Classes

All classes are two and a half days.  Complete supply lists will be supplied to students after confirmation of class list.

Class registration for “Mixed Bag Piecing: Sewing and Piecing Your Collected Handmade Fabrics” with Liz Spear closes August 1st. Last day to register for other classes is September 1st.

Lace and Surface Embellishment with Sara Bixler

A Good Class for Rigid Heddle Weavers

In this workshop we welcome weavers of all skill levels from the new rigid heddle weaver through the seasoned multi-harness weaver. Our goal of this workshop is to explore new possibilities and expand your weaving repertoire on a plain weave foundation.  During the workshop students will be guided through the process of creating both lace and surface embellishments. Some of the new techniques we will be covering include Leno Lace, Spanish Lace, Danish Medallions, Brook’s Bouquet, Hem stitching variations and more! We will discuss warp materials that are best suited for each technique, tools best suited and their uses and how to apply to future projects.  Students will be responsible to bring along with them a loom in good working order pre-warped with the suggested materials provided by Sara several weeks before the class. Students will be responsible for purchasing their warp and weft materials, but no other class fees apply. If participants have questions as they prepare for attending the class they may reach out via email: redstoneglen@gmail.com . Please be sure to include your full name, as well as date and title of workshop.
Experience Level:  All skill levels from the new rigid heddle weaver through the seasoned multi-harness weaver
Student Equipment Required:  Loom in good working order pre-warped with the suggested materials provided by Sara several weeks before the class. Students will be responsible for purchasing their warp and weft materials.
Maximum Class Size: 20
Materials Fee: $0


Mixed Bag Piecing:  Sewing and Piecing Your Collected Handmade Fabrics with Liz Spear

We’ve all got collections of fabrics, whether handwoven, felted, quilted, embroidered. Some are new, some old, some used, some dug out of the back of the closet, some the results of many workshops; all are beloved. Learn to cut and successfully sew and piece those fabrics into a jacket or vest. Piecing disparate weights of cloth made with different techniques requires some extra care but can provide exciting and stylistic flare to our incredibly beautiful handmade cloth. Using pre-workshop suggestions/guidelines, you’ll select and test/fit your own garment pattern appropriate for your collection of fabrics. Cutting, marking, seam finishes, pressing, closures and even linings will be demonstrated as you sew through the steps to construct the garment you’ll be proud to wear.
Experience Level:  Advanced beginner / intermediate (comfortable with sewing machine and sewing concepts)
Student Equipment Required: Your handmade fabric(s) suitably FINISHED, in quantity enough for project; your chosen pattern with instructions: cut out, test fitted w/sample garment/muslin; sufficient notions: thread, buttons, interfacings, etc; sewing machine (plus serger, if desired) with extra needles, bobbins and INSTRUCTION book; scissors large and small, rotary cutter with extra blade if desired; favorite sewing tools: pins, hand-sewing needles, rulers, markers, tape measure, ripper, cutting mat, etc; extra extension cord and work-light, if desired; note book, camera, note-taking supplies, etc including the Instruction/Suggestions document
Maximum Class Size: 12
Materials Fee: $0


Deflected Double Weave: Connections, Layers and Pockets with Janney Simpson

Class is full

Deflected Double Weave is a weave structure that has regained popularity in the repertoires of contemporary weavers. Why is this structure appealing? How does it work?  What else can we do with Deflected Double Weave? There are several approaches to designing deflected double weave patterns as well as different tie-ups to make it happen easily at the loom. Deflected Double Weave can also be combined with traditional double weave to create connections, layers, and pockets all in the same piece. This technique may be used to weave dramatic shawls, scarves, and cowls with a variety of fibers and colorways. A skeleton tie-up allows you to tie-up your loom just once for these exciting possibilities with Deflected Double Weave.  Students will be required to bring a pre-warped 8 shaft loom. Detailed warping instructions will be provided well before the workshop.
Experience Level: Intermediate – must be able to warp a loom, read and understand a draft.
Student Equipment Required: 8 shaft floor or table loom with 9” minimum width, 12 or 15 dent reed.  Two shuttles (minimum), two bobbins (minimum), broken warp thread repair items, weft material (same as warp chosen by student), small scissors, heddle and reed hooks, tape measure, small tags for woven samples. Also one spool of 100% polyester sewing thread in color close to warp colors and one spool of cotton quilting thread (any color).
Maximum Class Size: 16
Materials Fee:  $15 for handouts


Free Form Tapestry with Rebecca Smith

My personal style of tapestry weaving incorporates seed beads and wire to make freestanding tapestries that undulate and capture light in unique ways. In this workshop you will learn my technique for free form weaving and be able to create your own small tapestry.
Experience Level:  Participants should be familiar with the basic concept of weft-faced weaving.
Student Equipment Required:  Participants should arrive with their loom warped as follows: warp width: 4-5 inches, sett 8 epi using 10/2 perle cotton in a dark color (yarns of equivalent thickness will also work). Most types of loom are acceptable, but not a Hokett-style loom. You must be able to get your hands behind the warp. Also, bring a fork (tapestry or kitchen), scissors, and pencil and paper.
Maximum Class Size: 20
Materials Fee: $20 includes beads, wire, yarn, beading needle and thread, and handouts


Spin Knit Nexus with Amy Tyler

In this exploration of the intersection of spinning and knitting, we will cover several spinning techniques for creating combinations of yarns that are not found among commercially spun yarns. We will explore how to use those yarn combinations to create unique knitting projects. We will focus on spinning and combining yarns that are different but complementary by 1) blending fibers at the wheel; 2) combining solid color fiber sources in multiple ways; 3) spinning yarns of different thicknesses and textures from a single fiber source; 4) spinning and plying handpainted tops in a variety of ways. We will knit swatches from the spun yarns.
Experience Level: Advanced beginning to intermediate spinning and knitting.  Should be able to spin a singles of reasonably consistent thickness and twist; should have some experience creating 2-ply yarns. Should be comfortable with the knit stitch, the purl stitch, cast on, and bind off.
Student Equipment Required: spinning wheel in good working order, four bobbins, lazy-kate, knitting needles of various sizes.
Maximum Class Size: 18
Materials Fee: $50


Feltrikiri – Texturing, Embellishing and Raising Felt into Unique 3D Creations with Renate Maile-Moskowitz

Feltrikiri is an underrated Finishing and Touch-Up Technique for all new and old felt surfaces, and applicable to all small and large Felt Projects. The Japanese word “Kiri” resonates in our vocabulary with the fear and trepidation felters encounter when administering the “first cut(s)”  into one’s finished work. With a little hand holding for the first incisions into the felt, all will overcome and experience the thrill of unearthing hidden colors, unexpected undergrounds and layerings. Simultaneously see your 2D felt rise into another dimension by cutting, folding, twisting, stretching your felt into endless new 3D shapes and textures.  

After an initial practice piece of a smaller brooch, participants will venture on to apply this technique to a  larger project of their own choosing and design, the size and intricacy based upon their felting skills. Examples include table or wall adornments, pillow cases and smaller ornamental cases. Other options are to play with trivet sized samplers of the many FeltriKiri patterning varieties.  
Experience Level:  Beginner to Experienced
Student Equipment Required: Felting supplies (bubble wrap, soaps, screens, sprinklers, etc) can be brought or borrowed from instructor 
Maximum Class Size: 16
Materials Fee: $25 at a minimum, increasing slightly for the additional wool needed for the selected final project