Adult Classes

Foraging for Natural Dyes

Friday 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Cost: $65 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.”

Paint Your Sheep!

Friday 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Cost: $50 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 Drop Spindle

Saturday 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.

Create a Felted Pumpkin

Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Cost: $50 Registration (+$20 Material Fee)
Instructor: Nan Crawford
Class Limit: 10 Students

We will create a pumpkin, using locally produced wools, and several leaves using the wet felting technique. After drying, add some “bling” to make a truly unique pumpkin. The finished size should be about 4″ across. Bring some bling to inspire your creativity and we’ll discuss how to later secure it to the pumpkin.

Class Full– Introduction to Wheel Spinning

Saturday 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.

Create Felted Dryer Balls

Saturday 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Cost: $50 Registration (+$15 Material Fee)
Instructor: Nan Crawford
Class Limit: 10 Students

We will create two personalized eco-friendly 100% wool (laundry) dryer balls by using locally produced wool and both needle felting and wet felting techniques. Why use wool dryer balls? 1) They help reduce dryer time; 2) reduce static; and, 3) can be used instead of fabric softeners and dryer sheets.

Class Full– 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.

Learn Rug Weaving

Sunday 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Cost: $60 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.”

Class Full- Wheel Spinning Next Steps

Sunday 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.

Learn Basket Weaving

Sunday 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Cost: $60 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.