Do I need prior embroidery experience?

No. Beginners start with a sampler to learn foundational stitches; more experienced stitchers receive guidance for projects.

What is provided in the materials kit?

Kits include fabric, a selection of threads, needles, and basic instructions; you may bring preferred personal tools.

Meet at 4013 Douglas Rd. Miami, FL 33133 and arrive at least 15 minutes early to allow time for parking and check-in.

Is the workshop suitable for teenagers?

Yes. The minimum age is 16; participants should have enough dexterity for hand stitching.

How large are the groups?

Groups are limited to about ten people to keep instruction personalized and interactive.

Can I finish a completed piece in the two hours?

Many participants complete a sampler; more complex projects may require additional at-home work or another session.

Stitching the Garden: Botanical Embroidery Workshop at The Kampong, Miami | Workshop

At The Kampong, a compact coastal botanical garden in Miami, a two-hour embroidery workshop turns plant study into handwork. Located at 4013 Douglas Rd. Miami, FL 33133, the Embroidered Garden offers a low-key creative escape where botanical forms—broad leaves, branching veins, and delicate blooms—become the starting point for stitched interpretation. Participants gather under shaded palms and in airy garden rooms to learn foundational techniques, guided by textile artist Isabel Infante. Her instruction balances practical stitchwork with an eye for natural detail, so beginners complete a sampler and more experienced stitchers refine new patterns and motifs. This experience is designed to move at an unhurried pace. All materials come in a kit you keep, though bringing your favorite hoop or threads is welcome. Small groups—capped at ten—mean individualized feedback, and the class structure leaves room to observe the plants that inspired each design. The location’s key features are its curated plant collections, mature canopy that filters Florida light, and garden paths that put you close to leaves, seedpods, and flowers to study as live reference. Those sensory details—texture, color shifts, and leaf margins—translate directly into stitch choices. Sessions deliberately favor observation over speed: instructors pause to point out vein patterns, growth habits, and color gradients that translate into stitch direction and thread layering. The kits include a range of thread weights and needle sizes so you can experiment on cloth provided; participants commonly leave with a finished sampler or a clear plan for a larger piece. The small class size also makes this an excellent gift experience or a solo retreat for anyone wanting a slow creative reset during a Miami visit this season. What makes this workshop stand out is its voice: a craft practice situated inside a living collection of plants, rather than a sterile studio. The Kampong’s botanical focus supplies immediate subject matter and quiet places to pause between stitches. Isabel Infante brings an artist’s perspective rooted in nature, helping students thread botanical observation into a hand-made object to take home. Practical notes: arrive at least 15 minutes early to park and check in. The session runs roughly two hours and accepts participants ages 16 and up. No prior embroidery experience is required; the workshop suits beginners and intermediate stitchers alike. Expect close attention from an instructor, conversational critique, and time to personalize your work. This is a good option for travelers seeking a low-impact, creative pause between Miami’s more bustling attractions. It’s also ideal for locals who want to sharpen a tactile hobby while connecting with a public garden. Whether you’re composing a simple leaf sampler or planning a larger nature-themed project, The Embroidered Garden supplies the tools, the plants, and the calm to stitch something meaningful.

About The Kampong - National Tropical Botanical Gardens

The Kampong — part of the National Tropical Botanical Gardens — is a historic tropical garden located in Miami, Florida on the shores of Biscayne Bay. The site preserves the Fairchild-Sweeney House and showcases the legacy of plant explorer David Fairchild through extensive exotic fruit trees, rare tropical species, and curated collections. Visitors can choose docent-led guided tours that highlight the estate’s history and plant collections, or self-guided tours that allow leisurely exploration with a provided map.

The Kampong hosts a rotating schedule of hands-on workshops and classes set in the garden landscape. Offerings include cyanotype printing for fabric, community indigo dip workshops teaching Shibori resist dyeing, edible gardening programming presented with UF/IFAS (recommended for ages 12 and up), watercolor courses led by local artist Eileen Seitz, and all-levels yoga with Sam Reynolds. Forest bathing sessions guided by neuroscientist Karina Del Punta focus on sensory practices grounded in science; evening Moonrise Forest Bathing is offered under the full moon.

Several specialty experiences such as macrophotography, ikebana, functional movement, and seasonal events invite creative engagement with plants and place. Cyanotype workshops note limited spaces to encourage advance booking. The Kampong combines plant conservation, education, and cultural programming on a historic estate, offering both structured interpretation and independent discovery for visitors interested in botany, art, sustainability, and Miami’s tropical landscape.

Public programs emphasize hands-on learning, conservation-minded practices, seasonal plant highlights, and the site supports research, education, and community engagement for residents and visitors from Miami and beyond, with year-round programming and volunteer opportunities available.