Naturally dye and hand weave a woollen cushion

3 days of intuitive and tactile making, resulting in a unique woollen cushion woven in your own design. Weave a soft rep stripe of your own design and an undyed wool twill cloth back for the cushion on a reconditioned vintage 4 shaft Harris or Glimakra loom.

Day 1

We'll be using the softest British long-wool yarns that have a beautiful lustre to create a saturated, and lightfast, naturally dyed palette of yarns. Using dye plants grown in my dye garden at the historic Pullens Yards workshops and by gathering wild plant foliage and tree cones from the immediate surrounding area, we will dye enough yarn to make a cushion each and additional yarn for you to take away with you for future projects. 

Day 2+3

Starting by straining your yarns that have been steeping overnight we will adjust some of the colours with modifiers to achieve beautiful and unique shades of Autumnal colours. Using your plant dyed yarns we will design your striped design and plan the weaving days ahead. Starting by getting acquainted with the loom by practicing twill and tabby patterns, then moving on to weaving the back of the cushion in twill in a natural undyed wool shade. Once completed you will proceed to weave your striped design in a weft faced rep weave, learning how to make neat colour changes.  

After cutting your finished weaves from the warps before wet finishing your twill and striped soft 100% wool cloths, learning to produce full and dense weaves suitable for cushions. 

Finally, we will be machine sewing your cloth, producing a square cushion cover, stuffed with a cotton and mill surplus British wool inner. 

All stages are taught through demonstration and individualised support, it'll just be a group of 2 or 3, each on your own loom working at your own speed. You will learn a great deal through this workshop and take home a unique cushion to cherish or gift someone special, it'd be a great foundation for future natural dyeing and weaving projects too. 

All levels of experience are very welcome.

Multiple dates are available over weekdays and weekends. The 2 - 4th October is available for 3 participants to work over a long weekend. Custom dates are available for pairs of twos booking together or I can match-make individuals, please email or DM me to arranged dates. I've offered a discount for pairs booking together. Custom dates be arranged over consecutive or nonconsecutive days, weekdays or weekends within one month. 

£375 per person. Age 16+

All materials, your completed cushion and extra yarn included; along with drinks and snacks. We will take a 45 min lunch break each day. 
Free off road parking and bike racks right outside the studio. Pullens Yards are close to Kennington and Elephant and Castle stations.