Stories in Stitch-Group Classes at Jessie's South London Studio

I invite you to join me here at my South London studio for my signature Stories in Stitch in-person and small-group embroidery classes during 2027.

My personal group classes are carefully structured as creative making days and deeply rooted in my intuitive approach and unique style of hand embroidery. You will be stitching in my company within my private studio while immersed in my world, surrounded by my fabrics, threads and items collected over time and on my travels. 


About Stories in Stitch

This class focuses on Jessie Chorley’s unique style of hand-embroidered storytelling in fabric and thread. Under Jessie’s guidance, you will be encouraged to play intuitively with a range of stitch types (along with darning techniques, needle turned appliqué and reverse appliqué) to create an embroidered panel measuring approximately 35cm x 25cm. Jessie will demonstrate these techniques at various stages throughout the day, allowing you to relax into your time together.

Whether you have a personal story to tell or a family memory to explore – or if you prefer to experiment and simply learn in Jessie’s company – this carefully curated class is perfect for both ways of working, and all levels of ability.

At the start of the day Jessie will talk you through a selection of her embroidered artworks and technical stitch samples.

Following this, you will be given an inspiration kit from Jessie’s London studio, and Jessie will demonstrate how to start your own embroidered panel using the base fabric in your kit. You will be encouraged to begin working quickly, creating a decorative rolled and stitched border around your base fabric. This border will provide structure and focus to your embroidery. 

Next, you will be encouraged to select and cut out fabric shapes. You will draw motifs directly onto your base fabric using Jessie’s signature cut and trace templates. Specialist pens and chalk pencils will be provided for drawing. Jessie will demonstrate how to tack your hand-cut shapes to your base fabric, and how to secure them in place using appliqué and embroidery techniques. This structured way of working allows you time to embroider into your panel under Jessie’s guidance during the rest of the class.


Over the course of the day you will discover how Jessie incorporates found or personal items, especially pre-loved fabrics, into her embroidered stories. If this is something you would like to explore, please bring along small precious materials or items. For instance, a pearl button may become the centre of a flower, or a piece of blue silk ribbon a detail in a densely stitched sky. 

Pre-loved fabrics and objects can also inspire memories and personal stories. A snippet from a worn dress, a collar from a favourite shirt, or a patch from a worn curtain can all serve as treasured materials with personal associations. Focus on gathering items that hold meaning for you. Incorporating a special memory and personal ephemera into your embroidery can be highly rewarding.

Jessie suggests you approach this class as an explorative and peaceful slow-stitching experience inspired by her original artwork, while exploring the materials and one-off inspiration kit provided for you. For instance, you might like to focus on making a technical stitch sampler before starting a more structured panel or story at home. This approach can free one’s mind and spark fresh ideas for future stitching projects. 

Please note, you do not have to finish your work by the end of the class! Embroidery takes time and patience, and you are strongly encouraged to work freely and intuitively during the day and to enjoy the process. 


Personalise Your Work-What to Bring 

My own artwork focuses on storytelling, drawing and mark-making through embroidery and appliqué, and during the day I will help you to consider what your own style and approach to hand embroidery might be. 

To support this, I encourage students to bring along personal items to incorporate into the work they start on the day. Suggestions include precious fabrics, favourite threads, personal keepsakes, ribbons, lace and buttons. A drawing, poem, memory or significant life event, even a single word, can also act as inspiration. 


Booking This Class

Book my small group classes just for you or come with friends and stitching buddies. 

Available dates for special these classes are listed above in the drop-down menu.

A maximum of five spaces only are available for each class date.

My classes are suitable for all abilities.

Classes are six hours long and take place from 11am until 5pm. 


Booking Terms and Conditions 


Full payment is required up front to secure your place on these small group classes. If you cancel your class for any reason, your full payment is non-refundable. However, if you let me know in time, I will do my absolute best to resell your place. If I am successful, you will be refunded minus a £15.00 booking fee.


In the unlikely event that I, Jessie Chorley, have to cancel your group class for any unavoidable reason, your original payment will be refunded in total. Alternatively, you can rebook onto another group class or you can save your credit and spend it in my online shop.


My South London Studio, the location for this Group Class


I will share my studio address and travel guidance once your booking is underway. My studio is a private space and not open to the public, except by prior arrangement.


Lunch, Tea and Coffee

There will be a short lunch break 1 pm to 1.45 pm. Please bring your own lunch or snacks, or visit The Arts Cafe, which is on site here close to my Studio. Tea and coffee will be provided throughout the day within my studio.

Once I have your booking, I will be in touch via email with additional information for your Stories in Stitch Group Class day here at my South London studio.

I look forward to welcoming you!

Jessie Chorley