Reviews…
’I really enjoyed the 4 week Introduction to Textile Art course with Ailish at the Biscuit Factory (Newcastle Upon Tyne) . What I liked most was how freeing it was - Ailish created the conditions (and supplied the materials) so that each individual could find their own path. Ailish was on hand to provide expert guidance and inspiration but she gave us all the confidence to improvise and be spontaneous. It was so inspiring to see what other people made. And it was also very restoring to set the week's concerns aside and spend a couple of hours being creative together. It was a wonderful introduction to textile arts and I am keen to do more - both at home and through future workshops.’ - Rachel (February 2024)
‘I really enjoyed the approach of using scrap material to create a mixed media collage. Ailish has a calming aura which helped me relax into the session and not become too precious about what I was doing. I was able to play without worrying too much about the end result; after all I could remove or cover anything I didn’t like. At the end of the session, I came away with more confidence in my ability with mixed media collage and even impressed myself with what I had achieved!’ - Amanda, workshop 2023 attendee.
Workshops
Family Ties: Capture the qualities of a person in mixed media and stitch
Dovecot Studios, Edinburgh
2-4pm 11th September 2025
Like all of us, you will have your own store of family or personal memories, but have you ever thought about bringing these to the fore in your stitch and mixed media artwork? Even looking into your own family history? Within this workshop, Ailish will guide you through the process of capturing the essence of people close to your heart. It could even be you, you choose. Having just released her own book Narrative Textiles: Tell your story in mixed media and stitch, Ailish is in the ideal place to lead you along your own family narrative line. Portions of inspiration found within her book will be used, to help you consider how you want to create personal pieces. You won’t need any specialised or expensive tools; however personal treasures could be brought along as well as any familial mementos you may have stored. Before the session ends, guidance will be given surrounding developing more from your own family narrative and also how to finish your piece.
Family Ties: Capture the qualities of a person in mixed media and stitch
Dovecot Studios, Edinburgh
2-4pm 14th November 2025
Like all of us, you will have your own store of family or personal memories, but have you ever thought about bringing these to the fore in your stitch and mixed media artwork? Even looking into your own family history? Within this workshop, Ailish will guide you through the process of capturing the essence of people close to your heart. It could even be you, you choose. Having just released her own book Narrative Textiles: Tell your story in mixed media and stitch, Ailish is in the ideal place to lead you along your own family narrative line. Portions of inspiration found within her book will be used, to help you consider how you want to create personal pieces. You won’t need any specialised or expensive tools; however personal treasures could be brought along as well as any familial mementos you may have stored. Before the session ends, guidance will be given surrounding developing more from your own family narrative and also how to finish your piece.
Baltic Creates:
Narrative Textiles
Saturday 15th November 2025 13:30 - 16:00
The Baltic Mill, Gateshead
Textile artist Ailish Henderson will teach you how to create a stitched collage using your own personal narrative.
From Sketch to Stitch
This is an afternoon course on:
Saturday, November 29th
2pm – 4pm
Expand your experience – use your drawings, doodles and paintings and transform them into stitched works.
The method requires several steps, if you have no sketches or paintings to bring along, you may wish to find a photograph on your phone and copy it roughly onto paper as a basic rough drawing. You can then use basic stitches to make a fabric-based version.
All levels are catered for, you do not have to be ‘good’ at either method, just willing to play and be led within a tuition-based setting. You will finish this session with a small, embroidered sample – a personal memory.
All abilities welcome.
All materials provided.
Included in this course: 10% discount card for art materials bought from Details Art Shop
On Demand: EG Workshop: Narrative-based Stitched Collage with Ailish Henderson
Location:
Online
Date and time:
On Demand
Learn how to develop your own stitched collage pieces using your own personal narrative. This is visual storytelling at its best.