Learn how to wet felt over a resist to create a unique wool vessel. Participants will learn all of the steps required to make a sculptural piece of art using wool, water, soap, a plastic resist, and a bit of elbow grease.

Materials: Included

Please Bring: Students are asked to bring a large bath or beach towel that will be used in the wet felting process. 

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 knitted items like socks, gloves, hats, sweaters, and more. Learn to repair a hole or snag in a knit item by darning, a simple woven type of mending. Learn how to inspect and assess a knit (or woven) item that needs repair.Learn how to select a needle, select yarn/thread, and tie a knot.

Learn running stitch, the backbone of mending! (If time and interest, backstitch (sesame seed) or blanket stitch).

Learn how to start, weave and finish a basic darn square with one or two colors using a mushroom or embroidery hoop.Practice or start darning an item that is ready for some attention!

Students can bring an item they would like to learn how to mend by darning.

All other materials included.

This workshop is an introduction to Punch Needle Rug Hooking using the Oxford Punch Needle and the colorful, variegated, and tonal Violet Jane Rug Yarn. Students will punch a 5" X 5" mug rug or trivet.  You can choose a pattern or design one of your own - motifs, letters, or geometric designs! Enjoy playing with colors while punching your own unique project.  Students will learn punching techniques for both thick and thin yarn, plus multiple methods for finishing projects. Come join us for a day of making!

Soak up the sights, sounds, and warm summer breezes at Shelburne Farms in this three-day immersive tapestry weaving workshop. Participants will be inspired by the many landscapes and elements of the environment all while playing with color, texture and image in tapestry.

Each day, participants will meet at the famed Farm Barn on the Shelburne Farms property. From there we will walk or drive to a different spot on the farm and spend some time drawing and photographing anything that inspires. We will then weave small format tapestries inspired by the images we captured and created. 

Other details:

Pre-requisites: Introduction to Tapestry Weaving or commensurate experience. You are welcome to contact Bradie at fiber@shelburnecraftschool.org with any questions.

Things to consider bringing:  

Artist Notebook
Colored Pencils/Watercolors
Pens for notetaking
Portable chair or blanket for sitting
Water bottle
Walking shoes
Preferred yarn
Scissors
Needles

Materials: Small hand-held looms will be available for each student that they will have for the duration of the class; students can also supply their own looms if desired. The instructor will have some yarn available for students to use, but participants are also encouraged to bring their own in colors that speak to them and reflect aspects of the landscape most appealing to them.

** Yarn should be appropriate for a loom warped at 8 ends per inch. **

Learn macra-weave, a combination of macramé and weaving. In this beginner-friendly workshop, we’ll cover basic knots, how to build a rope-based warp and simple weaving techniques to create a textured and colorful wall hanging.Students will leave with a finished piece and the skills to continue exploring this versatile fiber art form. All materials are provided, but if you have special yarns or fabric you’d like to incorporate, feel free to bring them along.

Two days of bookmaking with a focus on simple but elegant book structures and portfolios to contain artwork, textile samples or special handmade books.

Our first day will focus on folding and sewing techniques to create books without additional adhesives. Students will produce a set of models constructed from simple folding techniques to more advanced hand sewn and exposed spines. Students can expect to produce a number of structures along with a set of instructions to use in their own work to make beautiful artist books.  

Day two will focus on some simple portfolios specifically designed to hold 3 dimensional works or a collection of drawings or painted works.

Additionally, there will be options for hand  or machine sewn embellishments along with an opportunity to become familiar with traditional bookmaking tools.

Students are encouraged to bring art materials to decorate the surfaces of the portfolios. Colored pencils, pens, markers, and rubber stamps are a welcome addition to the class. If you have a portable sewing machine you wish to bring please feel free to do so. One will be available in class.

Bring a notebook to generate ideas for artist books and zines as we celebrate this ancient craft.

Rigid Heddle Looms are known for their simplicity and portability. In this introductory workshop, students will learn the basics of weaving as well as several weaving techniques to achieve a variety of textures, looks and designs. Other skills learned will be:

* dressing a rigid heddle loom* preparing yarn for weaving* finishing techniques

The completed project will be a sampler showcasing the various techniques demonstrated which will give each weaver plenty of ideas and inspiration for their next project!

Explore the color potential of Vermont’s late-summer landscape in this immersive natural dyeing workshop led by Catharina Sikkes and Roelof Boumans. Over two days, participants work hands-on with wild plants gathered in season and learn how to transform them into a vibrant, nuanced palette.

The focus is on accessible, environmentally mindful methods, using alum as the primary mordant and supplementing with plant-based options such as rhubarb-leaf mordanting. By experimenting with multiple dye plants, varied mordanting approaches, and different bath strengths, you’ll see how each variable shapes the final color.

Everyone will create a structured sample portfolio documenting every combination. This becomes both a practical reference for future projects and a beautiful record of what Vermont’s landscape offers at this time of year.

Whether you’re new to natural dyes or looking to deepen your craft, this workshop invites you to experiment, observe, and let the land guide your color work.