Milton Crafters was formed following a pre-Christmas crafting event which was held in the hall in 2023 where we learned the craft of glass fusion. One of the participants suggested it would be a great idea to start a group called the Milton Crafters and a number of local residents met to discuss taking this idea forward and suggested further craft workshops. The uptake was great as it was an opportunity for like minded crafters in Milton and the surrounding area to get to know each other better, have fun and learn new skills. The group continues to grow and expand, welcoming new members and providing a valuable community experience in a friendly welcoming environment.
Workshops to date have been;
Glass Fusion
Willow Weaving
Wire flowers
Wet felting
Needle Punch
The group try to organise one workshop per quarter,
Indian Block Printing April 2026
On April 30th, sixteen crafters gathered at Milton Village Hall for an Indian block printing workshop. Following the popularity of a previous session—where participants created beautifully printed tote bags—Jacqueline and Geraldine (Jackie and Geri) returned to lead another inspiring evening of creativity.
This time, attendees learned how to make small printed tea light holders and print decorative bunting. After a brief demonstration, everyone was invited to select from a wide array of blocks and paint colours. Each participant received a kit containing everything needed to create two tea light holders and a length of bunting.
The session began with practice pieces, allowing crafters to experiment with designs before moving on to their final creations. Jackie and Geri were on hand throughout, offering guidance, encouragement, and helpful tips. While the bunting proved relatively straightforward, the tea light holders presented more of a challenge—but one that everyone managed to successfully complete.
The creativity on display was truly impressive, with each crafter producing unique and imaginative designs. With coffee and biscuits available, the evening had a warm and friendly atmosphere, enjoyed by all who attended.
Many thanks to Jackie and Geri for their expert instruction, and to the organisers for arranging such an enjoyable workshop.
Needle Punch November 2025
The Milton Crafters came together for a Needle Punch Workshop at the end of November in Milton Village Hall, run by Katie from Flossie & Bean. Katie started doing Needle Punch to pass the time during Covid, then after the birth of her son she decided to offer workshops for others.
Katie got us started with a test piece, showing us how to thread the needle then how to create the shapes on a small canvas piece in a frame. We were able to select our preferred design, Christmas related of course, and we very quickly got into the swing of it. Katie was on hand to help and guide us and when we had completed our pieces Katie finished them off by adding a loop and backing so they would look super on our Christmas trees or as decorations for our homes.
A really enjoyable evening.
Willow Weaving September 2025
Back by popular demand Jo Henderson and her husband Wayne provided two Willow Weaving workshops in September 2025. The workshops in 2024 saw the crafters making willow dragonflies and this time a different weaving technique, more like basket weaving to give a flat appearance, was employed to make willow swallows.
The crafters gathered in Milton Village Hall for two enjoyable evenings where they turned long strands of freshly picked willow, sourced from the Somerset levels into stunning swallows. There are many types of willow available and the most suitable variety for making the swallows was provided.
Jo took everyone through the process step by step and soon the swallows started to take shape. Concentration meant that some weavers even forgot to get their tea, coffee and biscuits!
Despite the intricate nature of basic basket weaving techniques, the results were truly impressive due to the patience and professionalism of Jo and Wayne. All the swallows were completed, each one slightly different due to the variation in the pieces of willow and individual technique, and they made a very beautiful display. To finish the crafters could choose to have string for hanging their swallows or attaching a stick so their creations could stand in a pot. The finished creations can be exhibited indoors or outdoors and look so incredibly real in silhouette, it is almost as if they could take flight at any moment.
Two friendly and creative evenings enjoyed by all who attended. Many thanks to Jo and Wayne who led the workshops and to Helen Jackson for organising.
Indian Block Printing March 2025
The Milton Crafters Group met in Milton Village Hall on Thursday March 27th to enjoy an evening of Indian Block printing. The workshop was led by Jacqueline from Elysian Creativity and Wellbeing, a certified tutor for the Indian Block Printing Company. Jacqueline first gave the fifteen attendees a demonstration of how to use the blocks and the paint before handing out some sample fabric and a choice of paint colours for practice pieces. There was a wonderful array of blocks to choose from, patterns, animals, flowers etc… and the group enjoyed experimenting with colours and designs before applying their chosen colours and designs to a tote bag.
A lovely friendly evening, an opportunity for villages and friends to chat and admire each others designs, with coffee and biscuits aiding creativity.
The resulting decorated tote bags were stunning……… Well done all.
Willow Weaving
Two Willow Weaving workshops were held in Milton Village Hall during September 2024 where everybody who attended made two lovely willow dragonflies. Very professionally led by two knowledgeable and helpful weavers, great fun and a thoroughly enjoyable evening.
The results are now springing up in gardens in Milton, some adorned with solar fairy lights to brighten up the darker evenings! Well done Milton Crafters who are looking forward to their next event.
Wet Felting
Most workshops are held on an evening and last 2-3 hours but our latest wet felting one was held for a full day on Saturday. We invited Karen Lane from www.lincsinstitches.com to run our workshop. 12 ladies from Milton, Repton, Ticknall and Melbourne spent 6 hours learning the wet felting process, having the opportunity to ask many questions and tips about the process and creating some beautiful wet felted bowls in the process. Karen was hugely knowledgeable and patient with all of us, showing each process thoroughly and explaining the why and how of what was happening to the wool fibres. A thoroughly enjoyable day.
