Sweet Valentine Heart

Zina Kazban
Intermediate

We are delighted to present Zina Kazban's Sweet Heart Valentine, a new live online course taking place over 10 months to recreate an exquisite early-18th century valentine token from the Collection of Elizabeth Hall & Friends. Two classes are offered to suit different timezones. Find out more below! This course does not currently include finishing tuition but it will be offered as an optional extra to add to your booking soon.

Course begins in September 2026
Design: 13.3 x 14 cm (5 ¼ x 5 ½ in.)

10 months including lectures
(+ optional finishing)

Silk Embroidery

£1,200.00
Sweet Valentine Heart
About the Design

Silks of Many Colours!

During this 10 session course, expert tutor Zina Kazban will guide students in replicating an exquisite early-18th century embroidered Valentine, which originates from a suite of needlework produced by London Quaker, Elizabeth Hall.

Exhibited in 2023 by Witney Antiques and accompanied by a major book featuring the valentine on the back cover, the Elizabeth Hall & Friends Collection included an incredible array of early modern English embroidered artefacts completed by Elizabeth Hall and a century of her Quaker descendants.

The design explores the delicate art of silk shading—often referred to as "painting with thread"—and seamlessly combines it with techniques such as satin stitch, French knots, stem stitch, couching, and speckling to capture the finest of details. Naturalistic silk shading is used alongside these surface stitches to evoke the softness and subtle charm of the original 18th-century heart that inspired the piece.

Measuring 14 cm, the design is distinguished by its diversity: each element is rendered in a different hue, with minimal repetition, creating a rich tapestry of colour and texture. This thoughtful variation contributes to a sense of harmony and balance throughout the composition. Ideal for those looking to refine their silk shading skills, the piece offers valuable practice in colour transitions and stitch direction, encouraging the creation of smooth, graceful forms with precision and elegance.

About the Course & Special Sessions

This course consists of 10 teaching sessions of 3 hours each. There will be a 1 hour beak in the middle of each session. There will be two special lectures held during class 5 (January 2027) and class 9 (May 2027). Finishing tuition will be offered at a later date, to take part in, should you wish to,, at the end of the course.

During this course, you will experience:

  • A Creative Challenge: Expand your skills as you experiment with a diverse combination of colours, developing a deep understanding of how they combine to bring a design to life.

  • A Shared Journey: Connect with fellow stitchers in our private embroidery community. Share progress, tips, and find inspiration together.

  • Elevated Skills: You will Master silk shading on a design of this scale and complexity, based on 17th century embroidery techniques.

  • Greater Confidence: You will gain a profound sense of freedom with your needle and the confidence to take on more advanced silk and goldwork designs.

  • You will also learn how to handle and embroider with silk threads, achieving a smooth and consistent finish.

  • The final outcome will be the creation of your own embroidered heirloom, just yours, to pass down to posterity.

Intermediate

Prior Embroidery Experience is Required

This course is for those who have some experience with hand embroidery. Experience with silk threads is helpful but not a requirement.

Intermediate

Course Schedule

Group 1 - Class Dates & Times

Group 1 classes will take place on the following dates (Fridays) at 10-11.30am then 12.30-2pm UK time

11 September 2026 - Small & Large Hearts & Small Leaves
2 October 2026 - Shaded Large Leaves
6 November 2026 - The Blue Flower
4 December 2026 - The Orange Flower
8 January 2027 - The Pansy + Special Lecture
5 February 2027 - The Bell Flower & Blue Bud
5 March 2027 - The Bird
2 April 2027 - The Bird
7 May 2027 - Working Remaining Details + Special Lecture
Date TBC - Follow Up Support

Date TBC - Optional Finishing Session (this is not included in the price. You will be able to add it to your booking at a later date)

Group 2 - Class Dates & Times

Group 2 classes will take place on the following dates (Saturdays) at 4-5.30pm and 6.30-8pm UK time

12 September 2026 - Small & Large Hearts & Small Leaves
3 October 2026 - Shaded Large Leaves
7 November 2026 - The Blue Flower
5 December 2026 - The Orange Flower
9 January 2027 - The Pansy + Special Lecture
6 February 2027 - The Bell Flower & Blue Bud
6 March 2027 - The Bird
3 April 2027 - The Bird
8 May 2027 - Working Remaining Details + Special Lecture
Date TBC - Follow Up Support

Date TBC - Optional Finishing Session (this is not included in the price. You will be able to add it to your booking at a later date)

Course Details

30 Hours of Embroidery Tuition with Zina

Zina Kazban is a hand-embroidery designer and a tutor. She is a graduate of the Future Tutors programme at the Royal School of Needlework. She also had professional fashion embroidery training at Ecole Lesage (Métiers d’Art CHANEL). Over the years Zina has taught for the Crewel Work Company, the Royal School of Needlework, London Embroidery School, and privately in the UK as well as in the USA. Her designs have been published in embroidery magazines including Classic Inspirations.

Zina's artistic sense and rare attention to detail in the execution of her designs make her the perfect fit for this rare embroidered keepsake.

Over 10 sessions spanning 9 months (plus an additional support session with date to be confirmed), Zina will guide you in creating your own embroidered treasure. You will become a master of silk shading as you manipulate your threads to create the intricate details of this token. Between classes you will have access to support from Zina via our private community platform, and have the time to complete large sections of work before moving on to the next lesson.

A Token of Love

In the early 18th century, a Valentine was more than a token of romantic affection—it was often a deeply personal, handmade expression of love, admiration, or spiritual kinship. Unlike the mass-produced cards of today, these early Valentines were unique and meticulously crafted, often incorporating poetry, symbolic imagery, and delicate needlework.

Embroidered Valentines such as this were particularly rare and treasured. They blended the domestic art of embroidery with the emotional nuance of correspondence. For women like Hall, especially within the Quaker tradition where simplicity and sincerity were central values, such works served as quiet but powerful affirmations of connection.

These pieces might have been exchanged between close friends, family members, or betrothed couples, and were preserved as keepsakes—cherished not only for their sentiment but for their craftsmanship.

The Kit

Working with the finest suppliers and materials that are faithful to the period, we will provide you with all of the necessary materials you need in order to execute this piece.

In your kit, you will receive:

  • A set of silks & metal threads. If you run out you will be able to request more during the course at no additional cost
  • Printed silk fabric (a practice piece and a final piece)
  • Needles for silk and metal thread embroidery
  • A mellor, scissors for silk thread, and scissors for metal threads
  • Workshop notes and stitch charts
  • Pre-made braid as an optional finishing touch (this is separate to the more comprehensive finishing tuition that will be offered later on)

A Shared Experience

A wonderful outcome of our long courses is the connection that evolves between students. During this course, you will have access to our new private community space, which is accessible directly from your dashboard.

On this platform, you will be able to:

  • Ask questions and troubleshoot with your tutor
  • Chat with fellow students and share progress
  • Access the live sessions and subsequent recordings
  • Check for updates from the tutor or the CWC team
I think that despite the more difficult handling of silk and goldwork threads, Zina was explaining everything so well that even a beginner could give it a try. Plus, she is so kind and patient!
Past Student

Create a Token of Love

Starts: Sep 11, 2026

Meet Your Tutor

Zina Kazban

Professional Embroidery tutor and Fellow of the RSN

United Kingdom 🇬🇧

Zina is a graduate of the Future Tutors programme at the Royal School of Needlework. She has also trained at Ecole Lesage (Métiers d’Art CHANEL).
Learn More About Zina Kazban

You might be wondering

What size is the design?

The dimensions of the design are 13.3 x 14 cm (5 ¼ x 5 ½ in.)

What stitches are featured in the design?

During this course you will master the following stitches as they appear in the design: Silk Shading, Satin Stitch, French knots, Stem Stitch, Couching, and Speckling.

What else will I need?

Frame requirements to be confirmed

How do I join the live classes?

You will be given access to your monthly classes via our online community platform, hosted by Circle.

Delivery & Returns

Packages will be sent by express delivery and shipping is included. Please note that packages will be shipped a month before the start of this course. You will not receive a kit immediately.

You may cancel your place up to 6 months before the start of the course. Unfortunately after that time, we cannot refund your payment.