Online, live hand-dyeing worskhop in support of Don't Walk Past Group

I'll be running my first online, live hand-dyeing workshop on 8th March at 6.30pm-8.30pm and I'd love you to join me! As it's a pilot session (and may not be perfect!), what I would like to do is to ask people to buy a £10 ticket and all the proceeds will be used to buy items for a small, local organisation in Manchester, Don't Walk Past Group.

Why Don't Walk Past?
This small, fabulous team go out come rain or shine every night and provide hot meals, drinks, sleeping bags, blankets & toiletries to those who find themselves unfortunate enough to be on the streets. They have no affiliation or agenda, they're just good people doing good in the community. They take nothing for their time and have a rolling wishlist of items needed.

As Pete and I take the dog for his evening walk in this bitterly cold weather it breaks my heart to know that there are those who will spend their nights sleeping on these cold streets. I hope you'll be able to join me and I'm sure we'll have fun while helping others in need.

Buying your ticket
Tickets are £10 for the workshop and all proceeds will go to buy items from the Don't Walk Past wishlist.

What you'll need:

For folks taking part in the workshop, I'll put the workshop equipment & materials list up before the event so you can have everything ready to take part 'live' if you wish. No specialist equipment is required but if you're not sure, please ask.

Get your workshop materials & goodies with a discount coupon
Everyone who buys a ticket will also receive a coupon for 10% off sales in the shop so if you need dyes/yarn etc. you'll be able to get those, ready for the event. Your coupon code will be sent once we receive your booking.

Can't make the live session?
As I know we have subscribers all around the world, I'm also hoping to record the session and keep it available for a couple of weeks so if you can't tune in live you can still buy a ticket as everyone will receive a link to the recording.

If you'd like to watch live then try out the techniques later, you'll be able to watch the recording and replay it so you can follow along at your own pace (but please note that the recording will only be live for a couple of weeks).

Can anyone sign up?
Yes! We'd like to raise as much as possible so we hope you'll share on your social media and invite friends to sign up if they would like to take part (and don't mind the odd blooper!). This workshop is suitable for absolute beginners and more experienced dyers so come and join the fun!

Thanks everyone and hope to see you on the 8th!

Other workshops
In addition to this new, online class (of which there will hopefully be more to come!), I've also listed the first batch of 'in person' workshops so do check those out too

Debbie says... I love teaching workshops and courses – part of the pleasure of doing something I love for a living is in knowing that other people have shared my passion and enthusiasm, learned something new, had lots of fun and generally had a good time! Teaching is a learning process for the tutor as much as for the students so I like to keep a comments book for feedback. Here are some of my favourite excerpts…

Debbie

What our students say....

“I had a wonderful time and discovered a new passion! Thank you so much for your clear and thorough instructions and for being such an inspiration. My only problem is finding the time to fit dyeing into my already busy days – but never fear, it will have to be done! Inspiring!”

Rachel

“Wonderful! Thank you very much”. “A really fun session that demystified what had seemed like a very complicated craft to me before today. Thank you! “Fab fun. I was really curious to know how some many colours can get into a single skein – now I know (some!). I’d love to do some more! Thankyou!”.

student feedback from course with debbie tomkies of dt craft and design 03

“Thankyou Debbie! You’ve inspired me! I’ve really enjoyed learning a new skill and you’re a very patient teacher. I will look out for you at the festivals”. All the best, Elizabeth x

student feedback from course with debbie tomkies of dt craft and design 02

Elizabeth

Where to find us:

This workshop will be held at:

Studio 19

A4 Studios

30 Grosvenor Road

Altrincham

WA14 1LD

Public transport:

We are a short, level walk from Altrincham Metrolink station, Altrincham rail station and the Altrincham bus interchange.

By car:

There is limited free, on-street parking nearby and parking in the restricted spaces is free in the evenings (but do check the signs!).

There is a multistorey carpark in Altrincham centre, 8 minutes level walk from the studios

About A4 studios

A4 Studios is a not-for-profit organisation that has been founded by a group of disabled and able-bodied artists and entrepreneurs who recognised a need for good quality affordable studio spaces within the locality of Trafford.

Debbie Tomkies
Organizer of Online, live hand-dyeing session for Don't Walk Past Group - 8 March evening
Debbie is a knitting & crochet expert with over 30 years' teaching and designing experience. Debbie is on the in-house knitting expert team for Knit Now magazine and Craftworld and has been producing their how-to features and videos since the magazine started over 10 years ago, prior to which she wrote the technical features for Simply Knitting magazine. Debbie is the author of 5 internationally published books, Hand-Dyed Yarn Craft Projects, Complete Knitting Skills, 250 Knitting Stitches, Knitting.Learn it.Love it and How to Knit. Debbie has been a hand dyer for over 25 years, working with both synthetic and natural dyes, indigo & woad. She teaches dyeing with yarn & fabrics, printing, botanical (eco) printing, tie dye and more. In addition to teaching knitting, crochet, felting and dyeing throughout the UK, Debbie also teaches City & Guilds accredited programmes in design and handknitting at Making Futures CIC. Debbie has had over 100 designs published in major magazines over the last 10 years. When she's not crafting, you'll find Debbie in the garden, tending her dyeplants, enjoying a nice craft beer or hugging a big mug of builders' tea. And if you're out and about, she can often be found in the mosh pit at a gig or enjoying some folk music!

Hand Dyeing Heaven since 2005!

Online, live hand-dyeing session for Don't Walk Past Group – 8 March evening