Learning the sacred art of slow-stitched ancestral scroll-making using gorgeous fabrics, threads and photos. All materials supplied.

Join Dal for this two day immersive retreat. We’ll be exploring our roots and threads, working in an intuitive, joyful and supportive environment, Dal will guide you through her own process of creating your own truly unique and sacred ancestral scrolls, working with gorgeous fabrics, threads and embellishments.

By the end of the retreat you’ll leave with the skills and confidence to stitch your sacred connections into a scroll, a sense of what it feels like to make slowly with reverence, and hopefully some new connections of those who walk the ancestral path with you.

No previous experience required. For beginners to experienced stitchers. All sessions are offered in the spirit of sacred possibility.

The retreat is situated within the historic Sheffield Botanical Gardens, in the vibrant area of Hunters Bar/Sharrowvale and on the edge of the glorious Peak District.

Day 1:

Dal will be sharing her philosophy, inspirations and methods for making her ancestral scrolls, demonstrating techniques, stitches and construction of panels. Dal will bring a selection of her scrolls for you to experience up close.

Each participant will receive an ancestral scroll kit* (see below).

We’ll be exploring our ancestors and their importance to us. We’ll feel in to the stitched narratives we want to create, the significance of fabric choices, textures and layers, colours and threads, image transfer techniques, layouts and basic scroll structure.

We’ll start creating our panels, explore and experiment with slow stitching with intention, explore basic embroidery stitches, allowing our hands to be guided and letting go of perfection. Unruly stitches are welcome! And so is rule-breaking. We’ll work towards a finished(ish) panel or two, adding meaningful details and embellishments.

Dal will offer some reflective prompts to take home with you overnight as well as suggestions for the following day.

Day 2:

Our second day starts together with insights and reflections, reviewing our work and skills learnt from Day 1. And any ancestral epiphanies which may have occurred overnight.

We’ll explore a few more embroidery stitches, edging and joining techniques, as well as the addition of embellishments, sacred symbols and text, names, dates or dedications.

We’ll spend time completing our individual panels (each person may be at a different stage) with attention to final details and the ‘feels’ of each panel. Dal will demonstrate different ways to join our panels into a scroll and ways to hang or roll your ancestral scroll.

The weekend culminates in community sharing and closing, where we share our ancestral scrolls, the stories and meanings stitched into each piece. We’ll share our gratitude for our ancestors. Dal will share information, encouragement and resources for your ongoing practice. Most all, we’ll leave the weekend knowing we have stitched sacred knowledge in to our scrolls which now carry forward the wisdom of those who came before us.

Both days include optional gentle guided meditations to connect with our ancestral lineage, a chance to share our ancestors names/lineages and to contribute to a collective ancestral altar. We’ll also do some guided stretches throughout the day. You are welcome to take as many rest breaks as you wish. As the workshop classroom is in Botanical Gardens, you are also welcome to take your stitching outside.

Supplies we’ll be using (included):

Vintage, eco-dyed, tea-stained fabrics including cottons, linens and silks for scroll panels.

Anchor/DMC embroidery flosses in a range of colours, Perle cotton, metallic threads.

Embroidery needles, scissors, fabric glue

Fabric stencils, woodblock prints and inks

Embellishments: beads, charms, shisha mirrors, lace, ribbons

Important! I can print up to three images of your choice on to scroll panels prior to the retreat.

For you to then stitch with during the retreat. If you wish me to do this please email me up to 3 jpeg images.

*Ancestral scroll making kit:

4 fabric scroll panels (plus another 2 from the big stash)

tea-stained vintage cotton fabric strip for backing (optional)

small set of embroidery needles and pins

scrap fabric for practice stitches

embellishment kit

(you’ll also have the option to purchase threads and embellishments to take back with you to continue your journey)

Participants to bring:

Any personal embroidery tools: scissors, needles, embroidery hoops (please note, I work freehand without hoops)

Personal embellishments you wish to incorporate in your scroll such as beads, charms, small heirlooms, shells, dried flowers/herbs.

Original photos which you’re happy to stitch directly onto your scroll

Favourite threads, ribbons, lace, fabrics, wools

A stick, twig, or dowel to hang the scroll from (if you wish to display it)

Notebook and pen for notes and reflections

A cushion for comfort and blanket or shawl

Your lunch

Description supplied by the event organiser.