The Bandy Heritage Center, Creative Arts Guild, and Prater’s Mill Foundation are proud to partner with Lee Ann Cline of Dalton State College to present a Candlewick Tufting Workshop! Many people are familiar with the story of how Catherine Evans Whitener helped launch the tufted textile industry in Northwest Georgia. But, few have had the opportunity to see or use the technique she employed to create her stunning bedspreads. The candlewick tufting workshop will provide students with the opportunity to participate in an unique Northwest Georgia embroidery and textile tradition by gaining hands-on experience handtufting a stamped pattern onto a cotton fabric square.

This class is a morning session which will last two and a half hours total. Each student will be given a fabric square, embroidery hoop, cotton yarn, large sewing needle and will be shown how to tuft the pattern onto the fabric square. Each student will have the opportunity to create a tufted pattern, which students can launder in warm water at home for the final step. All necessary equipment and supplies will be provided by the instructor. This class is suitable for ages thirteen and up; students under eighteen must have an accompanying adult present at all times. No prior knowledge of or experience with sewing or embroidery is necessary