Events, CPLD and Public Programmes

Community Sewing Bee

The sewing bee runs weekly at both Dumfries House and Trinity Buoy Wharf with morning and afternoon slots, 12 places available in each session. It has a rolling programme to allow anyone to join regardless of skill level when vacancies arise. Members develop a high level of skill including pattern drafting, making and finishing a range of garments.

In addition, the sewing bee members work as a small co-operative at set times of the year to make bulk products for charity such as Christmas Stockings for Ayrshire Cancer Care or upcycling pillowcases into children’s clothing for an African based charity.

The programme at Dumfries House, Ayrshire, runs weekly on a Tuesday.
Morning sessions (10.00am -12.30pm) and afternoon sessions(1.30pm – 4.00pm)
The programme at Trinity Buoy Wharf, London runs fortnightly on a Monday
Morning sessions (10.00am -12.30pm) and afternoon sessions(1.30pm – 4.00pm)

Knitwise

Our newest programme, launched in October 2019, supported by the Joseph Ettegui Trust with the aim of training and developing a small team of locally based hand-knitters to a high standard of skills, in hand knitting and finishing simple to complex garments. British brand Connolly will mentor the project and help future proof and preserve these heritage skills.

The programme will bring together a hand knit community based at Dumfries House who will be able to develop the skills and aptitude to earn a living by working as an outworker for the hand knit industry in the UK. They will also be encouraged to become ambassadors for the craft by ensuring they are connected to our pupil network for events and demonstrations.

The programme runs fortnightly on a Thursday

Morning sessions (10.00am -12.30pm) and afternoon sessions (1.30pm – 4.00pm)

Introduction to Weave Summer School

Delivered during the summer holiday period in order to encourage young people aged 15 and above to consider a career in the woven textile industry.

This week-long programme will teach participants how to make their own yarn wraps, warps and woven structures. We welcome enquiries from adults looking to pursue a career in the industry although places will be allocated on a priority basis.

Teacher CPLD

Various programmes designed to support art and home economic teachers as well as those who wish to develop further skills in sewing and pattern manipulation. Offered during holiday periods and weekends.

Events/Community Education

Each year we run a number of events for schools and the wider community. In Sept 2019 and November 2020 we worked closely with Fashion Council Germany to host a sustainably conference at Dumfries House, Ayrshire for emerging brands and young people and online in 2020. We took part in the national Festival of Making in Blackburn in June 2019 and will return for the 2021 event teaching local community sewing and embroidery skills.

We regularly run community sewing events across the year at both our sites and these are featured in our What’s On pages. Our Make it Monday programme for textile and sewing is popular with novices and experts with a range of topics across the year.

Make it Mondays: 6.00pm – 8.30pm, first Monday of each month September, October, November, February, March, April and June.

Enquire by emailing education@dumfries-house.org.uk