Proddy Mat Making Workshop
Saturday 4 October 2025 - Scarborough
Available spaces
Join us for a one-day proddy mat workshop at North Yorks Art School, led by Rachael Forest, a skilled textile artist passionate about sustainable and creative crafts. This beginner-friendly session welcomes all skill levels, guiding you to create a small decorative and functional rug, approximately 30 x 40 cm using leftover and recycled fabric scraps, transformed into a vibrant proddy (clippy or hooky) mat. You’ll learn the traditional technique of prodding fabric strips through burlap or linen, using simple tools to craft a textured piece suitable as a floor rug or wall hanging of your own designs. A frame will be provided to work on and take home to complete your masterpiece. Set in the vibrant, welcoming hub of North Yorks Art School, this workshop offers a supportive and creative atmosphere, ensuring you leave with a unique proddy mat and the skills to continue this eco-friendly craft. Under Rachael guidance, you’ll master the essentials of proddy mat making, creating a small rug that reflects your unique style. You’ll begin by learning to select and prepare recycled fabric scraps such as old clothes, linens, or cotton remnants exploring how to cut them into strips for prodding. Proddy mats, also known as clippy, hooky, proggie, or clootie mats, are a traditional craft that gained prominence during the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century, when working-class families upcycled worn clothing and textiles into durable rugs and hangings. Using a simple technique of prodding fabric strips through a burlap or linen backing, these mats were a thrifty way to create warmth and beauty, and prominent in northern England. Though the craft waned by the 1920s due to its association with hardship, it saw revivals during World War II and again in the 1980s as interest in sustainable crafts grew. Today, proddy mats are celebrated for their low-cost, eco-friendly approach, using recycled fabrics to create functional art with minimal tools. This workshop introduces you to the tactile joy of proddy mat making, empowering you to craft a sustainable, textured piece that blends tradition with personal creativity. Saturday 4th October 2025 10am - 4pm with Rachael Forest This class takes place at: North Yorks Art School 2-4 South Street Scarborough YO11 2BP All materials needed for the workshop are provided. Includes 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