One of only a few hand Passementerie artists working in the UK today, Elizabeth combines traditional and endangered craft skills with a contemporary aesthetic in order to create innovative passementerie. She is the author of Passementerie, Handcrafting contemporary trimmings, tassels, fringes and more published by Schiffer Craft. In 2025 Elizabeth’s award-winning collaboration with Samuel & Sons, called Kaleidoscope was released.
Working from her studio in London, Elizabeth creates made to order passementerie for interior designers, fashion designers, milliners and more. Elizabeth also creates bespoke wall based artworks using her signature passementerie techniques.
A Three-Day Masterclass in the Art of Tassel Making
Step into the opulent world of passementerie and discover the exquisite craft that once adorned the palaces of royalty. This unique two-day workshop offers an extraordinary opportunity to learn from Elizabeth Ashdown, one of the UK’s last remaining Passementiers, renowned for reinventing endangered techniques into stunning contemporary objects.
Drawing inspiration from the spectacular tassels found in Marie Antoinette’s Boudoir at Versailles, participants will create one fabulous contemporary tassel – true jewellery for the home. Your finished piece will be perfectly suited for adorning curtains, blinds, door handles, or any space deserving of such elegant detail.
What You’ll Learn
This immersive workshop teaches traditional passementerie techniques that have remained virtually unchanged since the 1500s. Under Elizabeth’s expert guidance, you’ll master endangered skills including:
Materials & Personalisation
Working with authentic passementerie materials and traditional tools, you’ll have creative freedom to choose your own colour palette. Whether you prefer the rich tones reminiscent of Versailles or contemporary hues that complement modern interiors, your tassel will be uniquely yours.
Why This Workshop is Special
This is an exceptionally rare opportunity to learn from a master craftsperson dedicated to preserving techniques that are rapidly disappearing from our cultural heritage. Elizabeth Ashdown’s expertise in breathing new life into historical methods ensures you’ll not only learn traditional skills but understand how to apply them in contemporary contexts.
Perfect for textile enthusiasts, interior designers, historical craft lovers, or anyone seeking to create something truly special for their home, this workshop offers an unforgettable journey into one of France’s most refined decorative arts. No prior passementerie experience is required, though participants should have some background in needlework such as embroidery, knitting, crochet, or sewing, as the intricate techniques taught demand patience and manual dexterity.
Address:
Corinium Museum
Park Street
Cirencester GL7 2 BX
The nearest train station is Kemble Railway Station (3 miles). Taxis and buses serve the station. See http://www.nationalrail.co.uk or contact National Rail Enquiry Line on 08457 484 950.
Follow the brown signs for Corinium Museum to the Old Station Car Park (GL7 1US), which is about a 2 minute walk from the Museum. Once parked please follow the pedestrian signs.
On the weekends free parking is available at St James Place Headquarters on Old Tetbury Road (GL7 1FP), which is a three minute walk from the Museum.
Further parking is available from the Brewery Car Park (GL7 1HN) and Forum Car Park (GL7 1LJ), which are about a 5-10 minute walk from the Museum.
Please note: The car park pay and display machines are cash-less, payment can be made by card or via the PaybyPhone App.
For more information about what to do and see in Cirencester visit this page. A selection of places to stay can be found here.
We look forward to welcoming you! If you have any questions or queries, please don’t hesitate to ask.
