Summertime Nature Connection Textile Club

Steele Studio

Connect with the act of making in a social outdoor urban green space during this hour-long guided textile nature connection club.

The Castle Climbing Centre

This one-hour guided workshop will give you an introduction to a variety of textile techniques while giving you the opportunity to enjoy an outdoor urban space with a diversity of folk. Each session will have a different guided activity, but you're welcome to bring along a project that you're in the midst with. Space to be social or be alone.Details:Time: 1 hour session, 6.30-pm-7.30pm*Cost: Pay as you feel (suggested donation £5)Dates: Once a month on the third Monday, evening, during summer.Select from: 19th May, 16th June, 21st July, 18th August and 22nd September. (*Note: September will run 6pm-7pm due to sunset time).Location: Sign in as a visitor to The Castle Climbing Centre, Green Lanes, London N4 2HA and come through to the garden.Group Size: maximum 10.What you will learn:There will be a guided activity for each hour-long session, but feel free to bring along something you're in the process of working on, or would like support and/or accountability with.Possible activities are:<ul><li>Nature weaving</li><li>Hapa zome leaf printing</li><li>Basic embroidery</li><li>Mending and darning</li><li>Bundle dyeing</li></ul>What you will receive:<ul><li>Guidance on the particular textile activity of the session you booked for</li><li>Certain materials and access to tools (this is where a donation helps!)</li><li>Access to a permaculture kitchen garden in North East London</li></ul>About your teacher:I'm Steph. An organic food grower in a permaculture kitchen garden in North London. I'm trained in fashion design and textile sustainability. My focus is always to look outwards at the inter-relatedness of our systems, yet create a space where we can turn that focus to smaller actions. My nature connection workshops invite you to explore yourself and your surroundings, and pick up a fresh crafty technique at the same time.

Schedule:This is a set session, and you are encouraged to come for the whole hour to make use of the activities and equipment on offer. Drop-in ok, but would prefer to have everyone set off at the same time.There will be a guided textile nature connection activity with certain materials and equipment supplied. Please bring along any project you're working on for support and guidance from myself and the rest of the group.Make your own way to the Centre reception, sign in, and come to the garden.May 19th: Hapa ZomeJune 16th: Bundle DyeingJuly 21st: Nature WeavingAugust 18th: Embroidery/Mending/Textile collageSeptember 22nd: Mix of whatever!Booking:You will receive a confirmation email with location details and suggestions on clothing to wear/bring.This is a pay-as-you-feel donation basis event, made possible because I want to build a community for folk wanting to come together in nature connection. The space for these evening sessions is kindly offered free.You can either pay up front now (choose the ticket accordingly), or come along to the session where I'll be able to take card payments (or cash). Please be respectful of the limited places and my admin time, by cancelling if you can no longer make the session.Setting:This particular set of evening sessions will be held at The Castle Climbing Centre, a Victorian water pumping station in Hackney, North East London. The adjoining permaculture kitchen garden is the setting for annual vegetable beds, a herb garden, forest garden and sensory garden. We'll pitch up in the garden as a group to enjoy the urban peace.

Cancellations:Weather: If the weather is due to be stormy, then I will email to give updates on required clothing or cancellation. Unfortunately this is a case-by-case basis, but I will aim to give you two days notice. You can then choose to book onto a new date, I’ll create a new additional session especially for the group, or to receive a full donation refund.Personal: If you are unable to attend for personal reasons, please respect that I am a sole business owner and give at least two days notice. If you do not cancel with good reason in time, you will not be eligible for a refund.My cancellations: Ordinarily for my other workshops, if a week prior to the event I have had cancellations or less bookings, so will be operating with less than 2 participants, I will cancel. However, I'd like to provide a consistent space. If I have to suddenly cancel for health purposes, I will of course refund your donations and give many apologies.Accessibility:<ol><li>This session will run in a permaculture kitchen garden where the ground can be tussocky and/or muddy, however, the Centre itself is wheelchair accessible.</li><li>Benches, ground and chairs will be available to sit on, though feel free to bring your own blanket or camping chair if that better suits you.</li><li>You'll be provided guidance if there are any tools new to you, such as the jewellery hammer for hapa zome, or darning needles. Some dexterity will be needed, so bear this in mind for the project you would like to try out.</li><li>If foraging is required for any activities, such as with nature weaving or hapa zome, gloves and secateurs can be provided for, along with instruction on best practice.</li><li>The sessions will be completed in English. If you are hearing impaired, you are welcome to attend; I will be able to practically show you the activities and can give you a handout on the instructions if appropriate.</li><li>This session is aimed at adults only, due to the evening timing. If you would like to bring your child along, please email first to check capacity.</li><li>We will be operating in the outdoors. Some shelter in the garden's roundhouse could be found, but please be aware that it is your responsibility to dress appropriately for the weather - whether rainy or sunny. See above section on ‘cancellations’.</li><li>Toilets - including an accessible one - is available in the Centre. Drinking water is also available, and herbal tea will be provided.</li><li>There is parking, but it's requested that you only make use of this if absolutely necessary as it's a busy climbing centre. You must register your vehiclee registration with Reception on arrival otherwise you're liable for a ticket.</li></ol>If you have any concerns or requirements upfront, please email hello@stephaniesteele.co.uk