Embellish Yourself through the Art of Embroidery in Sedona Verde Valley

Master dressmaker, Debra Somontes teaches her love of stitching to teens

Beginning Friday, March 29 @2:00 p Debra Somontes will teach the use of hand embroidery to embellish a t-shirt, bag, jeans, skirt, pillow, and more. Teens and/or their parents interested in creating unique pieces, meet in the Teen Library at Camp Verde Community Library for this hands-on class.

Master dressmaker, Debra Somontes’ love of stitching began at the young age of five when her grandmother taught her to stitch, sew and crochet. She enjoys sharing her passion for handiwork with others stating, “If you love something, do not let the crazy schedules of life take you away from doing it. Get yourself a handwork bag and take it with you wherever you go. I have found people are fascinated by what you are doing. I also keep a very simple give away project, such as a bookmark, with me. I will teach an interested party in waiting rooms, etc. on the simple project for them to go home and finish. I offer my business card to call me if they get stuck.”

The goal of the class is to introduce young people to the art of hand embroidery through the completion of their own clothing embellishment project. Somontes will begin by teaching students the five basic stitches: straight stitch, back stitch, outline stitch, stem stitch, and satin stitch. By the end of the session, participants will:

1. have a completed or nearly completed a take-home project of clothing embellishment

2. learn at least 5 basic stitches in the lost art of hand embroidery

3. have a positive experience in beginners embroidery as applied to clothing embellishment that will hopefully peak a new interest in future needlework arts

Embroidery supplies such as scissors, thread, needles, hoops, iron-on transfers and ideas will be provided. Class participants need to bring a piece of clothing, fabric bag, or other item they wish to embellish and pictures or designs to they want to trace onto the item.

Camp Verde Community Library is located just off of Montezuma Castle Highway at 130 Black Bridge Road, Camp Verde AZ. For more information about this or any other library program visit the library’s webpage at www.cvlibrary.org or call 554-8380 during library open hours Mon-Thu 9a-8p, Fri-Sat 9a-5p.