Our Workshops
Scroll down for class details and booking forms
Heritage Workshops
Full day Wednesday workshops (10am-4pm) teaching contemporary skills & their history.
Cost: £50 each incl materials for a take-home project (£90 for 2 booked at the same time).
10% discount voucher to spend in the shop.
Saturday Skills
Half day Saturday workshops (10am to 1pm) covering the basics or specialist skills.
Cost: from £35 each incl all basic materials.
Opportunity to bring own projects for some classes (optional but never essential) and the option to up-grade kits (for an additional charge) – see individual classes for details.
10% off kits, patterns and materials to use in class (optional).
Access notice: workshops take place on the 2nd floor of our shop at 32 Coppergate, York YO1 9NR and are accessed via two flights of stairs only. We apologise if this prohibits anyone from attending.
Toft Crochet Master Class - Saturday Skills
Best-selling author/designer Kerry Lord, co-founder of the highly successful and wildly imaginative Toft amigurumi crochet company is our guest teacher for this class. Kerry will teach you the skills, tips and tricks you need to make an adorable Toft mini kit from their Edward’s Menagerie range (www.edwardscrochet.com)
27 July 2019 – Sold Out
Medieval Hand Appliqué - Heritage Workshop
Learn about the motifs of York Minster heraldry. Create a jewellery pouch in felt and cotton fabrics (raw and turned under) using appliqué techniques with a range of hand-stitches. Embellish with beads and finish off the pouch with a handmade cord. Taught by textile artist Helen Barnes.
Weds 7 August 2019
10am – 4pm
Beginner's Crochet - Saturday Skills Class
Discover the basics of crochet under the inspiring guidance of Yorkshire designer/maker Steffi Glaves (www.steffiglaves.co.uk). Learn the basic stitches including chain, double and treble, arranging stitches to make granny squares to turn into colourful blankets or bunting, with appliqué crocheted flowers.
Cost: £35 including materials and equipment
Level: For complete beginners
Saturday 31 August 2019
10am – 1pm
Arts & Crafts Tapestry - Heritage Workshop
Look at the tradition of tapestry in the Arts and Crafts movement and the designs of William Morris. Work on a bird or flower motif using tent stitch and cross-stitch and perhaps make a start on a larger piece to work on as the nights begin to draw in. Taught by textile artist Helen Barnes.
Weds 11 September 2019
10am – 4pm
Needle Felting Master Class - Saturday Skills
Learn the sculptural art of needle felting from Heather O’Leary, the designer/maker behind the beautifully observed felted animal kits from Craftwerk (www.craftwerk.co.uk). Be inspired by her realistic creations, wild and domestic, and her passion for the wools of our rich native sheep farming heritage.
Cost: £35 including materials and equipment for mini Craftwerk original
Level: suitable for beginners
* or pre-order one of Craftwerk’s stunning kits to start in class, using your 10% discount voucher – optional
(see www.craftwerks.co.uk for design choices).
Saturday 21 September 2019
10am – 1pm
Durham Hand-Quilting - Heritage Workshop
This workshop introduces the rich heritage of the quilts designed and made in the mining villages of northern England. Discover the history and people behind these ‘whole cloth’ quilts and learn about the Weardale chain, feather cable, lovers knot, rose templates and other designs inspired by nature. Then use old pennies to design and create your own, unique hand-quilted cushion cover. Taught by textile artist Helen Barnes.
9 October – SOLD OUT
Booking for additional date, below:
Weds 27 November 2019
10am – 4pm
Crochet & Button Jewellery - Saturday Skills Class
Design and make contemporary motifs with designer/maker Steffi Glaves (www.steffiglaves.co.uk). Incorporatea selection of our beautiful buttons then turn them into pendants, necklaces, bracelets and brooches.
Cost: £35 including materials and equipment
Level: some crochet experience required
Saturday 12 October 2019
10am – 1pm
Chunky Knits & York's Medieval Wool Trade - Heritage Workshop
Learn to knit and in the process find out about the rich history of York’s medieval wool trade. Acquire the skills to cast on, cast off, knit, purl, rib, stocking stitch, garter stitch, moss stitch and a simple cable. Use the latest on-trend wools to knit a unique designer-scarf and create tassels and pom-poms to decorate. Taught by textile artist Helen Barnes.
23 October 2019
10am – 4pm
Micro Crochet -
Saturday Skills Class
Learn to create endearing teeny-tiny crocheted pieces to adapt as jewellery and more with designer/maker Steffi Glaves (www.steffiglaves.co.uk). Master the use of mini crochet needles and start with an exclusive design in class.
Cost: £35 including materials and equipment
Level: some crochet experience required
Saturday 2 November 2019
10am – 1pm
Victorian Cross-Stitch Samplers - Heritage Workshop
Rich or poor, Victorian girls and ladies applied themselves to making samplers, some for pleasure, others to develop skills to turn into a livelihood. Sew a cross-stitch card or sampler from our wide selection at Dutton for Button’s or create a design for Christmas. Taught by textile artist Helen Barnes.
13 November 2019
10am – 4pm
Durham Hand-Quilting - Heritage Workshop
This workshop introduces the rich heritage of the quilts designed and made in the mining villages of northern England. Discover the history and people behind these ‘whole cloth’ quilts and learn about the Weardale chain, feather cable, lovers knot, rose templates and other designs inspired by nature. Then use old pennies to design and create your own, unique hand-quilted cushion cover. Taught by textile artist Helen Barnes.
27 November 2019
10am – 4pm
(repeat event by popular demand)
Viking Gold -
Heritage Workshop
Be inspired by beautiful Viking goldwork and interpret the motifs in gold thread. Using an embroidery hoop, embellish Celtic designs, stars or snowflakes with beads, sequins and jewels to create a festive decoration. Taught by textile artist Helen Barnes.
4 December 2019
10am – 4pm
Brontë Needle Roll & Regency Embroidery - Heritage Workshop
Sew a needle roll just like Charlotte Brontë’s and study Regency embroidery patterns and designs. Learn a range of hand-stitches and personalise your roll with lace, ribbon and beads in the tradition of 19th century ladies. Taught by textile artist Helen Barnes.
Sold Out
Future date to be added;
please log your interest here.
Old English Patchwork Quilting -
Heritage Workshop
Master the addictive hand-craft of paper-piecing patchwork quilting and the history behind it. Apply what you’ve learnt by making an English rose pin cushion from hexagons of quintessentially English Liberty Print fabric. Take away this perfect Mother’s Day gift along with the confidence to apply your new skill set to your own, larger projects. Taught by textile artist Helen Barnes.
Sold Out
Future date to be added;
please log your interest here.
‘70s Macramé - Saturday Skills Class
Rediscover this ancient knotting craft, a ’70s craze that’s once again taking the UK by storm and learn skills to apply to plant hangers, garments, jewellery, wall hangings, throws and more.
Sold Out
Future date to be added;
please log your interest here.
1940s Vintage Flower Embroidery - Heritage Workshop
Learn lazy daisy stitch, backstitch, chainstitch and French knots whilst studying the designs and motifs of 1940s vintage flower embroidery.
Create a lavender bag to hang in your wardrobe and help protect your precious woollens.
Taught by textile artist Helen Barnes.
Sold Out
Future date to be added;
please log your interest here.
Fair Isle - Saturday Skills
Learn from maker Eleanor Caldwell to decipher and follow a Fair Isle chart, to swap colours and keep the back as beautifully neat as the front. Practise patterns that you can apply to your own project* by making a sampler in class.
Cost: £35 incl materials & equipment for sampler.
Level: intermediate knitters
* Wools, needles & pattern books also available to purchase in store with 10% discount voucher.
Sold Out
Future date to be added;
please log your interest here.
Timeless Beadwork - Heritage Workshop
Haute-couture textile designer, RCA graduate and London College of Fashion teacher Alice Richardson gives practical lessons in the fabulous beading techniques she uses to adorn cat-walk garments, silver-screen costumes and the latest must-have accessories.
(to see Alice’s work visit: www.alicerichardsontextiles.com)
Sold Out
1960s Patches and Visible Mending - Heritage Workshop
They’re back in fashion! Learn to up-cycle clothes and furnishings with visible mending, hand stitching, darning, appliqué and patches. Bring a garment or cushion to transform, or make decorative on-trend denim patches to apply at home. Learn a range of hand-stitches to create your own, unique designs. Taught by textile artist Helen Barnes.
Sold Out
Future date to be added;
please log your interest here.
