Autumn/Winter Workshop Sessions

Autumn Winter Workshop Sessions 2019

September 2019

2nd Art

3rd&5th Own Projects

6th to 15th Studio Closed due to Birthday Holiday

16th  Art 'Autumn Splendor' with Jeanette

17th&19th New Projects for Autumn, Catch Up with Brenda

20th Crewel Embroidery with Brenda

23rd Art

24th&26th Ribbon Embroidery Fuchsia's with Brenda, kit

30th Art

October 2019

1st&3rd Needlefelting Pumpkins with Ellen, kit and The Colour Orange with Jane

5th Own Projects and The Colour Orange

7th Art

8th&10th Goldwork with Brenda, 'Autumn Splendor', kit

14th Art

15th&17th Treasure Keeper, Making sense of collections

18th Crewel Embroidery with Brenda

21st Art

22nd&24th Inspired by your special, treasured object or keepsake

28th Art

29th&31st Halloween Sparkle and Own Projects

November 2019

4th Art

5th&7th Christmas Makes and Own Projects

11th Art

12th&14th Red Work with Brenda, kit 

15th Crewel Embroidery with Brenda

18th Art

19th&21st Christmas Makes and Own Projects

25th Art Christmas Image

26th&28th Winter Sparkle with Jane and Brenda, kit

December 2019

2nd Art Christmas Image and Own Projects

4rd&5th Christmas Makes and Own Projects

9th Art Christmas Image and Own Project

10th&12th Christmas Makes and Own Projects

13th Crewel Embroidery with Brenda

18th Art Christmas Image and Own Project

17th&19th Jane Gift Make, kit included.

Closed for the Christmas Break Studio and Shop Open again late January 2020, date to be confirmed.

Autumn Workshop Sessions

September is always a busy time for us, planning the Autum and Winter Sessions and the studio diary gets full pretty quickly.

Stewart and I aslo manage to take a week off but this time as ever is already filling up with experiences:))). A chance to see family, a trip to London to the V&A, Chris Riddell evening, visit Jessie Chorley's Shop, a spa day and also a birthday, all in a week:))))

Here is the new list for September and October 2018

September 2018

4&6th Blackberries and Autumn Projects. Brenda is sharing how to embroider and bead Autumn Friuts and Jane is sharing the new projects and Inspiration for the next few months.

7thto14th The studio is CLOSED , not to say they won't be sharing the creativity that week:))

18th&20th Brenda Catch Up and Autumn Projects. This is an ideal time to catch up on any projects that you have started with Brenda or start a new one that you have wanted to do. Jane will be sharing her projects too:))

21st Crewel Embroidery. The once a month Crewel Embroidery session with lots more kits and Inspiration for the Winter. 10am until 2pm

25th&27th Seasonal and Own Projects. Christmas and gift giving is just around the corner.

26th Creative Textiles Creative Course begins. A ten week course that covers many of the creaative techniques within Textiles. Creating a project from the start, covering ideas, dyeing fabric, printing, stitch, innovative materials and tools. A few places left.

October 2018

2nd&4th Fabric and Paper Keepsakes Inspired by London visit. A trip to London, V&A, Chriss Riddell evening and Jessie Chorley's shop will all have a bearing on this session:)))

9th&11th Modern Square Runner. Jane loves setting a geometric patchwork challenge.

12th Crewel Embroidery, once a month session. 10am until 2pm

16th&18th Embroidery on Black and Catch Up Projects. Kits available.

23rd&25th Snowflakes layered and beaded.

30thOct & 1st Nov Seasonal and Own Projects. Christmas or projects you just want to get done:))

Monday Art Sessions 10 am to 12.15pm

Jeanette Williams is joining The Old Art Room Team, starting on the 17th of September with Mixed Media Art Techniques with 'Autumn Berries and Fruits'. Jeanette will be in the studio fortnightly.

Booking and payment is required to ensure your session and payment is non- refundable due to limited places available.

Crewel Embroidery Sessions With The Needlewoman's Studio

Brenda known on the internet as "The Needlewoman's Studio', has started a Crewel Embroidery sessions at The Old Art Room Studio. On the second Friday of each month, 10am until 2pm and it costs £18 for the day. (See the dates below).

You can purchase a starter kit at the session for around £6 and you can join on any Friday as a beginner or to share your love of embroidery. Brenda shows you how to create a beautiful Crewel Embroidery from start to finish, giving lots of hints and tips on how to get the best results especially if you find sewing difficult but really want to do it or continue. If you have a particular image or theme you have always wanted to do, Brenda helps you design, plan and stitch so you can achieve your stitched project.

Liz wanted to continue her theme of 'Game of Thrones' and so they designed this piece so it could be stitched onto a collar that is forming part of a costume which Liz is wearing to 'Comicon'. Those that follow the series can see it is 'The House of Stark' Lion.

I had to stitch some Crewel Embroidery Samples for my Embroidery City and Guilds so had a basic understanding on the stitches and techniques but Brenda made the stitching how to and the history come alive. A wonderful session and everyone enjoyed stitching to the extent we didn't want to go home:))

 I made mine very contemporary, inspired by Blackwork and Steampunk. (Will show step by step photos:)

I like using a sit on frame because it leaves my hands free to get on with the embroidery:) find them here on Amazon. I recommend a 8" diameter one (21cms) because I am able to use it for a variety of

This video is by Phillipa Turnbull, a renowned English Embroiderer, who works alongside The Royal School of Needlework.




When sewing, craft making or reading you need a good light and I have one of these in my home studio, easy to move around and great sewing light, especially when working on dark projects.

• This Daylight Simulating Desk Lamp / Bed Lamp closely mimics natural light to be kinder to your eyes.
• High flicker-rate helps reduce the risk of headaches and eye-strain.
• Concentrate for longer and enjoy clearer vision for hobbies like crafts and sewing.
• Economical light bulbs have an average life span of 8000 hours.
• Includes SPARE BULB. Shop with confidence as the Andrew James Desk Lamp is covered by a 2 year manufacturer's warranty.

Brenda recommends Jane Rainbow's book for anyone interest in Crewel Embroidery, we had a look at copies in the session and there where so many great tips and beautiful pictures and projects.

Starting with just four of these stitches, Jane clearly demonstrates, with detailed step-by-step photographs, how to work up a complete project. Instructions follow on showing how to stretch and mount your first embroidery. Using further projects she helps you build up skills, introducing new stitches in each section. Line drawings accompany each design and are used as a guide for the stitches. The designs and colours used are traditional - reminiscent of the embroidery worked by embroiderers during the Tudor period, wonderful floral pictures worked in wool and soft colours. The book is a comprehensive introduction to this lovely technique and at the same time it offers embroiderers practical help with presentation and finishing.

This post contains Amazon links for the items we use and recommend in the studio. By clicking on the link and purchasing on Amazon you are helping the studio, as a small percentage of your purchase goes to the studio with no extra cost to yourself:)))