Handspun History
Historical Craft Workshops
If you’re endlessly fascinated by hand crafted pieces you see in museums, always pause your favourite historical films to see the little details of craft pieces featured in the background or simply want to immerse yourself in previous decades by trying out a new craft, welcome!
My workshops are inspired by a wide variety of crafts from the Medieval to Victorian period and always include a historic overview of the craft we’ll be working on and a piece that means you can put it into practice. You can let your creativity flow freely, or follow historic examples that I’ll provide. I hope that you’ll leave my workshops with lots of enthusiasm and knowledge to keep going.
Do I need a certain skill to join?
Crafters of all skill levels, including total beginners, are very welcome. Depending on each person’s speed or wish for a more elaborate execution of a design, some participants might want to continue their piece at home. You will always be able to practice and plan all skills required during the workshops and make a really good start. If a workshop does require specific skill in advance, this will always be mentioned in the event description. You’ll also go home with a set of instructions, in case you’d like to have another go in the future!
Where do the workshops take place?
I’m currently primarily hosting workshops in St Albans and London, but if you’d like to see one of my historical craft workshops near you, get in touch or recommend me to a local historic venue or crafty space.
What kind of materials do you use?
With an eye on sustainability I will source second hand materials as much as possible and supplement with new supplies if needed (for quality or consistency reasons). If certain items are required to finish your piece at home you will be able to take them home and this will be indicated for each workshop.
Upcoming Workshops
Cross Stitch Workshop: Create a Custom Journal
Create a beautiful cross stitched journal using your own custom design, inspired by classic cross stitch patterns. During this workshop your host Sanne will introduce you to the history of cross stitch and share a wide range of inspiration for your design. You can either use one of the existing designs (including letters, flowers and animals) or draft your own. After that you’ll learn the basics of cross stitch as you customise the cover of your journal. No previous cross stitch experience needed.
Location: Jefferson Eco CIC, St Albans, England (18 min by train from London St Pancras)
Date: Saturday 29 August • 2:30 PM - 5 PM
🎟️ Get your ticket here
Blackwork Embroidery 101
Learn about the history of Blackwork embroidery and practice the basics. You can bring a shirt to decorate (for example on the cuffs or collar) or practice on a piece of linen or cross stitching fabric. I’ll provide historical patterns inspired by museum pieces, or you can design your very own. No previous embroidery experience needed.
Location: Jefferson Eco CIC, St Albans, England (18 min by train from London St Pancras)
Date: Saturday 3rd October • 2:30 PM - 5 PM
✨ Tickets will be available from the end of August ✨
Embroidered Felt Scissor Case
Create your own folk-art inspired felt scissor case for the iconic little stork scissors. The perfect workshop for any crafter to keep their favourite accessory safe or to create a gift for a loved one.
(No previous embroidery experience needed)
✨ Date and location coming soon ✨
Illustrating Victorian Folded Love Notes
Discover the history of the ‘Victorian Puzzle Purse’, fold your own and decorated it inspired by Victorian imagery and romantic poetry, using water colours or dip pens and ink. Practice your swirliest handwriting, create a lovely gift for a friend or loved one and let your imagination flow freely as you decorate layer by layer.
✨ Date and location coming soon ✨
Vintage Napkin Cross stitch
Personalise a vintage handkerchief or napkin with your initials in elaborate lettering or an iconic cross stitch image of your choice.
(No previous cross stitch experience needed)
✨ Date and location coming soon ✨
Bobbin Lacemaking 101
Ready to learn the endangered craft of bobbin lacemaking? In this workshop you’ll learn about the history of lacemaking, practice basic lacemaking moves to create your very first piece and get lots of inspiration on how to continue your lacemaking journey.
✨ Date and location coming soon ✨
Request a bespoke Historical Craft Workshop
If you’d like me to host a workshop at your event, venue, party or business, get in touch (booksandquills at gmail.com) and we can create the perfect match!
Some examples of available workshops include:
Darning - Knitting a ‘Bossom friend’ wrap shawl - Hand sewing and embroidering a felt scissor case - Hand sewing a felt needle booklet - Calligraphy - Linoprinting on fabric - Hand sewing a pin cushion - Decorating a Regency reticule - Bobbin Lace 101 - Blackwork embroidery - Cross stitching a personalised sampler - Illustrating Victorian folded love notes - Outdoor botanical illustrations
Looking for non-historical workshops?
I also host non-historically themed talks and workshops, ranging from outdoor sketching and knitting for beginners to digital content creation and social media strategy. These can be catered for public and industry events or even to upskill in-house teams. Have a look at my talks and workshops page here.
About me
Over a decade ago I moved from the Netherlands to London in search of a new adventure! After working in the publishing industry for 7 years, I became a freelance digital producer and social media consultant in the creative arts. I spend most of my free time reading, trying out new crafts and travelling to museums and literary locations.
While I was in high school I started leading craft sessions at summer camps for kids, and after creating a literature-themed YouTube channel I also began hosting creative workshops at literary events, co-working spaces and libraries. And when I moved out of London to a city and realised there was no outdoor sketching group that I could join, I decided to start one myself.
I’ve spent the last 5 years rediscovering skills that I learned as a teenager (knitting, crochet, embroidery, linocutting) and mastering a whole host of new ones (bobbin lace, quilting, historical costuming). When I couldn’t find specific crafting workshops that I was interested in near where I lived, I started hosting get-togethers at my flat with friends instead, where we explored the crafts as a group! We tried out Blackletter calligraphy, Victorian puzzle purses, linoprinting on fabric and (in a very obvious scheme to get more knitting pals) I also taught a large group of my friends how to knit.
Finally I decided it was time to get out there and share the crafting joy with like-minded people, to feel inspired every day and also keep those historical crafts alive.
Want to see more? You can also find me sharing my favourite crafts, historical sights and book recommendations on Instagram @booksandquills, YouTube Booksandquills and TikTok @booksandquills and I’m also the host of Sci-fi Podcast The End of the World Book Club.