March 2026
- Emma Broughton
- Mar 18
- 5 min read
Hey lovely Stitchers!
Firstly a big "Welcome" to all my new subscribers!
February was a very busy month at Fairy Wren, and I’m especially looking forward to my Spring Flowers class later this month, which has sold out again for the in-person session. I wasn’t able to teach it myself in-person last year as I was unwell, so it feels particularly special to be returning to it this spring.
Running a one-woman business means that sometimes things get a little hectic behind the scenes. A delay with materials and several classes back-to-back meant February was a bit of a juggling act, but thankfully everything went out on time and all the classes ran smoothly. So I’m counting that as a win!
Creating a stitching community
What I appreciate most about embroidery is the atmosphere of shared learning and support. Therefore, I've chosen to transition my newsletter to a blog post with a comments section to encourage more conversation here.
In the future I’d love to create a dedicated space for stitchers to share ideas, questions, and work in progress.
If you have:
an embroidery question
a technique you'd like explained
a finished Fairy Wren kit
I would love to include some of them in a regular student showcase.
Just reply to this email or send me a message on social media — my inbox is always open.
Up coming Classes
Here's some better news: my new class with the EAC is now OPEN FOR REGISTRATION.
Good news for US members: With the Tariff situation improving and a standardized global rate established, we have decided to offer a US postage option. A disclaimer will be included about shipping, stating that if the Tariff rate increases before shipping, there will be a small additional cost, as I must pay the Tariff rates at the time of shipping and cannot cover this expense. However, this ensures parcels will clear customs more quickly, and there will be no extra charges if the Tariff rate changes after posting but before you receive it.
In case you missed the announcements on Instagram, there are three upcoming RSN classes with a few spaces still available.
The Ginkgo Leaf class is now sold out online and there are only 3 places in person, while a handful of spaces remain for the Iris and Nigella Box class. If you're considering enrolling in a class, keep in mind that spaces are limited!
Looking ahead at Fairy Wren
Over the past few months I’ve been thinking carefully about the future of Fairy Wren and how I want it to grow.
One thing that has become very clear is that I’d love to share my teaching more widely, so from September I will begin offering a range of online classes directly through my website.
These will include:
• Live Zoom classes with small groups and plenty of individual guidance
• On-demand courses you can follow at your own pace and a private forum to ask questions
• Project-based workshops with kits sent out in advance
I also plan to begin offering one-on-one or small group in-person sessions at my studio. These sessions could be for checking your stitching or having in person help if you're working on online C&D projects but prefer not to visit HCP, or if you need assistance in planning and working on your own projects.
I’d love your input as I plan these.
Are there particular techniques you would like to explore? Is there a project you’d love to stitch with guidance? Did you miss out on a previous class and want me to re-run it?
Just reply and let me know, your ideas genuinely help shape what I create.
Upcoming design teasers
I have been quietly sketching and refining several designs that I am excited to bring to life, including:
a delicate white work piece featuring otters, inspired by a photograph from a trip to Jersey Zoo with my son.
a surface stitch chameleon design, also inspired by the Jersey Zoo visit.
a Goldwork and silk shaded flower, inspired by a local community building with a rich history.
a silk shaded magnolia, inspired by the tree in my late grandmother's garden.
a silk and gold African-inspired abstract piece
a silk shaded pansy
a Metro sign...think Emily in Paris, perhaps with beads and sequins. I want to learn tambour/couture, so this might be a good piece to start with.
a beginner's embroidery fox design, perhaps with some beads and metal threads.
I can't wait to find the time to properly develop these. I also want to develop the moth from my fan design further, perhaps into fabric as well as an embroidery piece so it can be digitally printed. Let me know in the comments which one you'd like to see first.
Kits in the shop
If you missed out on recent classes, a small number of kits are now available in the shop.
I also have copies of my embroidery book..... it’s coming up to its 7-year publication anniversary, which feels quite surreal!
Once the current stock is gone I’m not sure when they will be re-stocked but check back as I'll be adding more kits soon.
If there’s a past class kit you’d love to see re-stocked, just send me a message — if enough people ask I’ll happily bring it back.
I've also reinstated US shipping on my web store 🥳 with the tariff and Royal Mail processing fees calculated automatically at checkout.
Artistic Practice
If you are a regular you will know my own embroidery artwork has taken a slight pause during the busy start to the year, but one of the opportunities I’m excited about moving forward is being able to dedicate more time to developing new pieces. I think the balance of my time has been weighted a little too much to teaching, I as I've been reflecting over the last couple of month I want to be an Artist that teaches rather than a teacher who does art.
I’m still currently waiting to hear about a potential place in the Makers Space at Decorex 2026, which would be a wonderful opportunity.
In the meantime I’m also exploring other exhibitions and grants that might support the next stage of this work.
Hopefully I’ll have more exciting news to share soon, or at least some photos.
Personal
The past few months have been very busy, which has meant the balance between work and family life has tipped a little too far towards work. While I’m incredibly grateful for the support and interest in my classes, I’m also looking forward to things slowing down slightly as summer approaches.
Thank you for being here and supporting this little one-woman embroidery studio — it truly means a great deal.
For a day, I became a student, learning alongside other RSN tutors how to make a fan, which was a fantastic experience. Now that I know the process, I will definitely be making more, including some in fabric. I have another set of wooden sticks and intend to try printing some on my son's 3D printer (which I now use more than he does 🤣... though I did accidentally flood it 🙈, but I managed to fix it).
Stay connected
If you enjoy these letters and know another stitcher who might too, feel free to forward this email.
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