Tender Whispers from the Heart
There’s a healing that happens when we read, write and embroider. In the quiet moments of embroidering poetry and prose, we listen to whispers from the tender, hidden parts of our hearts and we connect with ourselves. Words, meanings and memories become stitched into our souls and we understand their significance, why they resonate with us, why they have stayed with us for days, years and decades.
Tender Whispers from the Heart is a collaboration between Rebecca Devaney and Sura Qadiri, Assistant Professor of French and Francophone literature at St Catharine’s College, University of Cambridge. In this online embroidery course, we will be sharing our love of poetry and prose, embroidery, textiles, art, community, connection and bien sûr, France. Be still my beating heart!
Tender Whispers from the Heart is different from my other online embroidery courses in that it will be a year-long programme. Fantastique!
Course Description
There will be 10 monthly sessions on Zoom on the first Sunday of each month. Each session is based on a different theme such as longing, love, healing, beauty, connection, nature. We will begin exploring each theme as Sura reads a thought-provoking reflection and I’ll give a beautifully illustrated presentation about inspiring textile artists. Next, Sura will read a French poem or prose followed by an English translation and then I will read an English one. After each session, you’ll receive access to the recording as well as downloadable pdfs of Sura’s reflections, my presentations, the French poem, the English translation and the English poem, some recommended reading and perusing and links to Textile Artists to inspire your creativity. Sounds like a lovely evening already and we haven’t even started stitching!
Following the presentations and readings, I will teach a 30 minute embroidery tutorial and you will learn how to select your poem, choose your font and size, transfer text onto fabric, embroider text onto fabric using Backstitch, Stem stitch, Satin stitch, Diagonal Satin stitch, Star stitch, French Knots and Seeding. There will be 10 embroidery tutorials in total as we will develop your skills and techniques each month.
“Thank you for the fabulous embroidery courses, they were absolutely wonderful! Well researched, clearly presented and always so inspirational. I constantly use the videos you sent as an “aide memoire" for the various stitches and know that in the coming months I will return to them again and again as I start new embroidery projects. Your lessons were so calming and were without doubt the highlight of my week throughout the autumn.”
As the course unfolds and creativity flows, you will be inspired and encouraged to select a poem to embroider; perhaps a French poem read by Sura, an English poem read by me, or a cherished poem that whispers to you. There will be three Tender Whispers from the Heart online sales during the course where you will experience the joy of purchasing gorgeous vintage French linens from the oldest flea market in Paris and glistening spools of Au Ver à Soie sumptuous silk threads in beautifully curated colour-ways. Your packages of French textile treasures will be gift-wrapped and sent with love from Paris. As the course continues we will share your embroidered poems and prose in the Tender Whispers from the Heart student gallery, on the Threads of Connection private Facebook group and in our presentations at the monthly sessions. Sounds fabulous? Je suis d’accord, magnifique!
We will meet on the first Sunday of each month on Zoom, at 7:30pm Paris time. The sessions will be recorded and available throughout the year (January 2026 - December 2026), for anyone who is in a different time zone or who is not available for a session. The dates for your diary are below.
Sunday: 4th of January, 1st of February, 1st of March, 5th of April, 3rd of May, 7th of June, 5th of July, No session in August, 6th of September, 4th of October, 1st of November, No session in December.
Cost: the course fee is €25 per month which is paid by signing up for a subscription to Tender Whispers from the Heart. There will be 10 payments charged monthly from the beginning of your subscription. You can end the subscription at any time.
Tender Whispers from the Heart
Course Outline
What’s included in the Tender Whispers from the Heart subscription?
For the duration of the course you will have access to the following:
-Live monthly sessions on Zoom (x10)
-Recordings of the live sessions and class notes on the Tender Whispers from the Heart student website.
-Downloadable PDFs of Sura’s thought-provoking reflections (x10), Rebecca’s illustrated presentations (x10), the French poems (x10), the English translations (x10), the English poem (x10).
-Embroidery tutorials taught by Rebecca (x10).
-Recommended reading and perusing of books, magazines and articles to explore themes in more depth.
-Recommended Visual Artists to inspire your creativity.
-Access to the Tender Whispers from the Heart student gallery where we admire and encourage each others' work.
What Embroidery Techniques Will I Learn?
-How to choose your poem/prose/quote
-How to choose your font and size
-How to transfer text onto fabric using lightbox/window
-How to use Solufix to transfer your text
-How to remove Solufix from your fabric
-How to embroider text using the Back, Stem, Satin and Diagonal stitch
-How to embroider embellishment using the Star stitch, French Knot and Seeding
-How to embroider text using your own handwriting
-How to frame your embroidery when it’s finished
Remind me about the Textile Treasures available for Purchase?
There will be three online sales during Tender Whispers from the Heart in April, July and September.
-Vintage French linens sourced by Rebecca from textile experts at the oldest flea market in Paris, Marché Vernaison. Each item is laundered, ironed, folded, perfumed and wrapped in beautiful packages to be sent from Paris with love.
-Soie Perlée pure silk thread from Au Ver à Soie in beautifully curated colour-ways. Each thread pack comes with 10 x 20 metre spools of Soie Perlée silk threads, perfect for embroidering text!
-Embroidery Essentials kits including Elbesee wooden embroidery hoops, Bohin embroidery needles (with big eyes - fantastique!), Locau embroidery scissors. Each Embroidery Essentials kit comes with a complimentary vintage French linen project bag. Rebecca has sourced these tools from the finest artisans who are passionate about their craft - when we work with the best tools, embroidery becomes a pleasure.
-France celebrates savoir-faire - Au Ver à Soie silk threads, Bohin needles and Locau scissors have received the prestigious Enterprise du Patrimoine Vivant award for their contribution to French culture and heritage.
Tender Whispers from the Heart
Reviews & Reflections 2025
Tender Whispers from the Heart
Frequently Asked Questions
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Unlike my shorter courses, Tender Whispers from the Heart is a year-long immersive journey. Together, we explore not only embroidery techniques but also poetry, prose, textiles, creativity, and inspiration drawn from France. It’s as much about connection and reflection as it is about stitches. A deep breath, a beautiful pause, and creativity unfolding—over time.
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The programme runs for 12 months, with 10 live Zoom sessions scheduled throughout the year. These gatherings are gentle, inspiring and supportive—a chance to learn, share, and connect with the creative community.
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No problem at all. Each live session is recorded and made available—along with class notes—on the Tender Whispers student site. You can revisit the material anytime, as slowly or as often as you like.
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All are welcome—beginners and seasoned stitchers alike. Whether you’ve never threaded a needle or have crafted embroidery for years, this course is designed to nurture curiosity, creativity and expression at any level.
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You’ll receive:
Downloadable PDFs, including:
Sura’s reflections
Rebecca’s illustrated presentations
French poems
English translations
English poem selections
Class notes
Session recordings
You’ll also receive recommended reading lists, visual artist inspiration, and themed explorations to enrich your creative process.
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Yes—embroidery techniques and thematic inspirations will be woven throughout the programme. Instructions and creative prompts will be included, though the focus is on creating meaningful, expressive work rather than producing identical outcomes.
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Not at all. French poetry and prose are offered as inspiration, with English translations provided. If you enjoy the French language, magnifique—but no fluency is needed.
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Absolutely. You’ll have access to the Tender Whispers student gallery, where participants can share their work, offer encouragement, and celebrate creativity together. You’ll also have access to the Threads of Connection private Facebook group to share your works in progress and admire your fellow students work. The spirit of the programme is warm, gentle and deeply encouraging.
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The pace is intentionally slow and you will only need to dedicate one hour a month to Tender Whispers from the Heart. You may find that you are inspired, intrigued, excited and curious to explore the themes, poems, visual artists and all the other creative prompts we share in our monthly session. You may spend anywhere from a few quiet hours to a full creative weekend each month. There is no rush, no pressure—just the unfolding of creativity.
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In your first class, Rebecca will be talking to you about embroidery materials and recommending the best quality tools and materials to purchase to ensure you enjoy Tender Whispers from the Heart as much as possible.
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No, not at all. You may decide to simply join the monthly sessions and enjoy an hour of inspiration and creativity. If you decide to embroider, Rebecca will provide a suggested materials list. There will be three online sales of Textile Treasures in April, July and October. Creativity thrives with freedom!
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Everything will be housed on the Tender Whispers from the Heart student website. Your login will give you access to downloadable PDFs, recordings, notes, the gallery and extra inspiration. You will enjoy access for the duration of the course: January 2026 - December 2026.
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Yes! Students from around the world are warmly welcome. The live sessions are scheduled with as many time zones in mind as possible—and the recordings ensure no one misses a moment.
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Yes, there will be plenty of opportunities to exhibit your work in the student galleries. Rebecca and Sura will keep you informed of any other exhibtion opportunities that may arise.