Zero Waste Applique - Threads 2025

You'll create a botanical-inspired appliqued square from a selection of Rebekah’s plant dyed fabrics. Perfect for use in patchwork projects or stand-alone pieces like mini quilts or place mats.

Needle turn applique involves attaching fabric shapes to a background fabric by hand, neatly tucking under the raw edges and securing them with hand stitches.

Rebekah will guide you through the entire process, starting from finding inspiration in your surroundings to sketching, cutting, and stitching down your applique design. She will showcase examples from her own work and demonstrate various techniques for achieving both simple and intricate shapes.

You will learn the following processes:

• Finding design inspiration
• Drawing a simple template
• Zero waste approaches to composition
• Suitable fabric choices
• Needle turn applique
• Ideas for how to use your applique square
• Knife edge binding
• Hand quilting

Leave the workshop with a completed zero waste applique mini quilt.

Artist bio:

Rebekah Johnston is a Nottingham-based textile artist and educator, creating one-of-a-kind quilted textiles that explore themes of emotional well-being. Each piece is slow-stitched by hand, a calming and meditative process that brings a sense of reflection and connection.

Passionate about helping others discover their creative voice, Rebekah empowers people to develop confidence in their own visual language. As a former art teacher, she brings years of experience in guiding artistic journeys. Her work intertwines self-discovery, sustainability, and the meditative practice of hand stitching. Through slow, deliberate stitching, she finds space for introspection, allowing thoughts to settle and take shape.

Inspired by discarded scraps and garment offcuts, she transforms overlooked materials into quilts and wall hangings. By thoughtfully piecing together unconventional shapes, she creates compositions that balance positive and negative space, revealing hidden narratives within each arrangement.

Beyond her own practice, Rebekah teaches the art of slow stitching through in-person workshops. She encourages participants to embrace slowness, appreciate the beauty of repurposed materials, and foster a mindful connection between their hands, mind, and creative spirit. These workshops offer a space to pause, reflect, and immerse in the joy of making.

About our Threads Textile Festival

This workshop is taking place as part of Sunny Bank Mills' annual celebration of the art of textiles; featuring a series of workshops, new exhibitions, talks and Textile fair. This year’s Threads Festival will take place across the site of Sunny Bank Mills on Saturday 17th – Sunday 18th May.

Find out more about our Threads Textile Festival weekend on our website.

See the full Threads Textile Festival workshop collection.

About the venue

Sunny Bank Mills is an inspirational cultural destination in the heart of the local community of Farsley, Leeds. Founded in 1829, these glorious Mills are being regenerated by the sixth generation of the family owners, creating a wonderful blend of work, leisure and culture.

Course terms and booking conditions

Workshop and course bookings can be cancelled and refunded up until 7 days before the scheduled start date. As materials and equipment are ordered in advance, we regret that refunds cannot be offered less than 7 days before the workshop date. Please note that Eventbrite’s booking fee is non-refundable. If we need to cancel the course for any reason your ticket will be fully refunded.

Accessibility

The venue of this workshop is on the 3rd floor of the 1912 Mill, which is accessed via three flights of stairs or a wheelchair accessible lift.

There are accessible toilets on the ground and 2nd floor of the venue. We will have attendants on hand to offer assistance throughout the day. If you have any queries prior to your booking, please email natalie@sunnybankmills.co.uk.