Weald and Downland Living Museum Ticket Portal

Saturday 29 March 2025

Create your own handsome cockerel embellished with metallic threads and beads, to show off his wonderful tail and gleaming feathers. Using wire-work and padding techniques to create three-dimensional elements in the design, learn to combine traditional stumpwork with modern materials and methods. The course will provide all the materials required plus a choice of threads and beads. Please remember to bring your sewing glasses.

Saturday 19 July 2025

Use shimmering fabrics with metallic threads and beads, to create a stunning dragon-fly hovering over water. Learn to combine traditional stumpwork techniques, including padding and wire-work, with modern materials and methods. The course will provide all the required materials plus a choice of threads and beads.

Saturday 06 September 2025

An opportunity to try out Victorian Crazy Patchwork. This patchwork technique was a favourite of the Victorians. A showcase for carefully hoarded scraps of choice fabrics, this is a chance to let your imagination run riot with embroidered decoration and beads. We will make traditional pincushions or needle-keeps, or you can just start a piece that can keep on growing to become anything you can imagine!

This course is suitable for beginners, and teaches both patchwork and embroidery.

Monday 05 May 2025

Tuesday 06 May 2025

Nalbinding is the ancient craft of making flat or three dimensional textiles from loops of yarn. It predates knitting and crochet and has its origins in prehistory becoming popular in Early Medieval and Viking societies especially. During the day participants will explore the history and learn several key stitches. You’ll take home sample swatches ready to start larger projects.

Monday 11 August 2025

A hands-on day using wooden blocks and learning a method that is different to printing on paper.  Ink pads, dabbers or brushes are used to apply inks, the wood blocks are positioned on the fabric and pressure is applied by hand or by striking with a wooden mallet to print repeat designs onto linen, calico or cotton.  Learn also about the development of textile printing up to Victorian times and William Morris.

Sunday 05 October 2025

Quilting has been used for thousands of years to add extra warmth, protection and decoration to clothing and household items. Simple in concept, yet amazingly versatile, spend the day exploring simple techniques including shadow, corded and stuffed quilting (also known as boutis or Marseille and trapunto), in this relaxed and informal setting, gaining an appreciation of the versatility of the craft. Quilting lends itself to everything from clothing to Christmas tree decorations.

Saturday 03 May 2025

Sprang is a method of plaiting on stretched threads that can be traced back several thousand years. Taking inspiration from prehistoric finds of sprang braided textiles, we will begin with an overview of the archaeological evidence for sprang, then get to grips with setting up a simple sprang frame using easily sourced bent sticks. S and Z interlinking will be practiced then a slightly larger project can be started. Participants usually go home with a small bag or bronze age style hairnet made in your choice of linen, wool or cotton.