Looking to try your hand at a new craft in Leeds? Look no further! From textile arts at Huffletuft to blacksmithing with Jacek Robotka, there are a variety of engaging and affordable craft workshops in the city that cater to all skill levels and interests.
What are the top craft workshops to try in Leeds?
The best craft workshops in Leeds include:
- Textile arts at Huffletuft on Kirkstall Road.
- Blacksmithing fundamentals with Jacek Robotka.
- Sewing classes at the School of Sew at Sunny Bank Mills.
- Jewellery-making with Amy Stringer at Fabrication.
- Crochet lessons at Leeds Crochet Club.
- Willow weaving at Meanwood Valley Urban Farm.
- Glass fusing at Twice Fired in Pudsey.
- Pottery throwing at Sunken Studio.
- Printmaking courses at Leeds Print Workshop.
Crafting experiences in Leeds offer a rich tapestry of hands-on learning and creativity. Whether you’re a novice or an experienced crafter, the city’s workshops provide a plethora of opportunities to hone your skills, create something unique, and perhaps even ignite a lifelong passion. Below, we explore a selection of the most engaging craft workshops that Leeds has to offer.
Unravel Creativity at Huffletuft
At the heart of Leeds’ vibrant craft scene is Huffletuft, a sanctuary for those drawn to the textile arts. Situated on Kirkstall Road, this studio is where creativity weaves into tangible art under the guidance of owner Alex. Aspiring rug tufters can watch their designs come to life through a dance of color and texture.
Participants get hands-on with a tufting gun, transforming yarn into bespoke rugs, coasters, and even rug mirrors. The workshops offer a chance not only to learn a new skill but to experience the satisfaction of crafting a piece from start to finish. Upon completion, you have the added joy of bringing your own creation home.
Located at 1A Open Source Arts, Aire Place Mills, Kirkstall Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS3 1JL, Huffletuft’s workshops are an affordable gateway to craft art, with prices starting at just £25.
Forge Your Path with Blacksmithing Fundamentals
For those looking to heat things up, the basics of blacksmithing await at Jacek Robotka’s forge. This unique workshop stands as an homage to traditional craftsmanship, allowing participants to delve into the ancient art of metalworking.
Whether it’s an axe or a kitchen knife that you’re eager to craft, Jacek’s day-long course covers every step. There’s something profoundly elemental and satisfying about manipulating metal with fire and hammer. The course takes you through fire control, forging, normalising, hardening, and tempering, concluding with the creation of a finely sharpened tool that’s both functional and beautiful.
Jorgen Craft, located at 35 Middleton Park Crescent, Middleton, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS10 4BW, offers both axe and kitchen knife courses for £225, providing a full day’s immersion in the blacksmith’s craft.
Tailor Your Craft with Sewing Expertise
The School of Sew at Sunny Bank Mills represents the stitching heart of Leeds’ craft community. For those who’ve always wanted to master a sewing machine or enhance their hand-stitching skills, this is the ideal starting point.
The journey begins with a three-hour introductory session, leading to a six-week Grade I course that tackles projects from tote bags to cushion covers. It’s a comprehensive experience that prepares participants for even more complex undertakings, like dress-making in the Grade II class.
You’ll find the School of Sew at No 1 The Spinning Mill, Sunny Bank Mills, Farsley, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS28 5UJ. An Essential Sewing Skills Workshop is priced at £50, with six-week courses starting from £29 per lesson.
Crafting Precious Metal Art at the Jeweller’s Bench
Amy Stringer’s workshops offer a foray into the lustrous world of jewellery-making. Based out of Fabrication, a shop and workspace in Leeds, these workshops appeal to those with a penchant for adornment and a desire to craft with precious metals.
In just a four-hour session, you can design and create a silver ring or bangle, learning the fundamentals of sizing, shaping, soldering, and polishing. These workshops are a testament to the fact that with the right guidance and tools, anyone can transform raw materials into wearable art.
Located at 83 Briggate, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS1 6LH, Amy’s workshops are competitively priced at £75 per person for rings and £90 for bangles, offering a truly hands-on luxury experience.
Crochet the Day Away
Leeds Crochet Club has garnered a reputation for its welcoming atmosphere and expert-led classes. Beginners find themselves in a supportive environment, learning everything from the foundational slip stitch to more complex techniques like the treble crochet stitch.
It’s a place that celebrates the meditative rhythm of hook and yarn, where each loop brings you closer to your personal masterpiece. Classes are often held at Sheka Coffee Farm and Ethiopian Restaurant, located at 141 Easterly Road, Roundhay, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS8 2RY, with beginner classes starting from £42 per person.
Mastering the Art of Willow Weaving
Out of the Woods workshops present a chance to engage with natural materials and traditional crafting methods. These sessions, focused on willow weaving, offer more than just a skill – they foster an appreciation for sustainable arts.
Participants can choose from half or full-day workshops, learning the methods to create everything from sturdy baskets to delicate decorative pieces. With all tools and materials provided, the only prerequisite is a willingness to learn and create.
The willow weaving workshops are held at Meanwood Valley Urban Farm, Sugar Well Road, Meanwood, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS7 2QG. The one-day round basket workshop is available for £85 per person.
The Alchemy of Glass Fusing
At Twice Fired, a specialist glassware studio, the transformative power of heat and color come together in the art of glass fusing. This intricate craft involves designing and combining different types of glass to form a single piece, using a kiln.
In their five-hour workshop, you can create a unique wall hanging, experimenting with textures and shapes. The studio’s tranquil setting, with views of the countryside, provides ample inspiration for your work.
Situated at 21 Summerville Road, Pudsey, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS28 6EL, Twice Fired offers these workshops for £200, which includes 4 to 5 hours of expert guidance and materials.
The Potter’s Wheel Experience
Sunken Studio in Leeds invites pottery enthusiasts to embrace the wheel and the mesmerizing process of clay turning. Guided by a skilled tutor, workshop attendees can shape their own pots over a six-week course.
This immersive experience not only teaches the art of pottery throwing but also includes the firing of the final products, allowing each participant to bring home their handcrafted pots.
You can join the Sunken Studio at Carlisle Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS10 1LB, with courses starting from £260 for 15 hours over the six-week period.
Printmaking Adventures
Leeds Print Workshop is for those captivated by the art of printmaking. Their five-week course introduces various techniques, including monoprint, collograph, drypoint, and linocut.
Under the guidance of a practising printmaker, participants will create a portfolio of prints while learning to work with different tools and mediums. The course promises an exploration of printmaking that is as enriching as it is expansive.
Located at 130 Vicar Lane, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS2 7NL, the printmaking courses at Leeds Print Workshop are priced at £135 for the full five weeks.
- Huffletuft offers textile arts workshops on Kirkstall Road, allowing participants to create bespoke rugs and other textile pieces.
- Jacek Robotka’s forge provides blacksmithing workshops where participants can learn to create functional and beautiful metal tools.
- The School of Sew at Sunny Bank Mills offers sewing classes that range from introductory sessions to more advanced dress-making courses.
- Amy Stringer’s workshops at Fabrication allow participants to design and create their own silver rings or bangles.
- Leeds Crochet Club offers crochet classes for beginners and provides a supportive environment for learning and creating.