QUILLING SHEEP PEGS with Rachel Warrillow – The Quirky Quillers – 13.30

Discover the magic of quilling and create your own cute little sheep magnet to pop on the fridge and hold your shopping list!

Using strips of paper, this is a relaxing and therapeutic paper craft with so many possibilities.

Advisory Note:

These workshops are suitable for complete beginners, ages 11+. Adult supervision required at all times for under 16’s.

Meet the Tutor

Rachel Warrillow, The Quirky Quillers

Rachel is the founder of The Quirky Quillers, and creates kits, workshops and tutorials, all using the fabulous papercraft technique called quilling. She is on a mission to inspire and encourage others to enrich their lives with more creativity, and to find community and connection with other crafters.

INTRODUCTION TO SIZING, TRACING OFF A PATTERN & PATTERN ALTERATIONS with Helen Rhiannon – 11.30

Helen will discuss sizing and why it is so difficult to get the right size in dressmaking. You will learn how to measure yourself accurately to help you with your dressmaking projects. Helen will then introduce you to using a block to help draft your own unique patterns. You will learn how to trace off a block accurately, tackle some simple fit issues along with some more advanced techniques.

This workshop is for anyone who wants to learn how to draft dress patterns for themselves.

All materials and equipment provided for use in the class.

Advisory Note:

All ages and abilities are welcome.

Meet the Tutor

Helen Rhiannon

Helen Rhiannon is a dressmaking expert and bestselling Author. Helen has gained extensive knowledge over the last 18 years from designing and creating bespoke clothing and bridal wear. Helen has also taught sewing and dressmaking for many years, which led her to publish her new book, ‘Dressmaking The Easy Guide’. Helen is also a regular Guest Presenter on Sewing Street TV.

Through her new book, Helen will hand hold you through the basics of dressmaking and the skills you will learn to be able to create your own beautifully fitted dress. You will be able to choose the exact size that fits and flatters you from a bespoke sizing chart, which ranges from a UK 6 – 44.

DOODLE STITCHING with Jessica Grady – Thursday 10.00

Come along to this 60-minute class and start your very own colourful doodle cloth with artist Jessica Grady. Doodle stitching is a fun, and relaxing way of doodling on fabric with a needle and thread to make your own design. Jessica will introduce a range of simple and versatile stitches for you to use including: straight stitch, couching, French knots and chain stitch. You will leave the class with the beginnings of your doodle cloth to continue at home. This class is suitable for all abilities.

Advisory Note:

This workshop is suitable for all levels over 12 years old, but it would be an advantage if you could thread a needle. Under 16’s must be accompanied by an adult.

Meet the Tutor

Jessica Grady

Embroidery artist Jessica Grady creates hand stitched 3D sculptures and wall art, utilising unconventional and recycled materials to create her own colourful and intricate embellishments and sequins.

Jessica has created embroidery designs both as an artist and as a freelance designer. Her own work has been exhibited across the UK, Europe and Asia and she is a member of British group: Art Textiles Made in Britain. She also teaches various workshops for education, private groups and individuals.

CATHEDRAL WINDOWS COLLAGE with Maria Thomas – 15.15

Create a mini patchwork collage with vintage and recycled materials using the simple folding method of Cathedral windows. Expand your creativity whilst reusing found materials in a playful mixed-media way. Make a unique sampler that you can grow into a work of art.

Advisory Note:

This workshop is suitable for all abilities and ages 12+. Adult supervision required at all times for under 16’s.

Meet the Tutor

Maria Thomas

Maria studied Embroidery at Manchester Polytechnic during the1990’s. Along side teaching textiles and embroidery for over 30 years, she has designed freelance for fashion, exhibited regularly and has work in public and private collections in the UK and overseas. Her work is about her life with her family, using patchwork and quilting to shape her memories she likes to draw with found objects and recycled materials. Her home and studio are in Kenilworth, Warwickshire.

RSN LUNA MOTH: INTRO TO MIXED TECHNIQUES with Anne Butcher, RSN – Thursday 13.15

The Luna Moth design has been created by third year RSN Future Tutor Abigail Carter. You will learn a variety of surface stitches and beginners’ Goldwork techniques; back stitch, stem stitch and turkey rug, along with couched gold metal thread and spangles.

Advisory Note:

This workshop is suitable for all abilities, over 16’s only.

Meet the Tutor

Anne Butcher, Head of Studio and Standards, RSN

Having graduated from the RSN apprenticeship Anne has over 40 years of embroidery experience and knowledge.
She has strong links to the education provisions of the RSN and has taught a vast variety of techniques.

Last year Anne was been instrumental in overseeing all the pieces for the Coronation and been part of the team designing, developing techniques and embroidering on all pieces including the Anointing Screen and new Robe of Estate.

Most recently Anne has been involved in licensing and brand partnerships along with the new digitisation project.

EXPERIMENTAL EMBROIDERED WORLDS with Elnaz Yazdani – Thursday 11.15

During the workshop Elnaz will guide you through a variety of beautiful and intricate techniques using an array of experimental threads and materials to create your own unique piece of art.

The techniques that you will learn can be applied to any cloth and would be perfect applied to a gift or item of clothing for an extra special touch.

Experimental embroidery techniques are a great way to stay calm and reduce stress levels, so do join Elnaz, enjoy the meditative wonder and allure of using metal and experimental threads to embellish cloth.

Advisory Note:

This workshop is suitable for all levels from beginners to those who are experienced and want a fresh approach, it is also suitable for those studying textiles, costume or fashion.

Meet the Tutor

Elnaz Yazdani

Elnaz is an embroidery artist and educator based in Yorkshire. She is dedicated to sharing her textile skills and promoting the importance of embroidery as an art form for the future and for community wellbeing. In 2020 Elnaz was commended for the teaching excellence award in embroidery via the Embroiderers Guild and became an Embroiderers Guild Scholar after the successful launch of her virtual embroidery school ‘Embroider Your Future’. Elnaz is available for workshops, talks, embroidery and jewellery commissions, exhibitions and collaborative projects.

AN INTRODUCTION TO GOLDWORK: GOLDEN, GUILDED DRAGONFLY’S with Kathleen Laurel Sage – Thursday 09.45

Experience traditional techniques to create a golden Dragonfly with a leather padded body, couched cords to outline him and filling techniques to include beads and sequins, chipping with check wires and surface embroidery.

Advisory Note:

Suitable for over 16’s only.

Meet the Tutor

Kathleen Laurel Sage

Kathleen is a freelance designer and embroiderer producing innovative textile works using a soldering iron and machine embroidery. She also enjoys hand embroidery designing her own range of gold work embroideries using traditional and modern fabrics to create golden stitched images found in nature.

LEARN HOW TO MACHINE STITCH A TEXTILE LANDSCAPE PICTURE with Julie Cole, Dropped Stitch Artists – Thursday 11.45

This workshop is designed for anyone wishing to experiment with machine embroidery. Using painted Bondaweb, Tyvek, organza, lace sheers and handmade cords you will create a 15 x 15cm textile seascape picture.

Advisory Note:

Suitable for over 16’s only. No previous machine embroidery necessary, although some prior knowledge of using a sewing machine is required for this workshop.

Meet the Tutor

Julie Cole

Julie Cole is a member of the textile group Dropped Stitch Artists, and is a textile and mixed media artist living in South Lincolnshire. Being a visual type of person she finds herself very much drawn towards creating texture through mixed media art.

She loves mark-making, mono-printing and making her own creative fabrics to work with through dyeing eco-dyeing and printing. Julie’s inspiration for her work comes from embracing the countryside

MAKE A FABRIC FLOWER POT COVER with Freya Gilbert, Crafty Sew and So – 15.15

Discover the joy of sewing in this beginner-friendly workshop! Create a charming fabric flowerpot cover for a 20cm pot, mastering essential techniques like lining and bagging out. Unleash your creativity and transform your plant pots with a personalized touch.

Advisory Note:

Suitable for beginners, 16 years plus.

Meet the Tutor

Freya Gilbert, Crafty Sew and So

Freya is the creative force behind Crafty Sew and So. Having learned to sew from her mum as a child, Freya has been crafting throughout her life. She is passionate about exploring new crafts and enjoys sewing and crocheting whenever she has the time. At Crafty Sew and So, Freya curates digital workshops, sewing subscription boxes, and organises engaging sewing events across the UK. With a love for teaching and sharing her crafting expertise, Freya is here to guide you through the wonderful world of creativity.

STITCH A STORAGE BOX with Katharine Wright, Leicestershire Craft Centre – 13.45

Join Sewing Street Guest Demonstrator, Katharine Wright, as she teaches you how to create a handy storage box from fabric and bias binding. You’ll make one in class and leave with instructions to make the remaining sizes for a complete set!

Advisory Note:

Suitable for over 16’s only.

Meet the Tutor

Katharine Wright, Leicestershire Craft Centre

Owner and founder of the Leicestershire Craft Centre, Katharine has been crafting since she was seven and her mum taught her to knit – her first handmade gift was a knitted egg cosy for her Grandpa.

Patchwork and dressmaking are particular favourites, but Katharine also knits and crochets, makes jewellery and enjoys all kinds of other crafts including embroidery, felting, silversmithing, glass fusion and painting.

Katharine has taught workshops at a variety of national Craft Events including The Festival of Quilts, The Handmade Festival and Malvern Quilt Festival. She has also appeared as a Guest Demonstrator on Sewing Street TV.