Our Secret Garden Embroidery workshop is suitable for beginners with little sewing experience. Our tutor, Rachel Davies, will guide you throughout the day to create a beautiful piece with just two simple stitches. You will learn how to tie French knots and how to do straight stitch, as well as simple applique and the more unusual skill of ribbon embroidery.

A bit more detail

In our Glass Room you can relax and enjoy your time stitching onto delicate voile fabric which is stretched onto a wooden embroidery hoop. Rachel will demonstrate each stage including how to use iron on Bonda web, split stranded embroidery threads, use a hoop and create the stitches. The final canvas can be displayed on a shelf or hung on a wall. Our workshop is informal and uncomplicated, yet quite unique in its approach to traditional hand embroidery.

About the Tutor

With a background in the textile industry, specifically as an embroidery designer in Macclesfield and the Midlands, and later 15 years as an Art and Design lecturer Rachel is now a self-employed textile artist. Driven by an absolute love of painting and textiles she enjoys creating detailed decorative multimedia textile outcomes that utilise illustration, free machine embroidery and 3D elements. Rachel uses sketchbooks as well as her pieces to tell stories or send messages to the viewer.

Rachel has been involved in a number of community art projects and art exhibitions in Cheshire and is a member of the ReMix Art and Design Group. She has exhibited in Chester Cathedral for the Refresh Project ‘A stitch in Time’ and the Grosvenor Museum exhibition ‘Another Level ‘from 2022 until Spring 2023, and will be exhibiting her textiles  in the ‘Stitch by Stitch’ exhibition in Shrewsbury in 2023. Rachel is currently artist in residence for Tarporley.

Timetable of the day

09:30     A warm welcome to @:Toolerstone with refreshments

10:00     Introduction to embroidery & techniques used

10:30     Time to start your piece of art

11:15     Coffee will be served

11:35     Continue with the workshop and work at your own pace

13:00     Delicious homemade, lunch in the refectory

14:00     Putting the finishing touches to your work.

15:15     Refreshments will be served

16:15   Workshop ends but, you can take your creation home!

What is included?

• All materials & tools
• Aprons are provided for the day if required
• Refreshments & a delicious lunch
• Free onsite car parking
• The most important bit,  your very own embroidery to take home

What do I need to bring?

Any threads, ribbons or material you may want to incorporate into your work. You can also bring your own sewing equipment if you wish.

Experience level

We welcome all levels of experience from beginners to the enthusiastic professional!