Following on from our popular Sewing for Beginners, this series of workshops offer the opportunity to learn new skills or brush up on rusty ones through six practical yet inspiring and creative projects. Please bring your own machine along if you have one. Basic calico is available but you are encouraged to bring at least one metre of woven cotton fabric and a reel of thread to the session if you have something special in mind. Project One: Practical Aprons Whether you are a craft maker or busy home baker, design & make an apron with style, shape & pockets suited to your own specific needs. Project Two: Quirky Doorstops Learn how to make soft doorstops, & adapt the technique to make your own quirky design. Project Three: Quilted Cosies Get introduced to the simplicity of machine quilting, & make your own teapot or cafetiere cosy. Project Four: Functional Tote Bags Ditch the plastic & instead learn how to design & make your own beautiful yet sturdy reusable fabric shopping bags. Project Five: Pouches & Wash Bags Make a zipped pouch or wash bag perfect for all your bits and bobs, or great as a handmade gift. Project Six: iPad Covers Protect your precious gadgets. Design & make your own soft covers for tablets, phones or laptops.

Did you know that scrabble was invented in 1931 by an unemployed architect? It was quietly played by just the inventor and his friends until 1948, and now it’s the world’s best-selling word game. But when did you last play? We now have scrabble sets available to play in our Riverside Cafe. So whether you have a game with old friends, new friends or people you have only just met, this much loved game is sure to keep you captivated.

Join Design Factory and other artists and makers on the second Monday of each month for coffee and cake! Pop in on the above dates for an informal chat about all things creative. Design Factory is the leading craft development agency in the UK. Since 2005 Design Factory has been developing exceptional craft and design talent from the East Midlands and providing an international platform for designer/makers to achieve their ambitions. Design Factory has now merged with The National Centre for Craft & Design to create a NEW and inspiring home for the UK’s craft and design sector. Although the focus is still on developing talent from the East Midlands, there is now the opportunity for makers from throughout the UK to join Design Factory.

Join artist Phil Bowman as he leads a second series of life drawing classes this season. As an essential ingredient in developing skills of observation and drawing these sessions are perfect for beginners and practiced artists alike. Models will vary each session and a range of materials will be available for use. If you would like to use something specific please bring along your own supplies to avoid disappointment. A limited number of easels are available for use.

Join Silversmith Kate Bajic in this one-day creative workshop where you will design and make up to three decorative, textured rings using different shaped silver wires. You will be taught a variety of basic silver jewellery making techniques such as soldering, hammering and stamping to create different textures and patterns. You will also learn filing, sawing, shaping, forming and cleaning to produce high quality rings finished to a professional standard. This workshop is ideal for beginners and improvers.

Our annual event is back! Join us on Saturday 22 June for a celebration of all things textiles. Come along and take part in a range of make and take workshops and gallery activities led by contemporary designer/makers, community groups and the Framework Knitters Museum. You can also see a range of demonstrations from spinners, weavers, knitters and more! So, whatever your age, whether you’re an absolute beginner or accomplished knitter, crochet addict, felter or weaver pop along and see, experience, learn.

Join designer/maker Stella Harding in this two-day creative workshop inspired by our main gallery exhibition Beauty is the First Test. You will be introduced to simple weaving techniques drawn from Stella’s own contemporary basketry practice including plaited spheres, interlacing and assembly before combining each technique with a range of natural, processed and recycled materials to create intricate sculptural forms or dynamic three-dimensional ‘wall drawings’. See Stella’s work in our Main Gallery exhibition Beauty is the First Test between 27 Apr—30 Jun 2013.

Join London based animator, illustrator and games designer Luke Whittaker and Graphic paper artist Sarah Bridgland for this unique and creative workshop. Working with Sarah you will learn how to create your own paper graphic leaves, which will then be animated using special effects software with Luke. The results from this workshop will be screened at the NCCD on Sunday 20 October as part of artsNK’s bi-annual festival ZYGOTE.

Join us as we open our 10th birthday show ‘Growing’ and celebrate a decade of The National Centre for Craft & Design. From 11am—4pm, Navigation Wharf will be full of artistic creativity offering lots of opportunity for everyone to see, take part, learn and experience and celebrate all that is craft and design.

Join digital artist Jason Wilsher-Mills in this popular workshop and develop your skills in design and new media.

Join designer/maker Stella Harding and learn how to make your own dynamic 3D woven spheres using techniques drawn from Stella’s own contemporary basketry practice and brightly coloured canes. During June—September Stella is exhibiting in two exhibitions; Beauty is the First Test and Growing where she has been recognised for demonstrating excellence and innovation throughout her practice.

This workshop explores the use of thread and stitch as a way to make drawings. Introducing a simple range of basic hand and machine techniques you will have the opportunity to explore ways to translate your creative ideas onto textile surfaces. Combining and layering different materials to create innovative surfaces, and embellishing these with the different thread and stitch combinations, you can quickly start to build up some unique textural pieces as you start painting with stitch. If you have your own sewing machine you are welcome to bring this along, particularly if it has a drop feed or darning facility. A range of machine and hand sewing threads and yarns, as well as a broad selection of textiles will be made available. If you would like to use something specific please bring along your own supplies to avoid disappointment.

Join printmaker Henrietta Corbett in this one day creative workshop which explores both Drypoint and Chine Colle printmaking processes. Drypoint is a very immediate way of working. Using a Drypoint needle participants will scratch a design onto the surface of a Perspex plate before printing with the help of an etching press. Shapes and patterns will then be added to the design with coloured tissue papers and printed text.