Explore and observe nature with embroidery stitches on this two week course with Embroidery artist and Gardener Elnaz Yazdani!

Please note this workshop will run 10am - 12pm on Friday 7th and Friday 14th August.

Experiment with hand stitches and natural colours to create your own unique piece of embroidery art, Elnaz Yazdani dries and collects flowers from her allotment, garden, and walks to use as inspiration and experiment with. You will learn a range of exciting hand embroidery stitches to apply these elements of nature onto natural fabric using hand embroidery.

The course consists of two weeks, the first looking at flower and plant observations, collage and beginners stitching. The second session explores techniques and ideas to combine nature with embroidery in an experimental way. Allowing you to explore process, nature, and connection in your own time.

Course level: confident beginner

Artist bio:

Elnaz Yazdani is an embroidery artist, gardener and educator based in Yorkshire. Elnaz is dedicated to sharing her textile skills and promoting the importance of embroidery as an art form for the future and for community wellbeing.

Elnaz has taught embroidery throughout her community, within primary, secondary and higher education as well as community groups and organisations.

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’.

In 2025 Elnaz was awarded a Master of Arts by Research in recognition of a programme of work entitled ‘Rethinking Embroidery: Connecting, Embellishing and Transforming Communities Through Embroidery.

Her practice explores ways of transforming traditional embroidery techniques through her choice of unusual materials; she is inspired by industrial materials, nature and with the ways in which she can embellish, connect or transform these items through stitch to develop a surface or form.

Her unique embroidery style has allowed her to work across community groups and organisations exploring the use of embroidery and gardening as a tool for social prescribing. Connecting, Embellishing and Transforming communities through stitch and plants. Exhibiting embroidery work since graduating from her BA at Manchester School of Art in 2014.

Elnaz is available for workshops, talks, embroidery commissions, exhibitions and collaborative projects.

When attending a workshop you can receive 10% off within the Gallery Shop on the day of your session.

About the venue

Sunny Bank Mills is an inspirational cultural destination in the heart of the local community of Farsley, Leeds. Founded in 1829, these glorious Mills are being regenerated by the sixth generation of the family owners, creating a wonderful blend of work, leisure and culture.

Course terms and booking conditions

Workshop and course bookings can be cancelled and refunded up until 7 days before the scheduled start date. As materials and equipment are ordered in advance, we regret that refunds cannot be offered less than 7 days before the workshop date. Please note that Eventbrite’s booking fee is non-refundable.

If we need to cancel the course for any reason your ticket will be fully refunded.

Description supplied by the event organiser.