If you ask someone to define “accessibility,” the conversation almost always turns to physical architecture. We think of ramps, automatic doors, and wide hallways. While physical access to a building is crucial, true accessibility doesn’t stop at the classroom door.
As an embroidery instructor, I recently took a look at how my classes are taught. Fibre arts are inherently visual, yet traditional pattern-transfer methods often rely heavily on strong, unassisted eyesight.
I wanted to change that. Instead of waiting for a student to request a special accommodation, I decided to adapt the course with visual impairment in mind. By making inclusivity the foundation of the curriculum rather than a clumsy afterthought, we’ve made changes to benefit every single person who attends.
Moving Past the “Afterthought” Model
In many educational spaces, accommodation is reactive. A student struggles to see, and the instructor scrambles to find a quick fix. While well-intentioned, this approach can make the student feel isolated or burdensome. True inclusivity is proactive. It means designing a space where the adjustments are already built into the program for everyone. To achieve this, we took a hard look at the biggest pain point in embroidery: the traced line.
Traditionally, students work from patterns traced onto fabric with water-erasable pens. This can be extremely challenging with more detailed designs. It makes it incredibly frustrating for anyone with a visual impairment (or simply tired eyes) to see where their needle needs to go.
Here is how we’ve adapted that process in our classes:
1. Printed Stabiliser
Instead of hand-tracing, we now print our embroidery designs directly onto water-soluble printable stabiliser. This material adheres right to the fabric while you stitch. The result? Black, perfectly crisp, high-contrast lines that are incredibly easy to see. There is no guesswork, no fading, and no squinting. Once the embroidery is complete, a quick rinse in warm water dissolves the stabiliser completely, leaving behind flawless stitches.
2. Enlarged Details for Clarity
As part of our inclusive design process, we have subtly enlarged the scale of our class designs. By expanding the artwork, we’ve opened up the tiny, compressed details that usually cause eye strain. This allows students to focus on learning the rhythm and mechanics of the stitches rather than fighting to see microscopic lines.
The Universal Benefit of Inclusive Design
An incredible thing happens when you design a class with visual accessibility at the forefront: the class becomes drastically better for absolutely everyone.
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It’s quicker: Students no longer waste valuable class time trying to trace their designs perfectly. They can dive straight into the fun part—stitching!
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It builds confidence: Beginners catch onto complex stitches much faster because the roadmap on their fabric is crystal clear.
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It reduces fatigue: The crafter who usually gets a headache after an hour of close-up work can now stitch comfortably for longer.
This is the true heart of accessibility. It isn’t a checklist to tick off for legal compliance, nor is it a modification made to benefit a select few. It is an intentional philosophy that says: You are welcome here, you were thought of before you arrived, and this space was built for you to succeed.
We can’t wait to welcome you to the studio. Whether you are a seasoned stitcher or picking up a needle for the very first time, there is a perfectly clear path ready for you. And, if there is something we can do to make classes easier for you, please get in touch.
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