the craft and expertise of gold embroidery in the Netherlands. The last gold embroidery workshops in the Netherlands closed in the 1990s, and with them, much of the expertise was lost. Nowadays, much gold embroidery is made by machine; it is less expensive because it uses synthetic fibers, the patterns are identical, and it is flat.

Although gold embroidery is certainly not exclusively Dutch, the Netherlands has a rich history of gold embroidery, and fortunately, many embroideries have been preserved.

As early as the Middle Ages, very high-quality gold embroidery was created, primarily for ecclesiastical, royal, and military applications. Characteristics of gold embroidery are the use of various materials (metal threads, cords, silk, for example) and the use of relief. This creates maximum light reflection, further emphasizing the luxurious look.

Hester trained with one of the last remaining active gold embroidery artists of the Netherlands and took many lessons abroad. To keep the knowledge and techniques alive and preserve them for future generations, she enjoys teaching.

*This class session will be recorded. A link to the recording will be emailed to all those who register following the live session. This link is live for one month for you to watch at your convenience.