Straw Work & Plaits Workshop

About

Join experience tutor, Helen, and learn some of the skills required for straw work & plaiting. In this workshop you will make straw harvest tokens and favours – a heritage craft from a time when we worked with the land, and were tied to the seasons and cycles of the year. You will use a traditional variety of wheat that has long stems, and you will learn how to prepare the straw and work with it. This is a good first step in straw work, covering the basics to produce something beautiful and special, something which inspires a connection to our land and heritage.

The workshop will take place in the 100sqm converted craft barn with stunning views of the open Nottinghamshire countryside of Hanwell Wine Estate. The setting provides the perfect space to relax and engage in your passion while learning new useful skills.

What you will make: Guided by expert tutor and teacher Helen you will make two types of plaits from wheat straw, and will use these plaits to make traditional harvest favours.

What you will learn:

• How to sort straw
• How to prepare straw
• How to tie knots for straw work
• How to make at least two different straw plaits
• How to make harvest favours by shaping the plaits and adding ribbon
• How to take your interest further after the workshop

Outline of the session:

• Welcome and refreshments
• Introduction to tools & materials
• Sorting straw
• The first plait
• Morning refreshments
• The second plait
• Practice time! Make another plait, perfect your technique and perhaps try a third project
• Discussion, Q+A, how to take things further
• Use ribbons and make beautiful harvest favours with your plaits
• Recap, show & tell and depart with your finished straw work

Who is the workshop for: No prior knowledge is required, this course is designed for beginners

What is included: Refreshments and materials will be provided

What you need to bring: An apron, household scissors or secateurs (for cutting straw), small snips (for cutting thread – e.g. embroidery or sewing scissors), a notepad and pen/pencil, 2 x tea cloths (clean, but not necessarily new) and a small box to take home what you've made (e.g. a shoe box)