Learn a range of essential and decorative stitches for embellishment and mending, expanding your knowledge of needlework stitches and begin building your own personal language.

You will be introduced to the ‘50 Stitch Embroidery Sampler’ and begin the journey of discovering embroidery stitches which you will practice on the linen sampler which is provided. By the end of the session you will have gained confidence and spellbound by the fascination that embroidery stitches offer both creatively and technically. Gaining an insight into history and traditions of stitches.

Materials include 50 Embroidery Stitch printed linen sampler, the 50 Stitch Embroidery book and photograph of finished sampler. Threads and hoops are provived for the session only.

Book here!

Join Stitch-School to stitch the Cloth at Alice Billing House, Newham open studios. The 3 meter cloth depicts the history of Alice Billing House and Newham. Participants will explore the wealth of embroidery stitches, learn together and create a communal supper cloth to celebrate the art of needlework and the buildings history. Sessions are drop in and part of Open City Open House Festival 2024.

Alice Billing House

To celebrate the UEL School of Arts and Creative Industries Festival visit Stratford Town Centre on Saturday 7th September and explore the amazing creative businesses we have here in Stratford!

Join Stitch-School in St John’s Church for a day of free family fun with the SweatShop, a pedal powered sewing machine which you can use to make your own sweatshirt, face painting, drop-in creative workshops, garden games, ice cream and more!

Then follow our creative trail through the town centre to find more activities.

• Call in at Stratford Library to find the clues hidden in the children's library, the fastest at finding the secret word will win an amazing prize!

• Pop in to Discover Children's Story Centre to find yourself in a world of adventures. From 12-4pm get free entry to Discover Children’s Story Centre - including their amazing Story Street, Story Garden and a chance to take part in the Big Bright Feelings Garden Trail. Participating families should say 'Creative Community Day' at the front desk to be given free tickets. No pre-booking available, subject to capacity, only available from 12-4pm on Saturday 7th September.

• Visit The Orange Room for a DJ master class, learn basic music theory and participate with hands on experience with DJ mixing, taught by some of The Orange Room’s in house DJs. From 3pm-6pm families and young adults can spin records at the open decks. As part of the Creative Community Day you can also enjoy 20% off food.

• Head to Mary Ward to join free tasters in pottery, painting and jewellery making.

• Wander to Alice Billing House to see local Newham artist Andy Mac Manus specially commissioned artwork transforming the windows of the building, part of Grow Studios’ artist-in-residency programme. 

Join us for our Stratford Creative Community Day, for creative fun for all the family and to pick up our map of activity happening across Stratford. Find out more here

Join us and other textile enthusiasts for a sociable & inspiring day out.

Learn from the experts, try new techniques and enjoy a varied programme of workshops for all. Browse the curated marketplace for artisan fabrics and haberdashery to purchase for your own textile projects or buy unique handcrafted work from artists and makers. Exhibitors include textile producers, yarn purveyors, textile artists and makers.

Led by Stitch-School's founder Melanie Bowles who is passionate about the study and the origins of  embroidery stitches and how this craft can be an enjoyable, resourceful, creative and relaxing process. 

During this session you will learn a range of embroidery stitches and start your ’50 Stitch Embroidery Sampler’ which will become your future dictionary of stitches. We will look at how these stitches can be applied to motifs, lettering and embellishment to customise clothing, used in repair or to just enjoy the study stitch as a form of relaxation.

Stitch-School aims to keep the craft of embroidery alive through their educational embroidery kits, workshops and large embroidery community events. Melanie will be showing a range of samplers and projects by Stitch-School. 

Morning Class : 10:30 -1 pm

Afternoon Class:  2pm -4:30pm

Included in the workshop:

All materials and threads are provided.

An A3 fold out illustrating 50 stitches and a A3 linen 50 stitch sampler to stitch on are included.

Previous Stitch-School projects have been with Alexander McQueen, Marie Curie, V&A Museum, The Stitch Festival, The British Council, Dulwich Picture Gallery, London Craft Week and more. 

6 things you will learn:

• Learn and practice embroidery stitches and be introduced to the complete alphabet of stitches 

• Discover the benefits of slow stitching as a form of de-stressing as an antidote to modern life.

• Explore the wealth of embroidery stitches and celebrate the art of needlework

• Be inspired by the Stitch-School archive of embroidery books and samplers

• Become part of the Stitch-School community ready to share skills and benefits of embroidery

• Enjoy slow conversation through the act of making and creating together 

 About Melanie:

Melanie Bowles is a Senior Lecturer at Chelsea College of Art on the BA Honours Textile degree. She is a practising textile designer and educationalist with the focus on creating educational material through step by step graphics to make textile design accessible and inclusive for all.

We are so excited to host Adriana Torres from Argentina on her world tour, a true travelling stitcher comes to Brixton to share her embroidery skills and knowledge.

Join Adriana Torres of Miga de Pan, as she guides you through the art of embroidery and visible darning. Visible mending covers all textile techniques but it is also a philosophy to mend and preserve textiles.

You will be introduced to Adriana work and philosophy with a range of experimental mending stitches to add joy and character to your garment. With a printed fabric featuring a design inspired by her trip to Denmark, along with threads, needles, and a handmade guidebook, this truly one-of-a-kind workshop will provide you with all the tools you need to continue your embroidery journey at home. 
Please contact Adriana directly to book a place @soymigadepan

About Adriana Torres:

Adrian Torres is a textile artist and embroidery educator from Argentina who understands the passion and skill required for this craft.

In addition to embroidery, she also enjoys drawing, painting, and pottery. Adriana’s studies in Architecture, Graphic Design, Fine Arts, and Illustration have all contributed to her expertise in textile design. Adriana is the proud recipient of the Seal of Good Design from the Ministry of Industry in Argentina for her crocheted objects, recognising their innovation, commitment to local production, and high-quality design

To see more about Adriana Torres: here

Enjoy an evening exploring colour and embroidery in the wonderful surroundings of the Wallace and Sewell shop. Learn a range of essential and decorative embroidery stitches for embellishing and mending, expanding your knowledge of needlework stitches and building a personal language with stitch. The evening centres around conversation and relationship we have with textiles and our clothes. 

You will work creating a colourful sampler on linen which you can continue at home, All materials and threads provided. Book here

Run by Melanie Bowles founder of Stitch-School who brings together communities through the art of stitching. She is the author of ‘50 Embroidery Stitches’ published in May. 

We will be at the Dulwich Park Fair selling kits and chatting, alongside other stall holders and Punch & Judy, Vauxhall City Fram, dog show, choirs and local acts!

On Saturday 2 December I will be exhibiting at the Selvedge Christmas Fair St Mary's Church, Marylebone, Wyndham Pl, York St, London W1H 1PQ.

The Selvedge Fair is the perfect place to seek out special handmade gifts and meet the talented people who create them. Products on sale will range from £5 to £500. They will include Angora goat hair rugs made in Turkey by Vedat Demiralp of Coban Rugs, Jackie Parsons handmade pouches, Bleu Anglais’ hand-picked collection of vintage Chinese indigo cloths and hand-embroidered tokens inspired by folklore designed and made by the talented Megan Ivy Griffiths. We have collectors selling beautiful textiles and crafts from all over the world, including hand-knit fair isle sweaters from the UK, handmade quilts from India, linen thread from Sweden, and hand-embroidered clothing from Vietnam. We hope to see you there!

2FOR1FAIR. Enter this code at checkout and get two tickets for the price of one when purchased in advance.

Tickets and info here

We are thrilled to be part of a brand new, alternative Christmas experience designed and curated by HemingwayDesign launching at Westgate Oxford later this month – the centre will be home to ‘WasteLess Wonderland’ a contemporary reinterpretation of the classic Christmas market with a sustainable theme.

Launching on Friday 24 November and running until 22 December, join Stitch-School around the embroidery table to stitch a large banner to celebrate Xmas. Learn some new stitches, grab a break from shopping or have a chat, we hope to nurture your sewing skills!

For more information here

Come and join our celebration of textiles for a fun, sociable day out!

Browse the curated marketplace of haberdashery and fabrics, to buy supplies for your next project, whether you are a beginner or advanced sewist. Pick up tips to make your first creation, upcycle a much-loved piece or challenge yourself by embracing new techniques. Unique handcrafted textile works from specialist artists and talented makers will be available to appreciate and buy.

Take inspiration from expert guest speakers delivering talks and an exciting programme of bookable workshops.

Threads booking

Come and join embroidery expert Melanie Bowles of Stitch School at Stag and Bow to learn and practice essential stitches to embroider, repair & sew. Working on a handprinted Stitch School Linen cloth sampler you will learn all about what the stitches are, how they are made and how they may be used in your own home; equipping you with the knowledge to take sustainable living further still in your own environment.  

You will start your beautiful Embroidery sampler in the class and if you don't finish you will have the confidence to continue on in your own time.

Tickets here

Learn embroidery stitches with embroidery expert Melanie Bowles in her bright and airy Brixton studio with city views!

During this 2.5 hour workshop you will learn at least seven embroidery stitches. Working on the hand printed linen Stitch-School Homework sampler which will teach you essential stitches to sew, repair and embroider. A fun bite size practice sampler that equips you with stitches for sustainable living.

5 things you will learn:

Learn and practice seven core embroidery stitches and start your beautiful Homework sampler 42cm x 30cm.

Be inspired by Stitch-Schools archive of embroidery books, samplers and some rare finds!

Learn about Stitch-School's philosophy and the benefits of embroidery.

Become part of the Stitch-School community ready to share skills and knowledge.

Enjoy working together, spaces limited to 6 people, over 16yrs old.

Tickets Here

Learn embroidery stitches with embroidery expert Melanie Bowles in her bright and airy Brixton studio with city views!

During this 2.5 hour workshop you will learn at least seven embroidery stitches. Working on the hand printed linen Stitch-School Homework sampler which will teach you essential stitches to sew, repair and embroider. A fun bite size practice sampler that equips you with stitches for sustainable living.

5 things you will learn:

Learn and practice seven core embroidery stitches and start your beautiful Homework sampler 42cm x 30cm.

Be inspired by Stitch-Schools archive of embroidery books, samplers and some rare finds!

Learn about Stitch-School's philosophy and the benefits of embroidery.

Become part of the Stitch-School community ready to share skills and knowledge.

Enjoy working together, spaces limited to 6 people, over 16yrs old.

Tickets Here

We are looking forward to being at this amazing one day event at Dulwich College - Mid Century Modern - Source the latest furniture, wallpaper, ceramics, cushions and gifts upstairs after you have scoured the most collectable vintage furniture and home ephemera on the planet downstairs.

Join us for a stitch social at Benk & Bo along with Isabel Fletcher, we will be taking over the beautiful Benk & Bo space for the evening with textile making and embroidery!

Stitch-School will running the A-Z Embroidery workshop

The 2.5 hour workshop includes the A-Z Embroidery linen sampler and the introduction to 26 embroidery stitches (value £25). Each letter has its own individual stitch to learn along with the A-Z booklet you can begin to explore the vocabulary of embroidery stitches.

5 things you will learn:

Learn and practice six core embroidery stitches and be introduced to the alphabet of stitches and start your beautiful sampler 44cm x 76cm.

Be inspired by Stitch-Schools archive of embroidery books, samplers and some rare finds!
Learn about Stitch-School's philosophy and the benefits of embroidery.
Become part of the Stitch-School community ready to share skills and knowledge.

Book tickets here

Learn embroidery stitches with embroidery expert Melanie Bowles in her bright and airy Brixton studio with city views!

The 2.5 hour workshop includes the A-Z Embroidery linen sampler and the introduction to 26 embroidery stitches (value £20). Each letter has its own individual stitch to learn along with the A-Z booklet you can begin to explore the vocabulary of embroidery stitches.

5 things you will learn:

Learn and practice six core embroidery stitches and be introduced to the alphabet of stitches and start your beautiful sampler 44cm x 76cm.

Be inspired by Stitch-Schools archive of embroidery books, samplers and some rare finds!

Learn about Stitch-School's philosophy and the benefits of embroidery.

Become part of the Stitch-School community ready to share skills and knowledge.

Enjoy working together, spaces limited to 8 people, over 16yrs old.

On completion of the workshop you will receive a Stitch-School enamel badge to wear with pride!

Tickets Here

We are thrilled to be running our A-Z Embroidery workshop at the THREAD Festival at Farnham Maltings.

This two-hour workshop includes the A-Z Embroidery linen sampler, the introduction to the alphabet of embroidery stitches and a complete instruction booklet. Each letter of the alphabet has its own individual stitch to practice. Along with the A-Z instruction booklet you will explore the vocabulary of embroidery to make your own unique linen sampler.

Learn and practice six embroidery stitches and be introduced to the complete alphabet of stitches. Discover the benefits of slow stitching as a form of de-stressing as antidote to modern life. Explore the wealth of embroidery stitches creating together to celebrate the art of needlework. Be inspired by the Stitch-School archive of embroidery books and samplers. Become part of the Stitch-School community ready to share skills and the benefits of embroidery.

No experience necessary

Book here

Knock out your Christmas shopping and support small by joining us this December for a festive Crafty Fox Market FULL WEEKEND. We are returning to Mercato Metropolitano this winter to bring you top notch crafty shopping, in amongst the venue’s fantastic food and drink traders. Stitch-School will have a stall Saturday 4th Dec