Join Marianne for a mindful, relaxing and informative stitching workshop in the Community Room of historic Calverley Old Hall

Learn or refresh your skills in Japanese Kugurizashi decorative hand embroidery, using templates to create bold stitch patterns. One free hot or cold drink included in the ticket price.

A little about sashiko and kugurizashi stitching and the workshop

Sashiko is the age-old Japanese technique of visibly mending textiles by adding dense stitches and patches with decorative patterns, thereby strengthening the finished item, personalising it and adding to its story. From these humble origins kugurizashi developed as a highly decorative and colourful variation, where the thread is woven under nearby stitches to create a repeating pattern.

Sashiko uses simple straight running stitches which anyone can do, but they can be combined in attractive and intricate patterns inspired by nature and the home to add personal meaning to our belongings.

In this workshop we'll use templates to transfer a starting grid to fabric, and then Marianne will guide you on the background stitch patterns and woven aspects to create a decorative embroidery. This is a skills workshop in which you'll practice the accuracy of sashiko stitching and colour combinations to create the intricate patterns. Depending on your skill level and the complexity of your designs you may will finish several patterns during the workshop, and everyone will take their sewing home with materials, tools and the inspiration they need to continue. Once finished your pieces could be displayed in a frame, used as coasters, or sewn onto fabric (clothing/tote bag/blanket/etc).

All materials will be provided, but please feel free to bring your own favourite sewing supplies and tools.

The workshop is suitable for complete beginners or those wanting to refresh their hand-sewing skills. Please note, you will need reasonable hand/finger mobility and eyesight.

A little about the instructor

Marianne is an upholsterer and sewing enthusiast with a lifelong background in textiles, embroidery, dressmaking and upcycling.

She loves the simplicity, accessibility and mindfulness of sewing and believes that anyone can learn to sew and express themselves creatively through needle and thread.

Marianne can guide you in both practical and artistic methods of embroidery, and show you how to use sewing to make beautiful decorative items and also transfer these skills to extend the life of your clothes and textiles. Follow her on Instagram or Facebook @forminfabric

Description supplied by the event organiser.