What age is appropriate for this workshop?

Participants must be at least 12 years old; children should be accompanied by an adult.

Are materials and tools provided?

Yes—all fabrics, threads, needles, and equipment are supplied as part of the workshop.

What is the cancellation policy?

A full refund is available with at least 48 hours notice before the workshop.

Is Solsgirth House wheelchair accessible?

No. Solsgirth House has narrow stairways and heavy doors; contact the host to discuss specific accessibility needs.

Bring reading glasses if you need them and wear comfortable layered clothing; everything else is provided.

What happens if the minimum attendance isn’t met?

The workshop requires a minimum of eight attendees to proceed; guests will be notified and offered an alternative date or refund if it is cancelled.

tweed-and-tartan-slow-stitching-workshop-solsgirth-house-dollar | Workshop

Solsgirth House sits just outside Dollar in Clackmannanshire, Scotland, a compact historic estate where tweed and tartan meet quiet country light. At the Tweed and Tartan Slow Stitching Workshop you’ll trade the rush of city days for two and a half hours of measured handwork under the guidance of Sue from Sunshine Designs, learning slow-stitch techniques while composing a textile landscape from vintage threads, tartan remnants, and sustainably sourced fabrics. Inside a warm dining room at Solsgirth House, long tables become studios: piles of heritage cloth, baskets of threads, and an array of needles arranged like tools in a craftsman’s kit. The workshop centers on texture and quiet observation - rough tweed edges, the tight sett of tartan plaids, and the soft give of natural linens. Sue guides every step with patient demonstrations and individualized feedback; her workshops have sold out at the Edinburgh Fringe and draw makers of every skill level. Alongside instruction you’ll be offered homemade treats and hot drinks, an uncomplicated pleasure that keeps the hands moving and conversation easy. The experience is part craft lesson and part local story. Scotland’s textile history is woven through the session: from clan tartans showcased at V&A Dundee’s 2023 exhibition to the cottage-industry roots that shaped rural communities like Dollar. Solsgirth House itself is a historic building with narrow stairways and heavy doors; its atmosphere adds texture to the day but also means accessibility is limited, so organizers recommend anyone with mobility concerns contact hosts in advance. What makes this workshop stand out is its material authenticity and slow pace. Rather than mass-produced kits, you’ll work with remnants and vintage threads chosen for patina and provenance, learning stitches that emphasize layering, relief, and composition. The group size, capped at a dozen, keeps the session intimate and conversational, perfect for travelers seeking a creative, low-impact activity that connects them to Scotland’s craft heritage. Practical notes: the session runs about two and a half hours, all materials and tools are provided, and a full refund is available with 48 hours’ notice. The workshop welcomes ages 12 and up, and service animals are permitted; due to house layout it is not wheelchair accessible. Bring reading glasses if you work close, and arrive a little early to check in and settle at your station. Expect a quick QR-code check-in and a short fire-safety briefing at the start so the session can begin on time. Many guests leave with a finished sampler, stitching friends, and ideas to continue working with tweed at home.