Priors Hall Workshops – May 19th to 21st 2026
We are excited to be able to share the timetable of classes we are offering at our first Dollyluyah of 2026. We have tried to have a mixed programme of craftsmen, teaching everything from metalwork to embroidery, with the teachers taking part being the very best working in miniatures today from all around the world.
Classes will be a maximum of 10 people per workshop, which will take place in the Medieval barn of Priors Hall, an important historic house located in the picturesque village of Stebbing, Essex. Priors Hall is a stunning timber-framed house dating back to the 1400s, set in 12 acres of land. In addition to learning new skills, you can also immerse yourself in Alison’s wonderful world of antique dolls houses & toys and enjoy studying her extensive collection as well as accessing Caroline Hamilton’s fabulous dolls house archive and feast on delicious home produce from her gardens and local farm.
You can book classes from the list below. Workshops range from a 1/2 day to 3 day classes. Make sure if you are booking more than one class, that timings do not overlap. You can then complete the booking form HERE to book your space.
Some classes may require you to purchase a materials kit for the workshop on top of the cost of the class itself. You may also need to bring various tools with you (we recommend everyone brings their own light if possible). Once you are booked onto the workshop, you will be given more detailed information on what you will need & be put in direct contact with your teacher.
We can also help you to book a hotel room & organise transportation to and from the venue if needed. (Priors Hall is 15 minutes drive from Stansted Airport & Stansted train station. There is plenty of parking space if you are driving to the venue yourself).
If you have any questions about the Dollyluyahs, please email
Alison HERE
Charlotte HERE
List of classes
DM01 Jacobean Embroidered Bed Coverlet with Natalia Frank (PIMA winner 2016)
May 19th & 20th (2 day class) £345
Jacobean Embroidery is a beautiful type of surface embroidery that’s been around for over a thousand years. Jacobean embroidery is often associated with the late sixteenth and the first quarter of the seventeenth centuries during the reign of King James I in England.
Students will recreate a scaled-down section of a traditional Jacobean bed covering, carefully adapted from an original historic design. Worked in 1:12 scale, this richly embroidered piece will capture the floral and flowing motifs typical of Jacobean embroidery, featuring stylized vines, fantastical blossoms, delicate leaves, and joyful birds stitched on soft fine twill using fine threads to replicate the texture in scale.
Working on fine linen twill the students will have fun learning the history of Jacobean Embroidery and creating elaborate Jacobean bed coverlet using different stitches among those are: satin, stem, chain, split stitches, French knots, trellis, filling stitches with variety of lattice patterns, couching, soft shading, etc. The design of the coverlet includes flowers, leaves, birds, hills motifs.
The kit (the cost of the kit is included into the cost of the workshop) has everything sufficient to enjoy and complete the project, including the stretcher bars. The students need to bring sharp scissors, additional light and magnifier if needed.
BED NOT INCLUDED. If a student needs a bed, they can pay additional £100 at the class, or bring your own bed, or just measurements. The instructions on how to calculate the size of a bed coverlet and adjust the design to a particular size of a bed will be discussed and shown at the class.
DM02 Silver Photo Frame with Jens Torp
May 20th & 21st (2 day class) £345
Jens will be helping you create a silver photo frame (there is a choice of 2 different designs) and teaching you the skills of soldering, drilling, piercing, use of pliers & bending wires. You will then prepare for and polish the finished frame.
Jens was introduced to the world of Miniatures in 1990 and attended the London Dollshouse Festival in May 1991. From there his interest and enjoyment of both researching antique silver and working in miniature has grown. He is widely regarded as one of the top miniature silversmiths working in the world today.
There are some tools you will need to bring for this class, but if you are unable to buy them yourself, Jens will buy them for you & you can reimburse him at the workshop.
DM03 Carve a Chest with Ann High
May 19th, 20th & 21st (3 day class) £395
Two different chests are available to carve. The first is suitable for all levels; the second is a delicate design and is more challenging to carve. All processes and techniques will be taught and demonstrated in easy stages. All tools will be provided.
Leaf Chest –This small six plank chest was made in the middle of the 16th century. The carving is careful and confident. It is deeply carved with a leaf design and has curious faces at the corners. This will be taught in easy stages with demonstrations and practice of the use of each tool. Full illustrated instructions are included.
W: 86mm x H: 50mm x D: 37mm . Suitable for all skill levels . This can also be done in 1:24 scale
OR
Vine Chest – Made about 1610 it has a bold design of stylised vines with grapes, curling tendrils and leaves all neatly interlinked with three small triangular shapes. These give the chance to learn a variety of relief carving techniques. The background is stippled with a matting tool.
W: 102mm x H: 43mm x D: 29mm . A more challenging design not suitable for beginners unless they have fine motor skills.
Please bring lighting, a magnifying headset and a cutting mat.
DM04 Costuming an 18th Century Gown with Nathalie Mori
May 19th (1 day class) £185
Nathalie will teach how to create a beautiful red 18th century gown with the tricorn hat on a mannequin.
In the class you’ll learn the technique of creating a dress by mostly gluing, draping the fabric and the sheer side parts and the final touch, a matching tricorn hat.
The kit will contain the porcelain mannequin, all the fabrics and trims. The main tools and supplies will be supplied, but preferably bring your own very sharp scissors, favourite tweezers and additional light. Also bring your magnifier if needed.
DM05 Cat themed pastry preparation board with Manuela Michieli (Minimadeinitaly)
May 19th (1 day class) £185
A brand new polymer clay workshop never taught before.
Students will create a baking scene for cat lovers, where (almost) everything is cat shaped. All the items that Manuela will help you create will involve a modelling or a texturing technique used with polymer clay, so you will learn important skills that you will be able to use for other projects. No previous experience is necessary.
To make this scene extra special, you will use a miniature created especially for this workshop by the IGMA Artisan Silvia Cucchi.
DM06 Two Handled Apple Basket with Jennifer Ireland
May 21st 10am (1/2 day class) £95
Learn to make this versatile basket suitable for any period of dolls house. Using florists wire and waxed linen thread, this class will introduce you to key basket construction techniques and helpful tips that you can apply to make other styles of basket in future. What will you use your completed apple basket for? As well as fruit and veg, it can hold logs or laundry, toys or a pot plant, or even a couple of playful kittens!
Participants should bring their own pointed craft tweezers
DM07 1:48 scale Conservatory with Rob Crouch
May 21st 2.30pm (1/2 day class) £95
Rob is an expert when it comes to assembling kits in small scales. In this class he will pass on his secrets of how to successfully work in 1:48 scale.
You will construct the conservatory in logical order incorporating sponge painting, the use of acetate for windows, and brick paper for the lower structure. Next, you will age and weather the conservatory using chalk pastels and add foliage on the exterior.
DM08 Alison Horne’s Make, Do or Mend Table
May 19th, 20th or 21st £60 per day
This is an unstructured workshop, where you can spend time working on a broken piece of furniture, work on an unfinished project or create a 1:144 scale house of your own. With loads of help & equipment available, this is a time to relax & spend time with other miniaturists, working on a miniature that is specific to you.
There will be a box of broken items for you to choose from if you wish, or bring along something of your own. The table will be open every day of the May Dollyluyah & you can spend as much time as you wish working on your project (we will charge for this table by the day)
