Introduction
There comes a time as a sewer that you may be tempted to take your creative skills that little bit further into the textile arts to create unique pieces of work using techniques involving mixed media, collage, paint, dyeing, printing, fabric manipulation and, of course, stitch – either by hand or machine. In this article, we explore what’s available for you to learn with our pick of some of the great course providers out there, including some online courses too.
Artisan Stitch
Artisan Stitch are based in Edinburgh and offer courses for you to learn new skills suitable for mixed media artists and crafters, textile artists and quilters. They offer regular embroidery and recycling courses.
Find out more at https://www.artisanstitch.co.uk/classes/workshops/
Flourish Textile Art Hub
Flourish textile art hub is a welcoming online space for anyone who loves making mixed-media art inspired by nature.
It was founded by textile artist Ellie Hipkin, to bring high-quality tutorials online, to connect textile art lovers from around the world and to share the wellbeing benefits of regular creativity.
There are two ways to take part; join the regular membership community or take part in individual online workshops.
Creative Thread Workshops
Creative Thread Workshops are based in Garstang in Lancashire and offer a variety of textile arts creative workshops including machine embroidery, feltmaking, creative hand embroidery, collage and sketchbooks, plus many more.
Most of the workshops on offer are one day only, although there are a couple of longer courses on hand embroidery (see website) plus they also run workshops online. Prices start at around £70 for a one day workshop and students generally need to supply materials. Browse the exciting variety of courses available here.
West Dean College
Situated in the South Downs near Chichester, West Dean College is an arts and conservation college offering a sensational setting for you to spend a day, several days or a week studying on a short course.
There is a wide variety of textile arts courses available with some very prestigious tutors including Stitch Books with Anne Kelly, Hand Sewn Narrative Textiles with Janet Bolton and Machine Embroidery with Wendy Dolan plus many more.
Courses range from one day workshops to breaks of a few days, when residential accommodation is also an option. A typical one day course will cost around £160 usually to include some materials but this does vary from course to course. Choose your preferred course here – there’s lots of information to read.
OCA
The Open College of the Arts offers students the chance to study textiles at foundation level continuing up to degree level to achieve a BA(Hons) in Textiles if desired. As the courses are run through distance learning, you study in the comfort of your own home, offering significant savings on travel and accommodation costs that you might traditionally incur. It also gives people the chance to study for a degree as mature students whilst working or looking after a family.
You can start with the Foundations Textiles Course before embarking on a degree course. The Foundation course runs over 12 months with 8 hours of work required each week and costs £1075. The degree course is broken into three levels with a choice of pathways that build upon each other. The full degree from foundation upwards is a significant amount – check latest prices – and there are loans available. To find out more about the Foundations Textiles Course, see here. More information on the degree course and choices here.
Dionne Swift
Dionne is a well known practising textile artist who regularly teaches workshops on devore, sketchbooks and thread painting.
Dionne is running Italian Summer Schools where you can immerse yourself in textiles in gorgeous surroundings. Find out about these trips here.
Littleheath Barn Studio
Littleheath Barn Studio near Bromsgrove is the perfect place to spend a creative day or two. They offer a wide range of fabric printing, dyeing and art textile workshops as well as ongoing courses and guest tutors.
The studio is fully equipped for textile exploration and provides a relaxed and supportive environment
The studio is run by Liske Johnson (BA Hons Textile Design), with the support of Claire Lundy (BA Hons Printed Textiles).
Find out more:
InStitches
InStitches are based in Wokingham and they offer in-person courses and workshops, plus one that you can complete online.
Topics covered include machine embroidery, design and dyeing/printing/colour. Take a look at what is available here.
Jayne Emerson – The No Rules Textile Studio
Jayne has designed a selection of online courses that you can take at home and these include Water Soluble Magic and No Rules Patchwork!
Each course you buy has lifetime access and is supplemented with videos and access to Zoom meetings too.
Take a look
