Adventure brief
The Embroidered Garden
Learn embroidery inspired by living plants at The Kampong in Miami. In a two-hour, small-group workshop led by textile artist Isabel Infante, beginners and intermediate stitchers turn leaves and blooms into stitched keepsakes.
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.
Adventure tips
Plan your experience.
Curated tips for an optimal adventure.
- 01Arrive Early to Check Inessential
Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before the workshop to park and complete check-in at 4013 Douglas Rd.
- 02Bring Familiar Toolsinfo
All materials are provided, but bringing a favorite hoop or needle helps you feel comfortable and work faster.
- 03Dress for Shade and Humiditywarning
Light, breathable clothing and a hat make outdoor moments between stitches more pleasant in Miami’s heat.
- 04Protect Finished Workinfo
Bring a small flat container or folder to carry home delicate samplers without creasing them.
Recommended gear
What to bring.
Reusable Water Bottle
Staying hydrated is important in Miami heat between garden observations.
summerEssentialFavorite Embroidery Hoop or Needles
While kits are supplied, familiar tools speed your workflow and feel comfortable to use.
Light Layer or Shawl
A thin layer keeps you comfortable during breezy mornings or indoor air-conditioned spaces.
winterSmall Portfolio or Folder
Protect finished samplers from creasing while you travel home.
EssentialLocal insights
Context for the journey.
Nearby secrets
Quiet bench near the water where you can stitch between lessons, Shady under-canopy pathways that offer close-up plant study away from main paths
Local fauna
butterflies, songbirds
Historic heritage
The workshop takes place at The Kampong, a public botanical garden in Miami (meeting point: 4013 Douglas Rd.).
Mindful exploration
Respect garden rules: remain on paths, avoid touching specimens unnecessarily, and dispose of thread waste responsibly to minimize impact.
Photography tips
Capture the moments
- Viewpoints
- Under the garden canopy for dappled light, Close to the waterfront for reflective backgrounds, At your worktable for detailed hands-and-stitch shots
- Subjects
- close-up stitch details, leaf and flower textures, artist at work/hands
- Best times
- Morning light, Golden hour, Overcast afternoons for even shade
Frequently asked questions
Before you go.
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.
Where do we meet?
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.