Ailish Henderson

Saturday 04 October 2025

4.00pm - 7.00pm (BST)

Online Interactive Workshop

Tell Your Story!

Imagine if you could create a visual piece from a story in your life. It could be a person, a memory, a place, how do you represent that in fabric? When NEW TUTOR Ailish Henderson reached out to us to ask if we would be interested in working together, we took one look at her work and said YES PLEASE!!! She went away and thought about what she would like to teach and here we are, with a BRAND NEW class for you: Tell Your Story. So, come to class, find your inner artist and create your own story. Let's find out more from Ailish!...

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Introduction by Ailish:-

I grew up with a passion for art. In the beginning it was more about fine art, I was so inspired by it and this passion made me want to go to art college; it was whilst attending art college that my love of textile art began to grow. I'm lucky enough to be able to work as an artist and now I mix my two 'educations', exploring how fine art mediums can connect to stitch. It's the perfect combination, one I'm eager to share with you! I consider myself a storyteller, and I tell my tales visually, capturing narratives from others, my own life and those I imagine. I see my work as a visual diary and now I encourage you to write your own.​

 

What you will learn on this Online Interactive Workshop:-

Using imagery and inspiration from your own life, you will be guided through the stages of making your own Narrative Textile art. This could be a family portrait, a collage with added stitch of a favorite natural scene or pet, or it could be something you imagine. Whatever feels personal and right for you! I will be using collage materials and treasures such as vintage lace. Maybe you could build a stash of yours ready to use on the day. How about a travel momento, a photograph or receipt? At the end of the session, you will have something visual in from of you which you have created, using your very own story. Encouragement to continue and develop your ideas will also be given. The session will be focused in a fun and relaxed way, with no high aspirations or strict rules – this is your chance for creative play.​

 

Skill Level for this Online Interactive Workshop:-

Anyone can attend, please come along! Be bold and brave!​

 

Material & Equipment requirements for this Online Interactive Workshop:-​

 

• A table large enough to spread out your collage material and paints

• Reference photographs of your subject

• Handmade paper sheets (Such as khadi rag paper, which you can buy online and in art supplies shops)

• Paper and fabric scraps for the collage

• Use personal source material, such as travel memorabilia, tickets, bags, as well as tissue paper, lace or old clothing

• Fine-liner pen

• Non-waterproof

• A small container of water to use with your paints

• Small watercolour paintbrush

• Watercolour paints or dyes (Such as Koh-i-Noor, available online and in art supplies shops)

• Scissors

• Glue stick

• Sewing needle and a few embroidery threads in your choice of colours

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Optional materials

 

• Gilding wax such as Treasure Gold for adding metallic highlights

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Further Reading and Information about Ailish:-

At present Ailish is most recognised for her Stitched Collage Portraits, which provide visions and insights into her personal historical familial lines. With three solo exhibitions to date, she spends her time developing her work, in tandem with writing for such publications as Embroidery, published by the Embroiderers’ Guild. She was recently published with her first title, Narrative Textiles: Tell your story in mixed media and stitch.

 

Ailish has written for many print publications, such as Embroidery, What Women Create and Daphnes’ Diary.

 

Ailish's website is:-

www.ailishhenderson.com

 

Some articles about Ailish online can be found via the following links:-

FAIRE

Stitchery Stories

Textile Artist

 

You may wish to sign up to her mailing list, available via her official website.

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Tickets for this Online Demonstration (via the Zoom platform) will be limited and allocated on a first-come/first-served basis! The ticket price of £35.00 (approx $40.00) is based on ONE person attending this crafting class.

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This CraftyMonkies online interactive workshop is being broadcast from the United Kingdom and the class time given is based on Greenwich Meantimee (GMT). We advise you check via Google Search (or similar) to see corresponding start-time in YOUR location!

Here's a great world time zone reference:-

https://www.worldtimebuddy.com/

 

Are you not able to attend this class due to living in a different time-zone? Are you otherwise engaged on the date of this workshop? Well, we have excellent news! This class is being recorded and a link will be sent to all classmates a few days after the class, so you can watch in your own time!