This site-specific workshop will use the landscape and gardens around West Dean as inspiration. Using found marks to inspire simple mordant prints, local plants collected to make dyes, piecing and hand stitching, you will explore ideas that evoke a quality or sense of place informed by this unique location.

This workshop is suitable for all levels of experience and will include time spent both inside and outside the studio, and is inspired by contemporary concerns about sustainability and creative textiles.

You can expect to explore the process in a relaxed, supportive environment. Claire will encourage you to develop your own work through observation and experimentation.

During the course, you can expect to:

• Learn simple natural dyeing techniques which could be used at home.
• Make connections between cloth, seasons and colour.
• Begin to understand the pleasure of slow stitching and making a real connection with a piece of work.

Included

The course fee includes a pack of essential materials supplied by the tutor for the course, including dyestuffs, fabrics that are pre-mordanted and ready to dye, naturally dyed threads and wool grounds for stitching.

What students need to bring

• Small pieces of fabric that hold special meaning for you to incorporate with your stitching
• Simple sewing kit including scissors
• A notebook/sketchbook
• A camera for recording your processes
• Apron, outdoor clothing and footwear
• Please bring with you a textile that you are happy to share a story about with the group. This could be something that you have made or a family textile (it will not be included in the work you make during the course).

Available to buy

Available from shop:

• Basic sewing supplies e.g. needles, embroidery scissors
• Sketchbooks

Additional information

Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio; this includes stout covered footwear (no open-toes or sandals).

Arrival day - first date of course
Residential students can arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm for registration  
Student welcome, followed by dinner: 6.45pm (dinner included)
Teaching session: 8pm-9pm (attendance is essential)

Daily timetable
Course teaching: 9.15am-5pm  
Morning session: 9.15am-12.45pm including coffee/tea break  
Lunch break: 12.45pm-2pm (lunch included)  
Afternoon session: 2pm-5pm including coffee/tea break  
Teaching finishes: 5pm    
Evening working: students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with permission from the tutor and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.

Departure day - last date of course
Course teaching: 9.15am-3pm (lunch included)  
Teaching finishes: 3pm  

Residential students will need to check out of rooms by 10am.
Please note, the tutor may make slight variations to the daily timetable as required.

Terms & Conditions