Workshop: DIY Customisation with Heat Transfer

Explore a contemporary approach to garment customisation inspired by our exhibition Blitz: the club that shaped the 80s in this workshop led by fashion designer Sadie Williams.

Through a presentation of Sadie's work, you’ll learn about projects that feature patches and customisation as a key tool for communication and creative expression.

Working with upcycled fabrics and pre-made patches from Sadie's studio, you'll develop your own hand-painted designs to heat transfer onto sparkly lurex, and experiment with simple stencilling methods to create striking metallic foiled prints onto denim.

Throughout the workshop, you’ll consider scale, colour and placement of the patches and badges to customise your intended garments. By the end of the session, you'll have a selection of unique patches and badges ready to transform your wardrobe. If you wish to customise specific garments, you can bring them along and get personalised advice on incorporating your new designs.

Learning outcomes:

• Learn about garment customisation with badges and patches

• Learn two different techniques to transfer hand-printed designs onto textiles

• Considerations for patch design and placement

Please note:

• We will use heat transfer ink throughout the session, so wearing long or flowy sleeves is not recommended. We will provide aprons to protect clothing

• Capacity is limited, we recommend booking early to avoid disappointment

• All equipment, materials and light refreshments will be provided

• This workshop is suitable for adults aged 18+

'It was one of the best workshops I’ve ever attended'.

'It exceeded my expectations. Really interesting. Lots of possibilities and loads of expertise and encouragement. I especially loved seeing Sadie’s creative process'.

'Loved actually having a go myself and having so many options to be inspired by'.

'The designer was very creative, great ideas and use of materials'.

• This workshop is for participants aged 18 and over, and the content has been designed with adult learners in mind

• If there’s anything we can do to help you participate, whether it’s around mobility, sensory access, mental health, communication preferences, or anything else, you’re welcome to share this with us at ticket checkout. This is entirely optional, and you can share as much or as little as you feel comfortable with

• You're welcome to bring a companion if you'd benefit from 1:1 support during the workshop. Companion places are free – please email the team at DMAcademy@designmuseum.org with your Booking information so we can reserve your spot

• This session is led by two facilitators and includes up to 20 participants

• If you have any questions or would prefer to chat to someone directly, get in touch with us via DMAcademy@designmuseum.org. We’ll do what we can to best support you

Background image and workshop photography by Matthew Kaltenborn