Mirror Embroidery- Shisha Work

Learn shisha/ mirror embroidery, the South Asian art of stitching tiny mirrors into fabric, and leave with your own mirror-work embroidery hoop. Supplies, a drink and a sweet treat are all included in the ticket price.

Shisha work (mirror embroidery) has been stitched into clothing, cushions and wall hangings across India and Pakistan for centuries. Those little mirrors that catch the light on a lehenga or a cushion cover? Each one is held in place by hand, with nothing but thread.

Join us at Ararat Café & Bakery for a cozy evening of learning how it's done. We'll start with the basics of securing a mirror, then build up to a few different shisha stitches and border finishes so you can play with texture and colour. Once you've got the hang of it, you'll bring it all together on your own 6" embroidery hoop, a finished piece that's ready to hang on your wall.

No embroidery experience needed. We'll go step by step, with plenty of time to practise before you start your final piece. You'll have a drink and a sweet treat from Ararat to keep you going while you stitch. Come solo or bring a friend, settle in, and spend three slow hours making something that shimmers.

You'll leave with your finished hoop, the know-how to keep going, and extra mirrors and thread so you can keep adding sparkle to anything you own.

What you'll learn

• Where shisha work comes from and the story behind it
• How to anchor a mirror with the base "cage" stitch
• 2–3 decorative shisha stitch variations
• Simple border and filler stitches to frame your mirrors

What's included

• A 6" embroidery hoop and fabric for your final piece
• Shisha mirrors in assorted shapes and sizes
• Needles and a range of embroidery threads
• A practice swatch to warm up on
• A drink + sweet treat from Ararat Café & Bakery

Good to know

• Your ticket covers everything, so just bring yourself
• Beginner-friendly, no experience needed
• Small group with limited seats, so everyone gets hands-on help
• Seats fill fast, so book early

Date & time Tuesday, October 27, 2026 · 5:00 – 8:00 PM

Location Ararat Café & Bakery 4460 Calgary Trail NW, Edmonton, AB T6H 5W6

Jasmine is an Edmonton-based embroidery artist who has been stitching for 10 years. Her work spans everything from traditional hand embroidery to modern floral pattern work. She's the founder of Get OffBeat, a community for makers and anyone curious to learn something new with their hands. Her workshops are known for being relaxed and beginner-friendly, and for giving everyone plenty of one-on-one help.