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I'm so pleased to share that I'll be teaching a virtual raffia embroidery workshop as part of TATTER's World Embroidery Series on Thursday 15 October 2026. If you've been wanting to try raffia embroidery but don't live near London, or simply prefer learning from the comfort of your own space, this one's for you!
What is TATTER's World Embroidery Series?
TATTER is a cultural arts organisation based in Brooklyn, New York, dedicated to exploring textiles to tell human stories & cultivate understanding.
Their World Embroidery Series is a celebration of global embroidery craft bringing together practising teachers from around the world, each sharing culturally specific techniques with the purpose of preserving these heritage crafts. I'm honoured to be joining the series to teach raffia embroidery, the technique I developed inspired by Caribbean straw craft traditions and the Windrush Generation.
Virtual Raffia Embroidery workshop with Tihara Smith & TATTER
What you will learn
In this virtual workshop, I'll introduce you to the story behind raffia embroidery and the Caribbean straw crafts that inspired it. You will make a sample hoop working on a natural raffia fabric base. I'll teach you the basics of raffia embroidery and selection of decorative stitches using bold and colourful paper raffia.
This is a lovely first project when working with raffia embroidery as it lets you practice working with raffia, try out a few different techniques in one piece, and gives you something you can keep coming back to as a reference when creating future raffia embroidery projects.
Image from Search Press
This workshop is suitable for all levels. You don't need any prior embroidery experience, though if you already enjoy embroidery, there's room to build on what you know and experiment with a new material if you've never used raffia in this way.
Workshop Details
| Date | Thursday 15 October 2026 |
| Time | 11am - 1.30pm ET (4pm - 6.30pm BST) |
| Location | Zoom - a link will be sent the day before the workshop |
| Cost | $75 (~£57) |
What you will need
Raffia fabric (at least 40 x 40cm)
Fusible knit interlining, white (at least 40 x 40cm)
Paper raffia yarn/ribbon
30cm quilting hoop, 2cm deep
Chenille needle, size 18
Scissors
You can find almost all materials needed for the class in the embroidery supplies collection on my website. See everything you need below:
All World Embroidery Series sessions are recorded, so if you can't make the live session, you'll still be able to watch back. The recording link is sent to all registrants after class and stays live for three months.
Accessibility
TATTER has one scholarship seat available for this workshop. If cost is a barrier, you can find the scholarship application form here.
If you're planning to take a few classes across the World Embroidery Series, it's worth knowing that a 25% discount code is automatically applied when you add four classes to your cart in a single order.
Why I'm excited about this workshop
I am so excited to have this opportunity to teach this raffia embroidery workshop with TATTER. Firstly, as a London-based designer, it's exciting to have my work recognised in another country, on another continent!
It also feels special to be able to share a piece of British history with a global audience through textiles. My work has grown from my graduate collection, inspired by my grandparents' journeys from St Lucia and Jamaica, the Windrush Generation as a whole and the Caribbean straw crafts I've researched. Getting to share that with a group of creative people from all over the world, through an organisation like TATTER, is really exciting and I hope you'll be able to join me 😊
Frequently Asked Questions
What is raffia embroidery?
Raffia embroidery is a contemporary embroidery technique I developed, inspired by traditional Caribbean straw crafts and the Windrush Generation. It uses woven raffia, a natural fibre from the raffia palm tree, as a base, with paper or synthetic raffia instead of traditional cotton thread.
Do I need embroidery experience to join this workshop?
No - this class is suitable for all levels. No prior embroidery experience is required, and if you already have some experience, there's room to build on your existing skills.
What will I make in the workshop?
You'll create a raffia embroidery sample hoop, practising a selection of stitches in paper raffia on a natural raffia fabric base. It's a useful piece to keep as a stitch reference afterwards.
What time is the workshop in the UK?
The workshop runs 11am - 1.30pm ET on Thursday 15 October 2026. This is 4pm - 6.30pm BST in the UK.
If you are from a different part of the world, please convert this to your local time zone, as ET is a US time.
What if I can't attend the live session?
All World Embroidery Series sessions are recorded. You'll be emailed a link to the recording after the live class, and it stays live for three months.
What materials do I need for the workshop?
You'll need raffia fabric, white fusible knit interlining, paper raffia yarn, a 30cm wooden quilting hoop, a size 18 chenille needle, and scissors.
How much does the workshop cost?
The workshop costs $75, booked directly through TATTER.
Is financial support available?
Yes, TATTER has one scholarship seat available for this workshop. You can apply via their scholarship application form.
About Tihara Smith
Tihara is a fashion designer and textile artist passionate about design, the Caribbean and sharing the Windrush story. She loves creating distinctive pieces that allow people to have a little piece of the Caribbean 🌴✨
