Residents of Swadlincote and South Derbyshire can learn how to make their own fabrics at a series of traditional craft sessions at Whistlewood Common, near Melbourne, starting in early 2026. Whistlewood Common has partnered with Fosse Fibre to deliver a flagship three-session Spring Craft Workshop series running between March and May 2026 that will cover hand-spinning, natural dyeing and weaving.
The classes will be held in Whistlewood Common’s community-built straw-bale roundhouse and will guide participants through the full ‘fleece to fabric’ process. Attendees will be shown how to spin fleece into yarn, use plant-based materials to create natural dyes, and weave the resulting yarn into finished textile pieces.
The National Forest describes Whistlewood Common as a ten-acre, community-owned site designed along permaculture principles to benefit people and wildlife. The site is managed by Whistlewood Common Limited, a community-owned social enterprise that runs workshops and events aimed at fostering sustainable skills and community wellbeing.
The workshop series forms part of a wider push to preserve traditional heritage skills. Derbyshire has a long history connected to textiles, and organisations such as the Heritage Crafts Association have noted renewed public interest in heritage crafts as people seek practical, creative and sustainable hobbies. More information about the venue is available from Whistlewood Common and Visit South Derbyshire.
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