Sam Soifer

Stitchcraft: Embroidery Thread Painting

June 7 - 12, 2026

Intermediate

Textiles, Fibers, Embroidery

Overview

This workshop explores thread painting, an embroidery technique that blends threads as seamlessly as brushstrokes on a canvas, transforming stitching into storytelling. Students will learn how to layer threads to achieve smooth, blended effects that add depth and texture to their designs. The class draws inspiration for designs from folklore, flora, and fauna, while also encouraging participants to weave in their own personal narrative. Instruction will cover mastering thread painting techniques, choosing color palettes, refining and transferring designs, and the technical skill of setting up embroidery frames for optimal results. Students will also learn how to properly mount and frame their finished artwork. By the end of this course, participants will leave with a beautiful, original embroidery piece, a solid understanding of thread painting techniques, and the confidence to incorporate these new skills into future textile work. Some experience with needle craft is suggested.

Course Fee : $760.00

Download The Materials List

Scholarships & Material Fees

Need help covering workshop costs? Arrowmont offers financial aid opportunities to broaden access to our arts and craft programs. We believe a diverse community enriches the learning experience for all.

Material fees are not included in our national workshop costs, but are included with the cost of our winter short workshops. A material list with estimated costs will be emailed about 30 days before the national workshop begins.

TUITION & FEES

SCHOLARSHIPS

Cost Breakdown

Registration Fee

$50.00

One Week Workshop Tuition

$760.00

Estimated Cost*
*Fees exclude housing and meal plans

$810.00

VIEW HOUSING & MEAL PLAN COSTS

Artist Bio

Sam Soifer

Samantha is a professional hand embroidery artist who lives in Philadelphia with her partner and two cats. She applies her craft to creating custom-made projects for private commissions, exhibitions and Presidential, Vice Presidential and battalion flags for the United States government. In addition, Samantha regularly exhibits her work locally and nationally, alongside teaching embroidery workshops in and around the city of brotherly love. A focus on technique and experience of stitching as a moving meditation set her workshops apart from purely learning a craft. Samantha holds a BFA degree in Illustration from a small arts institute that is now Lesley University College of Art and Design. This background in drawing, composition and storytelling informs the foundation of her embroidered work.

Artist Website

Explore the Textiles Studio

Located on the second floor of the Turner Building, the Textile Studio looks out over a sunny hill towards the Wood Building and downtown Gatlinburg. A bright and spacious space equipped for all things fabric and textiles, the workshop rotation in this space is as diverse and wide-reaching as the students and artists that populate our campus. A peaceful atmosphere with intimate corners for quiet sewing and contemplation give way to joy and laughter when the room is filled with the repetitive whir of the sewing machine or the plop of a freshly dipped garment in a vat of dye.

Explore the Textiles Studio