All classes are two and a half days, and held in the first floor classrooms at Plassmann Hall on the SBU campus. Complete supply lists will be sent to students after confirmation of class list.
This was our list of classes at the 2025 conference.
You’ve Got to be Warped to Weave
Instructor: Neal Howard
Learn about silk (if you don’t know much). Learn to warp your loom front to back using multiple silk warps. Weave plain weave. Note: This class is more about learning the process rather than producing a finished piece. Neal will bring yarn and handwoven samples and share what she has learned from 30+ years of weaving silk professionally.
Level of experience required: Advanced beginner/ intermediate
Boundweave and Krokbragd – The Weft Faced Twills
Instructor: Tom Knisely
Students will make a Boundweave sampler, approximately 12’’ x 30” suitable for a table runner or wall hanging. The sampler will explore weaving on opposites, 3 and 4 color rotations and more. Then simply by changing the tie-up, we’ll explore Krokbragd. You’ll learn how to design Krokbragd on a 3-shaft point twill.
Level of experience required: Intermediate Weaver
Landscapes and Identities: A Tapestry Workshop
Instructor: Micala Sidore
We will view a variety of tapestry images each day. In each group of images, Micala will talk about what draws one’s attention in these pieces. These will operate like a trigger—a place to begin, to energize the weaver in exploring possibilities. For example, a single horizontal line from selvedge to selvedge on a narrow warp might become a landscape or a myriad of other possibilities. We’ll also look at weavers’ marks and create our own, including initials, a weaving tool, a particular technique, or a symbol that has personal meaning that the weaver can incorporate in future tapestries.
Level of experience required: Intermediate to experienced
Sewing to Update and Reuse Your Handmade Fabrics
Instructor: Liz Spear
You can start by carefully disassembling any previously sewn work, or plan how to use other fabrics you bring. You will then learn to cut and successfully sew the jacket, shirt or vest of your dreams. Not enough fabric? Stains to cut around? Pre-workshop suggestions/guidelines will help you think and plan and weave/felt/dye coordinating cloth and select a pattern appropriate for your fabric. Cutting, marking, seam finishes, pressing, buttons, piecing and possible linings will be demonstrated as you sew through the steps to construct/reconstruct your handmade fabrics with fit and stylistic flare into a garment you’ll be proud to wear.
Level of experience required: Comfort with your own sewing machine required – no beginners
Exploring Needle Felting Technique
IInstructor: Debbie Penley
In this class we will cover multiple techniques used in needle felting. We will tackle both 2D and sculptural needle felting, including using a wire-wrapping technique to incorporate wire armature, learning how to create texture including wrinkles, adding fur that looks realistic, and creating backdrops for framed pieces. We will also cover the basics of what makes a needle felt project complete (addressing firmness and loose fibers).
Level of experience required: Beginners to advanced