Top 10 Best Weaving classes, courses, learnings kits and gifts in the UK

Come sit down in the studio and learn the wonderful and super portable art of Backstrap Weaving with Alex! Alex will take you through her personal story with backstrap weaving, some history and also how the backstrap loom is structured and how it works – with some incredible samples to show you the complexities and endless options of weaving in this style. You will then learn how to set up your loom from scratch for tapestry weaving. We will start with attaching the warp strings from the back to front beam with the right tension, then we will attach the shed stick and heddles. You will also learn how the mechanics of the loom work with the movement of your body, basic stitching, weft interlocking and how to add the third beam to your weaving when your weaving becomes longer as your progress. Finishing techniques to remove your work from the loom will also be covered. With a small class size of just 6 people, you will receive copious amounts of hands on support and help x All materials and tools are provided for this workshop including… A backstrap loom – to use during the session (available to purchase after the class if you love this!) Access to our vast collection of yarn and fibre for weaving PDF emailed to all participants after the class No experience necessary. All interested textile enthusiasts welcome. Please note, for this workshop you will be sitting on the floor – bring something comfy to sit on! I’ll have the heating on x

This Weaving Workshop is for you to explore colour, yarn and fibre in an unstructured and intuitive way. A whole body, meditative, satisfying and relaxing few hours at a bargain price. You will leave wholly relaxed and with an extraordinary piece of handwoven cloth you can use in your sewing practice or to proudly hang on your wall. Looms will be pre set for you at approx 30cm wide – on a blank base of colour, black or white. During the session – we will discuss the anatomy of a loom, the tools and names of the equipment. Play with texture, fibre and colour, experiment with simple shapes and a few creative techniques. No experience necessary at all! Perfect for everyone 6 years and above x

During this class you will learn two types of weave to create a round willow basket. The morning will be spent creating the base, using six thick base sticks and a pairing weave, then after inserting the uprights and 'pricking up' you will break for lunch. After lunch you will learn a new weave, three rod waling, to complete the walls of your basket. You will end the day and the basket with a fancy complex three rod wale border. Learn lots of useful facts about willow and how to harvest and prepare it throughout the day. Your finished basket will last for years and you will also have the skills to repair old baskets and to weave garden items too using the same techniques learned on the day.

This is a two day course running on consecutive Sundays. The second Sunday is the one after the date listed. Each Sunday runs from 10am till 4pm, 6 hours each day. (14th & 21st January, 4th & 11th February and 25th February & 3rd March) These are practical hands on sessions, looking at designing and making living willow structures. You will be shown how to lay out, plant and construct with living willow; and will help build a large structure using traditional weaving techniques. We will be exploring domes, tunnels, archways and more sculptural forms. You will also be taught about the care and maintenance required for a structure to thrive in its environment. These workshops are being offered in a short window of opportunity to both harvest and plant living willow structures. The sessions run from 10am till 4pm. Warm comfortable weather-proof clothing is essential. Please bring a packed lunch and a flask. There are composting toilets on site, as well as fresh drinking water.

This is a four-week practical introduction to weaving aimed at complete beginners during which you will learn all the skills involved in making your own fabric. The course will also give a broad overview of weaving, its contemporary uses in art, fashion and interiors, and its historical traditions with examples from around the world. We will begin by defining weaving through looking at samples of woven fabrics. We’ll look at the basic structure of woven cloth and how it differs from other forms of textile. You will learn the essential language of weaving – the parts of the loom, the tools you will use and the technical vocabulary associated with producing your cloth. We will spend the first week of the course learning how to make a warp and prepare the loom, and then we will create fabric samples. Through these samples you will learn how to create different types of fabric and pattern and how colour, yarn choice and weave structure play their part. You’ll learn how to make records of your choices along the way so that you can recreate a successful design. Later in the course, we’ll look at the basics of fabric design and considerations for planning your own weaving project. Handouts will be provided throughout to back up your learning. By the end of the course, you will: understand what a loom is and how it works be able to make a warp and put it onto the loom ready for weaving weave your own fabric have an understanding of the most important weave structures and have woven samples for your records understand how yarn choice, structure and colour affect the kind of cloth you make be able to assess what makes a successful fabric and design completely love weaving and want to continue making your own woven fabric!

Introduce your kids to the world of weaving - where they will loose sense of time and just enjoy the process of making something special for their bedroom. Join us for Summer Craft Camp - we've got so much to choose from in August. Take the day off and join your child in a crafting adventure. Or if your kids are old enough drop them off and let them craft whilst you have some me time in Covent Garden! All our workshops, parties and corporate events include unlimited tea and coffee and we always have plenty of cake on offer at every single event.

We'll be making the prettiest and stylish wall hangings in London. You'll learn the basics of tapestry weaving and Pom-pom making with pretty colorful yarn! Join us for Summer Craft Camp - we've got so much to choose from in August. Take the day off and join your child in a crafting adventure. Or if your kids are old enough drop them off and let them craft whilst you have some me time in Covent Garden! All our workshops, parties and corporate events include unlimited tea and coffee and we always have plenty of cake on offer at every single event.

Set in the peaceful grounds of the Ecology Centre this workshops introduces you to the start of the basketweaving process using the 'stake and strand method'. We will be working under shelter using English willow to learn about base construction, allowing you time to get into the rhythm of willow weaving. At the end of the session you will have produced a basket base which you can either leave as a trivet or flower wall decoration. I am also running a second workshop that helps to develop the technique learnt in this workshop and allows you to create a full basket. It uses cane instead of willow, an easier material to work with when creating a full basket allowing you to concentrate on perfecting your technique. See Basketmaking - Part 2 in my listings if you would like to attend - you don't need to have attended this workshop. We will meet on the lawn next to the Old Rectory building, The Old Rectory, Festival Walk, Carshalton, SM5 3NY Covid guidelines The session will take place outdoors but will remain socially distanced and I will wear a mask if in close contact with you. Please bring a towel and your own pair of secateurs to minimise sharing of tools. There is a toilet on site but please bring your own sanitiser. There is no access to refreshments on site however we are near Honeywood Museum Cafe or you're welcome to bring a flask.

Catalan Trays, also known as Tension trays are a nice introduction into the world of basketweaving and produce effective results with the use of hoop making and a simple weaving technique. Set in the peaceful grounds of the Ecology Centre we will be working under shelter using English willow to produce a tray ideal for serving fruit or bread at a table or for display on the wall. We will meet on the lawn next to the Old Rectory building, The Old Rectory, Festival Walk, Carshalton, SM5 3NY

Basketweaving is an ancient craft that incorporates many materials and weaving styles. It is also just as much a creative process as it is calming, social and meditative. This workshop will give you an introduction into the coiled technique. Coiling is typically a ‘foragers’ weaving style, an ancient and versatile technique that is used worldwide with the materials adapting to the native area. In this class we will be using a range of natural and coloured raffia to produce a flat weave that could be used as drinks coasters or a small mat. You will be provided with a starter kit containing enough material to continue weaving at home as the addictive rhythm of the weave draws you in! I will also talk through the types of plants you could gather from your local area to continue weaving at home. If you would like to bring any extra materials to weave with (such as wool/fabric offcuts/plastic bags/natural materials) please feel free. The workshop is being held during London Design Festival at Botanical Boys, Coal Drops Yard, London

This workshop is ideal for anyone wanting to learn how to make a traditional English stake and strand basket. I will be showing you the basic techniques of how to construct a small fruit basket. Ideal for beginners, we will be using a range of colourful cane which is a great material to learn with as it's easier on the hands than willow and allows you to focus on the technique and rhytmm of weaving. You will be guided through the process of constructing a basket from base to border. If anyone would like to try willow weaving I am running a Part 1 workshop which focuses just on the basket base construction using this english grown material and allows you to create a trivet or wall decoration. See my other listings if you'd like to attend. Meet at the Sutton Ecology Centre entrance on Festival Walk by Carshalton Ponds Covid guidelines The session will take place outdoors but will remain socially distanced and I will wear a mask if in close contact with you. Please bring a towel and your own pair of secateurs to minimise sharing of tools. There is a toilet on site but please bring your own sanitiser. There is no access to refreshments on site however we are near Honeywood Museum Cafe or you're welcome to bring a flask.

Basketweaving is an ancient craft that incorporates many materials and weaving styles. It is also just as much a creative process as it is calming, social and meditative. This workshop will give you an introduction into the coiled technique. Coiling is typically a ‘foragers’ weaving style, an ancient and versatile technique that is used worldwide with the materials adapting to the native area. In this class we will be using a range of natural and coloured raffia to produce a small basket perfect to house an indoor succulent plant. You will be provided with a starter kit containing enough material to continue weaving at home as the addictive rhythm of the weave draws you in! I will also talk through the types of plants you could gather from your local area to continue weaving at home. If you would like to bring any extra materials to weave with (such as wool/fabric offcuts/plastic bags/natural materials) please feel free. The workshop is being held during London Design Festival at Botanical Boys, Coal Drops Yard, London

What will I experience? The full process of setting up a rigid heddle loom and weaving your own wall hanging. Designing your own weaving warp. Learning how to get the loom ready for weaving. You will be able to choose from an array of different yarns and vintage fabric to weave with. Feel free to bring some material of your own to upcycle. Expert tuition and expert weaving tips. How long is the workshop? The workshop runs from 10.30am -4.30pm with a short break for lunch. Where does the workshop take place? This workshop will take part at Cockpit Studios Bloomsbury in central London. The nearest underground stations are Holborn and Russell Square. Exact address and directions will be sent to you after booking.