Melissa was taught needlepoint by her great-grandmother at age five and has been teaching and designing for over 25 years in America and the UK. A graduate of the Royal School of Needlework, she spent years managing and teaching at Needlepoint of Back Bay in Boston, and now continues working with students from complete beginners to experienced stitchers.
What draws Melissa to needlepoint is the creative freedom it offers – the playful use of stitches, the variety of threads and fibres, and the meditative quality of working with needle and canvas. Her work has been exhibited at the Bodleian Library. What Melissa enjoys most is helping students discover their own creativity through thread, colour, stitch and joy.
Join Melissa for this delightful introduction to needlepoint, where participants will create a charming ornament featuring an original “HOPE” design created especially for this workshop. Students will learn foundational stitches while exploring the wonderful variety of threads and fibres that make needlepoint so expressive.
Perfect for complete beginners, this four-day workshop (spread over two weekends) will guide students through six essential stitches – basketweave, mosaic, French knots, Alicia’s lace, and brick stitch – as well as how to create decorative cording for finishing. Participants will work with silk, cotton, metallics, linen, and invisible thread, discovering how different fibres create unique textures and visual effects.
Over four relaxed and creative days, students will stitch their ornament from start to finish, learning techniques they can apply to future projects. By the end of the workshop, everyone will take home a completed ornament ready to display wherever they choose – a beautiful reminder of their creative journey and the skills and confidence to continue exploring needlepoint.
This is needlepoint at its most joyful – playful, textural, and endlessly creative.
What’s Included
The complete kit contains:
Students will choose between two beautiful colorways: a vibrant golden yellow palette or soft pastel tones.
What to Bring
Skill Level
Complete beginners welcome – no previous needlepoint or embroidery experience required.
Address:
Corinium Museum
Park Street
Cirencester GL7 2 BX
The nearest train station is Kemble Railway Station (3 miles). Taxis and buses serve the station. See http://www.nationalrail.co.uk or contact National Rail Enquiry Line on 08457 484 950.
Follow the brown signs for Corinium Museum to the Old Station Car Park (GL7 1US), which is about a 2 minute walk from the Museum. Once parked please follow the pedestrian signs.
On the weekends free parking is available at St James Place Headquarters on Old Tetbury Road (GL7 1FP), which is a three minute walk from the Museum.
Further parking is available from the Brewery Car Park (GL7 1HN) and Forum Car Park (GL7 1LJ), which are about a 5-10 minute walk from the Museum.
Please note: The car park pay and display machines are cash-less, payment can be made by card or via the PaybyPhone App.
For more information about what to do and see in Cirencester visit this page. A selection of places to stay can be found here.
We look forward to welcoming you! If you have any questions or queries, please don’t hesitate to ask.
