Fantastical Fabric Figures
Unleash your creativity with
an all-inclusive arts & crafts holiday
Available Dates
DATES 2024
All of our craft or activity holidays run for 5-nights from Sunday to Friday and start from £879 per person.
The above is based on single occupancy. A £100 per person discount is applied for art, craft and activity guests on a shared occupancy basis.
2024
"I was searching for the perfect doll making tutorial online when I stumbled upon Gartmore House's residential art cloth doll making courses near me. What a fantastic discovery!"
About The Course
If you’re having trouble finding art cloth doll making courses near you then why not come on holiday to Gartmore House and learn with the best?
Under the watchful guidance of our friendly, expert tutor, Angela Neilson, who has a lifetime of experience in dressmaking and embroidery, you will be lead step-by-step through the whole process of making a Fantastical Fabric Figure! This certainly won’t be like any other holiday!
Learn new skills, make new friends, and enjoy a relaxing holiday with a difference. Our art cloth doll courses have it all.
Suitable for beginners and more experienced stitchers alike, our holidays offer an introduction into the art of doll making. If you are completely new to the subject, please don’t be anxious. At every stage, Angela will be on hand to help you find a way to achieve the best result in a way that is comfortable for you.
A bit of creative imagination and a willingness to let go of preconceptions goes a long way because, as these character dolls emerge, they develop a life of their own – whispering to you how they like their hair and what they want to wear. You may wish to bring your own sources of inspiration such as pictures, photos, books, vintage fabrics, jewellery and shells. Why not start a small sketch book of ideas using words, pictures, cut outs, scribbles, photos, drawings, scraps of fabric etc. But if you don’t know where to start, Angela will bring samples of her work for inspiration.
Course Inclusions And Coverage
This course is an all-in-one package which includes the following:
Tuition
Booking for this course includes 4 days of specialist tuition from Angela Neilson.
Equipment
All specialist equipment will be supplied but there will be a few essential items that you will need to bring. Please see our terms and detailed information section below.
Food & Accommodation
Full board catering and 5-nights accommodation are included when you book.
Transfers
Complimentary transfers are included when you book - subject to certain conditions.*
* Transfers from Stirling train station are available on the arrival and departure days (pick-up from the station at 15:30, departs Gartmore House at 9:15). Transfers from Glasgow or Edinburgh Airports are available at an additional cost.
Picture Gallery
tERMS & DETAILED INFORMATION
If you’re coming on one of our holidays and would like to bring a friend, partner, or member of your family, then we have you (and them!) covered. Accompanying guests will enjoy full board catering and shared accommodation with you. We also have a full programme of day trips and activities on offer for them. Please add them and day trips at the checkout stage.
How to book
To book online, please click on your preferred date above.
For any questions or to book direct please call 01877 382 991 or email mail@gartmorehouse.com
If you have any questions, you may like to take a look at our FAQs but if you have any further queries, please contact our team directly.
TERMS & CONDITIONS OF BOOKING
To confirm your holiday:
A non-refundable 25% deposit is required to secure your booking.
Payment of your holiday:
The balance of your payment must be received no later than 3 months (90 days) prior to the commencement of your holiday. In the case of non-payment, we reserve the right to cancel your booking and any cancellation fees will apply.
If you cancel your booking:
All deposits are non-refundable. Should you need to cancel your booking up to 3 months (90 days) prior to the commencement date, we will refund any monies paid, less your deposit. If you cancel less than 3 months (90 days) prior to the commencement date, no refund will be given.
We do advise you to take out holiday insurance for this reason.
Your Course Tutor: Angela Neilson
Angela has been sewing since before she started school, thanks to her Mother and sister’s encouragement at home. Even before finishing Primary School, she had made a pair of pink and white gingham shorts on an old treddle sewing machine. More sewing was to come at Secondary School, with memories of sewing a sleeveless cotton blouse and a pin-cord mini dress with puff sleeves! During Angela’s teenage years she made her own clothes, pencil cases, bags etc. and as a young wife and mother, continued to dress-make for herself and children and made her first doll for her daughter.
In the early 90’s, Angela was re-introduced to creative embroidery by Ness Walker at classes run by Aberdeen City Council. Ness’ classes were both inspiring and disciplined – spending a week or more on one stitch and pushing it to the limits with texture and/or colour. Ness encouraged Angela to join Aberdeen North Embroiderers’ Guild and she has been a member for over 20 years. It was here that Angela was introduced to art cloth doll making and she was instantly hooked! Since then she has been inspired and challenged by other doll makers in books, on the internet & in workshops. Angela has went on to develop her own styles, preferences, patterns, and techniques.
As an Embroiderers’ Guild member Angela has had the privilege of being taught by many of the “big names” in embroidery circles in the UK, including Isobel Hall, Maggie Grey and Jean Littlejohn. In 2011 she signed up for the City & Guilds Craft & Design (Embroidery) course at Moray College and was awarded the Certificate in 2013 and Diploma in July 2015 after a very stimulating and full, 4 years of tuition by June Hyndman, a textile art graduate of Glasgow School of Art.
Angela looks forward to sharing her extensive sewing experience and passion for art cloth doll making with you on a creative holiday at Gartmore House.
Faq
Where can I find out more about the course?
If you need any further information about your course that is not on our website, please get in contact with us and we can provide you with the tutor’s contact details who can assist with your query.
What do I need to bring on my art, craft and activity break?
Your required kit list for your specific break is shown on each course’s webpage. Your tutor will also be in contact with you, prior to your course to confirm kit lists and questions you have.
Should you have any queries, then please feel free to contact us.
What is the art, craft and activity holiday booking terms and conditions?
To confirm your holiday a non-refundable 25% deposit is required to secure your booking.
The balance of your payment must be received no later than 3 months (90 days) prior to the commencement of your holiday. In the case of non-payment, we reserve the right to cancel your booking and any cancellation fees will apply.
All deposits are non-refundable. Should you need to cancel your booking up to 3 months (90 days) prior to the commencement date, we will refund any monies paid, less your deposit. If you cancel less than 3 months (90 days) prior to the commencement date, no refund will be given.
Holidays are subject to availability and subject to change. There is a minimum number of guests required to run each course. If a course is cancelled due to low numbers, you may transfer any monies paid to an alternative date or a full refund will be issued. We do advise you to take out holiday insurance for this reason.
What time do your transfer services for the art, craft & activity holidays operate?
We offer a complimentary transfer services to and from Stirling train station. Collection is at 3:30pm from the station on the day of arrival, and our drop-off service departs from Gartmore House at 9:15 am on day of departure.
The closest airports to us are Glasgow and Edinburgh airports. If you require a transfer to and/or from either airport, please select this option at the time of booking. Transfers to/from Glasgow and Edinburgh airports are available at an additional cost. After booking your flights, please update your Customer Portal with the time you wish to be collected from the airport on the day of arrival and the time of collection at Gartmore House, returning to the airport, on the day of departure. Please allow 60 minutes for your transfer between Gartmore House and Glasgow Airport, or 90 minutes for your transfer between Gartmore House and Edinburgh Airport.
Can I bring a partner/friend to stay with me while I am on an art, craft or activity break?
If you’re coming on one of our art, craft or activity holidays and would like to bring a friend, partner, or member of your family, then we have you (and them!) covered. Accompanying guests will enjoy full board catering and shared accommodation with you. Please add them at the checkout stage.
Spots on this course are limited!
Book your spot now and join us at Gartmore House. We are confident it will deepen your understanding of doll making.