91 Courses

A Christmas theme free motion embroidery workshop - drawing on the sewing machine to create Christmas themed appliqué designs.

Come and join us to learn this beautiful meditative technique and let your mind and body relax with your hands engaged in this amazing creative and mindful activity. Weaving is a technique that has existed for thousands of years, present in every culture across the globe. You can weave with various materials and we will be using only upcycled wool and other textile pieces. You are also more than welcome to bring your own fabric scraps or wool and incorporate them it into your project. During the 3 hours workshop, you will learn how to set up a basic weaving loom, see some examples, and discuss various possibilities how they could be incorporated into clothing and fashion projects. This workshop will familiarise you with basic weaving techniques. We will cover how to prepare a loom, the plain weave and the soumak stitch. You should be able to complete a small wall hanging about size A6 (4,1x5,8 inches) or a bookmark if you are a complete beginner. This workshop is led by Anna Baran, a trauma informed designer, artist, and maker based in the north of Edinburgh. She has always drawn inspiration from the sea, with her walks to local beaches, particularly Wardie Bay during the lockdown, becoming not only a source of new ideas for her artistic practice but also a way to gather materials such as driftwood, pieces of plastic ropes, and seashells. Anna has consistently sought to incorporate upcycled materials into her art, using her work to raise environmental awareness and promote art as an accessible medium for self-expression, regardless of financial circumstances. In addition to participating in various art exhibitions and fashion-related events, she has delivered a wide range of art and craft workshops to diverse communities across Edinburgh. This FREE workshop is for Adults women only and is sponsored by CORRA and HENRY DUNCAN GRANTS By attending this class you release Anna Baran, Giada Gaslini and Art and Spirituality Cic, from any liability arising out of any personal injuries, emotional or physical release, death, physical reaction, expectations of results, theft in the venue or damages that may happen to people and objects while attending. Pictures will be taken during the workshop, if you prefer not to be in them, please inform the teacher.

Machine Knitting Lessons, private 1 to 1 tuition, on-line or in person Including DesignaKnit. From beginners to advanced.

Make your own cushion to match your decor. We have over 1400 different, 100% cotton fabrics for you to choose from. You will be able to take home a beautiful, hand-finished Cushion that you have made yourself with the guidance of Alan. Your cushion will be approximately 18" to 20". Get to choose your own fabrics for the cushion cover. The cushion filler is high quality, hollow fibre, professional filler that does not squash after being used once. Everything you require is provided in the course fee so there is nothing else to buy once you have paid the £40.00. Generally, the course is two hours in length but the main aim is to leave with a finished item so if it takes longer then that is ok.

Spend two lovely days at our alpaca farm designing and making your own completely unique hand woven scarf. Working on a Rigid Heddle loom you will choose your yarns from the beautiful natural colours and hand dyed yarns from the Burnt Fen Alpacas herd. We work in my studio - a Mongolian yurt next to the alpaca fields and the alpacas will no doubt visit to say hello. We have around 40 alpacas ranging through whites, fawns, browns, greys and blacks so there are plenty of natural colours to choose from! Any dyed yarn is hand dyed on the farm using natural dyes. Refreshments are available all day and a there is a delicious homemade soup for lunch.

Do you dream of starting a career in art, design or media? Are you interested in doing a creative Undergraduate or Postgraduate degree? Are you curious about studying art at University level but need a bit more experience, a confidence boost or want to immerse yourself in a few new creative techniques before you start your degree? Join us on our free two-week Making Change course. This course has been designed to prepare you to start university, alongside building a portfolio and gaining support for your application. You will get an art school experience, and during the course you will get the chance to meet the lecturers for the subjects you are interested in studying. You will learn how to work with different painting and printing techniques, test your skills as a fine artist, and get hands-on with materials, all while building a portfolio. This course has been designed to support you commencing your Undergraduate or Postgraduate studies with Arts University Plymouth in September 2025 or 2026. “Honestly, I can't believe the course was only three weeks long. The connections we all made were genuine, positive and have created a new opportunity for me that I have been trying to achieve for the past 20 years without success!” MAKING CHANGE STUDENT, MARCH 2022 What will I learn? During the course you will make, discuss and experiment with materials and ideas, whilst preparing for entry onto one of our Undergraduate or Postgraduate courses. You will be supported in making an application, and you will improve your knowledge of the higher education sector. Are you a mature student? Did you know that 31% of students at Arts University Plymouth are mature students? We pride ourselves on being a creative environment for all ages. As well as support in completing your application, you'll be given advice and tips on how to prepare your portfolio, as well as comprehensive student finance advice. Previous graduates of our Making Change courses have gone on to study at degree level on subjects including Fashion, Textiles, Fine Art, Craft and Material Practices and Painting, Drawing & Printmaking, and across our range of postgraduate courses. What are the entry requirements for this course? You don’t need to have a portfolio prepared - you just have to bring your enthusiasm and meet the following criteria: At the start of the course I am between the ages of 18 - 70, I'm eligible to work in the UK (i.e. I have a National Insurance number), I am interested in studying at Arts University Plymouth in September 2025 or 2026. I want to explore higher education opportunities at an undergraduate or postgraduate level, I am eligible for at least two years of student funding or I am looking at self-funding a Higher Education course,* I am able to attend all six sessions (see dates below). *More information on whether you are eligible for financial support can be found at www.gov.uk/student-finance/who-qualifies. If you are unsure if you are eligible, we can discuss this with you once you have applied. When does this course run? This course takes place on campus at Arts University Plymouth with sessions from 10am to 3:30pm, every Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday from 4th - 13th June 2025.

Learn to love your overlocker - AKA serger. Spend 3 hours playing with your overlocker to develop your knowledge and gain an understanding of how these work.

Learn to create a mood/inspiration board, and how to develop ideas and vision. Explore colour and composition for your interior through textile, style and surface pattern design.

Improving with stretch fabric - next steps with your overlocker / serger. Spend 3 hours playing with your overlocker to develop your knowledge and get to grips with Seaming, Flatlocking, Blind Hems, Pintucks, Lettuce edging, Rolled Hems and Complex fabric handling e.g. velvet/chiffon/spandex

'Introduction to Natural Dyeing' workshop in Mere, Wiltshire. Learn the alchemy & magic of extracting colour from plants in this relaxed & informative natural dyeing workshop. Learn the principles & practice of natural dyeing using traditional, kitchen & foraged dye-stuffs, plus an introduction to indigo & over dyeing.