Stitching the Garden: Make a Floral Bag with The Fabric Folk

Join textile designer and repair artist Marina Balashova of The Fabric Folk in The Apple House for a slow stitching workshop inspired by the colours, textures and plant forms of Tom Stuart-Smith's Plant Library of over 2000 perennials and bulbs.In this relaxed, mindful session, participants will explore the meditative rhythm of traditional Japanese sashiko stitching while creating a beautifully hand-stitched crossbody bag. Drawing inspiration from the shapes and patterns found in nature, the workshop invites you to translate botanical forms into stitch through a process of quiet observation and creative making. Working with a carefully curated selection of reclaimed textiles — including Liberty prints — participants will compose their own botanical fabric collage using techniques inspired by boro, the historic Japanese practice of layering and repairing cloth and leave with a hand-stitched bag plus the skills and inspiration to carry on at home.

Rooted in traditions of resourcefulness and care for materials, boro and sashiko were originally used to strengthen and extend the life of textiles. Today these techniques are also valued for their calming, repetitive rhythm and their ability to slow the mind and deepen creative focus.

The session will begin with a short introduction to the history of boro and sashiko, alongside examples of historic and contemporary stitched textiles.

Marina will demonstrate simple techniques for layering fabric, composing botanical-inspired designs, and building texture through hand stitching. Participants will then slowly develop their own stitched compositions on a hand-dyed indigo crossbody bag, with guidance and support throughout the process.

By the end of the workshop, participants will leave with:

• a hand-stitched Botanical Boro Bag
• an introduction to traditional Japanese sashiko stitching techniques
• the skills and inspiration to continue slow stitching at home

With a small group size of just 12, this workshop is open to all skill levels — from complete beginners to those wishing to deepen their textile practice — and all materials will be provided.