Once a weaver has learned the basics in tapestry weaving, it’s a natural next step to learn how to apply them to designs. Project planning, yarn choice, technique application… all of this and more will be covered in this class.

Each week a different weaving topic will be covered, and each student will have the opportunity to explore their weaving plans with the instructor and their group. In addition, small projects will be suggested for students to practice techniques that will take their weaving to a new level.

This is a class that can be taken as many times as one wants, as new issues and questions arise with any tapestry project a weaver takes on. There is also great camaraderie that forms amongst weavers as we expand into this art form.

Pre-requisite: Introductory to Tapestry Weaving or commensurate experience.

Materials needed for this class:

Tapestry loom
Preferred warp yarn
Preferred weft yarn
Weaving tools

If you are building your supplies stash and would like some suggestions on what to purchase, please reach out to fiber@shelburnecraftschool.org

NO CLASS on November 25th.

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. 

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.

NOTE: no class on November 5th

Making a hexicardigan is a super fun way to crochet a popular sweater that can be adapted in an almost infinite number of ways!

In this workshop, we will be beginning a hexicardi, and working through some of the common pitfalls that can trip people up, as well as exploring some of the ways that you can truly make the project your own.

This workshop is ideal for people who know how to make a granny square or know basic crochet stitches, or for more experienced crocheters who just feel stumped by this type of project!

Some materials will be available, though students who want to make a completed hexicardi in their preferred style should plan to bring their own tools and materials. This workshop will help you get your sweater started and give you some ideas for how you may want to finish it, and students should expect to take a partial project home to complete on their own. Get ready to get cozy, and have some fiber fun!

Spinning yarn on drop spindles is one of our most ancient technologies and remained the primary way humans spun fibers for millenia until the invention of the spinning wheel in the 13th century. Spinning continues to be a wonderful way to dive into or more fully participate in the world of fiber art and craft as well as connect with a skill that connects us to our ancestors and to each other.

In the first week of this class, students will learn how to spin fibers on a drop spindle. The second week will introduce spinning on the wheel. 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: $20 included in cost of class. Students are welcome to bring their own wheels and the school will have wheels available for use.

Inkle refers to the weaving of warp-faced bands, and there are a great many ways to inkle weave, all of them easy and relaxing. This portable mode of weaving is not limited to using a modern inkle loom though that is where we will begin. We'll start by choosing from a host of designs in your choice of colors and soon you'll understand how to create your own color designs.   

Inkle looms may be threaded to create bar patterns if you wish to explore pattern development through simple pick-up techniques. We can provide tablet boards and tablets if you wish to explore tablet weaving and hole and slot heddles and curved shuttles if you wish to explore the fascinating world of Baltic Pick-up patterns.  Explore color and pattern design while creating sturdy and sumptuous straps and sashes, lanyards and much more. No previous weaving experience is necessary.

In this six-week class you will learn different ways to plan and create your warp-faced designs, how to select the best yarns for your intended purpose, and how to warp your inkle loom in a design of your choosing. 

You'll learn how to measure and make your own string heddles if you don't already have them for your inkle loom. You'll learn how  designs are charted for a variety of styles of band weaving, how to read  them, and you’ll be offered time saving tips on warping & to achieve even edges on your bands and be shown several ways to secure the ends of your weaving.

Please bring your own inkle loom and stick shuttle  if you have one, though several will be available on loan for those who don't have one of their own. If you have time to weave at least two hours a week between classes at home, you can expect to weave as many as 4-5  bands over the course of this six week class. All yarns provided.Surely someone on your gift list needs a guitar strap, a camera strap, a bookmark, a small cellphone bag, a zipper purse, or just a greeting card with a snip of your inkle weaving in the window! 

No Class on November 24

This class is for the those who want to organize and display their artwork.  It is especially useful for storing textile samples that are too thick to display in a book format.

Come and explore some book based structures to keep your work documented and in order.  A bag of dyed yarn samples is only useful if you have it cataloged and labeled. Use these structures to add interest and creativity to your work and keep yourself engaged in that work. 

This class will look at some very simple structures and spend the major part of the class putting together a sample portfolio which can include a pocketed insert to store dyed yarn samples or cloth samples for easy reference. 

The class will also include a second portfolio structure with a slip case.

No experience in bookbinding or sewing necessary..

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.