Tapestry weaving dates back thousands of years and is a woven art form that conjures many images in peoples’ minds. It is a medium that allows the weaver to create shape, design, texture and symbol using yarn. In this course, students will learn fundamental skills required for taking their tapestry weaving ideas to the next level.

We will use a simple frame loom that students will learn to warp themselves. Also covered are: weaving vocabulary, some tapestry yarns and tapestry weaving tools. Students will create samplers that will include most if not all of the following elements: horizontal and vertical lines, spots, and shapes like squares, rectangles and triangles, outlining, color gradations, and some finishing techniques.

This will be a hands-on class with a specific set of skills taught in each class that participants can experiment with and develop for the remainder of class.

Materials included, loom and tools available for use during course of class. 

Have you always wanted to learn how to knit, but didn’t know which pattern to choose?

A warm and Cozy Cowl is a wonderful first project to start your knitting journey. As you knit your cowl, you will learn how to cast on, knit, purl, increase, decrease, and bind off. At the end you will have a hand-knitted piece you can wear or give as a gift. In class, we will talk about knitting tools, yarn, and gauge.

This is a perfect class to take as we enter the winter months! You will leave with enough knowledge to start your next knitting project and stay cozy all season long!

Materials Information:

Please bring your yarn to the first class.

Circular needles will be provided and are included in the class fee, and will be yours to keep.

The Yarn suggested for the pattern is Super Bulky. You will need 175 to 200 yards to complete the project. A solid or tonal color is suggested for your first piece in order to see the stitches.

There are multiple local yarn stores in the area to buy yarn; Must Love Yarn, Northeast Fibers, The Makery, and Michaels.

Participants will learn the art of needle felting and create a three-dimensional wool sculpture of an owl using a special barbed needle. Instruction will be hands-on and will include demonstrations.

Students between the ages of 9 and 12 are welcome to enroll with an adult.

Materials: Included

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.

Come and join us at the 38th annual Vermont Sheep & Wool Festival! The Shelburne Craft School will be leading a full-day group trip to Tunbridge, VT to visit the festival, where you can see fiber art and fiber related demonstrations, meet fiber-producing animals, marvel at completed fiber art, listen to live music, eat delicious local foods, and stock up on supplies from dozens of regional vendors! You will also get to learn one of the building blocks of many types of fiber art- half the day will be dedicated to a beginner spinning class, where participants will get to learn the basics of using a spinning wheel. Group transportation, class tuition, access to vendors, demonstrations, and activities, and entry to the festival are all included. Participants will have the option to pack a lunch or buy one from any of the incredible food and beverage vendors! Come and connect with all the parts of our local fiber community, from farm to finished product!

This cost includes transportation to and from the craft school and automatic enrollment in the spinning course.

Are you curious about weaving software and wonder if it would be worthwhile? 

This class is an opportunity to try one of the popular weaving software programs - Fiberworks PCW - and explore its basic features. Weaving software allows you to quickly create a drawdown of a pattern, explore color combinations, and modify a draft to suit your project. It’s an easy way to play with design options, and it offers convenient features that will tell you the maximum float length or how many heddles you’ll need on each shaft. The only problem with weaving software is that playing with design options can be as addictive as the actual weaving!

For this class, you will need to have a laptop with the software loaded on it. We  will use Fiberworks PCW for Mac. The free demo version is fine.  You will be able to do everything except save or print your files.  Either the Bronze or Silver version is fine. Silver has some extra features that are mainly useful if you have more than 8 shafts. 

See http://www.fiberworks-pcw.com/mac.html to download a copy of the software and for installation instructions.

In this workshop, students will learn the fundamentals of coil basketry by creating a small hand-stitched basket. We’ll cover how to start a base, shape the sides, and use simple stitching techniques to build structure and pattern. This class is suitable for beginners and anyone who enjoys working with their hands. All materials are provided, but if you have special yarns or fabric you’d like to incorporate, feel free to bring them along.

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!