What Is This Thread & When Do I Use It? with Jane Garrison

Specialty Threads 101 is an in-depth, beginner-friendly clinic designed to help stitchers understand specialty threads and use them with confidence. You’ll learn how different fibers, weights, and finishes behave on canvas—and how they impact texture, coverage, and overall look—so you can make more informed, intentional thread choices for any project.

Jane will guide you through each thread type, explaining how it works, when to use it, and where it shines. Participants receive a downloadable PDF of the presentation plus a mailed sample card with approximately 18” of each featured thread, so you can follow along hands-on.

The class is recorded and available for replay, making it perfect to watch live or revisit anytime.

• April 12, 2026 at 3:00 PM EST
• Overview: Understand specialty threads and how to use them.

Included with Registration

• Thread sample card (will be mailed after registration)
• Live access to the clinic
• Replay access after the session
• Any supplemental materials provided (PDFs, notes, etc.)

Jane Garrison has been sewing and stitching since she was old enough to hold a needle, learning a wide range of skills from family members and friends. This early foundation led her to pursue a degree in Home Economics, along with additional studies during her college career, with an initial focus on garment sewing.

In the mid-1970s, Jane began teaching knitting at a needlework shop in Durham that specialized in needlepoint and knitting. It was there that she expanded her practice into needlepoint, learning decorative stitches and exploring how different fibers and techniques work together in design.

Throughout her career, Jane has co-owned a clothing pattern design company, owned a needlework shop in Greenwood, South Carolina, and worked with Bernina of America as National Events Manager and YLI Corporation as Manager of Education. In 2012, she became the sole U.S. importer of Painter’s Threads, premium hand-painted and space-dyed fibers produced by Germany’s House of Textile Arts.

Jane has continually sought out education from leading designers across all forms of needlework, drawn to the shared techniques and fibers that connect them. Today, she brings that depth of experience and enthusiasm to teaching, helping stitchers understand how materials, technique, and creativity come together.

Jane currently lives in Rock Hill, South Carolina, with her two beloved fur-babies.