Courses

Find a Course That's Right for You!

We aim to have a course to suit most creative sewers!

We appreciate that everyone's situation is different and offer a range of courses of different intensities and timescales.

Full Course - Become a Qualified Handmade Kiltmaker

Over 26 weeks, 22 classroom learning days.

One day per week in class tuition | 15-30 hours of homework per week.

Our full course is a layered qualification to provide students with regular and structured experience as part of the Gordon Nicolson Kiltmakers family:

While some may wish to complete only the first level of EKA full course training, attending the course so you may make a kilt for loved ones or your own clients, we also encourage our students to continue on to the second level of kiltmaking training. This includes up to 52 weeks practical supervised experience with GNK/EKA Kiltmakers while you work on GNK kilts following successful completion of your EKA course training.

- Confident hand-sewing ability is essential.

- You will tailor 6 kilts using different tartans and tweeds with varying pleating styles and difficulties.

- Ideal first step for textile graduates or practiced sewers to explore the industry in Scotland's capital.

Dates - Full courses commence in 2024: Week beginning Monday 2nd September

Teaching Days to choose from (depending on availability): Tuesday, Wednesday or Friday. Please remember 15-30 hours of homework will be undertaken per week in addition to one day in class.

Please register your interest in preferred days when making your application.

Finish week beginning Monday 17th March 2025.

Christmas break - week beginning 23rd December and 30th December 2024

Cost: £1750 (Includes some materials) - further details available and £500 deposit required on application.

Apply

Introductory Course 2024

Create One Kilt for You or a Loved One

9 days in class – (the first Friday will be a work at home day)

Previous hand-sewing experience needed to keep pace with the course.

These courses only run between May and August each year.

Possible Dates identified as available for these courses (will run depending on levels of interest):

May 13th to 24th this course is now full

June 10th to 21st places filling fast

July 1st to 12th

August 5th to 16th

Further dates may be added depending on interest

Please register your interest for your preferred date in your application.

Cost: £850 + cost of cloth which can be purchased from EKA

Apply

Visitor's Workshop

Give pleating a go!

Up to 3 hrs in the EKA Studio (this can be customised according to your needs)

Discover the magic behind the pleats in a kilt. Learn how to recognise tartan 'setts' and how to achieve different pleating styles. Practice hand sewing a pleat then make a fun-sized concept kilt ideal for a teddy bear. A fun introduction to some of the skills needed in kiltmaking. Groups of up to 8 maximum.

(all materials (and bear) are provided.)

These events may run on Friday and/or Saturday afternoons depending on interest and time of year. Must be prebooked.

Cost: £85

2024 Workshops

Wednesday 1st May - Spaces Available