At Craft Festival, Cheltenham, we have a range of beautiful workshops bookable and drop-in workshops for all ages.

Join one of our workshops and enjoy 2 hours of making with some amaing makers.

Our workshops are very popular and most sell out quickly. Click the workshop title and you can book direct. All workshops are £28+ Booking fee, which is payable at the time of booking. The workshop fee includes all materials and tools but does not include entry into the show. To book a workshop you must be over 16 years of age. Workshops provided by or resident demonstrators.

On Saturday and Sunday, we have a range of free workshops for children and young people from ages 2-18 years. Details of Families Workshops HERE. 

Workshops at Craft Festival Cheltenham

Saturday March 22nd 2025

11am-1pm

Tetra Pak printing with Elin Cowley

A fun, hands-on workshop to learn how to use recycled Tetra Pak cartons to create unique intaglio printing plates. Using an etching needle and craft knife you will work an image onto your plate, ink it up, and print through an etching press. We will be working with black ink to create original prints.  This workshop is suitable for complete beginners or anyone wanting to learn a new approach to intaglio printmaking. All tools and materials provided. BOOK HERE

2pm-4pm

Make a Willow Birdfeeder with Mary Eluned Lewis

Join basketmaker Mary Lewis to make a willow bird feeder from Somerset willow. Suitable for beginners, this workshop will introduce some of the basic weaves used in basket making including waling, pairing weave and creating a simple trac border. You will gain an understanding of how the willow behaves as you weave and, after the final trimming up, you will have a useful bird feeder that you will be proud to hang in your garden.
All tools and materials will be provided. Please wear closed toe shoes and clothes that you don't mind getting a bit grubby. BOOK HERE

Sunday March 23rd 2025

10.30am-12.30pm

Suminagashi Ink Marbling + Japanese Stitch Bound Bookmaking with Rocworx

Learn the ancient Japanese heritage craft of Suminagashi ink marbling.  In this calm workshop, you will use breath work and simple tools to create mesmerising organic abstract patterns. You will learn how to transfer the patterns to paper, the best ink and tools to use to continue to ink marble at home. We will then use the unique patterns created to make a stunning Japanese stitch bound book. All tools and materials included. BOOK HERE

1.30pm-3.30pm

Sew a Patchwork Cushion Cover using Suzi Parks from Cambrian Wool BOOK HERE

Machine Stitch a Patchwork Cushion Cover with Suzi Park

Working with fabric offcuts from her local Welsh mill Melin Tregwynt, we will be using sewing machines to create patchwork fabric which we will use to make a cushion cover.

The cushion will be 6 inches square when finished. Suzi will supply all fabric for the cushion cover and the cushion pad. The skills you learn will be able to be transferred so that you can make a larger cushion cover in the future. (We only have time to produce a smaller cushion cover in the workshop).

The workshop will be suitable for anyone who can use a sewing machine, (beginner to intermediate).

Materials included all fabric and cushion pad. 6 machines provided, 6 machines will be needed to be brought in by the participants, so please let us know on hello@craftfestival.co.uk whether you will need a machine or can bring your own. BOOK HERE

Suzi Park is the founder of the company Make it in Wales and owner of Cambrian wool. She is affectionately known by her students as “Suzi Stitch”