In this fun and practical afternoon workshop you’ll learn the skills to create a patchwork like the one Jane Austen, her sister Cassandra and their mother made together, and you’ll learn a few other tricks too.

Expertly led by Lauren MacDonald – designer, quilt-maker and author – in celebration of her new book Piece by Piece, a guide to making 20 modern patchwork and quilting projects from preloved fabrics.

You’ll learn:

• How to do basic patchwork by hand
• What English paper piecing is and how to do it
• How to put the layers of a coverlet together and finish your patchwork. Lauren will demonstrate this, but because of time constraints (and ambitions, if you’d like to make a bigger patchwork) you will complete this part at home.

What will be supplied:

• Pre-cut fabric for patchwork (diamonds, squares, and hexagons)
• English paper piece templates
• Thread
• Needles
• Thread snips

Suitable for beginners and sewing enthusiasts of all ages (10+).

Lauren MacDonald is a London-based designer, author, and founder of textiles studio, Working Cloth. She’s interested in the intersections between craft, technology, and labour, particularly around activities traditionally considered ‘womens’ work’. Her first non-fiction book, In Pursuit of Color: from fungi to fossil fuels: uncovering the origins of the world’s most famous dyes was released in 2023. Her second book, Piece by Piece: modern patchwork and quilting projects to make from pre-loved fabrics came out last spring. Working Cloth has collaborated with the Institute of Making at University College London (UCL), Toast, and Sydney Craft Week. Lauren’s work has featured in The New York Times, Vogue, CNN, Hyperallergic, Country Living, Homes & Gardens and House & Home.

Details:
Date: Saturday 13 December
Time: 1.30pm – 4.30pm
Location: This event will take place at Jane Austen’s House in Chawton. Find us.
Tickets: £45

Tickets for this event are still available as part of the Full Day Pass: Saturday 13 December – find out more

 Tickets for this event include House entry for this day only.

 This event includes refreshments, please let us know on booking if you have any dietary requirements.

🎉 This event is part of our Jane Austen Birthday Celebration, running from 12 – 16 December 2025