Explore straw plaiting, straw work and embroidery in a two-part workshop rooted in local heritage, traditional craft and hands-on making

About the workshop

From Straw to Plait is a two-part hands-on workshop held across two Saturdays, exploring traditional straw plaiting and straw work, and reinterpreting these techniques through embroidery for fashion.

You can join for one day only or book both days for the full workshop experience.

Across the two Saturdays, participants will learn how to prepare and work with straw, develop plaited structures, and explore ways of combining straw with stitched and embroidered techniques.

Local heritage

Straw plaiting has a strong history across Aldbury, Tring, the Chilterns and the surrounding Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire area, where it supported rural communities for generations and became closely connected with Luton’s straw-hat industry.

Tradition & seasonal making

Across the two-part workshop, we will also explore traditions connected with straw working, including its relationship to harvest, place and seasonal making.

These traditions are part of our craft heritage, and some are now at real risk of being lost. The workshop considers how these skills can continue to be practised, shared and adapted within contemporary making.

Sustainability & contemporary practice

We will also consider straw as a renewable material and explore how traditional skills and locally grown materials can contribute to more sustainable approaches within contemporary fashion and textile practice.

Allotment visit

As part of the two-day experience, participants will visit a local allotment to look at growing and sowing straw at source, creating a direct connection between cultivation and the materials used in making.

Supporting your learning

A detailed workshop plan and practical information will be sent to booked participants 7 days before Part 1.

Participants will also receive access to a private online resource board containing supporting learning materials to help continue their making between the two sessions. This will remain available for two weeks after the final workshop, allowing time to revisit techniques, references and supporting material.

-Materials, Equipment and learning resources will be provided during the workshops.

-Specilaist tools and equipment will be available for the duration of each workshop day only. Some additional tools, equipment and materials will also be available to purchase for those who would like to continue straw plaiting between or after part 1 and 2.

Day 1. Foundations and Heritage, 24th October.

Introduction, local history, harvest traditions, material preparation, foundational plaits, joining and finishing, Aldbury allotment visit, growing and sustainability.

Day 2. Creative straw plaiting and embellishment, 31st October.

Straw work and plait development, further plaiting, dyed straw, embellishment and embroidery, contemporary fashion applications.

Who is it for?

The workshops are suitable for beginners as well as those with an interest in embroidery, textiles, heritage craft, natural materials and sustainable making.

Age Requirement 18+

Dates

This is a two-part workshop and one ticket covers both dates:

Saturday 24 October 2026 - Part 1

Saturday 31 October 2026 - Part 2

10:00–16:30 on both days Arrival from 09:30

Description supplied by the event organiser.