A Family History in Stitch
A Family History in Stitch
Wednesdays 10:00-11:30
Starting Wednesday 17th September 2025 - 11th February 2026
12 week term with a break for half term and then an extra 5 weeks after Christmas (14th Jan - 11th February)
TOTAL COURSE LENGTH = 17 weeks
Taught by Carol Bartlett
This beautifully personal, project-based weekly workshop invites you on a slow, thoughtful journey into your own family’s past, translating memories, stories, and treasured fragments into a deeply meaningful stitched artwork. Over the course of one and a half terms, students will research and creatively interpret their family history using the rich and expressive language of textiles.
Each participant will develop a unique stitched project, this might take the form of a fabric book, an expanding concertina piece, or a wall-based textile work, bringing together hand embroidery, appliqué, fabric collage, free motion stitching, and more. Using family photos, birth certificates, letters, old maps, documents, diary entries and other ephemera as inspiration, you’ll craft a lasting tribute to your heritage.
Led by acomplished textile artist Carol Bartlett, whose own work is inspired by the rediscovery of her grandparents’ wedding photographs following the loss of her father, and the stories passed down through generations. This course is rooted in memory, love, and the enduring power of textiles to tell stories. Carol will guide you each week with practical tuition, inspiration from her own work, and plenty of encouragement as your project unfolds.
Over the 17 weeks, you will:
Begin to create personal research, gathering family documents, photos, certificates, stories, and keepsakes to inspire your book/piece.
Learn and refine textile techniques including hand embroidery, appliqué, free motion embroidery, and layered fabric collage.
Experiment with layout and composition, creating visual narratives through stitch, texture, and colour.
Use recycled, vintage and era-appropriate fabrics, lace, linens, clothing scraps, and old textiles, to bring historical richness and personal resonance to your work.
Explore creative journaling and sketchbook work to plan, collect ideas, and document your journey alongside your textile art.
Reflect on memory and storytelling, using written elements such as names, quotes, dates and personal phrases to enrich the work.
Work at your own pace within a supportive, community-driven group of stitchers sharing stories, laughter, and inspiration each week.
This course is suitable for beginners with a love of handcraft, as well as more experienced textile artists looking for a meaningful long-term project. You don’t need a detailed family tree or complete records to begin, just a few memories, photographs, or objects are enough to get started.
A Family History in Stitch is more than a sewing course, it’s an emotional, creative exploration of identity, memory, and connection. By February half term 2026, you’ll have a beautiful, layered piece of stitched storytelling that celebrates your roots and captures the spirit of your family in thread and fabric.
All basic materials are provided, but participants are encouraged to bring personal fabric scraps, photos, and items that relate to their own family history to make the work truly their own.
A Family History in Stitch
Wednesdays 10:00-11:30
Starting Wednesday 17th September 2025 - 11th February 2026
12 week term with a break for half term and then an extra 5 weeks after Christmas (14th Jan - 11th February)
TOTAL COURSE LENGTH = 17 weeks
Taught by Carol Bartlett
This beautifully personal, project-based weekly workshop invites you on a slow, thoughtful journey into your own family’s past, translating memories, stories, and treasured fragments into a deeply meaningful stitched artwork. Over the course of one and a half terms, students will research and creatively interpret their family history using the rich and expressive language of textiles.
Each participant will develop a unique stitched project, this might take the form of a fabric book, an expanding concertina piece, or a wall-based textile work, bringing together hand embroidery, appliqué, fabric collage, free motion stitching, and more. Using family photos, birth certificates, letters, old maps, documents, diary entries and other ephemera as inspiration, you’ll craft a lasting tribute to your heritage.
Led by acomplished textile artist Carol Bartlett, whose own work is inspired by the rediscovery of her grandparents’ wedding photographs following the loss of her father, and the stories passed down through generations. This course is rooted in memory, love, and the enduring power of textiles to tell stories. Carol will guide you each week with practical tuition, inspiration from her own work, and plenty of encouragement as your project unfolds.
Over the 17 weeks, you will:
Begin to create personal research, gathering family documents, photos, certificates, stories, and keepsakes to inspire your book/piece.
Learn and refine textile techniques including hand embroidery, appliqué, free motion embroidery, and layered fabric collage.
Experiment with layout and composition, creating visual narratives through stitch, texture, and colour.
Use recycled, vintage and era-appropriate fabrics, lace, linens, clothing scraps, and old textiles, to bring historical richness and personal resonance to your work.
Explore creative journaling and sketchbook work to plan, collect ideas, and document your journey alongside your textile art.
Reflect on memory and storytelling, using written elements such as names, quotes, dates and personal phrases to enrich the work.
Work at your own pace within a supportive, community-driven group of stitchers sharing stories, laughter, and inspiration each week.
This course is suitable for beginners with a love of handcraft, as well as more experienced textile artists looking for a meaningful long-term project. You don’t need a detailed family tree or complete records to begin, just a few memories, photographs, or objects are enough to get started.
A Family History in Stitch is more than a sewing course, it’s an emotional, creative exploration of identity, memory, and connection. By February half term 2026, you’ll have a beautiful, layered piece of stitched storytelling that celebrates your roots and captures the spirit of your family in thread and fabric.
All basic materials are provided, but participants are encouraged to bring personal fabric scraps, photos, and items that relate to their own family history to make the work truly their own.
A Family History in Stitch
Wednesdays 10:00-11:30
Starting Wednesday 17th September 2025 - 11th February 2026
12 week term with a break for half term and then an extra 5 weeks after Christmas (14th Jan - 11th February)
TOTAL COURSE LENGTH = 17 weeks
Taught by Carol Bartlett
This beautifully personal, project-based weekly workshop invites you on a slow, thoughtful journey into your own family’s past, translating memories, stories, and treasured fragments into a deeply meaningful stitched artwork. Over the course of one and a half terms, students will research and creatively interpret their family history using the rich and expressive language of textiles.
Each participant will develop a unique stitched project, this might take the form of a fabric book, an expanding concertina piece, or a wall-based textile work, bringing together hand embroidery, appliqué, fabric collage, free motion stitching, and more. Using family photos, birth certificates, letters, old maps, documents, diary entries and other ephemera as inspiration, you’ll craft a lasting tribute to your heritage.
Led by acomplished textile artist Carol Bartlett, whose own work is inspired by the rediscovery of her grandparents’ wedding photographs following the loss of her father, and the stories passed down through generations. This course is rooted in memory, love, and the enduring power of textiles to tell stories. Carol will guide you each week with practical tuition, inspiration from her own work, and plenty of encouragement as your project unfolds.
Over the 17 weeks, you will:
Begin to create personal research, gathering family documents, photos, certificates, stories, and keepsakes to inspire your book/piece.
Learn and refine textile techniques including hand embroidery, appliqué, free motion embroidery, and layered fabric collage.
Experiment with layout and composition, creating visual narratives through stitch, texture, and colour.
Use recycled, vintage and era-appropriate fabrics, lace, linens, clothing scraps, and old textiles, to bring historical richness and personal resonance to your work.
Explore creative journaling and sketchbook work to plan, collect ideas, and document your journey alongside your textile art.
Reflect on memory and storytelling, using written elements such as names, quotes, dates and personal phrases to enrich the work.
Work at your own pace within a supportive, community-driven group of stitchers sharing stories, laughter, and inspiration each week.
This course is suitable for beginners with a love of handcraft, as well as more experienced textile artists looking for a meaningful long-term project. You don’t need a detailed family tree or complete records to begin, just a few memories, photographs, or objects are enough to get started.
A Family History in Stitch is more than a sewing course, it’s an emotional, creative exploration of identity, memory, and connection. By February half term 2026, you’ll have a beautiful, layered piece of stitched storytelling that celebrates your roots and captures the spirit of your family in thread and fabric.
All basic materials are provided, but participants are encouraged to bring personal fabric scraps, photos, and items that relate to their own family history to make the work truly their own.