About this Event
Shoreditch Sandbox on Worship Street, EC2A is a new space for making, experimenting and bringing people together around ideas, materials and creativity.
Join award-winning textile artist Holly Searle, aka The Subversive Stitcher, for a hands-on workshop inspired by her distinctive approach to textiles. Holly’s acclaimed Subverted Tea Towel Series has been exhibited widely across the UK.
While typical craft workshops focus purely on decorative techniques, Holly uses needle and thread as a bold medium for thought-provoking commentary, creative reuse, and storytelling. You will work directly with authentic vintage tea towels as your canvas, using pre-cut felt letters to craft your own statement art piece with expert, step-by-step guidance in an intimate, low-pressure studio setting.
About the Craft: In the 2020 lockdown, Holly started using vintage tea towels as blank canvases to sew statements on issues she felt strongly about. This evolved into The Subverted Tea Towel Series—a growing collection of over 210 unique works. As part of our launch season First Threads, this session connects Shoreditch’s rich textile history with modern creative reuse and subversive craft.
What You’ll Experience:
- Select Your Canvas: Choose a unique vintage tea towel from Holly's curated collection.
- Design & Compose: Learn how to arrange and apply pre-cut felt letters to construct your personal message or statement.
- Direct Artist Guidance: Receive hands-on help and stitch techniques directly from Holly Searle.
- Take It Home: Walk away with your finished, ready-to-display subverted textile artwork!
Who It’s For: No previous sewing experience is needed! Whether you’re a local resident, student, artist, or curious beginner looking to try something new, you are very welcome to join our welcoming Shoreditch Sandbox community.
Shoreditch Sandbox is a new space for making, experimenting and bringing people together around ideas, materials and creativity.
Come In. Play Around. Make it Real.
Tickets are FREE
We’re proud to keep our prices deliberately low and open to all.
If you can no longer make it, please let us know so we can offer your place to someone else.
Find us?
When: Wednesday 14 October | 18:00–20:30
Where: Shoreditch Sandbox, 103 Worship Street, London, EC2A 2DF (Stations: Liverpool Street or Shoreditch High Street)
Parking: Paid public parking is available nearby
Event venue & nearby stays
Shoreditch Sandbox, 103 Worship Street, London, United Kingdom