Join us for a class or a retreat.
A special experience!
2026 Workshop Schedule
Gloria Loughman
March 27-28-29 2026
Immerse yourself in a creative experience with Gloria Loughman….
‘Playing On the Surface’ Create an abstract design while improving your machine embroidery and appliqué skills. Choose stunning colour combinations and learn how to use 'easy to master' construction techniques. Move on to decorate the surface with a myriad of shapes, providing extra detail with machine embroidery. Based on the skills used to create 'Kimberley Mystique' the wall hangings produced in this workshop will definitely be 'one of a kind'.
Expression of Interest Now so we can send you more details when they are available
SOLD OUT
Just Country Crafts Townsville.
May 23-24th Little Birdie Workshop at Just Country Crafts in Townsville.
Caroline Loves making new fabrics with a point of difference and this project will not disappoint.
Little Bee and Flower Pouch kit class
1 day workshop in Urunga JULY 11
Stitch your individual designs with caroline embellishing slow stitched bees and flowers to create a stunning surface cover for these little pouches.
Caroline will take you through her layering and stitching process to bring out the magic in simple designs and add that special touch of zing!
Contact Caroline for details
carolinesharkey7@gmail.com
the Port Douglas Sewing Up a Tropical Retreat MAY 15-16-17 2026! Experience the coastal vibe intertwined with innovative textile art techniques in this exclusive boutique workshop led by Caroline. Set against the stunning backdrop of Port Douglas, this workshop invites you to create a unique piece that captures the essence of your tropical paradise memories and your connection to this beautiful locale. Throughout the workshop, Caroline will guide you through a variety of techniques that come together to enhance your creative journey. You can choose and it all techniques to craft a painted surface, add your personal design markings, and create the exquisite textural fabric for which Caroline is renowned. As you decorate and embellish your project, you'll discover the joy of bringing your tropical theme to life. The pièce de résistance will be the stunning 3-D flowers, beautifully painted and stitched, adding a vibrant touch to your tropical paradise creation. A second choice depicting mangrove trees on tropical waterways learning techniques that will enhance any of your textile artworks.
May 29-30-31 2026
Discover Freestyle Machine Embroidery.
With CINDY WATKINS.
Have you ever wanted to try freestyle embroidery with your sewing machine but did not feel confident you could, do it? This workshop is for you.
CIndy will take you through the steps and teach the skills and techniques you need to create unique and beautiful freestyle machine-stitched embroideries. You will be using your own images in this workshop. Cindy will help you select suitable images before the workshop. This will assist you with thread selection and make the most of your time in the workshop.
All skill levels will be catered for, but it is recommended that you are familiar with your sewing machine and have basic sewing skills so that you can gain the most benefit from the workshop.
SOLD OUT
Sophie Standing is Coming to Urunga in JUNE 11-14 2026. Would you like to learn how to create animal artworks in fabric and thread?
Sophie will be back with us in Urunga for another awesome workshop featuring the Camel as the theme.
All Sophie’s workshops are outstanding and we look forward to spending time with such an awesome lady and taleneted artist…
Two Spots Left
JUNE 27-28 BRISBANE workshop
Workshop Botanical Masterpieces
with Caroline Sharkey
2 Days of Textile Art adventures with Caroline to make your own designed Botanical Masterpiece.
Cutting fabrics into small pieces and remake new surfaces with Caroline’s signature techniques,
then using these new fabrics to create Botanical forms to add to the rest of your design.
Open to all levels of experience.
hosted by Suzanne Howie at link below.
Wabi Sabi Designs Australia
Shuji and Alison Yamazaki the Masters at Indigo shibori.
Create with Wabi-Sabi Design and Dye your own fabrics then Embellish with traditional stitching! WABI-SABI Designs will be coming back to Urunga by popular demand…
Experience the magic of Shibori (Japanese resist-dyeing) using Japanese indigo. Participants will learn how indigo dye is made in Japan and ten or more Shibori techniques. You will also learn what you can make in your future projects (bags, quilt tops, clothing) with indigo dyed materials. In the process of creating scarves and 2m of fabric for you to use in projects, you will explore as many of these techniques as you wish and amaze yourself with what is possible in this very accessible craft. A full fabric and equipment kit is included in this workshop so you have that the best outcome for a successful workshop.
OCTOBER 24-25
Lesley Mays in Mildura VIC
Join Caroline for this workshop depicting Aussie Birds and landscapes. Design and make new fabrics to use in the background of your bird project. Paint and enhance the bird panels available from Lesley Mays changing them up completely with applique and free motion stitching.
Contact Lesleymays.com.au for EOI list.
Nov 13-14-15
Mandy Murray from SewQuirky is Coming to Urunga……..
Swoop!
You can make this design with the Waratah flowers in the background or you can fussy cut large flowers from fabrics. Adding fussy cut bugs, butterflies and flowers to the design is so much fun! Dig through your fabrics and bring along some to create with! Fill a large clip-seal bag with fabric scraps too!
Pattern Booklet with full sized templates $38
The Keeper of Blooms workshop
Nov 21-22
Caroline Will be teaching at Nabiac patchwork
Mixed media textile art
A joyful celebration of colour and abundance, this piece centres on a folk art vase overflowing with bold blooms and wild botanicals. Layered fabrics, hand embroidery and free-motion stitching come together in a work that feels both playful and deeply alive. A little bird keeps quiet watch — because every garden needs a keeper.
Contact sally@patchworknabiac.com.au for more details and a booking
2027 Workshops
Slow Stitching Magic
Urunga Jan 9-10
Slow stitching weekend with Caroline in Urunga
stitching the surface to enhance and pop the colours, fabrics and designs…you will be supplied with a small kit and threads to use at class.
a fun way to start your slow stitch story or enhance your exsting journey into slowing down and taking the time to enjoy this free-style of embellishing the surface.
The Raven — A Textile Art Workshop
with Bree Thomas
Urunga, February 26-27-28 2027
Come and spend 3 days with the talented Bree Thomas creating this stunning raven textile art. Using layered fabric, appliqué, and free-motion quilting, you’ll learn how to build incredible dimension and texture — capturing that gorgeous iridescent sheen that makes ravens so magical in fabric and thread.
Held in the creative coastal village of Urunga, this is a rare chance to work up close with Bree and take your figurative textile art to a whole new level. Places are limited — grab yours before they’re gone!
"Painted Pieced Pictorials”
with Helen Godden
March 20-21 2027 in URUNGA
Exciting 2-day Class with Helen will lead you step by step how to gain inspiration from your favourite holiday photograph and create your own 50 x 70cm Masterpiece.
Combining Lumiere fabric paint on black fabric and fabulous free-motion quilting.
** In the 2 weeks before class, students will email Helen a few favourite photos. Helen will work from the student’s photos to create an enlarged line drawing template design ready to trace onto black fabric.
Day 1, Helen arrives at class with your individual designs ready to reveal.
With demonstrations and loads of fun, we paint our designs with Lumiere acrylic paints. Day 2 we quilt our masterpiece to create a personal memory pictorial piece.
Reflections in Design workshop
Gloria Loughman May 28-29-30 2027 URUNGA
Any quilt, be it traditional or contemporary is an act of design. A successful composition not only initially attracts the viewer to the image but also engages the viewer to further study and enjoy the work. Many quilters realise the importance of design and want to learn more. Others may feel overwhelmed but are in fact intuitively using many key elements of design in their work. On day one, this workshop will begin by focusing on some of the main principles through a series of fun exercises. We will then move on to create our own design based on reflections. The design can feature a subject and its reflection or be just based on the reflection alone. Day 2 and 3, will be all about the construction of our reflection quilt, using collage techniques and fabric painting.
This workshop is for everyone, experienced quilters and beginners. The design exercises will be very helpful for future projects and the quilts produced will be unique and beautiful.
for Expressions of Interest to recieve the information first…..
Sophie Niemann is coming to Australia
Urunga Oct 21-22-23-24 2027
“SoPhie will teach her stunning aRt….the wild dogs and stunning cats are her local South African" animales”
I am a self-taught, award-winning artist, conservationist, mother and zoologist living in the heart of South Africa. My art is deeply rooted in science, serving as a bridge to connect people with the natural world and to cultivate a greater appreciation for wildlife.
Each piece I create is a blend of textiles, ink, and intricate stitching, crafted to capture the true essence of my subjects. My goal is to evoke emotions, foster awareness, and inspire meaningful conversations around conservation. I believe art holds the power to build profound visual and emotional connections to wildlife—transcending borders and uniting us all in a mission to protect our planet’s beauty.
