Embroidery As Surface Design: Bee-utiful Bounty

Instructor: Celeste Chalasani  ( artist bio )

Venue: Online (Zoom)

Days & Date: Mondays, May 11, 18, June 1, 8, 15, & 22 of 2026  

Time: 2 to 4 PM, Pacific Time

Skill Level: Experience with surface embroidery encouraged but not required 

Class Description:
Bee-utiful Bounty celebrates the blackberry. In this class, we’ll create a not quite miniature book with plump, juicy blackberries and dancing bees that skirt the velvet fruit of summer’s promise. We’ll use contemporary Stumpwork techniques to pad the blackberries and bees to create a beautiful dimensional effect. Then, we’ll create a text block using the web link stitch before finishing our embroidered bookcloth into a case bound book.

Finished Product: One small journal measuring 3-1/4” x 2-3/8” x 5/8” 

Detailed Lesson Plans will be shared prior to the first class along with the SDBA Welcome Letter.

Students will use Detached Chain, Economy, French Knot, Outline, Satin, Split, Stem and Whipped Reverse Chain Stitch to create blackberries and tiny, adorable bees on Days 1 through 3. On Days 4 and 5, students will sew the text block and then case bind their book. Left-handed instructions available upon request.  

Class Kits: Class materials kits will be sent by the instructor. Shipping and kit costs are included in the class price.*

Tools & Supplies: 
Class Kits include: Cialinen bookcloth with the transferred design, Mi-Tientes paper, watercolor paper, rice paper, embroidery threads, bookbinding thread, bookbinding and embroidery needles, 4” embroidery hoop, stretcher bars and written instructions. Students will need to provide: text weight paper (12 sheets) cut to 4-1/2” x 3”, finger pads or thimble (optional), punching cradle, bookbinding awl, book press, bone folder, craft cutting board, X-acto knife, metal ruler or straight edge, PVA glue, small glue brush, gluing up boards, scissors for cutting thread and fabric, scissors for cutting paper, corner cutting tool (optional). Magnification and good lighting is recommended. 

Class Recordings: Available for 30 days following the last class in the series 

Class Fees:
Early Enrollment Program (EEP): $288
Member: $360
Non-member: $435

Early Enrollment Program (EEP) is a member only, non-refundable discount. Join SDBA at checkout for reduced class fees.

*International Shipping Note: We adore our worldwide community of book artists! Please, we ask for your awareness that increased costs for International Shipping must be covered by the registrant and paid directly to SDBA. Each individual will be notified of the extra amounts due.

EARLY registration deadlines are due to kit materials—ordering and assemblage needs. 

EEP Deadline: March 7, 2026
Registration Deadline: March 22, 2026