Toni Gerdes Needlearts

Lecture Programs: 

Below you will find information on the Lecture Programs I offer.  There are 30-60 minute lectures available.  See my Petite Project page or my Workshops page for more information on other types of classes.

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Texture As a Design Element is a 30-minute lecture and hands-on program designed to explore the element of Texture in many forms of art and especially in the needlearts.  After a 15-20 minute talk there is a hand-on program using paper, threads, wire, embellishments, fabric, and scissors and glue to conclude the program and have fun with texture.   

Available to teach now.

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The Art of the Japanese Internment Camps is a 60-minute lecture designed to explore the art that the Japanese American people created while they were interned in the camps during World War II.  While these people were interned in the camps, "enduring adversity", they produced wonderful, beautiful works of art in many different art forms, including painting, embroidery, furniture making and much more.  This slide lecture shows many of the pieces and discusses the situation of the time. 

Canvas Embroidery Basics - Whether you are a beginner stitcher or you have been stitching for many years; it’s fun to go over the basics of stitching. Some of what will be covered is:

• Stretcher bars – type and usage
• Mounting Canvas
• Canvas types & usage
• Needle types and usage
• Threads – types, length, & usage
• Stitch Families
• Stitching Direction
• Starting & Ending Threads
• Compensation
• Recommended Books
• Finishing & Framing
• Questions & Answers

Join me for a great refresher or a good start to a wonderful hobby. This lecture is 1-1 1/2 hours.

Additions to Stitching - The Additions to Stitching lecture and Power-Point presentation discusses some of the newer threads on the market along with many types of techniques that can be added to your embroidery to enhance designs, including fabric applique, needlefelting, stump work, copper lace, etc. This lecture is approximately 45 minutes with many photos of threads and techniques with a 15 minute question & answer period at the end of the presentation.

A Halloween Needlework Journey - Come with me on this Halloween Needlework Journey to explore the trivia surrounding one of our most popular holidays. Interspersed between the history and trivia of the holiday will be many slides of stitched Halloween designs by myself and other well-known needlework teachers. This lecture is approximately 45 minutes with many photos of Halloween designs with a 15 minute question & answer period at the end of the presentation.

Mary Rhodes & the Rhodes Stitch - This Rhodes program explores the history of the Rhodes stitch and the person that it was named for, Mary Rhodes. Mary was an innovative designer and stitcher. She was popular in the 1970’s & 1980’s. After hearing about Mary’s work you can try your own hand at designing a Rhodes stitch piece. Choose from 1 of 4 outlines included in the instructions, a pumpkin, a shamrock, a Christmas tree, or a heart to stitch your own Rhodes piece.