Workshops are at the Methodist Church, Bakewell

Kindly sponsored by Heirs and Graces, Darley Dale.

This is the first of three craft workshops linked to this year’s exhibition Treasured Quilts: Warmth and Wealth. The sessions will cover something a bit different; lesser-known techniques in quilting, patchwork and embroidery, suitable for beginners but will also be of interest to more advanced needleworkers and crafters. Hand sewing and slow stitching are relaxing and rewarding; the ultimate in mindfulness.

Originating in India and South Asia, Kantha means rags where cotton scraps of fabric are stitched together to make a larger piece of cloth. This craft is one of the early examples of recycling. Layers of fabric are then quilted to produce a more substantial and decorative cloth that would have been used to produce useful household textile items; upcycling.

Cost is £30 each session or £80 for all three workshops. Refreshments are included.

A starter kit will be provided but bring a 6” embroidery hoop if you have one, a small pair of scissors and a magnifying glass if you already use one for close work.

You can use your own design if you prefer and an outline drawing will be required to fit inside the hoop.

About the Tutor

Ann Esders is an experienced teacher of textile crafts specialising in patchwork, quilting and embroidery. She is a well known tutor in the Bakewell area having established a successful business including a classroom nearly 40 years ago: Heirs and Graces was founded in 1987.

Ann is passionate about passing on knowledge and skills to inspire a love of creative arts in others along with a few tips that only come from experience. It has always been important to her that when pupils are learning a technique that they also understand the materials they are using, to instil an appreciation for the history behind it. The atmosphere in a class is relaxed and friendly with pupils working at their own pace.