02 Jul Try Your Hand at Hardanger with Lori Zimmerman
Join instructor Lori Zimmerman on August 29-September 1 as she introduces you to the beautiful and intricate world of Hardanger embroidery—a traditional Scandinavian needlecraft and cutwork technique. In this beginner-friendly class, Lori will walk you through all the essential stitches, common pitfalls to avoid, and how to bring a piece to life from start to finish. You’ll complete a small project and may even have time to begin a more advanced, personalized design. If you have an interest in needlework and can count to five—you can do Hardanger! Don’t miss this opportunity to learn a timeless craft in a something handmade and unique.
Read Loris’ interview below and register for her class today!
JCCFS: Tell us a bit about yourself… What is your area of expertise? How did you become established in your craft?
Lori: I’m long-time educator and lifelong learner. I have a passion for handwork of all kinds, continuing traditional crafts into new generations, and creating communities of stitchers with conversation and interest around common themes. I really enjoy many forms of hand sewing, but Hardanger is my favorite. I recently completed a “speciality stitch” project and loved trying out all kinds of new techniques! Some of my earliest memories involve watching and listening to my mom and grandmothers sew, so I feel like it’s almost something I was born to do.
JCCFS: Tell us more about your class and what your most excited to experience during your time here at the Folk School.
Lori: I’m teaching Beginning Hardanger on August 29. Hardanger is a traditional Scandinavian needlecraft and cutwork tradition. I’m most excited to see and hear what others bring to the class. I always learn something new, take away a new resource or idea, or just generally leave inspired to learn more and sew more!
JCCFS: What mediums do you use and where do you derive inspiration from?
Lori: I enjoy hardanger work on 25-40 count fabric. Hand dyed is especially interesting to watch develop. I love seeing what others have created – Yvette Stanton is a current favorite inspiration.
JCCFS: What does a day in the studio look like?
Lori: After a brief introduction and “show and tell,” we dive right in. The only way to learn to sew is to sew. We’ll demonstrate as we move along!
JCCFS: How did you hear about the Folk School? What made you interested in coming to teach here?
Lori: One of my North House students shared some work she had done at the John C. Campbell Folk School. It was one of my “take aways” from our weekend together, so I explored and reached out!
JCCFS: What tips would you give a student or aspiring craftsperson? Anything you wish you had known earlier in your career?
Lori: Try! There are so many great videos and resources now that didn’t exist before to help. You can really learn anything with support from a virtual community!
Fiber Arts Building where Lori’s class will take place
Upcoming Class with Lori
Beginning Hardanger
August 29-September 1, 2025
Hardanger is a traditional Scandinavian needlecraft and cutwork tradition. Come learn all the basic stitches used in hardanger as well as hazards to avoid in order to not cut your finished piece. Experience the hardanger process, from start to finish, on a small project and possibly have time to begin a more advanced, individualized project before your time concludes. If you have interest, and can count to five, you can do hardanger!
About Lori Zimmerman
Lori Zimmerman comes from generations of hardanger stitchers. She has worked with a wide variety of pieces from Christmas ornaments to baptismal gowns to wall hangings, as well as pieces of mixed stitch work. A long-time educator and lifelong learner, Lori has a passion for handwork of all kinds, continuing traditional crafts into new generations, and creating communities of stitchers with conversation and interest around common themes. It’s a privilege to share this skill with other stitchers and sew in community together!
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