A unique embroidery master class took place in New York, becoming a significant event for enthusiasts of Ukrainian culture and folk traditions. The art space The Greats of Craft welcomed not only beginners but also experienced craftswomen eager to connect with the history of vyshyvanka and try their hand at traditional techniques.
The event was organized The organizer — a Ukrainian volunteer, founder of the "United Ukrainians of NY" community and the Telegram channel "Maidens of Beauty in New York". She is also the author of interviews with Ukrainian immigrants on YouTube.
Participant Olga Fedoriak during the embroidery of the “Mother’s Star” ornament. Photo: Viktoria Shapovalova
Immersing in Traditions: The History and Techniques of Ukrainian Embroidery
During the lecture, participants learned about the variety of Ukrainian embroidery, from the patterns of Polissia and Hutsulshchyna to the delicate techniques of Podillia and Slobozhanshchyna. The workshop leader, Nataliia Tabulinska, shared the meaning of the patterns and the symbolism conveyed through threads and fabrics. Nataliia taught participants how to embroider the "Mother's Star," which is considered one of the most significant symbols on an embroidered shirt as it combines human and divine power. Historically, mothers often embroidered this symbol for their children's shirts.
Master of the workshop, Nataliia Tabulinska, during the Ukrainian embroidery master class. Photo: Viktoriia Shapovalova
"I wanted to emphasize this symbol because many are far from their parents and relatives, and it holds great significance for each of us," said Nataliia. She provided advice to participants and assisted everyone eager to embroider this ornament.
Practical Experience: Embroidering Together
The main part of the workshop was the hands-on practice. Each participant had the opportunity not only to observe but also to try embroidery themselves, using traditional techniques. Oksana Barniak, a master of handcrafted beadwork, gifted each participant a souvenir from the workshop — a bracelet made of colorful beads with various Ukrainian patterns. These bracelets became not only a beautiful keepsake but also a symbol of preserving Ukrainian traditions through the art of bead weaving. For those who want to see more of her work, they can check out Oksana’s Instagram.
Left: Bracelet by Oksana Barniak, keeping culture alive. Right: the ongoing workshop. Photo: Viktoriia Shapovalova
"Vyshyvanka is not just art, but also the coded gene of our nation, which must be preserved, passed on to future generations and honored. I decided to attend this event because this type of art and handmade craft is very important to me. After all, I know how to embroider, and my grandmother passed this experience on to me. For me, embroidery is not only a tradition, but also a part of my childhood, my native Bukovyna region, where it was worn not only for holidays, but also to cheer me up. I am pleased to meet people who are close to me in spirit, who love our culture and pass on its traditions. It is important to do everything possible to preserve our identity, people and cultural heritage. This ethno-culture is a real treasure that we must preserve for future generations," said the event participant. Olga Fedoryak.
Ukrainian Antique Embroidered Shirts from "Vernissage" in Lviv. Photo: Viktoriia Shapovalova
Tetyana Bregin from a New York-based custom design and tailoring atelier, brought to the master class embroidered shirts that were purchased over 15 years ago at the "Vernissage" in Lviv. These are truly antique pieces.
"Over the years, they have been collected, and this is just a small part of the collection that has my friend Oksana Khanas.I wanted to bring them and show them because I have a dream to create a collection of Ukrainian antique embroidery, to demonstrate what existed in our culture and what has been preserved to this day. This also shows how rich Ukrainian embroidery and culture are in general, and how we can restore and continue these traditions. Most of this embroidery comes from the Western region," said Tetyana Bregin.
Tetyana Bregin on her favorite activity. Photo: Viktoriia Shapovalova
New Connections, Coffee, and Creativity
The atmosphere at The Greats of Craft was warm and welcoming. After the workshop, participants had the chance to chat over coffee, share impressions, and gain further knowledge about embroidery. The artisans actively discussed interesting aspects of the history of Ukrainian embroidery, shared their experiences, and talked about unique patterns from various regions of Ukraine.
Not Just a Workshop, but a True Cultural Event
This event became a true celebration for all those eager to connect with the rich history of Ukrainian embroidery. The organizer of the event, Lana Brooks, noted that such gatherings not only help preserve traditions but also create a platform for new acquaintances and creative exchanges of experience.
Participant Olga Fedoriak shares the story of her embroidered shirt. Next to her is event organizer Lana Brooks. Photo: Viktoriia Shapovalova
"We plan to organize more events on various topics for different age groups. All the news about upcoming events can be found on our Facebook page United Ukrainians of NY or the Instagram Page.
"United Ukrainians of NY" is a group that was created at the beginning of the war in Ukraine. Initially, it served as a platform to provide assistance and answers to the questions of refugees. There were many inquiries, and they were varied. At that time, there were no similar online communities, just a few similar ones. The group started with 500 people and now has almost 28,000 members. Later, I also created the Telegram channel for beauty professionals, “Beauty Masters of New York.” As for YouTube, its mission is to create Ukrainian-language content. My team works on its development, and we also conduct interviews with prominent individuals or those who have found their profession, sharing their experiences on how to find their calling and revealing interesting nuances about the topic," concluded Lana Brooks.
As participants noted, such events are not just about learning but are a true cultural experience that allows one to feel like part of a large Ukrainian family.
Participants of the Ukrainian embroidery master class with organizer Lana Brooks. Photo: Viktoriia Shapovalova
Author: Viktoriia Shapovalova