Adult Classes

Learn Rug Weaving

Friday 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Cost: $75 Registration (+$15 Material Fee)
Instructor: Katherine Montgomery
Class Limit: 8 Students

Weave a small taatit rug in the Shetland tradition. Before central heating, many countries had their own unique bed coverings to keep one warm at night. In Shetland, known mainly for its Fair Isle and lace knitting, these coverings were made from yarn stitched onto a woven ground and known as taatit rugs. Learn about the taatit tradition in Shetland, and make your own small taatit rug or mat. Materials include the woven ground and needle and yarn to make the “taats.”

Painting with Fiber

Friday 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Cost: $75 Registration (+$12 Material Fee)
Instructor: Donna Westermann
Class Limit: 12 Students

Use needle felting and color blending techniques to create a fiber “painting”, of your own flock of grazing sheep. Learn about needle felting equipment, techniques, ideal felting fibers and felting on various fabrics.  This workshop is ideal for beginners and those looking to expand their felting skills.

Introduction to Drop Spindle

Friday 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Cost: $75 Registration (+$10 Material Fee)
Instructor: Dorothea Pierce
Class Limit: 6 Students

Learn how to create your own yarn with the timeless skill of drop spinning. In this introduction to drop spinning you will learn how to choose a fiber to spin, how to draft and apply appropriate twist, how to ply, and how to finish your yarn. Easy to learn and with practice can be a very meditative and peaceful pastime. Adult learners only. Drop spindle and fiber included.

Learn Basket Weaving

Friday 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Cost: $75 Registration (+$10 Material Fee)
Instructor: Katherine Montgomery
Class Limit: 8 Students

Weave a spinning wheel basket with a Kumihimo Handle. This small round basket is just what’s needed to hold your orifice hook, oil, scissors, etc. within reach while spinning. The handle is a kumihimo braid which enables you to hang the basket from the wheel or on a nearby chair. The materials fee includes the basket reed, a kumihimo disk, and cotton yarn for the handle.

Introduction to Rigid Heddle Weaving

Friday 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Cost: $75 Registration (+$10 Material Fee)
Instructor: Linda Witt
Class Limit: 6 Students

Students will choose their yarn and warp assembled looms. They will then weave two to three coasters using different weaving patterns and techniques. Newly assembled looms will be available for purchase at 20% off the retail price. Students are welcome to bring their own equipment.

Introduction to Wheel Spinning

Friday 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Cost: $75 Registration (+$10 Material Fee)
Instructor: Dorothea Pierce
Class Limit: 6 Students

Learn the ancient and timeless art of spinning.  Students will start on a drop spindle to learn basic skills, and then move onto a wheel if they wish.  Easy to learn and so rewarding, this is a class you will enjoy and a skill you will learn to love. The class includes an introduction to fiber characteristics, basic spinning skills, and hands on assistance from a spinner with more than fifteen years’ experience teaching spinning. Students do not need to bring anything with them but a little patience and a sense of humor. Students will be provided with wool for spinning in class. Students who wish to bring their own wheel to use in class should plan to arrive at least ten minutes early to class to allow the instructor to approve the wheel. The teacher will provide wheels for those who don’t have one.

Introduction to Wheel Spinning

Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Cost: $75 Registration (+$10 Material Fee)
Instructor: Dorothea Pierce
Class Limit: 6 Students

Learn the ancient and timeless art of spinning.  Students will start on a drop spindle to learn basic skills, and then move onto a wheel if they wish.  Easy to learn and so rewarding, this is a class you will enjoy and a skill you will learn to love. The class includes an introduction to fiber characteristics, basic spinning skills, and hands on assistance from a spinner with more than fifteen years’ experience teaching spinning. Students do not need to bring anything with them but a little patience and a sense of humor. Students will be provided with wool for spinning in class. Students who wish to bring their own wheel to use in class should plan to arrive at least ten minutes early to class to allow the instructor to approve the wheel. The teacher will provide wheels for those who don’t have one.

Felt a Scarf

Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Cost: $75 Registration (+$20 Material Fee)
Instructor: Nan Crawford
Class Limit: 10 Students

Use prefelted soft Merino wool to wet felt a decorative and durable scarf. Students should bring scissors and a hand towel for blotting water.

Wheel Spinning Next Steps

Saturday 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Cost: $75 Registration (+$15 Material Fee)
Instructor: Dorothea Pierce
Class Limit: 6 Students

You have a wheel, and you can spin a basic single ply yarn but it takes longer than it should and you aren’t sure what to do next. Don’t worry! There is more out there – if you are excited to learn, take that next step NOW! Learn back draw and forward draw, and the famous long draw! We will practice some different plying techniques, venture a tiny bit down the art yarn path, and work on finishing techniques as well. Up your wheel spinning game in a safe environment with a teacher who has been spinning for decades. This class comes with a bit of mandatory prep work.

Felt an Air Plant Holder

Saturday 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Cost: $75 Registration (+$20 Material Fee)
Instructor: Nan Crawford
Class Limit: 10 Students

Wet felt a hanging holder for an air plant using the wet felting and resist method. Students should bring scissors and a hand towel for blotting water. Materials fee includes the cost of an air plant.

Paint Your Sheep!

Sunday 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Cost: $75 Registration (+$15 Material Fee)
Instructor: Pat Brodowski
Class Limit: 10 Students

Bring a photo of your favorite sheep and take home a painting you have made yourself! This is fun for any skill level. We will paint in fast-drying acrylic colors, use some easy methods to draw the animal, and learn a few tips about painting. Each painting will be uniquely yours.

Introduction to Wheel Spinning

Sunday 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Cost: $75 Registration (+$10 Material Fee)
Instructor: Dorothea Pierce
Class Limit: 6 Students

Learn the ancient and timeless art of spinning.  Students will start on a drop spindle to learn basic skills, and then move onto a wheel if they wish.  Easy to learn and so rewarding, this is a class you will enjoy and a skill you will learn to love. The class includes an introduction to fiber characteristics, basic spinning skills, and hands on assistance from a spinner with more than fifteen years’ experience teaching spinning. Students do not need to bring anything with them but a little patience and a sense of humor. Students will be provided with wool for spinning in class. Students who wish to bring their own wheel to use in class should plan to arrive at least ten minutes early to class to allow the instructor to approve the wheel. The teacher will provide wheels for those who don’t have one.

Foraging for Natural Dyes

Sunday 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Cost: $75 Registration (+$10 Material Fee)
Instructor: Pat Brodowski
Class Limit: 10 Students

Learn to identify plants guaranteed to fill your dyepot with beautiful color. Explore the chemistry of textile dyeing with plants. Make dyes, secondary colors, and see how to extract pigment for later use. Some dyeing will take place; many samples will be pulled, and pigment into paint will
be explored. This is lecture and hands-on preparation for your own research. I teach a similar,
full-day course at Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival. Course fee includes the book, “Gardening and Foraging Natural Dyes.”

Introduction to Drop Spindle

Sunday 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Cost: $75 Registration (+$10 Material Fee)
Instructor: Dorothea Pierce
Class Limit: 6 Students

Learn how to create your own yarn with the timeless skill of drop spinning. In this introduction to drop spinning you will learn how to choose a fiber to spin, how to draft and apply appropriate twist, how to ply, and how to finish your yarn. Easy to learn and with practice can be a very meditative and peaceful pastime. Adult learners only. Drop spindle and fiber included.