Class Overview

Course Experience Level:  Beginner

Course Description:  Ever wanted to fan dance, but you just can't get a grip? If you've ever struggled to hold and unfold standard fan handles, or even found them painful, this could be the class for you! Using their transferrable textile design skills, Eilidh Ellery will show you how to make a simple set of adaptive silk dance fans and demonstrate their use. With a bonus crash course in designing more complex, accessible dance fans to suit your own style.


Course Materials

You may use the following supplies during this course.

  • Note-taking supplies. (From pen and paper to the app of your choice.)

  • Basic sewing kit: Needle, Thread, Pins, Snips/Scissors. (Optional: Thimble, etc.)

  • Something to use as fan grips: A pair of chunky bangles, a set of plastic/wood craft bag handles, x2 embroidery hoops, x2 empty sticky-tape rolls, or similar. (Get creative and find x2 matching things with holes that you can hold easily!)

  • X2 silk/viscose/polyester Scarves or Handkerchiefs. (Long or Square.)

  • Optional Decorations: Ribbons, Trimmings, Fabric Paint and Paint Brushes, Rhinestones and Fabric Glue, (Magnetic) Popper Studs, etc. (Use what you have or come back later and add your own embellishments.)

About the Instructor

Eilidh Ellery

Ex-Textile and Service Designer, turned Interdisciplinary Adaptive Dance and Circus Artist, Eilidh Ellery began hirpling and wheeling their way onto Scottish Nerdlesque stages in 2015. Drawing from over 20 years’ experience in community performing arts... This Accidental Burlesque Instructor co-founded East Neuk Circus & Cabaret Club in 2019. Backed by Creative Scotland, Scottish Government and National Lottery funding to Explore Accessible and Adaptive Dance Teaching Practices; via OnFife Artist In Residence March 2021 and Go See Share Fund 2022.