Needle Felting and Machine Embroidery
Saturday 16th May 2026 - Henshaws, Knaresborough
Available spaces
Join us for a one-day workshop at North Yorks Art School, led by Holly Capstick, a skilled textile artist passionate about the art of needle felting and machine embroidery. This workshop is composed of two elements - learn how to needle-felt an image into fabric in the morning moving onto the sewing machine in the afternoon. Needle felting is a simple and relaxing process using a special barbed needle to add wool to fabric. There are lots of templates to choose from or bring your own image to work from (7 inch diameter max, natural forms or animals work best). Holly will guide you through each step and how to create your needle-felted work. You will be shown how to use a sewing machine for 'free-motion' embroidery (lowering the feed dogs to draw with the machine) to add decorative stitching to your work. Even if you haven’t sewn before, Holly can guide you in how to use a sewing machine to ‘draw’. This beginner-friendly session welcomes adults aged 16+ (or 13+ if accompanied by a paying adult), guiding you to create a stunning fabric artwork using needle felt and free-motion machine embroidery techniques. Set in the vibrant, welcoming hub of Henshaws Arts and Craft Centre, this workshop offers a supportive and creative atmosphere, ensuring you leave with a unique textile piece and the skills to explore this exciting craft further. Machine embroidery and reverse appliqué have roots in ancient textile traditions, with embroidery dating back to 3000 BC in Egypt and China, where it adorned garments and ceremonial objects. Reverse appliqué, also known as cutwork, emerged in cultures like India and Panama layering fabrics and cutting away sections to create bold, contrasting patterns. The invention of the sewing machine in the 19th century revolutionised embroidery. Free-motion techniques, enabled by dropping the feed dogs, allow for fluid, drawing-like stitching. Holly’s supportive approach ensures beginners feel confident, while experienced crafters can explore advanced detailing. All materials including fabrics, threads, needles and sewing machines are provided. Saturday 16th May 2026 10am-4pm with Holly Capstick This workshop takes place at: Henshaws Arts & Crafts Centre 50 Bond End Knaresborough HG5 9AL Includes all materials, refreshments and lunch.
Cancellation Policy
All workshops are priced including VAT charged at 20%. By completing this purchase you are securing a place for a workshop or course which, unless stated, includes all materials, refreshments and lunch. We understand that plans can change, so we’ve outlined our cancellation and rescheduling policies for our residentials to ensure clarity and flexibility. At North Yorks Art School (NYAS), we incur a number of costs as soon as a booking is made — including venue, tutor, bank charges and administration fees. Unfortunately, due to the increasing number of cancellations, we now need to pass on a portion of these costs to customers when cancellations occur. Rescheduling Your Booking You can reschedule your booking up to 8 weeks before the start date of your workshop free of charge — (subject to availability). Reschedules outside of this time will be subject to a 10% booking fee. We will confirm the change in writing and transfer your place accordingly. Cancellations & Refunds If you choose to cancel your booking rather than reschedule, the following cancellation fees will apply: Over 6 Months 90% refund 4 to 6 months 80% refund 2 to 4 months 70% refund 31 to 60 days 50% refund 30 days or less No refund Refunds will be processed to your original payment method within 3–5 business days once the cancellation is confirmed. Your Right to Cancel (Cooling-Off Period) If you live in the UK or EU, you are entitled to a 14-day cancellation window from the date of booking. Within this period, you may cancel for a full refund without providing a reason. To exercise this right, contact us at info@bookaclass.org within the 14-day period. Refunds will be processed to your original payment method. For all booking-related enquiries, rescheduling requests or cancellations, please email: info@bookaclass.org