Fabric Printing

with Lovely Lydia

£45

inc. materials

Discover the delightful art of textile block printing in this hand-on workshop. Join us as we delve into the world of creating designs for fabric using wooden and linocut print blocks. You'll find it's extremely approachable - easy in fact! And in no time you'll be tapping your creativity to create your own unique textiles. As well as scrap fabric to practice on, each participant will receive a cotton tea towel and tote bag to print their unique design and cherish at home. The skills learned in this workshop can be applied to all kinds of textiles, including quilting, dressmaking and home textiles.

Meet Lydia, a talented fabric printer, maker and dressmaker based in Orford. She operates her own micro-business showcasing her charming Suffolk-inspired designs featuring hares, bees, lobsters, and lighthouses, transformed into fashionable accessories for individuals and homes. Under Lydia's expert guidance, you will unleash your creativity while experimenting with a diverse array of wooden printing blocks, linocut designs, and a vibrant spectrum of colours.

Being moderately close to the Festive Season, Lydia will be bringing some appropriately festive print blocks - but not exclusively so! All necessary printing materials, including a cotton tea towel and tote bag, will be supplied. This workshop is catered to adults but is also suitable for creative young minds looking to explore the art of fabric printing.

Print and Make a Lampshade

with Lovely Lydia

£55

incl materials

An enjoyable and relaxed workshop awaits you, where you will have the opportunity to print wood-block and Linocuts on cotton or linen fabric and then transform your creation into a 30cm drum lampshade. All techniques will be carefully demonstrated, and you will be provided with test fabric to try out your design before making your final masterpiece. Despite the seeming complexity of lampshade making, it's actually simpler than you may imagine and is ideal for fostering an afternoon of artistic expression.

Lydia, a talented fabric printer, dressmaker, and artisan based in Orford, will be your guide for the day. She operates her own micro-business specialising in printing captivating designs inspired by Suffolk's natural beauty, such as hares, bees, lobsters, and lighthouses. With Lydia's expertise and support, you will have the chance to experiment with a wide array of wooden printing blocks, linocut patterns, and a vibrant palette of paints.

Every essential you need to create your unique lampshade will be supplied during the workshop, and while the class is designed for adults, it's also suitable for older teenagers.

Versatile Tote Bag

with Jo Cowley

£40

plus materials

Come and make a versatile tote bag in this four hour workshop. Tote bags are everywhere this summer, so you can be bang on trend with your own unique version. The boxy shape of your bag works for all sorts of occasions - the beach, shopping or even a weekend break. Or you could use it for craft/knitting projects with enough pockets to keep scissors, threads and instructions neatly tucked away.

The bag has a choice of pockets, short and long handles and optional fastenings at the sides to create more shape. The pattern will be provided, but you will need to bring or buy fabric, thread, webbing for the handles and side fastenings if using. Please bring a sewing machine.

Fabric requirements are:

70cm x 150cm main fabric

70cm x 150cm lining fabric

Webbing 2 metres

We suggest a reasonably heavy weight fabric so that your bag has some structure.

This will be a fun bag to sew, and you will be able to walk out after 4 hours with your own versatile tote!

Zipped Cushion Workshop

with Sue Taylor

New dates coming soon!!

Create 2 beautiful zipped cushions.

This 3 hour workshop will teach you all the skills you need to create 2 stunning zipped cushions. The cost includes material and 2 pads, but if you have a particular fabric you would like to use then please bring it along to the class. We will be making a 45cm (18") cushion so half a metre of fabric per cushion will be plenty, as well as a matching thread and zip.

During the first 1.5 hours you will be guided through all the skills you need to make a zipped cushion cover. The remaining 1.5 hours you will be encouraged to make the cushion cover independently to reinforce your learning, the tutor will be on hand to offer any help if needed.

Bring on the day:

Sewing machine (in good working order) with regular foot and zipper foot.

Small sewing kit.

Cutting mat and rotary cutter. (Available to borrow if needed)

Crochet Workshops

with Mary Lambert

Saturday 20th September 2-4pm

Saturday 18th October 10am-12pm

Saturday 8th November 2-4pm

Saturday 13th December 2-4pm

Crochet is the latest revival trend and examples can be seen everywhere. Would you like to learn how to make your own on-trend items? Then come along to one of our Crochet Workshops.

You will learn the basics of crochet and how to crochet a simple granny square - the basis of most crochet projects.

We also offer classes for those wishing to take the next step.  So if you have already completed our beginners classes or already have a basic knowledge of crochet why not join one of our intermediate classes.

Crochet hooks and yarn will be provided, although you can bring your own if you wish.

All materials included

Learn to Knit

AND save the planet!

with Anne Cullinan

Join us for the opportunity to learn a variety of basic knitting techniques using cotton yarn to make re-usable face scrubbies and dishcloths.

All materials included

Roman Blind Workshop

with Sue Taylor

£70

incl materials

New dates coming soon!!

This extremely popular workshop will take you through the stages of making a beautiful roman blind by making a sample blind, using roman blind tape.

Please bring with you

Sewing machine

Small sewing kit

Metal retractable tape measure

Quilting ruler or metre stick

We have machines and tools for you to use but please let us know on time of booking if you would like to borrow them.