weekend workshops

more information


small class sizes - max 10 people

to book

call 0113 2242284 or pop into the coffee shop



one to one tuition -

now available for any of these courses during the day or at weekends

£30 per hour, call for more details


gift vouchers

are available for courses and workshops, please call for more details


adults creative events 

whether its something creative for a hen night or someone’s birthday, parties can be tailored to meet individual requirements.

details

april

essential sewing skills zips/buttons/hems and seams

in this workshop you will be shown how to sew 3 different types of seams, machine and hand stitch hems, insert both a regular and concealed zips and create buttonholes on the machine.

at the end of the session you will take away a series of samples.

all materials are provided

saturday 13th april  10am - 1pm  £35


garment alterations
are there things in your wardrobe that you don’t wear because they need some slight adjustment, this workshop can show you how. the emphasis will be on learning how to take up hems, do repairs and different techniques to alter the shape.
please bring in 3 items and thread to match clothes.  

you will need to be familiar with how to thread up and sewing machine and how to sew in a straight line.

sunday 21st april   10am - 4pm £55



life drawing weekend

working directly from a life model, the sat will focus on a variety of drawing techniques to improve your observational skills. composition, balance, and proportions of the body will also be explored.
the sunday you will use a range of materials from acrylics and watercolour to charcoal and oil pastel to develop your understanding of shade and tone. 
for those more experienced, the work and practice of other artists will be used as a source of inspiration. 


saturday & sunday 27th & 28th april 10am - 2pm (both days) - £90


may



printing and making notebooks
in this workshop you will spend the morning experimenting with gelatin mono-printing, a very versatile process great for beginners and experienced printmakers alike. non toxic and easy to replicate at home, we will use a variety of objects including feathers, leaves and grasses to make a series of unique prints, no drawing expertise necessary! 

in the afternoon you will create your own hand bound notebooks using your prints as covers. we will look at the different ways of using pamphlet stitch, a really useful and attractive binding. learn how to cut, fold, sew and trim to produce a set of beautiful notebooks. 

all materials are provided but please feel free to bring your own objects to create impressions in the ink, or paper to print on, experimentation is welcomed!


saturday 4th may 10-4pm £55
 


printing weekend - screen printing: cards/tags/wrap/bags/t.shirts
turn a pass time of drawing and doodling into something more with illustrator and screen printer helen entwisle a.k.a. 'memo illustration'.  over the course of the weekend you will come up with design ideas (there will be lots of books and images to inspire you) and learn how to take the drawings into screen printed finished products. 
on the sat you will explore how to print greeting cards, wrap and tags before printing onto t.shirts and bags on the sunday.



no experience needed. all equipment and materials are provided.

saturday 11th & sunday 12th may 10-2pm both days £90


stained glass birds
students will be introduced to the core techniques of the copper foil method to produce a colourful sun catcher that will be strung with ribbon to create a beautiful hanging decoration for your home.
you will learn how to cut and shape the glass and how to prepare it
for copper foiling. the final stage is the soldering the pieces together and polishing.

no experience needed. all equipment and materials are provided.


saturday 18th may 10-2pm £40


crochet silver earrings/bracelet
learn the art of "crocheting" using sterling silver wire to make a pair of earrings or a bracelet. choose from semi-precious stones, swarovski crystals or some freshwater pearls to make a product that is unique to you. due to a limited amount of equipment needed, students can make  matching items at home.  

this class is for complete beginners, but a degree of finger dexterity is needed to manipulate the wire.  all materials and equipment is provided.


saturday 25th may 10-1pm £35


june

make a pair of summer sandals

if the idea of making your own pair of sandals seems a step too far then think again.  these sandals are so straightforward that you will go home and sort through all your fabrics to make some more. please quote your size at the time of booking and whether you would like red or grey…how exciting!

all materials are provided.


sunday 2nd june 10-4pm - £55




introduction to using porcelain  - vases/jugs

aided by the guidance and advice of jill ford you will design and construct a pair of porcelain vases or jugs by using the slab building technique of making. decorative techniques and simple glazing will be also be covered in the session.

all materials are provided


8th june 10-2pm £40




jumper pouffe

introducing a bit of granny chic, by using up all of your old jumpers.  this superb pouffe will look good in any room. you will need to bring a very large jumper which is at least 56 x 74 cms and arms approx 42 cms around or just bring a couple!

all other materials are provided.



sunday 16th june 10-2pm £40




digital illustration - design your own greetings cards

whether you are planning an event or want to say an extra special thank you. graphic designer jade jenkinson will show you how to produce professional looking cards.  you will start with exploring design ideas before creating your final product using adobe creative suite. by the end of the session you be ready to head straight to the printers.


saturday 22nd june 10-2pm £35




patchwork fabric rug

using old vintage fabrics, lacy bits and other embellishments create the perfect none slip rug to take pride of place in your home.

all materials are provided, but if you want something specific you will need 2 x 1/2 metre pieces of fabric that will be the dominant design/colour throughout the rug.


sunday 23rd june 10-4pm £55




sewing masterclass - 1950’s shirt

front button with rever collar, gathers below shoulder yoke front and back. below elbow length or short sleeve.


saturday 29th & sunday 30th june 10 - 2pm -£90






silver earrings

designer-maker libby jubb will show you how to make a pair of studs in sterling silver. you will be introduced to core metalwork techniques before designing and making your earrings. 


saturday 6th July 10-2pm £45





drawing in stitches

learn the skill of free hand machine embroidery and appliqué.  the piece of fabric will be large enough to make the front panel to a cushion or a small shopper.


sunday 7th july 10-1pm £35






fabric ‘decoupage’ your furniture

if you have lots of fabric scraps that are too lovely to throw away, here’s a fantastic way to up cycle them.

materials will be provided but please bring your own if there is a specific colour/design you want.

please bring a piece of furniture that is small enough to carry up the stairs


saturday 13th july 10-4pm £55



re-upholstery – upcycle an old stool

although materials and equipment will be provided to re-cushion your stool, cover fabric can either be bought from the tutor or you can bring your own.  you could even use and old vintage tea towel or item of clothing.

please bring a piece of furniture that is small enough to carry up the stairs and finish within the session.

(if you would like to work on a chair, please book onto the weekend workshop)


sunday 14th july 10-4pm £55


spa products

in this workshop you will use a variety of lovely organic natural ingredients to make your very own delightful spa products…not only do you get to mix your very own chocolate sugar scrub and peppermint and lemon zesty foot polish, you also get to blend your very own unique coloured and sparkly lip glosses.

all materials will be provided


saturday  20th july 10-1pm £35


baby shoes

these beautiful booties are perfect for that extra special present for the new arrival. sized 3-6 months, although you will take home a pattern that you can adapt and make larger just in case you want a second pair.


sunday 21st july 10-2pm £45




‘branding your business’ creating your own visual identity

at some point all those who run a small business are confronted with having to create a brand that translates the essence of your business. a good visual image can never be under estimated and with the help of graphic designer jade jenkinson you will explore and experiment with design ideas looking at existing brands to gain inspiration. from here you apply your own visual identity to a range of packaging and branding products using adobe creative suite.


saturday 27th & sunday 28th july 10-2pm £65



august

retro lampshades

back by popular demand, laura slater, local textile designer, will be returning to show you how to use your old fabrics to create a unique lampshade for your home.


shade will be 15cm diameter x 30cm height, suitable for a table lamp or a small pendant. the fabric will need to be 40cmx 55cm minimum.

all other materials and equipment will be provided.


saturday 3rd august      10 - 1pm £35


creative writing

experience new ways of unleashing your imagination and the words that follow – these may lead to poetry or prose. whether you’re a complete beginning or more experienced and in need of a boost, the day will offer fun ways to create new ideas through a variety of stimuli.


sunday 4th august     10 – 4pm £45


portrait photography of family and friends

this exciting, practical course is for those who want to learn how to take a great portrait with their own camera. 

on the saturday you will learn about camera handling and equip yourself with the necessary skills techniques of portrait photography.

on day 2 you will be allocated studio time to bring in family or friends to take their portrait. you will decide on your best piece of work and we will get it professionally printed for you.


this workshop is for those who have some basic familiarity with their own digital camera, but have no experience of working with studio equipment.


saturday 10th & sunday 11th  august  10am - 2pm £75



re-style your clothing

are there things in your wardrobe that you don’t wear because they need some slight adjustment, this workshop can show you how. the emphasis will be on learning how to take up hems, do repairs and understanding the different techniques to alter the shape. during the day you will make a series of samples, and be given a series of handouts so that you have the confidence and ability to adapt your clothes at home. 

you can also bring in 3 items of clothing so we can talk about the best way to alter them from your newly found skills and if there’s time we’ll get started on altering them.

you will need to be familiar with how to thread up and sewing machine and how to sew in a straight line. 

saturday 17th august     10am - 4pm £55



piped cushions

learn how to create and insert beautiful contrast piping, a series of demonstrations will be given by the tutor and you will take away a zipped cushion to sit proudly in your home.


zip and contrast piping is provided, but you will need to bring 1 meter of fabric.


sunday 18th august     10am - 2pm £45


introduction to re-upholstery

using traditional and contemporary re-upholstery techniques you will strip down your chair, insert new padding or waddings and re web your article.  although materials and equipment will be provided, cover fabric can either be bought from the tutor or you can bring your own. 


you will need to bring a piece of furniture that is small enough to carry up one flight of stairs.

saturday 24th & sunday 25th august      10am - 2pm each day  £75


stained glass bunting

students will be introduced to the core techniques of the copper foil method to produce a colourful sun catcher that will be strung with ribbon to create a beautiful decoration for your home. you will learn how to cut and shape the glass and how to prepare it for copper foiling. the final stage is the soldering the pieces together and polishing.

all equipment and materials are provided.


saturday 31st august    10am - 4pm £55