Introduction to Oxford Punch Needle: Online Course

Since I launched Whole Punching, teaching punch needle courses has always been one of my favourite parts of the job.

I’ve taken everything I’ve learned from leading workshops face-to-face to develop the videos and detailed written instructions for my new Introduction to Oxford Punch Needle online course.

The course will give students a good understanding of the core materials and a firm grasp of techniques: everything you need to design and complete a punch needle project with real confidence.

Introduction to Oxford Punch Needle: Online course

The course you have been waiting for is now here! The ultimate punch needle course to get started with your new favourite hobby.

Need materials too? Course & materials bundles are available but be quick - numbers are limited.

Description

If you’ve ever thought about joining one of my workshops but life got in the way – or if you’ve never heard about them but like the idea of learning a new crafting skill – then I’ve got some news. This autumn, I’m launching a new, online Introduction to Oxford Punch Needle course.

The course will walk you through the fundamentals of punch needle and give you everything you need to plan and complete a punch needle project with confidence. 

Students of the course will receive:

  • 20 videos covering all the punch needle skills that you need to get started: nearly 4 hours of craft content that you can work through at your own pace.
  • Detailed written instructions to accompany the videos.
  • Membership of a private punch needle Facebook group where you can ask me questions directly (and chat with other crafters in a warm and welcoming environment!)

The course will be accessible for everyone – it is suitable for people who are entirely new to punch needle, beginner punch needlers or more confident crafters who want to refine their technique.

If you need punch needle materials too, there are a limited number of course and materials bundles available here.

The course is now live. On purchasing i'll send you the links to videos, written instructions and guidance on how to join the Facebook group.

£150.00
What's included in the course
Pre-recorded video content

Nearly four hours of video content, broken down into 20 manageable videos. All videos are pre-recorded so that you can work through them at your own pace - and refer back to them whenever you need to.

Think of me as your in-house punch needle teacher, there to help you every time you start a new project or want a refresher.

Written punch needle guide

Step-by-step written instructions with photos (45 pages) to accompany the videos and guide you through every stage of your project.

I know that everyone has a different learning style and so I wanted to ensure that you also have all the information you need written down.

Private Facebook community support

The opportunity to ask me questions directly, and compare notes with a supportive community of like-minded crafters.

I'm only around until the end of November as then I'll be going on maternity leave. Get in quick whilst I'm still here!

What you will learn

Punch needle materials

There are four core materials needed to get started with punch needle. Learn all about the different punch needles, fabric, frames and yarn so you feel confident in choosing the right materials for your project.

Preparing fabric, design & frame

Preparation is key - make your punch needle project easier by learning how to prepare your fabric, trace a design and stretch fabric on a frame so it doesn't move around.

Basic stitches

Ever wondered why you can't get your stitches to stay in? I'll demystify punch needle for you so you know exactly what stitch to use and where.

Punching different elements

The design in the course includes borders, background and different shapes, all chosen to ensure that you can punch any design confidently.

Tidying stitches & fixing mistakes

Made a mistake and you don't know how to fix it? I'll show you how to tidy things up and make your stitches look professional.

Steaming & hemming

You've finished punching - what's next? I'll show you how to finish your projects to a high standard so they last for years to come.

Does this sound like you?

You've been desperate to try punch needle but you're busy and it's hard to commit your free time. You've bought a kit or materials and they just don't seem to work. You just can't make those loops stay in.

The Introduction to Oxford Punch Needle online course will help answer your punch needle questions and develop new skills in a way that fits around your life. It'll help demystify punch needle and make it easy to learn.

Welcome to your new favourite hobby!

Workshop reviews
This was one of the best workshops I've been too. Sara was a great teacher and I learnt a lot. Sometimes workshops feel really rushed, but this was relaxed, informative and left me wanting get straight into making rugs using the punch needle technique.
— Victoria
Thank you to Sara for a lovely afternoon; well-prepared, clear and fun. The best evidence of how good a workshop it was is that I left confident to have a go on my own - have sinced finished the piece and started a new project!
— E
I enjoyed this workshop so much. The whole session was well thought out and appropriately paced. We covered a lot of technical info but Sara's approach is calm, friendly, fun and encouraging. We achieved a huge amount in a short time which was very rewarding.
— Bee

Imagine...

Sitting at home on a cold wintery evening, making progress on your latest punch needle project in the perfect palette and design for your home. Not getting confused or frustrated but instead being able to sit back and enjoy all the relaxing benefits of this wonderful craft, whilst making your own homewares.

(Yes you can be smug when they ask, 'Where is that gorgeous rug from?' - I made it!)

FAQs

When does the course start?

The course and Facebook group go live on Monday 4 November.

But remember, the videos are all pre-recorded so you can work through them at your own pace from this date....until as long as it takes.

How much time will it take? I'm really busy!

Students have access to nearly 4 hours of detailed video content taking them through every stage of a punch needle project. But don’t panic – you don’t have to watch it all in one go (unless you want to!).

With the length of individual videos ranging from 5 minutes to 45 minutes, you could even fit some of the course content into a tea break if you need to. I designed this course to fit around your life.

I’ve haven’t been able to do punch needle before, will the course be suitable for me?

Yes! I’ve designed the videos and written instructions to be suitable for everyone from a crafter picking up a punch needle for the first time to more experienced punchers looking to refine their technique.

I’ve completed punch needle projects before, is this for me?

Yes! One of the reasons I enjoy punch needle is that the skills you use for a coaster or trivet are the same ones you need to make a cushion, a rug or another larger project.

The course provides a step-by-step guide which means that if there are particular skills you want to practice you can watch the videos or read the instructions again and again.

I don’t have the right materials. 

The course includes a detailed guide on choosing materials that will help you make a punch needle project you can be really proud of. And if you’re struggling to choose, then I’ll be on hand in the private Facebook group to help!

There is also the option to buy the course & materials in one bundle.

If you want to purchase the materials individually, you will need:

It’s too expensive for me. 

I’ve worked hard to ensure that the online course offers value for money and the Early Bird rate of £120 is available until midnight (UK time) on 27 October.

Students get access to 20 instructional videos that provide nearly 4 hours of detailed content, written instructions, and access to advice and help from a fully certified Oxford punch needle instructor (that’s me!) through a private Facebook group.

Workshop reviews
Sara is a fantastic teacher - approachable, professional and a great communicator. The course was very well structured and we covered a lot of ground in the afternoon without it feeling overwhelming. I now feel confident to choose a design, transfer it onto cloth, prepare a frame and punch needle various shapes. We covered hemming the item too.
— D
I found punch needle during 2020 when I was looking for a new craft. I bought Sara's book and some materials and made a start but wanted to learn properly from someone who really knows about the craft. That person is undoubtedly Sara. I travelled some distance to attend this workshop and it was so worth it. Sara is patient and explains the principles, pitfalls and tricks of this lovely craft in a way that is easy to understand.
— Maria
Everything about this workshop was a tonic. I went to feel a little peace and cultivate a hobby, and it did exactly that. Sara was a patient and thorough teacher, the class size was small which made me feel at ease to ask questions. As for the punch needling itself, I loved every element of the process. If you have a follow-up session Sara, I'll be there!
— Lucia

Punch needle...

can be fun, easy and relaxing!

It's a myth that you need to be 'creative' or 'artistic' in order to learn a new craft. Students of the course will get all the skills they need to become a punch needle crafter.

I've tried to provide students with everything I needed as a beginner: a good understanding of the core materials, a firm grasp of techniques and (most importantly) the confidence to create their own projects.

Meet Sara

I'm a certified Oxford Punch Needle Rug Hooking Instructor based in Coventry, UK.

One of the reasons I wanted to become a punch needle teacher was because I remember how daunting it can feel to get started with a new hobby. One of the things I love about my job is being able to help crafters who were in the same position as I was create their own projects without worrying about how they will turn out.

I know how important step-by-step guidance can be when you are starting out with a new craft - and that's exactly the approach I've taken with my online Introduction to Oxford Punch Needle course.

Customer Reviews

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M
Mary Hawyes
Getting Punched!!

At the moment I'm going through the video tuition, and learning a lot, AND realising why none of my work was successful before. Very well explained tuition and very good with actually showing how to do things. Love it!!