A Beginners Course in Fan Making 2026 (2-Days)

WITH SOPHIA MACE

Saturday 23rd & Sunday 24th May | Saturday 28th & Sunday 29th November 2026

£60.00

This two-day workshop, hosted by Sophia Mace, offers a beginner's course in the art of fan making.

The Worshipful Company of Fanmakers has been actively supporting initiatives to revive both the craft of fan-making and the use of fans.

We are excited to offer this two-day workshop specifically designed for complete beginners at Highgrove.

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All profits are donated to charity

A Beginners Course in Fan Making 2025

A Beginners Course in Fan Making 2026 (2-Days)

£60.00

£60.00

The origin of hand fans

The origin of hand fans can be traced back to ancient Egypt, where they were considered sacred instruments used in religious ceremonies. The folding fan was invented in Japan during the 6th century and made its way to Europe through the Silk Road in the 1500s. In the UK, it gained popularity thanks to King Charles II. Queen Anne established a charter for the Worshipful Company of Fanmakers, and Queen Victoria amassed an extensive collection of fans. However, by the 1950s, the popularity of hand fans began to decline.

Programme

Saturday 29th November (10:00am to 4:00pm)

  • 10:00am - A brief introduction to the Worshipful Company of Fan Makers, its origins and its art form; talk on fan sticks: function, form, and decoration, talk on fan leaves: fan leaf decoration and types of materials.
  • 12.30pm - Lunch
  • 1:00pm - Plan out your design on a paper fan template, draw or trace your design onto a fan leaf template, color or decorate your fan leaf

Sunday 30th November (10:00am to 4:00pm)

  • 10:00am - Finish fan design and pleat leaf into fan shape; plan decoration of fan sticks; decorate fan sticks
  • 12:30 - Lunch
  • 1:00pm - Carry on with stick decoration; fit sticks to fan leaf

About Sophia Mace

Sophia Mace has earned a First-Class BA Hons Degree in Textiles Innovation and Design from Loughborough University. For her final degree show, she chose to use hand fans as a medium to express her art. Sophia taught herself the engineering techniques involved in constructing the sticks and designing the leaves of the fans. Currently, she creates fans and teaches others the craft.

Image Copyright: Loughborough University

Important Information

  • This course is suitable for complete beginners.
  • All materials will be provided.
  • This course will take place at Highgrove Traditional Crafts, Street Farm Workshops, Doughton, Tetbury GL8 8TQ.
  • Wear comfortable clothing that you are happy to work practically in. We recommend that you avoid wearing loose sleeves or loose jewellery. A sturdy pair of shoes or boots will need to be worn.
  • Please bring a packed lunch with you each day. There is no cafe on site, although tea and coffee will be supplied. 
  • If you have any accessibility requirements, please email highgrove@kings-foundation.org.
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