3rd Fan Making Workshop at Highgrove

May 2026

Beautiful sunshine greeted us at Highgrove as we welcomed the participants to our third fan making workshop at The King’s Foundation Workshops at Barley Court where we were allocated a workshop with an outdoor space under a marquee making a very pleasant working environment.

After an introduction to the company and fans, Sophia Mace introduced the day then Helen Marr talked through her display of fans and books to introduce the different types and to give an idea of the range of materials and designs used on fans. 

Participants then worked on their own designs and practised the layout before starting to paint their fan leaves and decorate their fan sticks.  The designs varied from traditional figures to flowers to abstract designs resembling raku pottery techniques. 

On the second day the fan leaves were finished then Sophia Mace showed everyone how to use a pleater to fold their fans.  Leaves were stuck on sticks and finishing touches added with the result that several beautiful fans emerged.

Thanks again to the King’s Foundation for allowing us to run this course and make use of the lovely gardens in Barley Court.