Derbyshire Makes Festival

Join weavers, designers and textile makers Ruth and Bea from Paradise Mill in Macclesfield for a playful hands-on introduction to Jacquard handweaving, exploring the connection between heritage craft and the origins of computing – and the women whose ideas and labour sit at the heart of both.

Inspired by Ada Lovelace’s insight into the Jacquard loom as a system of coded instructions, the workshop invites participants to see weaving as a language shaped by pattern, repetition and choice. Working with reclaimed yarns using frame looms, you’ll experience the transformation from yarn to fabric – watching structure emerge thread by thread.

Each participant will create a woven element, which will be brought together into a larger shared piece as individual contributions become part of a collective work that echoes the circular, connected spirit of the festival.

No prior weaving experience needed.

Join Jackie as she guides you with a range of hand sewing techniques. You can contribute to a communal piece inspired by wheels by adding your own stitched, appliqued or button circles.

You’ll also have the opportunity to create your own Suffolk Puff brooch to take home. This traditional 17th-century patchwork technique was revived in the 1930s and 40s as a practical way to turn fabric scraps into something useful. A small piece of fabric is cut into a circle, stitched around the edge, and gently gathered—simple, charming, and effective. Suitable for all abilities.

About Jackie:

I have a deep love for fabric, thread, and all things textile. Vintage handmade patchwork holds a special place in my heart—each piece crafted from old dresses, shirts, and pillowcases, carrying its own quiet story. I’m an avid collector of bygone sewing notions, with a growing collection of vintage cloth, wooden bobbins, threads, and treasured knitting patterns. I mainly sew by hand, rarely following patterns—I prefer to let each piece find its own way. I also run local sewing classes and am currently in my ninth year of “Stitching in the Moment,” a daily hand-sewing practice celebrating slow, mindful making.

Try your hand at Dorset or Shirtlace buttons, two historic textile techniques used to create decorative and practical buttons entirely by hand. Visitors will help create a collaborative textile “wheel” inspired by the machinery at Masson Mills and can also start their own small button project, such as a Dorset Cartwheel, Dorset Singleton or Shirtlace button. Materials, guidance and instructions will be provided so participants can finish their button at home if needed.

Sandrine Bramley runs The Frog in the Craft, a one-woman business specialising in heritage button making and hand sewing. She teaches traditional textile button techniques including Dorset and Yorkshire buttons and enjoys helping people discover the joy of making buttons by hand in a mindful way. Sandrine is a member of the Heritage Crafts Association, winner of the 2025-26 Creative Business of the Year award in Michelle Welsh MP’s Small Business Awards and has previously taught heritage craft workshops at Masson Mills.

Join weavers, designers and textile makers Ruth and Bea from Paradise Mill in Macclesfield for a playful hands-on introduction to Jacquard handweaving, exploring the connection between heritage craft and the origins of computing – and the women whose ideas and labour sit at the heart of both.

Inspired by Ada Lovelace’s insight into the Jacquard loom as a system of coded instructions, the workshop invites participants to see weaving as a language shaped by pattern, repetition and choice. Working with reclaimed yarns using frame looms, you’ll experience the transformation from yarn to fabric – watching structure emerge thread by thread.

Each participant will create a woven element, which will be brought together into a larger shared piece as individual contributions become part of a collective work that echoes the circular, connected spirit of the festival.

No prior weaving experience needed.

Join Jackie as she guides you with a range of hand sewing techniques. You can contribute to a communal piece inspired by wheels by adding your own stitched, appliqued or button circles.

You’ll also have the opportunity to create your own Suffolk Puff brooch to take home. This traditional 17th-century patchwork technique was revived in the 1930s and 40s as a practical way to turn fabric scraps into something useful. A small piece of fabric is cut into a circle, stitched around the edge, and gently gathered—simple, charming, and effective. Suitable for all abilities.

About Jackie:

I have a deep love for fabric, thread, and all things textile. Vintage handmade patchwork holds a special place in my heart—each piece crafted from old dresses, shirts, and pillowcases, carrying its own quiet story. I’m an avid collector of bygone sewing notions, with a growing collection of vintage cloth, wooden bobbins, threads, and treasured knitting patterns. I mainly sew by hand, rarely following patterns—I prefer to let each piece find its own way. I also run local sewing classes and am currently in my ninth year of “Stitching in the Moment,” a daily hand-sewing practice celebrating slow, mindful making.

Try your hand at Dorset or Shirtlace buttons, two historic textile techniques used to create decorative and practical buttons entirely by hand. Visitors will help create a collaborative textile “wheel” inspired by the machinery at Masson Mills and can also start their own small button project, such as a Dorset Cartwheel, Dorset Singleton or Shirtlace button. Materials, guidance and instructions will be provided so participants can finish their button at home if needed.

Sandrine Bramley runs The Frog in the Craft, a one-woman business specialising in heritage button making and hand sewing. She teaches traditional textile button techniques including Dorset and Yorkshire buttons and enjoys helping people discover the joy of making buttons by hand in a mindful way. Sandrine is a member of the Heritage Crafts Association, winner of the 2025-26 Creative Business of the Year award in Michelle Welsh MP’s Small Business Awards and has previously taught heritage craft workshops at Masson Mills.