Stitched Places in Time

Wednesdays 10:00-11:30

Starting Wednesday 16th September 2026 - 17th March 2027

12 week term and then a 9 week term in the new year (with breaks for half terms and Christmas)

TOTAL COURSE LENGTH = 21 weeks

Taught by Carol Bartlett

Following the incredible success of Family History in Stitch, Carol Bartlett returns with a brand-new long-term textile project that invites you to explore the places that have shaped your life, your family, and your memories.

Inspired by the much-loved television series A House Through Time, this 21-week course focuses on buildings and places that hold personal significance. You may choose a single building to explore in depth, perhaps a childhood home, a grandparent’s cottage, a local landmark, a family business, a school, chapel, street or workplace, or you may create a collection of places that together tell the story of your family’s journey through time.

Through stitch, fabric, imagery and storytelling, you will create a richly layered textile artwork that celebrates not only architecture and place, but also the memories, people and experiences connected to them. Just as buildings hold traces of the lives lived within them, your finished piece will become a unique visual record of personal history, connection and belonging.

Led by accomplished textile artist Carol Bartlett, this course combines research, creativity and craftsmanship in a warm and supportive environment. Carol’s passion for uncovering stories from the past and transforming them into meaningful textile artworks will guide you throughout the project, helping you develop both technical skills and creative confidence as your work evolves.

Each participant will create a substantial stitched piece over the 21 weeks. This may take the form of a fabric book, concertina artwork, wall hanging, stitched panels, or another format that best tells your story.

Over the 21 weeks, you will:

• Research the history of a building, place or collection of places that are meaningful to you or your family.

• Gather inspiration from photographs, maps, documents, letters, deeds, postcards, memories and family stories.

• Learn and refine textile techniques including hand embroidery, appliqué, free-motion embroidery and layered fabric collage.

• Experiment with composition, texture, colour and stitch to create visual narratives inspired by architecture and place.

• Use recycled, vintage and era-appropriate fabrics, lace, linens, clothing scraps and found textiles to add historical richness and personal meaning.

• Explore creative journaling and sketchbook work to collect ideas, develop designs and document your creative journey.

• Incorporate written elements such as names, dates, addresses, memories, quotations and historical details into your work.

• Develop confidence in translating photographs and architectural features into stitched and textile-based imagery.

• Work steadily on a long-term project within a supportive group of like-minded stitchers, sharing ideas, encouragement and inspiration throughout the course.

One of the most remarkable outcomes of Family History in Stitch was the sense of community it created. Friendships formed, stories were shared, and participants became each other’s biggest supporters. In fact, even after the course ended, many of the group continued meeting regularly to stitch, chat and enjoy coffee together.

We fully expect Stitched Places in Time to offer the same rewarding experience. This is far more than a sewing course; it is a chance to slow down, uncover stories, celebrate meaningful places and create something deeply personal alongside a welcoming community of fellow makers.

Suitable for complete beginners through to experienced textile artists, you do not need extensive historical records to take part. A photograph, a memory, a building you love, or simply a curiosity about the past is enough to begin.

By the end of the course, just before Easter, you will have created a substantial and meaningful textile artwork that captures the spirit of a place and the stories connected to it, preserving memories in thread, fabric and stitch for years to come.

Please note: This is a 21-week project running across two terms. Participants should be prepared to commit to the full course to gain the greatest benefit from this rewarding long-term creative journey. Due to the popularity of Carol’s previous course, early booking is strongly recommended.

All basic materials are provided, although participants are encouraged to bring personal photographs, documents, fabrics and memorabilia connected to their chosen place or building.