Rosette Making with Elizabeth Ashdown

Location: 86 Margaret Street, London W1W 8TE

Duration: 2 Day Sessions

Join one of the UK’s last remaining passementerie makers, Elizabeth Ashdown, in this hands-on two-day workshop. Working with traditional hand-making techniques and a range of high quality passementerie materials and equipment, you will learn all of the techniques needed in order to create your own beautiful rosette designs.

You will leave the workshop having created three different rosette designs.

Day one: We will focus on learning the various traditional hand techniques involved in making rosettes, including cord spinning, ruff making and collar making. You will learn each of the techniques step by step and by the end of day one you will have completed one rosette and you will have started your second design.

Day two: Using your own choice of yarns, colours and textures, you will build on the techniques covered during day one to finish your second rosette design. We will then progress on to a third rosette design which you may finish during class time. Don't worry if you don't complete your third design as you will be sent home with the materials, techniques and knowledge needed to finish your rosette.

Please note, this course is for students who are either intermediate level or beginners with some making experience. You do not need to have done passementerie before, but you need to have some experience of a craft such as embroidery, knitting, crochet or sewing, etc. The skills we are covering are intricate and do require patience and dexterity.

Rosettes are fabulous textile embellishments that can be used to adorn cushions, curtains, clothing, hats and even turned into jewellery or sculptural artworks. Traditionally used to embellish bolster cushions, elaborate beds and curtain pelmets, rosettes can also be designed and used in a fresh and contemporary manner.

All of the materials you need for this class will be provided for you as part of your course experience. You are more than welcome to bring your own equipment if you would rather use your own materials but everything will be provided for you.

Location

You can find us at 86 Margaret Street, London W1W 8TE

To see the nearest tube stops and bus routes and to see a selection of our favourite places to eat, drink and stay have a look at our Useful Information page here.

Accessibility

Our in person classes are taught in our school which is located upstairs in our studio. Unfortunately the building does not have lift access, so use of the stairs would be necessary.

Tutor Profile

Elizabeth Ashdown MA RCA is one of the last remaining Passementerie craftspeople working in the UK today. Working from her studio in London, she creates contemporary, hand woven artworks using the endangered craft of Passementerie. Elizabeth combines traditional craft skills with a contemporary aesthetic in order to create intriguing and playful art works for a variety of clients. Elizabeth's book 'Passementerie handcrafting contemporary trimmings, fringes, tassels and more' will be published by Schiffer in January 2024.

'My role as an artist is not only to respect my traditional craft of Passementerie, but to unleash its potential. One way I do this is through teaching others about this fascinating, rare and endangered craft.'

Testimonials

If you would like to hear from some of our past students you can read our testimonials here. For more information about our courses check out our FAQ page  here.