Classes & Workshops

Storytelling with Embroidery

Translate a photograph into an embroidered image. First you'll learn to create a drawing from a favorite photo and then how to transfer your drawing onto fabric. Next you'll learn how to use embroidery stitches and fabric paint to create a hand-stitched story.

Saturday, February 4
Hours: 10 am – 5 pm
Level of Expertise: all levels
Instructor: Betsy Archer
Fee: $85 + materials

The Organic Indigo Vats

An Introduction to organic indigo vat dying. You'll use sugar, fruit, plants, and iron to reduce the vat instead of reduction chemicals or weeks of pungent fermentation! In this exciting workshop you'll make 4 small vats to take home and learn how to maintain them. Class will include indigo resist paste and direct application of indigo.

Saturday, March 3
Hours: 10 am – 5 pm
Level of Expertise: all levels
Instructor: Catharine Ellis
Fee: $110 + materials

A Hands-On Approach to Understanding Quiltmaking in American Culture

This class strives to answer the questions:  why do we make quilts the way we do and how do we understand quiltmaking culture? While working with diverse fabrics, basic tools, simple block structures, and reading craft and quiltmaking research, you'll begin to identify and engage with the many approaches (material, social, commercial, spiritual, symbolic) used in quiltmaking. Ultimately, our understanding of all craft forms, and the creative process, is enlivened when we study both the material processes and unseen meanings in our work. In-class hand sewing affords the opportunity for each quiltmaker to work on her or his own quilt-top while talking and sharing as a group and learning about quiltmaking in American culture.

Saturday, three afternoons, March 24, 31 & April 14
Hours: 1 pm – 5 pm
Level of Expertise: all levels
Instructor: Richard Caro
Fee: $145 + materials

Woven Shibori + Natural Dyes...No Loom Required

This workshop will explore innovative and effective use of natural dyes on cotton. Focusing on mordant application and layering of dyes, you'll achieve a surprising intensity of colors and variety of shades using only alum as a mordant and dyes such as madder, osage orange, logwood, weld, and indigo on cotton samples. You'll then complete a woven shibori scarf using specially woven fabrics from the Oriole Mill.

Saturday, May 5
Hours: 10 am – 5 pm
Level of Expertise: all levels
Instructor: Catharine Ellis
Fee: $110 + materials

Permanent Pleats + Color on Cloth

Permanently pleat, crease, and manipulate fabrics by heating and reshaping fibers! We will also apply color in the same step, using specially formulated dyes. The technique is appropriate for synthetic fibers. The dyes are called Disperse, are readily available online, and require no additional chemicals. You'll shape and dye a series of samples, and then create up to 3 scarves, depending on complexity. There will be discussion about how and why this process works, as well as resources for using this technique at home. For more ideas, look at clothing designer Issey Miyake, or textile designer Junichi Arai.

Saturday, May 26
Hours: 10 am – 5 pm
Level of Expertise: all levels
Instructor: Amy Putansu
Fee: $85 + materials

Print + Collage + Stitch: Layered Imagery on Cloth

This popular class expands to two days for more in depth explorations. Alter commercial fabrics by monoprinting and stamping with paint to create your own hand made marks. Then build imagery using fused collage and stitched detail. Structural and finishing techniques for small textiles will also be discussed.

Friday & Saturday, July 27 & 28
Hours: 10 am – 4 pm
Level of Expertise: all levels
Instructor: Bernie Rowell
Fee: $190 + materials

Shibori Resists with MX Dyes

The focus of this workshop is exploring pattern, color and imagery thru Shibori or resist dying using Procion MX dyes. Working with natural fibers and stitching, clamping, and pole wrapping you'll create controlled yet not, patterns of color. MX dyes are translucent and work wonderfully over dyed fabrics adding another layer of pattern and color. A wonderful rayon scarf will be provided in addition to the fabrics you bring to experiment on. Safe studio procedures using MX dyes will be covered.

Friday & Saturday, August 17 & 18
Hours: 10 am – 5 pm
Level of Expertise: all levels
Instructor: Heather Hietala
Fee: $175 + materials

Cloth Books

In this one day workshop you'll make a cloth book that can be used as a journal, sketchbook or photo album. Using fabric collage techniques and a basic pamphlet stitch binding you'll create a one of a kind soft cover book.

Saturday, September 15
Hours: 10 am – 5 pm
Level of Expertise: all levels
Instructor: Margaret Couch Cogswell
Fee: $85 + materials

Screen Printing

Explore the wonderful world of screen printing! Have you ever wanted to design your own fabric or personalize something you already have? This workshop will start with the basics. First you'll create screens from hand drawn motifs or found imagery using a photo emulsion technique. Then with these screens you'll learn registration, printing, and screen maintenance. Next you'll print your designs onto fabric. Expect to leave this workshop with printed fabric, silk screen, and the knowledge of how to continue screen printing at home.

Saturday, October 27
Hours: 10 am – 5 pm
Level of Expertise: all levels
Instructor: Dana Fehsenfeld
Fee: $85 + materials

Basket Making: Bark Square to Round

In just one day you'll create a basket using natural materials! First you'll make a square base using Cedar inner bark stakes. Then to build the sides various techniques will be used for shaping and the addition of beautiful wild plant materials will add color and texture. A woven border will finish the top. Plant materials will be discussed. Finished basket will measure approximately 3 3/8" diameter x 2" tall.

Friday, November 16
Hours: 9 am – 6 pm
Level of Expertise: all levels
Instructor: Peggie Wilcox
Fee: $110 + materials

Basket Making: Bark Ruff

You'll start this unique basket with a square Cedar bark base, twining with Iris leaves. Then to make the sides you'll start a continuous spiral with outer bark and Iris leaves, building up one high side and finishing with a "Ruff" of Cedar fringe. You'll leave this workshop with one small finished basket.

Saturday, November 17
Hours: 10 am – 5 pm
Level of Expertise: all levels
Instructor: Peggie Wilcox
Fee: $110 + materials

Fabric Collage Cards

Working with a wide variety of one-of-a-kind handmade fabrics, you'll learn how to collage and layer them to make wonderful unique images. Like a mini sketch, cards are a wonderful size and informal, a perfect vehicle for one to experiment, play and explore creative ideas. Use embroidery to add accents to your designs. With the simple techniques used in this class and your left over fabrics you'll be able to make postcards and card sets for holiday gifts, use them for special occasions, or frame them!

Saturday, December 1
Hours: 10 am – 5 pm
Level of Expertise: all levels
Instructor: Heather Hietala
Fee: $85 + materials