Our South West & Mid Wales Region’s learners have been creating a range of wonderful textiles throughout the pandemic, across a range of our online Crafts classes, and most recently, have been learning how to make festive themed items. Our learners have been introduced to a range of textile skills in including felting, sewing, knitting, patchwork, quilting and much more!

Our learners have made a variety of pictures from various themes, using Wet felting and needle felting techniques. After perfecting their Wet felting, learners then continued onto needle felting, where they learnt how to make a range of items ready for the festive season, from baubles to snowmen and even gnomes!

During lessons, learners have practiced how to alter garments that are too long or too short, also. They learnt how to insert a zip, how to produce a buttonhole and various techniques when making pockets. These simple sewing lessons have also equipped our learners with the skills to make all kinds of creations, including making a 3D reindeer, material slippers and fabric boxes. As well as sewing, our learners have been able to crochet, produce poppies, Christmas decorations and 3D snowmen.

Our learners have also developed their knitting skills, advancing from knit and purl stitches, to structured stitches, cables, lace, fairisle, intarsia, knitting with beads and many more techniques. Our intermediate knitting learners have learnt how to read a pattern and produce an item. These learners produced a knitted 3D snowman and a 3D sheep.

As well as knitting, our learners have been able to turn their hand to patchwork and quilting. Within the patchwork course, the learners produced a 3D folded table centerpiece, twisted log cabin table mats and patchwork and quilted tree skirts.

Learners in our Upcycling classes have undertaken upcycling projects where they have been able to produce Christmas cracker gift boxes using pringle tubes, 3D snowmen wearing a jacket from recycled fleece blankets, 3D Christmas trees, three foot high pixies wearing a denim dress with 25 advent pockets, and other inventive creations.

Learners made a vast range of useful products and items to use within their home and make gifts for friends and family. The lessons have been catered for beginners right through to experienced crafts people.

Learners have been able to make friends and improve or learn a new skill and many have gained in confidence by supporting one another, which helped all with their general wellbeing. The weekly lessons were a social lifeline for some during the pandemic, and many learners have really valued this time to socialise.

Our tutor Maria has passed on her vast breadth of knowledge and skills through a range of craft lessons. She has supported learners develop their textile skills which has resulted in a wonderful range of products produced by her learners.

Some of Maria’s learners have expressed their gratitude at gaining creative skills and a supportive space in which to develop and have provided wonderfully positive feedback:

Our learner, Lesley said, “I wanted to let you know how much your online classes are helping with my state of mind and mental health. Attending your classes gives me the motivation to get out of bed in the morning. I find it easier to withdraw and stay secluded if given the choice, but when I know I have a class I get out of bed, get ready and get organised. Preparation and readiness for the next class is giving me something on which to focus outside of class time. If I don’t participate in conversations, although I usually do, I find the background of others conversing and you giving instructions and explanations, sometimes repeatedly, is very therapeutic and calming to me. I appreciate your time and patience.”

Another learner, Chrissy said, “I would like to say thanks to Addysg Oedolion Cymru | Adult Learning Wales and Maria for putting on the classes as they have been a lifeline, particularly during these difficult times of pandemic. I live in a rural area and am separated from family and many friends by distance, so isolation is real. The classes have been a welcome addition to help get through, also as I am newly retired and haven’t had the chance to build a new activity/ support network. It has been lovely to meet others, with a common interest in crafting, share skills and across Wales, giving new perspectives and a sense of warmth and cooperation. The focus on skills has helped mental wellbeing, provided an escape and new sense of purpose.”

Our tutor Maria Parry-Jones says, “Online learning has given many learners someone to talk too during the last 18 months. Some learners have not seen any family or friends. Now they have a new group of friends that they wouldn’t have met before. The courses have helped our learners with their health and wellbeing during this difficult time. Some of the learners have various mobility disabilities and online has been a wonderful way to learn. Some would not be able to drive to access courses.”

We would like to congratulate all of our Crafts learners on creating such beautiful work and extend our grateful thanks to our tutor Maria for passing on her significant creative skills and knowledge!

To see more of the exceptional crafts created by our learners, please visit our Facebook album here.

If you are inspired by the creations made in these courses and want to find out more about our Textile courses, click here.