Stitching through Identity

Create a unique text-based embroidery with artist Makeda Duong.

In this one-day workshop you will learn to cross-stitch your own text-based embroidery while exploring aspects of your identity. Makeda's aim is to empower you to reflect upon ethnicity, heritage, class, gender or mental wellbeing and more while learning the traditional cross-stitch technique.

Here's what will happen.

The workshop will begin with an introduction to existing text-based textile artworks, followed by an exploration of ideas that will be brain-stormed and developed into your own embroidered written text.

Step by step, you will be guided through the process of plotting out your chosen words; letter by letter and with consideration to the overall design, spacing and colour before commencing the cross-stitching of your word, personal statement or moto of empowerment with embroidery thread.

By the end of the workshop, you will have learnt how to cross-stitch your self-expressed words of empowerment, and with these foundational skills you will be able to continue cross-stitching at home or in your studio.

About the artist: Makeda Duong is a contemporary artist living and working on Kaurna Land. Her work has been exhibited in local and interstate galleries including the Jamfactory, Craft Design Canberra, Adelaide Contemporary Experimental, and as part of the Tamworth Textiles Triennial. Her current practice attempts to unravel and represent aspects of her lived experience in relation to themes such as race, class, and mental illness.

Workshop details:

• We provide all materials and equipment

• Suitable for beginner participants and others at any skill level, and who are 18 years and older

• Wear suitable art friendly clothing

• Bring your own snacks or lunch (Refrigerator available). We provide tea and coffee.

• If your circumstances change and you can no longer attend this workshop, please email nvouis@ahc.sa.gov.au before 5pm, Thursday 8 October 2026. Refunds not available after this time and date.

• Inclusion in the Fabrik mailing list

  By registering for a Fabrik workshop or event your name and email address will be added to our contact list. This means from time to time you will receive Fabrik program updates by email. If you wish to opt out, please email the Public Programs Officer (nvouis@ahc.sa.gov.au) directly with Contact List Opt-Out in the subject heading and your full name in the message.

This workshop is presented as part of Fabrik's Heritage Workshop Program, a series of skills development, cultural identity and cultural knowledge-sharing workshops hosted by makers who reflect the rich and complex heritage of our diverse communities.

We are currently looking for makers who may wish to share their inherited or culturally diverse creative skills. We also welcome proposals from artists of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds whose practice and ideas articulate their lived experiences and sense of identity. Find out how to apply here.

Here's some examples of Makeda's cross-stitch work and Makeda working on a piece.

Artwork image credits (L-R): Mixed Race Female, cotton cross stitch, wool pompoms, 30.5cm x 23cm x 3cm, 2017, photo credit Lauren Miller. Relationship Status (detail), metallic thread cross stitch on aida cloth, 42.5cm W x 33cm H, 2019, photo credit Lauren Miller.

Portrait of Makeda Duong, courtesy Guildhouse, photo credit Lana Adams

Banner image credit: Mixed Race Female (detail), cotton cross stitch, wool pompoms, 30.5cm x 23cm x 3cm, 2017, photo credit Lauren Miller

Parking at Fabrik when attending a workshop. Please refer to the helpful diagram.