Many of us have a beloved clothing item with a hole or a stain that we can’t bear to throw away and don’t know how to mend. Many of us also don’t want to create more waste and add to overflowing landfills. In the past, wearing mended clothing was not acceptable but with the right skills mended clothes can be beautiful. This class is for anyone who wants to learn the basics so they can mend their own clothing like jeans or shirts using stitching or patching. Learn to cover a hole or a stain using simple stitch techniques that can be used as the basis to learn Sashiko or Kantha or your own creative stitching.

Learn how to inspect and assess a fabric item that needs repair.

Learn how to select patch fabric, select thread, and tie a knot.Learn and practice stitches used for fabric mending: running stitch, backstitch (sesame seed). (If there is time and interest, chain stitch, stem stitch, split stitch, blanket stitch).

Learn different approaches to patch placement (under, over, quilt).Practice patching a fabric square or own item.

Materials:

Students can bring an item they would like to learn how to mend by stitching or patching.

All other materials included.

Row after row, or round after round, participants will use color, texture and material to represent people, memories and specific key events or milestones that have impacted and shaped the course of their lives.

Like an individual time capsule, the weaver will create a piece of organic art that represents facets of their unique lived experience. Making meaning and metabolizing loves and losses, heartaches and triumphs through the medium of weaving is part of the process.

No weaving experience is necessary.

** If you must miss the first class, please wait for another opportunity to register.**

This class is for those aged 60 and above.

NOTE: no class April 22

The Receiving Bowl is a sculpture brought to form by tugging, pulling, and adjusting certain threads of a woven piece. It is a project designed to invite the weaver to consider self-beliefs, personal narratives, and is an invitation to look at these themes with fresh eyes.

This is part 2 of a 4-part series that will include projects from Susan Barrett Merrill’s The Art of Weaving a Life. Bradie is a Weaving a Life leader having studied with Susan back in 2017.

Weaving the Receiving Bowl is a meaningful way to usher in spring, a time of new life, new ideas, and fresh energy to nurture ourselves with love and compassion.

Part 3 will be offered in later spring, and part 4 over the summer. They do not all need to be taken to enjoy their benefits.

No weaving experience necessary to enjoy this class.

Included

Create a bench and learn about sustainable forestry, wood properties and selection, milling and building in the process.Forest to Furniture is a course that allows students to learn about the northern forest and to create a table or bench using wood sustainably harvested from Shelburne Farms.We will kick off the course by visiting the woodlands at Shelburne Farms. We will explore natural history, discuss management, and learn not only about the importance of forest ecosystems but also their role in carbon sequestration. You will then carefully select your wood, harvested and milled at Shelburne Farms, based on the properties of the wood and your planned use for your finished product. A simple, locally sourced and prepared meal will be shared. The rest of the course takes place at the Craft School where you will build your beautiful bench.

This course is in memory of Marshall Webb who loved the forests of Shelburne Farms and the woodshed of Shelburne Craft School.

*This course is at both Shelburne Farms and Shelburne Craft School Depending on the Week--we will send you the schedule*

People have been spinning yarn on spinning wheels since the 11th century. It continues to be a wonderful way to dive into or more fully participate in the world of fiber art and craft.

In this workshop, students will learn how to prepare and handle fibers for spinning. Different fibers, like wool, alpaca and mohair will be available to spin. Controlling twist, plying, and other details of making yarn will be covered, especially the mechanics of a spinning wheel and how to keep it in perfect running order.

This class can be taken repeatedly, to practice and hone spinning skills.

Materials fee: $10 included in cost of class. Students are welcome to bring their own wheels and the school will have wheels available for use.

Students will learn the basics of making fused glass jewelry. Each student will craft a few pieces, choosing from a variety of wearable options. Fused glass work will be fired in Our glass kilns to be picked up at a later date. Open to complete beginners to those with experience.

Students will learn the basics of making stained-glass jewelry. Each student will craft a few pieces, choosing from a variety of wearable options. Open to complete beginners to those with experience.

In this 4 week introductory class we will create a chair pad or pillow using the Oxford Punch Needle and colorful yarn! No experience is necessary! You can choose to create your own pillow or follow a pattern from an Oxford Punch Needle kit. In class we will explore various punch needle techniques along with options for finishing your piece.

Pictured: personal design example

The materials fee will include yarn and monks cloth. Tools, such as Oxford punch Needles and Frame are provided to use during the sessions with an option to buy at the end of class.