Straw Craft and Corn Dollies - Edwinstowe Library - Adult Learning

In this course you will learn the basics of working with straw in three different ways, making a plait, a corn dolly and a festive decoration. From there, you will then choose which skills to develop further by planning for, preparing straw for, and making your own choice of project.

During the course we will be covering a selection of core skills for working with straw. This begins by learning how to prepare straw, and from here, our first project will be a straw plait, which you will make into a traditional harvest token.

Our next project will be a corn dolly, and after that, a festive decoration. These projects involve different skills, and each person will enjoy some more than others. So, the second half of the course will be for your own projects – you can repeat the same projects as before, getting better each time, or you can make different things that stretch your skills a little. For these projects you will plan ahead, prepare your own materials in advance, and set achievable goals.

Throughout this time, we’ll cover knots.

By the end of this course, you’ll have learnt new skills and will have gained confidence through using these skills to make decorative items made of straw. You’ll be able to plan for your own projects, and know how to take your interest further.

No previous experience needed.

By the end of this course you will be able to:

• know what straw is suitable for use in straw work and how to prepare it

• make at least 1 type of straw plait, and use this to make a harvest token

• make a traditional corn dolly

• make a straw festive decoration

• plan for your own choice of straw project with an understanding of what is practical and achievable

• understand the traditions and heritage of straw working

• know ways in which to develop your interest further after the course

• have an improved sense of confidence and self esteem

What you will need to bring to the course:

• scissors

• a small box to take your creations home in (e.g. a lunch box or small shoe box)

• something to write with, e.g. a pen or pencil

If you receive certain benefits you will be offered the course for free, however if you have a financial barrier which may prevent you from enrolling on the course, please visit our funding page for further information.

Residency in England

To book and enrol on one of our courses, you must be living in England permanently and live outside of the devolved areas listed below or live within the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) devolved area (Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire).

• Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield 

• Cambridgeshire and Peterborough

• Greater London

• Greater Manchester

• Liverpool City Region

• Newcastle Upon Tyne, North Tyneside and Northumberland

• Tees Valley

• West of England

• West Midlands

• West Yorkshire

Residency Eligibility – other criteria

If you are living in the UK on a visa we will require evidence of this in order to be funded for the course, you can upload this evidence when you apply for the course. (completion of a questionnaire will be required).

Some exceptions may apply for example

• Your visa expiry date must be beyond the end of your course

• Asylum seekers must have lived in the UK for 6 months or longer while their claim is being considered by the Home Office

• You are receiving local authority support under section 23C or section 23CA of the Children Act 1989 or the Care Act 2014

Any learner who is not funded full cost fees would apply to these courses.