Featured Workshop Motif Magic: Upcycle with Applique

Give your wardrobe a second life in this creative appliqué workshop to upcycle clothing. You’ll learn how to upcycle clothing using fabric motifs, embroidery, and decorative touches.

Do you:-
🥼Have a favourite top with a stain?
👖Or jeans with a hole?
👕Or just a plain T that needs some ‘pizzazz’ 🪄

Don’t throw them out—upcycle them with appliqué. This class shows you how to cover damage or decorate plain garments using appliqué techniques.

🎓 What You’ll Learn

We’ll start by using a bonding medium to attach fabric patches. Then, you’ll explore ways to embellish your designs with:

• Machine embroidery
• Hand embroidery
• Buttons and beads

You’ll learn how to combine visible mending with creative textile art to make your clothes truly unique.

👗 Who This Workshop Is For

This class is ideal if you:

• Want to try visible mending or creative clothing repair
• Enjoy sustainable fashion and upcycling sewing projects
• Love adding personality to your clothes with fabric motifs and stitch

You must already have basic sewing machine skills. If you already have Free-Motion embroidery experience, then it is perfect for this workshop.  

🧵 What to Bring to Motif Magic

• Garments you’d like to embellish (e.g. denim jackets, jumpers, trousers, plain tops)
• Fabric scraps, old clothes, trims or other textile bits for appliqué (Curtain fabrics and vintage doilies are great for floral motifs as seen in the image)
• Buttons, beads, and embroidery threads (optional but please ensure everything you add is washable.)
• Creative Inspiration – if you’ve seen anything online or in a magazine, then please bring it! Otherwise you can choose from a selection of my resources.

🏆 About Your Tutor

Jen is the founder of Artisan Stitch, Scotland’s leading sewing school. She’s a highly experienced educator with decades of expertise in dressmaking, upcycling, and creative textile art. Her workshops are known for their warmth, clarity, and expert guidance.

Artisan Stitch has received multiple accolades from Corporate Livewire’s Scotland Prestige Awards amongst others, recognising excellence in creative education and sustainable sewing. Jen’s commitment to quality, community, and innovation continues to inspire students across Scotland and beyond. 

Location details

How to find St Margaret’s House

Directions