Ōtautahi Christchurch workshops

Saturday 23 May: 10am-3.30pm ***SOLD OUT*** Construct a small round frame-style basket using natural materials you may have growing in your own garden. This simple European technique has been used for centuries to make strong, practical baskets from a variety of materials. In this...

Sunday 30 August:9.30am-1.30pm Saturday 21 November: 10am-2pm Learn about the process of harvesting and preparing willow bark for weaving, then make a small, durable pouch ideal for holding secateurs or other tools. You’ll explore how to process the bark before weaving it into a...

Sunday 24 May: 9am-1pm ***SOLD OUT*** Sunday 30 August: 9am-1pm Sunday 22 November: 9am-1pm This beginner-friendly workshop introduces you to the ancient craft of spoon carving and basic whittling with knives. Learn about spoon-design and sketch your own design onto a blank cut from locally harvested...

Sunday 24 May: 2pm-4.30pm Sunday 30 August: 2pm-4.30pm Sunday 22 November: 2pm-4.30pm Sharpening is an essential skill to maintain your tools, helping them perform at their best and last a lifetime. In this seminar-style workshop, you’ll learn the basics of sharpening, from kitchen knives...

Saturday 29 August: 9am-2pm Saturday 21 November: 9am-2pm Complete a practical hearth-style hand brush using locally sourced wood and fibre. This sturdy, easy-to-hold brush is perfect for tidying spaces, from your workbench to your vehicle. You’ll learn fibre preparation and traditional European cord-making techniques...

Sunday 24 May: 9am-2pm Sunday 22 November: 9am-2pm Join Gemma to assemble a versatile whisk style brush, ideal for sweeping crumbs, wood shavings, or the front door step. After preparing tī kōuka fibres, you’ll learn a European twining technique to create strong, even cordage—a...

Saturday 29 August: 3pm-5pm Saturday 21 November: 3pm-5pm Experience the satisfaction of making a small, versatile brush in this 2-hour workshop. Using natural wood and locally sourced fibres, you’ll learn handwork techniques to create a practical tool. Begin by crafting fine tī kōuka cord...

Saturday 24 May: 3pm-5pm (Gemma Stratton) Saturday 21 November: 3pm-5pm (Diana Duncan) Sunday 22 November: 10am-12pm (Diana Duncan) Sunday 22 November: 3pm-5pm (Gemma Stratton) Celebrate the seasons with a wreath-making workshop using natural materials. Begin by crafting strong tī kōuka twine using a European...

Saturday 23 May: 10am-1pm Make a cosy felt cover for your hot water bottle using traditional wet-felting techniques. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn how to transform soft Aotearoa merino wool into a durable, beautifully textured hottie cover that will keep you warm through...

Saturday 29 August: 10am-2pm Experience the wonderful world of weaving in this beginner-friendly frame loom workshop. You’ll learn the fundamentals of frame-loom weaving, including how to set up your own cardboard loom, create a plain weave, and finish your work with hemstitch. By the...

Saturday 23 May: 2pm-4pm (Bella Roake) Sunday 22 November: 12pm-2pm (Mirabel Oliver) Did you know that felting is the oldest known way to make fabric? In this 2-hour workshop, you’ll explore the ancient art of felting to create a beautiful and functional felt bowl...

Sunday 24 May: 9am-11am Sunday 22 November: 9am-11am Swiss darning is a precise and resourceful way to repair knitted fabric by recreating the original stitches with a needle and yarn. It’s ideal for reinforcing thin areas and keeping the stretch and look of knitwear....

Sunday 30 August: 10am-12pm Hand darning is a timeless technique that not only extends the life of your clothing but also deepens your connection to the items you wear every day. In this workshop, Mirabel will guide you through the basics, from preparing your...

Sunday 30 August: 1pm-5pm Patchwork is a creative and resourceful craft that transforms fabric scraps into something new. Mirabel will guide you through composing and hand-sewing a small patchwork piece. Choose to make a coaster, pot holder, or needle case - or begin a...

Saturday 29 August: 10am-4pm The tradition of making rag rugs emerged when textiles were precious, and every scrap was reused. Rag rugs now offer a creative way to repurpose fabrics in a world where textile waste is so abundant. Annie will lead you through...

Sunday 24 May: 12pm-4pm (Mirabel Oliver) Spinning thread with a drop spindle is an ancient craft that has been practised throughout the world for thousands of years. Here you’ll learn the key techniques to start hand spinning beautifully soft yarn to add another dimension...

Saturday 23 May: 9am-11am Food preserving is a resourceful way to reduce waste, make the most of seasonal produce, and create long-lasting pantry staples. In this hands-on demonstration workshop, Sonia will introduce two key preserving methods: pressure canning and dehydrating. Participants will help with...

Saturday 23 May: 12pm-2pm Are you looking to simplify your cleaning routine and embrace a more sustainable approach for your home? In this workshop, you’ll learn to make safe and effective cleaners for your entire home using natural ingredients that are gentle enough for...

Sunday 30 August: 1pm-3pm Saturday 21 November: 10am-12pm Discover the joy of crafting your own natural skincare products designed to nourish and care for your skin. Using organic, food-grade oils, butters, and waxes, you’ll learn the art of creating body care essentials that are...

Sunday 30 August: 9.30am-12pm Saturday 21 November: 1pm-3.30pm In this introductory soap-making workshop, Sonia will share her methods of creating gentle and non-drying soap that contains shea butter, coconut oil and olive oil. You’ll learn the basics of the soap-making process and how to...