Four classic embroidery stitches will be explored in this workshop: Muşabak, Hesap İşi, Mürver, and Pesent. These are counting stitches that were widely practiced during the classical period of the Ottoman Empire. The workshop will open with an introduction by Rümeysa, who will provide an overview of Turkish embroidery before discussing textile heritage through carpet motifs.

For this workshop, Rümeysa has chosen two significant motifs:

• Elibelinde (hands on hips): representing feminine power, motherhood, and fertility.
  
  

• Pıtrak (cocklebur): symbolizing abundance and protection from the evil eye.
  
  

By connecting the histories of carpet motifs with embroidery techniques, Rümeysa emphasizes how these symbols have been interwoven for centuries as a form of storytelling. Traditional carpet motifs serve as cultural and social memory, preserved through women’s hands. 

To highlight the importance of this textile heritage, participants will be invited to explore how these carpet motifs can be reflected in embroidery and to open new ways for practice. Rümeysa integrates embroidery into her own design practice to highlight a historically underappreciated art form and extends this approach to her teaching. Students will have the opportunity to complete one motif during class and practice their newfound stitches on the other motif on their own. These samples can be saved for reference or decoration as is or used as a textile bracelet with the application of a ribbon and a simple hemstitch, which will be taught by Rümeysa.

Date + Time

Thursday, November 13th, 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

For transferring the pattern:
1. Copy of the motif (will be included in welcome email)

2. Pins to attach the paper on fabric
3. Parchment paper
4. Linen fabric (handloom cotton or linen are suggested)
5. Graphite paper or graphite pencil

For embroidery session:
6. Scissors
7. Mouline cotton embroidery thread
8. Hoop size 14 cm
9. Embroidery needle (DMC cross stitch needle no 22 or 24 recommended)

Scholarships

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

Our Teacher 

Rümeysa Memiş is a furniture designer born and raised in Istanbul, Türkiye. She graduated from the Royal College of Art with a Master of Research where she currently continues her PhD research project. She worked as a designer at ceramics, culture and design firms and opened her enterprise during her MA program in 2017. She previously studied Art History MA at Istanbul University and Design at Sungkyunkwan University, Korea. Memiş continues to work on Turkish female makers and textile heritage in furniture design as a communicative tool among diverse audiences both in London and Istanbul. Her work interprets traditional ways of making, connecting the accustomed with the unexpected or, practical with poetic. Instead of frequently studied artistic skills, she aims to revive neglected female crafts for contemporary furniture practice. She believes furniture needs to be seen as a spiritual tool beyond providing a structural function.

*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.