Japanese Textiles
Explore traditional Japanese techniques through hands-on textile craft
Overview
Japanese Textiles at Stanwick Lakes offers three exclusive, hands-on workshops that introduce traditional Japanese dyeing, stitching and weaving techniques. These sessions offer a chance to slow down, explore natural materials and learn processes that have been passed from maker to maker over centuries.
Each workshop is led by Japanese textile artist Emi Fujisawa, whose practice spans hand weaving, natural dyeing and traditional indigo work. Emi regularly teaches shibori and other textile techniques, sharing her knowledge with warmth and clarity. Trained in Japan as a Sukumo Indigo Dyer, she brings an authentic understanding of heritage craft, combined with a contemporary approach shaped by both Japanese and European influences.
Across the three workshops, you’ll have the opportunity to try different aspects of Japanese textile-making. Shibori introduces stitched resist patterns using indigo dye, botanical stitching focuses on slow, meditative embroidery inspired by the natural environment, and the two-day flax workshop explores fibre preparation and weaving.
Each course is designed to be welcoming and beginner-friendly, with small group sizes and all materials provided.
Together, these workshops offer an inspiring introduction to Japanese textile traditions, giving you space to learn, experiment and create your own handmade pieces in a relaxed setting.
Times or dates don’t suit? Let us know, and join a waiting list.
Workshops:
- – Shibori Dye Workshop for Beginners
-
– Botanical Stitching Workshop
-
– 2 Day Flax Fiber and Weaving Workshop
Who is this course for?
These workshops are ideal for anyone curious about traditional craft or working with natural materials. No previous experience is needed — each session is welcoming, beginner friendly and offers room for those who want to explore new techniques.
Whether you’re drawn to pattern-making, hand-stitching, natural dyeing or weaving, the Japanese Textiles programme gives you space to experiment at your own pace. With small group sizes and plenty of guidance, the sessions are accessible for all abilities.
Shibori Dye Workshop for Beginners
This beginner-friendly workshop introduces you to the Japanese resist-dyeing technique known as shibori, using hand stitching and indigo dye. You’ll design and stitch simple shapes on fabric, then immerse them in an indigo vat. As the dye saturates, the stitched areas resist, creating beautiful patterns. By the end of the day, you’ll unpick your stitches to reveal your design, and go home with an A4-sized shibori piece.
Botanical Stitching Workshop
This workshop is run in the spring and summer time when there are many flowers and leaves in the garden.
Participants can draw any flowers and leaves on a sketchbook in the garden and then transfer their drawing into the handwoven organic cotton tea towel. Participants will stitch their design using Emi’s natural dyed threads including blue from indigo, pink from English madder and more.
Please note if the weather is good, the course will take place outside in our gardens.
Flax Weaving - Handmade Ceramic Frame
Hand weaving using a custom-made ceramic frame. On Day 1, you’ll create and decorate your frame with stoneware clay and natural slips. After it’s fired, Day 2 focuses on setting up the loom and weaving with natural fibres, including Emi’s flax, silk mawata, alpaca, and Japanese kibiso yarn. Emi will also demonstrate turning flax into fibre and hand-spinning linen yarn. By the end of the workshop, you’ll take home your finished woven piece.
Key Course Details
When: Various
Duration: 3-6 hours
Class Size: Limited to 6 participants per workshop
Cost: £65 – £150
Materials: All materials will be provided
Times or dates don’t suit? Let us know, and join a waiting list.
About the Tutor
Emi is a Japanese textile artist and designer based in Northamptonshire specialised in hand weaving with natural materials and natural dyeing. She launched her slow fashion garment collection in 2021. She is also trained as a Japanese Sukumo Indigo Dyer in Japan and she is planning to set up a Japanese Sukumo Indigo Studio in her 17th-century limestone house in Northamptonshire.
She is also influenced by the study of traditional textiles, techniques and materials inspired by Confucius words, who said: “We can learn new things from the past”. She loves to explore different countries and find traditional materials, techniques and ideas. She has developed her own style to express her art which is based in a Japanese identity with European influences.
Website: https://www.emifujisawa.co.uk/
What’s included in the price?
Tools, materials and safety equipment are provided.
Tea, coffee and biscuits are provided free of charge during the course.
Your car parking is also free of charge on the day of your course.
Additional Information:
Food and drinks can be purchased in the café in the visitor centre or bring your own packed lunch.
Please note if you are purchasing food from our café, a pre-order form will be available on the morning of the course (a selection of paninis, sandwiches, jacket potatoes etc, are available) so we can have your food freshly prepared for you.
Cancellation policy
Cancellation and a full refund can be obtained up to 4 weeks before the course starts.