Applied Craft Workshops

Is your sewing machine gathering dust in a cupboard or is it still new sitting in its box waiting for someone to unwrap it? Perhaps you are hoping for a new sewing machine for your birthday or Christmas? No matter if you have never switched a machine on or have not sewn since school, this workshop is for you, helping build confidence whilst learning essential skills to practice on projects at home. In this class you will be guided through the basics of your sewing machine, how to hem, add zips and topstitch. You will learn how to draft a pattern, various techniques for cutting fabric and also constructing your projects. Within this course you will make a lined tote bag, zippered pouch, cushion cover and time pending, some bunting too. Classes are small so you get plenty of hands-on tutition from tutor, Rebecca Barbour, and learn how to sew in a friendly and easy-going environment.  You'll be amazed at what you can achieve in such a short time! Cost of weekend course:  £110.  Includes tea/coffee and ALL materials (though you are welcome to bring your own if you have some you're keen to use!).   Bring a packed lunch and your sewing machine. NB. We can provide a machine if you don't have one - let us know. To request a booking form or if you have queries, please email us or tel 01381 600354. PLEASE NOTE: This course is repeated on 25th & 26th May.  There is also an Improvers Sewing Weekend on 14th & 15th September, should you wish to progress your skills.  Rebecca will also run an Introduction to Free Motion Embroidery Workshop ('drawing' with your sewing machine!) on Sat 2nd November and Christmas Decoration Workshop on Sun 3rd November.  

Learn how to raise a cup from sheet metal, using various hand tools and traditional silversmithing techniques. The vibrant course taught by Ndidi Ekubia will help you to explore, design and make a metal cup out of copper or silver. This interactive course will engage and inspire. Ndidi Ekubia is a reknowned contemporary silversmith who has been creating stunning silverware from London since 1998. Through her use of traditional hand-raising techniques Ndidi’s statement pieces take on fluid and sensual forms with both a sculptural and functional identity. Her work swirls with vitality, and ranges in scale from domestic bowls, drinking vessels and vases, to spectacular wine coolers, salvers and centrepieces.  There are two price bands for this course: £315 if you're happy to work in copper alone £415 if you'd like to start in copper and move onto working in silver (silver is currently £100+ cost price). All other materials and tools are provided plus a delicious, home-made lunch is included each day.      We require 25% deposit to reserve your place - email or tel 01381 600354 for a Booking Form or more info. www.ndidiekubia.com

Is your sewing machine gathering dust in a cupboard or is it still new sitting in its box waiting for someone to unwrap it? Perhaps you are hoping for a new sewing machine for your birthday or Christmas? No matter if you have never switched a machine on or have not sewn since school, this workshop is for you, helping build confidence whilst learning essential skills to practice on projects at home. In this class you will be guided through the basics of your sewing machine, how to hem, add zips and topstitch. You will learn how to draft a pattern, various techniques for cutting fabric and also constructing your projects. Within this course you will make a lined tote bag, zippered pouch, cushion cover and time pending, some bunting too. Classes are small so you get plenty of hands-on tutition from tutor, Rebecca Barbour, and learn how to sew in a friendly and easy-going environment.  You'll be amazed at what you can achieve in such a short time! Cost of weekend course:  £110.  Includes tea/coffee and ALL materials (though you are welcome to bring your own if you have some you're keen to use!).  Bring a packed lunch and your sewing machine. NB. We can provide a machine if you don't have one - let us know. To request a booking form or if you have queries, please email us or tel 01381 600354. PLEASE NOTE: This course is also running on 23rd & 24th February.  There is also an Improvers Sewing Weekend on 14th & 15th September, should you wish to progress your skills.  Rebecca will also run an Introduction to Free Motion Embroidery Workshop ('drawing' with your sewing machine!) on Sat 2nd November and Christmas Decoration Workshop on Sun 3rd November.

Transforming a sheet of silver into a piece of jewellery can be a fulfilling and exciting creative process. This intensive three day course will introduce you to the traditional techniques and tools used to make jewellery. The aim of this course, using demonstrations and structured guidance from highly regarded tutor and contemporary jewller, Jo Pudelko, is to instil confidence as you learn techniques such as sawing, soldering, annealing, filing, texturing and shaping to create a piece of silver jewellery during the course and when you continue making afterwards. You will start by using copper (which has similar working properties to silver) to practice on, then progress to using silver for your final piece. This course is an ideal introduction if you are taking your first steps in jewellery making or suitable for returning students looking to build upon their existing knowledge to create more complex pieces. Copper, an amount of sheet silver and all tools will be provided. Extra silver can be purchased at cost during the course if needed. The weekend is designed to be as flexible as possible, allowing you to build your skills as well as create one or more finished pieces.  Please bring glasses if you need them and wear appropriate clothing for a studio environment including closed toe shoes. If you have long hair, please weat it up. £230 - includes delicious, home-made lunch each day, copper and all tools.  Silver will be extra, charged at cost price (exact amount to be confirmed) and paid for on the day, depending on how much you have used .     Accommodation is available in the Old Brewery. We require 25% deposit to reserve your place - email or tel 01381 600354 for a Booking Form or more info.

This course is ideal for anyone that has completed the Beginners Sewing Workshop or for those who have some experience of sewing and are fairly comfortable around a sewing machine. This class is aimed to improve your basic skills up to the next level. Within this class we will be making a Messenger bag with a zippered pocket and adjustable strap. We will work together to follow the pattern and construct the bag, also learning about interfacing, fusible fleece and how to use bias binding along the way. You'll come home with a fantastic, professional-looking bag and feel even more confident in your ability to sew! In addition, we will take time to look at other techniques and how to make adjustments or add pockets to existing clothes.   Classes are small so you get plenty of hands-on tutition from tutor, Rebecca Barbour, and learn how to sew in a friendly and easy-going environment.   Skills that you will learn: Cutting out patterns & fabric accurately Sewing pockets Sewing zipped pockets Buttonholes Sewing Bias Binding Adjustable straps After this class you'll be able to apply these different techniques to all those projects you have lined up and be inspired to keep on creating! £120 - all materials are provided (though you can use your own fabric if you'd prefer), plus tea & coffee.  Just bring a packed lunch and your sewing machine. Accommodation is available in the Old Brewery. We require 25% deposit to reserve your place - email or tel 01381 600354 for a Booking Form or more info.

An intensive, six day workshop in cutting fine lettering in stone with Master Craftsman, Robbie Schneider. The focus will be equally on tools and cutting technique, and essential drawing skills. The object of the course is to give students a firm foundation in letter carving in stone. Through drawing and carving, the students begin to understand the structure of letter forms and the relationship between these two fundamental aspects of fine lettercutting. The course will also cover the beginnings of a sense of good spacing and touch on laying out an inscription. Stone and all tools will be provided. £550 - includes all materials AND your piece of stone (to take home at the end), plus delicious home-made lunches each day. Accommodation at the Old Brewery is available. We require a 25% deposit to reserve your place - email or tel 01381 600354 for a Booking Form or for more info. Robbie Schneider studied sculpture at Camberwell and Byam Shaw Art Schools in London and later specialized in lettering. He is a full member of Letter Exchange and of the Scottish Lettercutters Association and an elected member of the Royal Society of Sculptors. Robbie exhibits widely and does many public and private commissions. His work can be found throughout Britain, from Kent in the South to Shetland in the far North. Robbie works primarily in stone but he also works in wood, metals and other materials.

FULLY BOOKED! If you would like to add your name to a waiting list in case places become available, please get in touch. Learn the wonderful art of drawing with your sewing machine. This is a fun way to become more creative with your machine and a great way to bring some uniqueness to your makes. The course is ideal for anyone who has completed the Beginners Sewing Weekend or Improvers Sewing Weekend or has some experience of sewing. You will need a free motion embroidery foot (also known as a darning foot). This a fairly common foot that comes with most machines. There will be a limited number of extra machines and darning foots available so please do enquire at the time of booking if you need this. This is a fun and creative class where you can be a bit imaginative and play around with ideas. There will also be some templates available for those who may not feel as confident making something up from scratch. You will get an opportunity to learn a variety of techniques. The Basic Sewing Kit It would be helpful to have a basic sewing kit for this course, but not essential as there will tools available for use: Fabric scissors Seam ripper Dressmaking pins Hand sewing needles Threads Sewing gauge Bobbins suitable for your machine Darning Foot and Applique foot (Some of these will be available from tutor) Temporary markers - this could be tailor's chalk, fade or wash-away pen If you can, bring your own sewing machine so you learn and become familiar with it.  Machines can be left securely overnight within the sewing room if you are staying on to do the Christmas Decoration class the next day . There will also be a limited amount of extra machines available if you do not have your own machine please enquire upon booking. Classes are small so you get plenty of hands-on tutition from tutor, Rebecca Barbour, and learn how to sew in a friendly and easy-going environment.   £55 - all materials are provided, plus tea & coffee.  Just bring a packed lunch and your sewing machine. Accommodation is available in the Old Brewery. We require 25% deposit to reserve your place - email or tel 01381 600354 for a Booking Form or more info.  

FULLY BOOKED! If you would like to add your name to a waiting list in case places become available, please get in touch. There is nothing better than giving a gift that you have handmade yourself. This workshop will give you the opportunity to make various Christmas decorations from fabric - from bunting to baubles, tree decorations to stockings, there is a never-ending list of ideas you can make. Suitable for anyone that has completed the Beginners Sewing Weekend or Improvers Sewing Weekend or has basic sewing knowledge. During this workshop you can make a variety of Christmas decorations such as Christmas bunting, tree bunting, fabric baubles, angels and birds. Whether you keep these for yourself or give as gifts, this workshop will provide you with a friendly, fun, creative day and we defy you not to feel festive by the end of it! If you complete the Introduction to Free Motion Embroidery the day before you can incorporate the skills that you have learned to add embellishments to your items! The Basic Sewing Kit It would be helpful to have a basic sewing kit for this course, but not essential as there will tools available for use. Fabric scissors Seam ripper Dressmaking pins Hand sewing needles Threads Sewing gauge Bobbins suitable for your machine Darning Foot and Applique foot (not essential) Temporary markers - this could be tailor's chalk, fade or wash-away pen If you can, bring your own sewing machine so you learn and become familiar with it.  There will also be a limited number of extra machines available if you do not have your own machine please enquire upon booking. Classes are small so you get plenty of hands-on tutition from tutor, Rebecca Barbour, and learn how to sew in a friendly and easy-going environment.   £55 - all materials are provided, plus tea & coffee.  Just bring a packed lunch and your sewing machine. Accommodation is available in the Old Brewery. We require 25% deposit to reserve your place - email or tel 01381 600354 for a Booking Form or more info.