Which textiles course?

[rivercobbler]

(posted in chat as well) I think I would like to do a part-time textiles course this autumn. What I'd really like is something that covers a variety of aspects of textile art, like hand and machine embroidery, crochet, weaving, sewing, etc. I've done some. YouTube videos but I do better with structure.

I have seen some distance-learning courses but I don't know how that would really work successfully with textiles? Don't your tutors need to be there in person to say 'you. messed up that stitch, that's why it's got in a muddle'?

Also, I am not interested in doing this for a career in textile manufacturing or something - I'm 48,in poor health, and just want to build my skills and hopefully make some art/gifts/nice things one day. I can't tell from the course descriptions whether a 'textiles' course is a variety of skills or more about actual fabrics.

I will ask the course providers as well, I just wonder if anyone has any experience.

Did you get any replies on the Chat thread?

Which courses are you looking at? If you're in London, City Lit and Morley College are good for in-person textiles courses.

Hi - no other replies yet! But thank you. After a little more research, I think I need to do more basic in-person sewing and embroidery courses before I go for a city and guilds type distance learning course. Fortunately, the School of Stitched Textiles (distance courses) enrols every three months so it isn't just an annual intake.

I would suggest going to your local wool/fabric/craft shops and looking for any workshops etc. even local cares often have stitch and birch sessions where people meet up and bring their projects along. The women's institute can also be a good one, as can local church groups.

It is my absolute dream to open a craft cafe with sewing machines to use, and bags of wool and crochet hooks and patterns and cake and coffee. There are so many important skills that are just disappearing and fading away and we need to pass them on to everybody that's willing to learn them

This is my dream too! I got half way through discussing a (fantasy) business plan with a friend before I realised my 10yo thought it was imminent. Maybe I should just quite my job and do it.

I did a brilliant one through my local adult education centre.

Just signed up for another. It's very dependent on the tutor though

I have found a couple of courses that are slotting together: an in-person sewing machine textiles course (one term, not focused on patchwork or dressmaking, more basic than that), and an online self-paced hand embroidery course from the School of Stitched Textiles. I have also joined some. beginner sewing groups on FB and they have pointed me to suitable beginner projects. So I'm just feeling my way for a term or two until I see what I need more help with.

I'm a bit late to this, but I love learning crafts. I think I have been to classes for pretty much all crafts out there! I do one or two days courses, and have done a few weekly classes too. I spent hours googling and found all the local/localish craft shops and centres and now I just keep an eye on them for new classes.

I've done a few online, but much prefer in person. Especially for embroidery.

Are you willing to tell us which area you are in? We may have suggestions?