Across two days, you will learn the intricate art of passementerie rosettes, creating a new and exclusive design inspired by the opulence of Marie Antoinette’s passementerie. During the workshop, you will create one exquisite rosette and tassel composition.

Reimagined through a contemporary lens, this new design balances a historical opulence with a fresh, expressive sensibility. Rosettes lend themselves beautifully to interiors - adorning cushions and curtains - or may be worn as jewellery, such as a brooch, or framed as a piece of textile art.

You will work with a selection of exceptional silks from Au Ver à Soie, in a carefully curated palette. Three distinct colour ways will be available, each inspired by a modern interpretation of Marie Antoinette’s passementerie.

Techniques taught: Cartisan - Silk covered card, snailing, ruff making, tassel making, spring making, rosette collar making.

In July, you will receive a link to select your preferred kit colourway in advance of the workshop. The kit will not be posted to you - instead it will be waiting for you in Paris on the first day of our class.

This class is limited to just ten guests. The small group size is intentional - it allows for an intimate, unhurried experience in a truly special setting, and ensures that you receive plenty of personal attention and guidance throughout.

• Two full days of expert tuition in Passementerie.

• All materials required for the workshop, including a little extra materials so you won’t run out.

• Two relaxed, two-course lunches at a traditional Parisian bistro (Thursday and Friday). Still and sparkling water with lunch is included. Alcoholic drinks at lunch are not included and may be purchased at your discretion.

• A self-guided group visit at 11:30am (timed entrance ticket) to visit Hôtel de la Marine, a jewel of the 18th century located in central Paris. The Hôtel has been beauifully restored with the finest handmade passementerie. A sight to behold!

Our class takes place on Thursday and Friday, beginning at 10am each day. We will finish at 5pm on Thursday and 4:30pm on Friday, with a leisurely lunch break of approximately 90 minutes from 1pm to 2:30pm on both days.

At the end of each class, there will be an opportunity to explore and purchase from the exceptional range at Au Ver à Soie, with an additional 30 minutes of dedicated shopping time (until 5:30pm).

On Saturday morning at 11:30am, we will meet at Hôtel de la Marine for a timed entry visit. You will enjoy a visit to this remarkable historic interior, renowed for its beautifully restored schemes and exquisite handmade passementerie.

Elizabeth will join the group for the visit. She won't be leading a formal tour - this is a morning to explore and absorb at your own pace - but her expert eye will be there whenever you want it. Each guest will receive Elizabeth's personal guide to spotting the very finest pieces in the collection - so you will know exactly where to look, and what you are looking at.

No prior experience of passementerie is required.

This workshop is best suited to those who take pleasure in careful, intricate handwork and wish to immerse themselves in a slower, highly-rewarding creative process.

Working with silk to create rosettes is a refined and detailed process, requiring patience, focus and a degree of dexterity. If you already enjoy embroidery, crochet, knitting, or other fine textile crafts, you will feel well-prepared for the techniques we will explore.

A full materials kit will be provided including a range of beautiful Au Ver à Soie threads, handmade passementerie gimp and an assortment of traditional passementerie materials.

Please bring the following with you: Sharp embroidery scissors, tape measure, apron or overshirt (we will be using copydex glue which stains clothing)

Class dates: Taught class dates are Thursday 12th and Friday 13th November 2026. On Saturday 14th November we will visit the Hôtel de La Marine at 11:30am.

Location & accessibility: This class will take place at Au Ver à Soie, a historic silk showroom in the heart of Paris. Set within a beautiful period building, access is via stairs, with a traditional Parisian lift also available.

Address: Au ver à Soie, 102 Rue Réaumur, 75002 Paris, France.

Closest metro line: Sentier metro line 3 (a two minute walk away).

Our visit to Hôtel de la Marine: This will take place on Saturday at 11:30am (timed entrance ticket for a self-guided tour). The address is: Hôtel de la Marine, 2 Place De La Concorde 75008 Paris.

Closest metro line: Concorde metro station: lines 1, 8 and 12.

Workshop guests are responsible for arranging their own travel and accommodation. It is strongly recommended that appropriate travel insurance is taken out to cover unforeseen circumstances.

Refund & Cancellation Policy Paris Passementerie Workshop — November 2026

Booking

The full workshop fee of £650.00 GBP is payable at the time of booking. By completing payment you are agreeing to the terms of this policy. Places are strictly limited and are only confirmed once payment has been received.

Change of Mind

If you change your mind within 48 hours of booking, please contact me via email at libby@elizabethashdown.co.uk and I will issue a full refund, provided the workshop date is still more than eight weeks away. All refunds are subject to a £20 administration fee.

Cancellations by the Participant

Because this workshop involves significant advance commitments the following terms apply after the 48-hour cooling-off period:

• More than 8 weeks before the workshop: 50% refund

• 6 weeks before the workshop: 40% refund

• Fewer than 4 weeks before the workshop: no refund

If you are unable to attend, you are welcome to transfer your place to another person, subject to my approval. Please notify me as early as possible if you wish to do this.

Cancellation by the Workshop Tutor

In the unlikely event that I need to cancel the workshop, you will receive a full refund of all monies paid. I will give as much notice as possible and will endeavour to offer an alternative date where feasible. I cannot be held liable for any additional costs you may have incurred, such as travel or accommodation.

Travel & Accommodation

Travel to and from Paris and accommodation during the workshop are your own responsibility. I strongly recommend taking out travel insurance at the time of booking that includes cancellation cover.

Force Majeure

I cannot accept responsibility for cancellations caused by circumstances beyond my control, including extreme weather, transport disruption, industrial action, or public health emergencies. In such cases I will make every reasonable effort to reschedule, but refunds cannot be guaranteed.

Elizabeth is one of just four practising Passementiers in the UK, bringing over eleven years of teaching experience to every class she leads. Her bold, distinctive design sensibility has earned recognition from some of the most respected names in interior design, including Living Etc's Best Decorative Touch and Homes & Gardens' Trim of the Year. A patient and inspiring tutor, Elizabeth makes one of Britain's rarest crafts genuinely accessible - without ever losing its magic.