Events by this organizer

In this class you will learn basic shibori binding techniques that provide the perfect introduction to the ancient Japanese craft of Shibori resist dyeing.

Content:

– How to tie the basic kamosage knot used to secure all bound work

– How to make the kanoko (fawn dots), kumo (spiderweb), bai (seashell), and ne maki (wrapped beads) patterns using binding

– How to extend your patterns using these techniques, specifically with

• Te-Kumo Hozuki – kumo with a simple binding thread further out
• Te-Kumo Kani – kumo outer ring – blue centre
• Te-Kumo Ne-maki – kumo with separate, additional binding just beyond the start of the kumo, leaving a white border. Overdyed blue centre.

– How to dye your fabrics in a genuine indigo vat

– How to set up and maintain your own indigo vat at home

The class is aimed at beginners but any and all levels are welcome! It is a great follow on class to Rob’s morning ” Beginners Shibori” (stitching based designs) – A discount is offered when booking the full day!

About the Tutor: This class is taught by Rob Jones, a textile designer specialising in the ancient Japanese art of Shibori, using stitch, bound and clamped resist techniques to create intricate patterns and textures on scarves, table linens and lampshades. He selects both new and vintage textiles, sourcing beautiful old kimono silk from Japan and vintage and modern cloth from the UK for his creations, made at his studio in North London. Rob has studied at West Dean College and under Bryan Whitehead in Fujino, Japan.

Class Size: 6 students

Time: 2:30 – 5:30pm

Where: The class will take place in Fabrications “Re Imaginerium” studio (we no longer have a shop cat as depicted in one of the photos!) which is downstairs from the shop via 12 steps. The studio is light and bright with a homely feel to help you feel relaxed and inspired whilst learning. You will have your own work area (with some shared facilities like dye baths and sink for rinsing) We purposefully keep class sizes small to ensure a quality experience and plenty of guidance time with the tutor.

Class includes: All fabric, thread and dye is included in this class. You are welcome to bring you own fabric to work on if you prefer. If so, it must have been scoured (washed with detergent) to remove any preserving chemicals or bought PFD (prepared for dyeing).

Please Bring: Your own rubber gloves (washing up style)

We will provide shirts to wear but please avoid wearing your favourite clothes and shoes!

HOW TO BOOK: You can BOOK ONLINE (+ Eventbrite Booking Fee) E_mail or Call us on 020 7275 8043 (to avoid online booking fee!) Our  Booking Terms & Conditions

Please Note: The workshop will take place in the Fabrications studio (which is downstairs from the shop via 12 steps)

Sashiko, meaning ‘little stab’ is the Japanese art of stitching beautiful patterns using running stitch. Often used to add strength, texture and warmth to old garments, Sashiko has become synonymous with complex repeating patterns and precise stitching. Although most people will be familiar with the traditional white stitches on indigo fabric, sashiko thread actually comes in many shades, allowing for a wonderful variety of colourful designs.

Your tutor is Rob Jones, a textiles designer who takes his inspiration from Japanese textiles disciplines including sashiko, boro, shibori and katagami stenciling. Rob’s Sashiko & Boro mending work was featured as inspiration for contestants on the semi-final of the Great British Sewing Bee in 2022 and he regularly visits Japan to travel, refresh his skills and purchase authentic Japanese threads and tools for use in his classes.

In this class you will learn:

– How to mark up your patterns on fabric using a variety of pens and templates

– How to stitch neatly and precisely, Sashiko is all about even stitching!

– The rights and wrongs turning corners, crossing lines and intersections

– Starting and finishing a row of stitch allowing room for stretching and washing

– How to make a hatamusubi (loom knot) to maximize the use of your thread

Rob will bring examples of his work as well as a number of reference books for inspiration to continue your practice at home. In the afternoon, there is a “Boro” (Japanese inspired mending) class, which is a natural follow on class to the Sashiko stitching. We offer a discount when booking the two sessions together! 

TIME: 11am – 1:30pm

Class Size: Max 8 students

Materials: You will be provided with a tote bag as a project using sashiko threads in a colour and pattern of your choosing as part of the class. Students can also bring a piece of your own fabric to work on if you prefer.

PRICE: £55 or £100 (booking the full day – two sessions) 

HOW TO BOOK: You can BOOK ONLINE(+ Eventbrite Booking Fee) E_mail or Call us on 020 7275 8043 (to avoid online booking fee!) Our  Booking Terms & Conditions

Please Note: The workshop will take place in the Fabrications studio (which is downstairs from the shop via 12 steps)

Boro (more accurately ‘Boro boro’), meaning ‘rags or tatters’ is the art of repairing fabric using scraps and stitching. A source of shame in Japan for many years, the fabrics are now highly prized and can fetch significant sums. Boro work follows the British wartime tradition of ‘make do and mend’ but was used out of necessity in Japan to prolong the life of clothes and bedding due to extreme poverty and the scarcity of textiles.

Your tutor is Rob Jones, a textiles designer who takes his inspiration from Japanese textiles disciplines including sashiko, boro, shibori and katagami stenciling. Rob’s Boro mending work was featured as inspiration for contestants on the semi-final of the Great British Sewing Bee in 2022 and he regularly visits Japan to travel, refresh his skills and purchase authentic vintage Japanese textiles to show in his classes.

In this class you will learn:

• The history and origins of Boro. Examples of vintage Boro and other Japanese textiles collected by the tutor in Japan will be shown and their background explained
• How to repair a garment using scraps, both modern and vintage
• How to use sashiko stitching to enhance your work
• Practice using visible repair to enhance and strengthen textiles
• Applique and reverse applique and a number of decorative stitching techniques will be shown
• A variety of types of Japanese stitches and their application will be presented, with examples on vintage Boro and the tutor’s own work:
• Nami-nui – running stitch
• Hongasesi-nui – backstitch
• Mimi-guke – edge stitch
• Maki-nui – whip stitch
• Chidori-gake – Herringbone stitch
• Hashigomatsuri – Ladder / slipstitch

 It is recommended that students bring an item of clothing you wish to repair although fabric and threads are provided should you wish to just practice or start on a piece of your very own boro.

Rob will bring examples of their work as well as a number of reference books should anyone wish to continue their practice at home.

Class Size: Max 8 students

TIME: 2:30 – 5pm

Please Bring:  An item of clothing you wish to repair (we recommend something ‘stable’ such as denim wear, linen or cotton items) There will also be fabric and threads provided should you wish to just practice or start on a piece of your very own boro.

Includes all other materials

Packs of indigo dyed shibori and vintage textiles will also be available to purchase on the day in addition to the class should you wish to continue your practice at home.

PRICE: £55

HOW TO BOOK: You can BOOK ONLINE (+ Eventbrite Booking Fee) E_mail or Call us on 020 7275 8043 (to avoid online booking fee!) Our  Booking Terms & Conditions

Please Note: The workshop will take place in the Fabrications studio (which is downstairs from the shop via 12 steps)

Sashiko, meaning ‘little stab’ is the Japanese art of stitching beautiful patterns using running stitch. Often used to add strength, texture and warmth to old garments, Sashiko has become synonymous with complex repeating patterns and precise stitching. Although most people will be familiar with the traditional white stitches on indigo fabric, sashiko thread actually comes in many shades, allowing for a wonderful variety of colourful designs.

In this class you will mark up, stitch and assemble one or two Sashiko coasters to take home.

This class uses Moyozashi Sashiko (pattern sashiko) which uses dashed line running stitches of even size where the stitches never touch each other to create the patterns.

You will choose from either a plastic sashiko template or one of the tutor’s own designs and transfer your pattern onto a vintage indigo square to stitch.

Once your stitching is completed, you will be shown how to attach a vintage piece of fabric to the back of your sashiko square on the sewing machine and learn to hand close your coaster using slip stitch and finally top stitch the coaster.

In this class you will learn:

– How to transfer a Moyozashi sashiko embroidery pattern using a variety of different techniques
– How to use and keep Japanese sashiko thread without it getting tangled
– How to tie the quilters knot
– How to tie an end knot that sits very close to where the thread leaves the fabric on the back
– How to stitch neatly in the style of Sashiko
– How to sew together your piece to a backing fabric, including hand sewn slipstitch and top stitch

Rob will bring examples of his work as well as a number of reference books for inspiration to continue your practice at home.

In the afternoon Rob is offering a natural follow on class of “Freestyle Boro and Sashiko stitching“ . We offer a discount when booking the full day option!

Basic hand sewing skills advised. If you are new to hand sewing we recommend attending our “Grandma’s Hands” Introduction to hand sewing repairs (fabric items) first.

About the Tutor: The class is taught by Rob Jones, a textiles designer who takes his inspiration from Japanese textiles disciplines including sashiko, boro, shibori and katagami stenciling. Rob’s Sashiko & Boro mending work was featured as inspiration for contestants on the semi-final of the Great British Sewing Bee in 2022 and he regularly visits Japan to travel, refresh his skills and purchase authentic Japanese threads and tools for use in his classes.

TIME: 11am – 1:30pm

Class Size: Max 8 students

Materials Included: Vintage indigo fabric and a vintage backing fabric, a sashiko needle, a skein of sashiko thread (in a choice of colours) are provided and are yours to keep after the class.
All tools and equipment needed to take the class will be available for use.

PRICE: £55 or £100 (booking the full day – two sessions) 

HOW TO BOOK: You can BOOK ONLINE(+ Eventbrite Booking Fee) E_mail or Call us on 020 7275 8043 (to avoid online booking fee!) Our  Booking Terms & Conditions

Please Note: The workshop will take place in the Fabrications studio (which is downstairs from the shop via 12 steps)

Boro (more accurately ‘Boro boro’), meaning ‘rags or tatters’ is the art of repairing fabric using scraps and stitching. A source of shame in Japan for many years, the fabrics are now highly prized and can fetch significant sums. Boro work follows the British wartime tradition of ‘make do and mend’ but was used out of necessity in Japan to prolong the life of clothes and bedding due to extreme poverty and the scarcity of textiles.

In this class you will learn how to design and assemble a selection of vintage Japanese fabrics to create a Boro style panel which can be used as a table mat or attached to a tote bag or tee shirt.

This class uses freestyle Sashiko stitching which is practiced in Takayama in Japan to create unique textiles.

Your tutor will give you a selection of vintage Japanese fabrics including Kasuri (woven IKAT), Katazome (stencilled), plain and other pieces for you to assemble into your design.

Fabrics will be tacked on to a backing cloth to hold them together and then you will be taught how to create different types of sashiko stitches to create your own design using the fabrics for inspiration.

In this class you will learn:

– How to assemble a design from different pieces of vintage Japanese fabrics
– How to use and keep Japanese sashiko thread without it getting tangled
– How to tie the quilters knot
– How to tie an end knot that sits very close to where the thread leaves the fabric on the back
– How to tack your pieces onto backing fabric to hold them together while you stitch your design
– How to use different types, sizes and styles of sashiko stitching to create interesting designs

Rob will bring examples of historical ‘Boro’ pieces, a selection of his own interpretational examples as well as a number of reference books.

This class is a natural follow on class to the “Sashiko embroidered coaster” morning workshop. We offer a discount when booking the full day!

Basic hand sewing skills advised. If you are new to hand sewing, we recommend attending our “Grandma’s Hands” – Introduction to hand sewing repairs (fabric items) class first.

About the Tutor: The class is taught by Rob Jones, a textiles designer who takes his inspiration from Japanese textiles disciplines including sashiko, boro, shibori and katagami stenciling. Rob’s Boro mending work was featured as inspiration for contestants on the semi-final of the Great British Sewing Bee in 2022 and he regularly visits Japan to travel, refresh his skills and purchase authentic vintage Japanese textiles to show in his classes.

Class Size: Max 8 students

TIME: 2:30 – 5pm

Class Includes: Vintage Japanese fabrics and a vintage backing fabric, a sashiko needle, a skein of sashiko thread (in a choice of colours) are provided and are yours to keep after the class.

Other sashiko threads will be available for use in the class will also be available for embellishment

All tools and equipment needed to take the class will be available for use.

PRICE: £55

HOW TO BOOK: You can BOOK ONLINE (+ Eventbrite Booking Fee) E_mail or Call us on 020 7275 8043 (to avoid online booking fee!) Our  Booking Terms & Conditions

Please Note: The workshop will take place in the Fabrications studio (which is downstairs from the shop via 12 steps)