Hand embroidery classes with Yvette Stanton

Known as The Whitework Queen, Yvette has spent more than twenty years studying historical embroidery. She visits museums and private collections to study primary sources, thereby building her knowledge on the most pure sources available. Her dedication to research, and her desire to present that research as accurately as possible are what have led her to become an expert in her field.

Yvette Stanton teaches Mountmellick, Sardinian knotted embroidery, Hardanger, merezhka, Portuguese whitework, smøyg, Frisian whitework, hvitsøm, embroidery stitch exploration and general embroidery techniques, in classes at various shops and groups around Australia. She is an accredited tutor with the Embroiderers' Guild of NSW. Yvette is left-handed and enjoys teaching left-handed students who are delighted to have a left-handed teacher. Her right-handed students love learning from her as well.

Yvette is available to present lectures, having presented on such topics as Hardanger, whitework, and writing books about embroidery, in the past.

Yvette's preference is for weekend workshops of 2 days. In an effort to balance her family life, her book writing and her teaching, this is what works best for her. Bookings and enquiries well in advance are advised, as she limits her teaching to fit with her family life, and her bookings usually stretch well into the next year.

Yvette's classes in Walcha are booked through Trybooking. Classes at other shops can be booked through the shop. Classes at guild groups are not always open to the general public as often they fill up quickly with group members. However, if you contact the group's class co-ordinator, you may be lucky and they may have a place for you.

Vetty Creations online learning
Currently scheduled classes
Class calendar listing
Past classes
Student testimonials

Vetty Creations online learning

Responding to huge demand, we have begun running online classes and providing online courses. We will add to these offerings over time.


Frisian Whitework silk sampler self-paced video online course		Mountmellick embroidery online workshop

Course review: "I am sitting here looking at this finished piece and I am more than thrilled with how it turned out and everyone who has seen it has been so impressed. The colors immediately caught my eye when I saw it come across my newsfeed on Facebook last fall and I stopped what I was doing and placed my order. I had never done any Frisian Whitework but this came with your videos and I was pretty sure I would be able to figure it out. Your kit arrived quickly from Australia and I started reading directions and watching your very well produced videos. The fabric dying was a great adventure and I actually went through the tea dying process twice to get a little richer color for the beautiful Gumnut Silks. For anyone who is tempted by this piece you can assure them if they can count they won't have any problems. Your videos covered every detail from start to finish and you always responded quickly to my email questions (which mainly had to do with my password). Thank you for designing such a stunning project and making it available to the stitching community." – Tina

Currently scheduled in-person classes


Exploring Hardanger fillings		Portuguese Whitework ornament		Beginners embroidery

Class calendar listing

Please be mindful of the fact that I probably do less teaching than others do, as I need to devote time to writing my books. Thank you for your understanding.

Ongoing
Vetty Creations Online Learning
Frisian Whitework silk sampler self-paced video online course

2025
Thursday, 20th November 20th, 4-6:30 pm ET (Yes, that's US time)
Mountmellick Embroidery online workshop, as part of TATTER's World Embroidery Series IV
https://tatter.org/events/world-embroidery-series-iv/

Saturday 7th June
Create in Walcha – Beginners Embroidery 1/2 day workshop
Walcha NSW

Friday 15 August & Saturday 16 August 2025 and Friday 29 August & Saturday 30 August
Exploring Hardanger Fillings Sampler, 4 day workshop
The Crewel Gobelin, Sydney (Killara)

Friday 14 November & Saturday 15 November
Portuguese Whitework Hanging Ornament, 2 day workshop
The Crewel Gobelin, Sydney (Killara)

2026
9th-14th October
Class details yet to be announced
EGA National Seminar, Orlando, Florida

Past classes

If you're wanting to book me to teach your group or at your shop, any of the classes listed on this page can be chosen from. If you have other ideas for what you'd like me to teach, please contact me, and we can discuss your requirements.


Exploring Hardanger fillings	Portuguese Whitework ornament	Beginners embroidery


Frisian whitework silk sampler	Frisian whitework tree of life	Whitework cube sampler


Mountmellick pomegranate biscornu	Parterre Hardanger accessories set	Flores brancas Portuguese panel


Smøyg framed panel	Portuguese whitework panel	Mountmellick wildflower cushion


Mountmellick pomegranate oval doily	Suzani embroidery applique panel	Mountmellick honeysuckle doily


Whitework biscornu	Portuguese whitework ornaments	Take better photos of your needlework


Mountmellick wildflower cushion	Portuguese whitework bookmark	Mountmellick daisy and forget-me-not cushion


Elizabethan strawberries	Portuguese whitework biscornu	Sardinian whitework hand towel


Sardinian knotted embroidery petite doily	Morning meadow beginners Hardanger	Climbing rose merezhka class


Kerryn merezhka panel	Noelene merezhka panel	Sardinian knotted embroidery candle wrap

Mountmellick honeysuckle and dogrose doily	Hardanger biscornu

Student testimonials

Loved the way Yvette demonstrated the stitches in groups of 2 or 3, it made it much easier and worked so well to have that almost individual tuition. The whole workshop was very free-flowing. --Jane

Loved the workshop in total! Loved the content, the way you taught, your calm laid-back manner, your respect for each person's individual problems and speed of understanding -- the fact you were approachable every time and didn't lose patience. You are lovely inside and out, and I would do a class with you anytime! --Merrilyn

Thank you Yvette, loved the workshop: your patience for teaching us as individuals, as there was much to learn for many of us, and all of us find different things easy or hard. You respected that. I also loved having so many finished pieces to look on as a learning tool and inspiration. --Jenny

I found the class very uplifting. Whilst I had been working on Mountmellick stitches, samples etc. for a couple of months prior to the class, it took the class to really get me into the "swing" of things. Yvette had time for everyone, at our own speed of working, and there was always an encouraging word for everyone's work, even if later she made a very discreet suggestion to try some other way for doing a stitch. The confidence I gained at this course was wonderful, as I now find that I am willing to try just about any surface stitch. I can also see where learning these stitches will take me further with surface stitchery in the future -- the use of different threads and stitches which can be used to give different effects. Thanks Yvette. --Heather

Best workshop I have ever done. When are you coming back? --Julie

NOW AVAILABLE!

Purchase your copy of Yvette Stanton's latest book today!