Give your wardrobe a second life in this creative appliqué workshop to upcycle clothing. You’ll learn how to upcycle clothing using fabric motifs, embroidery, and decorative touches.
Do you:-
🥼Have a favourite top with a stain?
👖Or jeans with a hole?
👕Or just a plain T that needs some ‘pizzazz’ 🪄
Don’t throw them out—upcycle them with appliqué. This class shows you how to cover damage or decorate plain garments using appliqué techniques.
Course Description
🎓 What You’ll Learn
We’ll start by using a bonding medium to attach fabric patches. Then, you’ll explore ways to embellish your designs with:
- Machine embroidery
- Hand embroidery
- Buttons and beads
You’ll learn how to combine visible mending with creative textile art to make your clothes truly unique.
👗 Who This Workshop Is For
This class is ideal if you:
- Want to try visible mending or creative clothing repair
- Enjoy sustainable fashion and upcycling sewing projects
- Love adding personality to your clothes with fabric motifs and stitch
You must already have basic sewing machine skills. If you already have Free-Motion embroidery experience, then it is perfect for this workshop.
🧵 What to Bring to Motif Magic
- Garments you’d like to embellish (e.g. denim jackets, jumpers, trousers, plain tops)
- Fabric scraps, old clothes, trims or other textile bits for appliqué (Curtain fabrics and vintage doilies are great for floral motifs as seen in the image)
- Buttons, beads, and embroidery threads (optional but please ensure everything you add is washable.)
- Creative Inspiration – if you’ve seen anything online or in a magazine, then please bring it! Otherwise you can choose from a selection of my resources.
📅 Before booking
Please check here before booking as once purchased, tickets are non-refundable. If you have not taken one of my foundation-level courses, please read the ‘Who is this aimed at’ section above to ensure you have the requisite sewing skills. If you’re unsure whether this course is right for you, just get in touch — I’m always happy to chat about your project or suggest an alternative.
🏆 About Your Tutor
Jen is the founder of Artisan Stitch, Scotland’s leading sewing school. She’s a highly experienced educator with decades of expertise in dressmaking, upcycling, and creative textile art. Her workshops are known for their warmth, clarity, and expert guidance.
Artisan Stitch has received multiple accolades from Corporate Livewire’s Scotland Prestige Awards amongst others, recognising excellence in creative education and sustainable sewing. Jen’s commitment to quality, community, and innovation continues to inspire students across Scotland and beyond. Read more here.
