Try It! Classes
Try It! Weave on an Inkle Loom
Come and explore the fun of an inkle loom! This small, portable loom is ideal for weaving bands, belts, straps, accessories, bookmarks, and more! In this class, students will learn how to warp the loom and begin making a simple project, like a bookmark. After learning the basics, students will design and draft their own patterns for future use. Children ages 8-12 should enroll with or be accompanied by an adult. Two contrasting colors of 3/2 perle cotton is recommended. Bring your own or purchase yarn at the Guild the day of class. Handout fee $2, payable to the instructor.
Reserve your seat now 1186 Saturday, May 5 : 10:00am – 4:30pm
Instructor: Betty Wilson | Level: Beginning | Tuition: $69/$60 Members
Try It! Bead Loom Weaving
Learn how beads can be used on a loom to create folk-inspired motifs or contemporary looks. Students weave one or more bracelets to learn the technique. In the class, students explore several ways to construct homemade looms and learn about commercially made bead looms. Different types of closures and clasps will be incorporated into this creative project. No weaving or beading experience is required to enjoy this class. Participants may choose to bring their own size 11° seed beads and/or delicas, or use those provided by the instructor. Materials fee $10, payable to the instructor for a basic bead weaving kit.
Reserve your seat now 1187 Saturday & Sunday, March 17 & 18: 10:00am – 3:00pm
Instructor: Traudi Bestler | Level: Multi | Tuition: $99/$83 Members
Try It! Spin on a Spinning Wheel
Have you always been fascinated by spinning? Come give spinning a try for a day! You don’t have to own a spinning wheel; the Weavers Guild has many for you to try. First, learn basic fiber preparation skills, then try out the spinning wheel. At the end of the day, you will leave with a ball of personalized and handspun yarn!
Reserve your seat now 1188 Saturday, March 3: 10:00am – 4:00pm
Instructor: Nancy Preckshot | Level: Beginning | Tuition: $69/$60 Members
Floor Loom
Beginning Floor Loom Weaving
Do you want to explore weaving? This class lets you discover the fun and creativity of weaving! Students will learn all the fundamentals, starting with a basic weaving vocabulary and graduating to: preparing a warp, warping a loom, and reading a draft. The instructor will guide you through a basic project and students will complete a wool scarf or a cotton table runner in plain weave or twill. Handout fee $10, payable to the instructor. Yarn is available for purchase at the Guild.
Reserve your seat now 1192 Friday, April 27: 5:30pm – 9:00pm; Saturday & Sunday, April 28 & 29: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Instructor: Carol Johnson | Level: Beginning | Tuition: $218/$182 Members
Floor Loom Warping Refresher
Would you like a refresher on how to wind a warp and dress a floor loom from back to front? No problem! After this one-day class you will be confident and ready to move on to that advanced beginner level class or workshop or project. We’ll take the guess work out of the equation for you, so you can do what you love – weave! Handout fee $10, payable to the instructor. Bring carpet warp if you have it or plan to purchase yarn at the Guild.Prerequisite: Some previous warping experience necessary.
Reserve your seat now 1193 Saturday, February 25: 9:30am – 4:00pm
Instructor: Donna Hanson | Level: Advanced Beginning | Tuition: $64/$54 Members
Reading A Draft Refresher
Do you look at weaving books or magazines and say, “I wish I could understand these drafts!” or “Why are drafts written in so many different ways?” Would you like to review threading, tie-up and treadling? This class is for you. Bring your questions and confusing drafts. We will review basic draft reading and how to apply what we read, as well as address your individual concerns. Handout fee $8, payable to the instructor.
Reserve your seat now 1194 Saturday, March 17: 12:00pm – 4:00pm
Instructor: Donna Hanson | Level: Beginning to Advanced Beginning | Tuition: $40/$33 Members
Fun With More Structures and Technique
Are you looking for inspiration and experience with more structures and techniques? Here is your next step! This class applies all the principles you have learned so far. Now that you have been introduced to reading a draft and warping a loom, you can continue to explore the floor loom and have fun increasing your skills and creativity. Beginning with the drafts provided, the instructor will assist students with planning a project based on plain and twill weave structures, such as Overshot, Log Cabin or Bronson Lace. Techniques for weaving with two shuttles will be presented. Handout fee $10, payable to the instructor. Yarn is available for purchase at the Guild.
Reserve your seat now 1195 Monday – Thursday, May 14 – 17: 9:30am – 3:00pm
Instructor: Donna Hanson | Level: Advanced Beginning | Tuition: $218/$182 Members
New! Color Studies for Floor Loom Weavers
Confused by color? With so many choices, it’s hard to know what “goes with” what! This class covers principles of color theory and puts them into practice. Students will dress the looms with pre-wound warp chains, each illustrating a different concept of color interaction. After the initial session, students will sign up to weave a large sampler on each of the looms between classes. In the second session, samplers will be distributed and results discussed. The fabrics produced may be used for reference, wall art, or as useful towels or table mats. Materials fee $40, payable to the instructor includes pre-wound warp chains, weft yarn and handouts.
Reserve your seat now 1197 Mondays, March 19: 6:00pm – 9:00pm & April 9: 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Instructor: Carol Johnson | Level: Advanced Beginning to Advanced | Tuition: $69/$60 Members
Ikat (Part I): Winding the Warp and Dyeing
Ikat dyeing is a process of binding the warp to resist dye in some areas, then dyeing in one or more colors to achieve a design on the yarn. Students can register for one or both sections. Part I: In this class students will make a warp, do several different ikat binding procedures, then dye. Part II: Students will learn special ways to put the warp on the loom, how to determine a suitable weft, and then will weave a one-of-a-kind scarf. Since ikat is usually in plain weave, this is a good way for frame loom weavers as well as floor loom weavers to make their warps more exciting. Materials fee $20 include yarn and dyes, payable to the instructor.
Reserve your seat now 1198 Sunday, March 11: 10:00am – 3:00pm (DYE LAB)
Instructor: Traudi Bestler | Level: Advanced Beginning to Advanced | Tuition: $65 (includes dye lab fee)/$56 (includes dye lab fee) Members
Ikat (Part II): Warping the Loom and Weaving
Ikat dyeing is a process of binding the warp to resist dye in some areas, then dyeing in one or more colors to achieve a design on the yarn. Students can register for one or both sections. Part I: In this class students will make a warp, do several different ikat binding procedures, then dye. Part II: Students will learn special ways to put the warp on the loom, how to determine a suitable weft, and then will weave a one-of-a-kind scarf. Since ikat is usually in plain weave, this is a good way for frame loom weavers as well as floor loom weavers to make their warps more exciting. Materials fee $20 include yarn and dyes, payable to the instructor.
Reserve your seat now 1199 Saturday and Sunday, March 24 & 25: 10:00am – 3:00pm
Instructor: Traudi Bestler | Level: Advanced Beginning to Advanced | Tuition: $99/$83 Members
Beginning Floor Loom Weaving Workshop
This activity is made possible by a partnership with the American Swedish Institute
Do you want to explore weaving? This class lets you discover the fun and creativity of the craft! Students will learn all the fundamentals, starting with a basic weaving vocabulary and graduating to: preparing a warp, warping a loom, and reading a draft. The instructor will guide you through a basic project and students will complete a wool scarf or a cotton table runner in plain weave or twill. This class is taught by Carol Johnson of the Weavers Guild of MN (WGM), who has been weaving since 1990′s using tablets, rigid heddle and floor looms, and in co-founder of Studio Tupla.
Friday, August 24: 5pm-9pm; Saturday and Sunday, August 25 & 26: 9am – 5pm
Instructor: Carol Johnson | Level: Beginning
Rug Weaving
Beginning Rag Rug Weaving
Learn the basics of rag rug weaving and make a small rag rug using 2 shaft, plain weave structure! Learn loom/weaving terminology and rag preparation. Learn to use a warping board, dress a floor loom, read a draft, weave with fabric strips, and finish a rug with fringe or a hem. Fabric selection and preparation and use of color will be addressed. The first session is an informational session. Carpet warp may be purchased at the Guild. Students will supply recycled or new cotton fabric. Suggested but not required: Rag Rug Handbook by Janet Meaney and Paula Pfaff (available at the Guild). Handout Fee $10, payable to the instructor.Prerequisite: Students must have access to and be able to use a sewing machine.
Reserve your seat now 1200 Monday, March 26: 9:30am – 12:30pm; Monday – Thursday, April 2 – 5: 9:30am – 2:30pm
Instructor: Donna Hanson | Level: Beginning | Tuition: $218/$182 Members
Reserve your seat now 1201 Monday, March 5: 5:30pm – 9:00pm; Friday, March 16, 5:30pm – 9:00pm; Saturday & Sunday, March 17 & 18: 9:30am – 5:00pm
Instructor: Ann Masemore | Level: Beginning | Tuition: $218/$182 Members
New! Raanu Rug
A raanu is a weft-faced Finnish Lapp weaving. Raanu are used as the covering of a goahti (teepee like structure) or for warmth as bedcovers in the Arctic climate. In this class students will design and weave a 2 foot by 3 foot raanu rug using wool yarn as weft and Irish linen as warp. During the first session students will be provided with information to order yarn for their projects. Cost of rug wool is estimated at $70 or more. Students should plan to spend additional time weaving on their own the second week of class. Prerequisite: Students must be able to wind a warp, warp a floor loom and read a draft independently
CALL TO BE PUT ON WAITING LIST 1203 Wednesday, February 1: 10:00am – 1:00pm; Monday, Wednesday & Friday, February 20, 22, 24, 27 & March 2: 10:00am – 3:00pm
Instructor: Wynne Mattila | Level: Intermediate | Tuition: $277/$231 Members
Scandinavian Rag Rug II
Techniques of rag rug weaving will be explored using cotton fabric as weft and Finnish seine twine as warp. Students design and weave a striped rug in plain weave sett at five epi using the alternating 3 shuttle technique (see Wynne’s “In Bloom” rug on page 86 of Weaving Contemporary Rag Rugs by Heather Allen). The first class is a discussion on selecting and preparing fabrics. Further class topics include individual rug design, warping for rugs, weaving a durable rug, shrinkage, and end finishes. Warp can be purchased from the instructor. Bring any fabrics you are thinking of using in your rug to the first class. Students should expect to spend time weaving at the Guild between classes in order to complete their rug. Materials fee $37, payable to instructor for Finnish cotton seine twine warp. Students provide their own fabric for weft.Prerequisite: Beginning Rag or Scandinavian Weaving I or Beginning Floor Loom I
Reserve your seat now 1204 Thursday, March 1: 5:30-8:30pm; Saturday & Sunday, March 24, 25, 31 & April 1: 10:00am – 4:00pm
Instructor: Wynne Mattila | Level: Intermediate | Tuition: $267/$223 Members
NEW! More Fun With Three Shuttles: Denim, Knit, and One More
Recycle those jean, and T-shirts, plus one more fabric of your choice. Using three shuttles, students will warp their loom in plain weave and design a weft faced rug using emphasizing color gradation. Nedra Granquist will share her 20 years of rag rug weaving experience, as well as fabric preparation and finishing. Students will be expected to come in outside of class time to weave. The rug size will be approximately 30 X 48.” Students should expect to spend time weaving at the Guild between classes in order to complete their rug.Carpet warp in available for purchase at the Guild. Handout fee $1, payable to the instructor.
Reserve your seat now 1205 Wednesday, April 11: 5:30 – 8:30pm; Saturday, April 28: 10:00am – 4:00pm; Wednesday, May 9: 5:30pm – 7:30pm
Instructor: Nedra Granquist | Level: Intermediate | Tuition: $109/$91 Members
Scandinavian Rag Rug Weaving Workshop
This activity is made possible by a partnership with the American Swedish Institute
In this class, students will learn to wind a warp, warp a floor loom, and weave a rug. Creating a durable rug is important and students will be taught specific weaving techniques to accomplish this goal. Students will learn how to select fabric, prepare fabric for weaving, and finish ends. Rugs will be woven in plain weave with a set of five ends per inch using Finnish cotton seine twine as warp and cotton fabric strips as weft. Bring any fabrics you are thinking of using in your rug to the informational session. This class is taught by Wynne Mattila of the Weavers Guild of MN (WGM), whose goal for each of her own rugs is to create a piece exhibiting technical perfection, delightful aesthetics, and everyday functionality. Students may need to spend time at the WGM in between classes in order to complete their rug. This class is intended for all levels, including beginners…A materials fee of $37 will be collected in class, payable to the instructor.
Monday, May 21: 1- 4pm; Monday to Friday, June 4 – 8: 10am – 4pm
Instructor: Wynne Mattila | Level: Beginning
Frame Loom
Rigid Heddle Weaving
This portable loom can be used to weave yardage, table linens, wall hangings, and more! Students will plan a project, measure a warp, transfer it to the loom, and weave a sampler. Weaving techniques, patterns, and finishing ideas will also be presented. Students will prepare a second warp to weave a scarf and will be expected to weave between classes. Looms available to take home for the duration of the class for a $100 refundable damage deposit. Handout fee $5, payable to the instructor. Yarn is available for purchase at the Guild.
Reserve your seat now 1206 Tuesdays, March 6, 13, 20, 27, April 3 & 10: 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Instructor: Betty Wilson | Level: Beginning | Tuition: $178/$149 Members
NEW! Weft Faced Fabrics on the Rigid Heddle
Weft faced fabrics are thick and sturdy, and perfect for bags, pillows and table-mats. Only the weft yarns show, but there are endless options for patterning. Explore stripes, columns, checks and tweeds in plain weave, as well as bolder patterns using easy to learn pick-up and tapestry techniques. Students will start by weaving a sampler, and then embark on a project of their choice using the techniques presented. Students will be expected to weave between classes. Looms available to take home for the duration of the class for a $100 refundable damage deposit. Handout fee $5, payable to the instructor. Yarn is available for purchase at WGM. Prerequisite: Students must have some rigid heddle weaving experience.
Reserve your seat now 1208 Sundays, April 1: 12:00pm – 4:00pm; April 15 & May 6: 12:00pm – 2:00pm
Instructor: Carol Johnson | Level: Advanced Beginning to Advanced | Tuition: $79/$66 Members
Inkle Weaving Wire Jewelry
Take your inkle weaving to the next level by learning how to take fine wire to create a metal pair of earrings or bracelet. The instructor will demonstrate how to warp the loom using 26-gauge wire. Students will need to weave bands at home between sessions. At the second session, your wire ‘fabric’ will be cut and take shape as simple jewelry construction techniques are presented. Guild Inklette looms are available or students are encouraged to bring their own loom. A supply list will be available upon registration. Handout fee $5, payable to the instructor. Prerequisite: Students must have inkle weaving experience.
Reserve your seat now 1209 Mondays, March 26 & April 2: 6:00pm – 8:30pm
Instructor: Sue Bye | Level: Advanced Beginning | Tuition: $50/$41 Members
Classes To Go
The ‘Class To Go’ is designed to meet for two sessions with participants using their own floor loom or renting one from the Guild. Students will have an opportunity to consult with the instructor in-between class sessions to plan their project and problem solve as needed.
Weaving Transparencies [Floor or Rigid Heddle]
Learn the technique of inlay weaving to make light and airy pictorial transparencies. They are simple to weave, but offer unlimited possibilities for creativity and fun. This technique is appropriate for either floor loom or rigid heddle. Prerequisite: Students must be able to warp a loom and read a draft independently.
Reserve your seat now 1210 Wednesdays, April 18 & May 16: 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Instructor: Jan Johnson | Level: Intermediate | Tuition: $99/$83 Members
Weaving Luxury Linen
Summertime and weaving linen go hand-in-hand. Come and explore the timeless beauty of weaving with this luxurious fiber. Students will learn tricks for working with linen, as well as designing and planning a dream project. The instructor will assist you with selecting yarn, with the option of incorporating cotton, cottolin, or other fibers. Weave structures will be recommended based on ideas and interests. On Sunday, May 20, students will have the opportunity to weave a 16-shaft damask linen structure at WGM on the AVL. Additional material fees for the AVL and project(s) are tbd, based on individual selections. Handout fee $10, payable to the instructor. WGM’s 16-shaft compu-dobby AVL loom will used in this class/workshop. An AVL Assistant is available during the class/workshop to manage and coordinate weaving time for students. Prerequisite: Students must be able to warp a loom and read a draft independently.
Reserve your seat now 1213 Sundays, April 29: 12:00 – 4:00pm, May 20: tbd & June 3: 12:00 – 2:00pm
Instructor: Kala Exworthy | Level: Intermediate | Tuition: $119/$99 Members
Spinning
Beginning Spinning I
Discover the joy and beauty of making handspun yarn by learning to spin wool. This class is for those who want to learn all the basics of spinning fiber from sheep on the spinning wheel. The focus will be on understanding how to prepare fiber and use tools and equipment. After getting acquainted with the fiber and spinning wheel, you will need to practice. Spinning outside of class time will be encouraged. Please bring a spinning wheel and hard cards, if you have them, to the first session. Spinning wheels are available for use at the Guild and they may be taken home for the duration of the class for a $250 refundable damage deposit. Materials fee $25, payable to the instructor.
Reserve your seat now 1215 WEEKEND Saturday & Sunday, March 31 & April 1: 10:00am – 3:00pm
Instructor: Judy Payne | Level: Beginning | Tuition: $99/$83 Members
Spinning for Knitter’s
Learn to use the spinning wheel and make enough yarn to knit a small project like a hat! Bring your favorite small knitting project pattern to plan your spinning project accordingly. Students will need to spin at home in between sessions. Spinning wheels are available to take home for the duration of the class for a $250 refundable damage deposit. Materials fee $10, payable to the instructor.
Reserve your seat now 1216 Thursdays, March 1, 15, 22 & April 5: 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Instructor: Nancy Preckshot | Level: Multi | Tuition: $119/$99 Members
Spinning Consistency
Continue spinning but focus on technique and consistency. Students will learn tips for preparing fiber and explore drafting by getting a feel for ‘how the fiber wants to be spun.’ There will be an explanation of useful tools and how that can aid spinners with maintaining and keeping even spun yarn. Yarn diagnostics and analysis will take place through deconstructing your spun yarn as a means to understand areas for improvement. Materials fee $5, payable to the instructor.
Reserve your seat now 1217 Thursdays, March 29 & April 12: 6:00pm – 8:30pm
Instructor: Nancy Preckshot | Level: Advanced Beginning to Intermediate | Tuition: $50/$41 Members
NEW – Spinning Something Different
Newspaper, yellow pages, tissue or waxed paper and ‘paper-like’ materials - how do you spin them into yarn? Want to spin something different, interesting, and new? Bring your spinning wheels and explore the possibilities. Plus you will ‘recycle,’ ’re-purpose,’ and ‘re-use’ - very cool! Materials fee $2, payable to the instructor. The instructor will provide a variety of spinning materials as options for you try – dyed coffee filters, ads from the Sunday paper, computer tape and more.
Reserve your seat now 1219 Saturday, April 14: 12:00pm – 4:00pm
Instructor: Katherine Buenger | Level: Advanced Beginning to Advanced | Tuition: $40/$33 Members
Spinning for a Specific Project
Have you ever had a project in mind that you really wanted to make with handspun yarn? How do you get over the hurdles of spinning for a specific project? What are your handspun possibilities for planning your next knitting, spinning or weaving project? Learn how to determine the amount of fiber you will need and how to spin it to get the most out of your project. Also, learn new ways of finding a great project to make with the fiber you may already have. A great class to give you the direction you are looking for to get something going today! Sign up early as registration will close one week prior to the first class to allow the instructor plenty of time to contact students and identify both project and fiber needs. Handout fee $5, payable to the instructor. Prerequisite: Students must be able to spin and ply very comfortably
Reserve your seat now 1220 Tuesdays, April 10, 17 & 24: 6:00pm – 8:30pm
Instructor: Anne Burgeson | Level: Advanced Beginning to Intermediate | Tuition: $74/$62 Members
NEW Spinning Plant Fibers
Come discover some tricks of the trade when it comes to spinning and finishing linen, bamboo, and cotton. They are less forgiving than animal fibers and therefore require more specific spinning techniques, but the yarns they make are fantastic for knitting and especially weaving. Bamboo is quite slippery, but linen is long and scratchy, and cotton’s fibers are so small it’s hard to believe they will stick together to make a nice yarn! Materials fee tbd, payable to the instructor. Prerequisite: Students must be able to spin and ply very comfortably
Reserve your seat now 1221 Saturday, May 5: 10:00am – 4:00pm
Instructor: Anne Burgeson | Level: Advanced Beginning to Advanced | Tuition: $59/$50 Members
Hayride: A Post Festival Class
So, you went to a fiber festival and got a little carried away. When you looked over your purchases you discovered: a.) The beautiful fleece was full of hay b.) You bought combs and now have no idea what to do with them. In this class students will learn what to do and explore hands-on how to prepare and repair some fiber. Useful fiber prep skills! Washed, hay-filled fleece is not a tragedy. It simply provides you more opportunities to love your fiber. Bring clean fleece, combs and/or curiosity to class. The instructor will provide some fleece with hay and a variety of combs. Handout fee $2, payable to the instructor.
Reserve your seat now 1222 Wednesdays, May 23, 30 & June 6: 6:00pm – 8:30pm
Instructor: Susan Hensel | Level: Multi | Tuition: $74/$62 Members
New! Spinning Bulky Art Yarn
How do you spin those textured and thick art yarns? Learn to create amazing bulky art yarns from spinning whole locks, making coils or cocoons and adding objects. The effects can be simple with variations in color and thickness, or wild using unusual materials that are heavily textured and layered. Students will need to bring a delta orifice, bulky orifice or quill wheel and are encouraged to bring any items/materials they would like to use or share to class in addition to the materials provided by the instructor. This is an excellent way to use up any felted roving from ill-fated dye experiments, as well novelties like feathers, small toys, buttons, locks, anything that seems fun. Wheels that run slowly work best for these techniques. Materials fee $20, payable to the instructor. Prerequisite: Students must be able to spin and ply very comfortably
Reserve your seat now 1225 Sunday, April 29: 10:00am – 3:00pm
Instructor: Doreen Hartzell | Level: Advanced Beginning to Advanced | Tuition: $50/$41 Members
Navajo & Tapestry Weaving
A Day of Navajo Weaving
Are you currently working on a Navajo weaving project, but need some help or encouragement? This class is a great opportunity to work on an unfinished piece, learn finishing techniques, prepare the warp for your next project, or warp your loom. If students are interested in preparing their Navajo warp, they should bring an oven rack to class. If students are planning to warp their looms, they should bring their twining cords already spun. Come with your weaving and your questions. Prerequisite: Students must have taken at least one Navajo weaving class.
Instructor: Betty Glynn Carlson | Level: Advanced Beginning to Intermediate
Reserve your seat now 1227 Saturday, June 16: 12:00pm – 4:00pm | Tuition: $40/$33 Members
Navajo Weaving Basics
Learn the basic techniques of Navajo weaving using traditional wool yarn. In the first weekend session students will make selvege cords, discuss design elements, warp the vertical Navajo loom, and begin weaving. During the following sessions, we will weave a small rug while exploring the design possibilities of the various tapestry techniques used in traditional Navajo weaving. It will be necessary for students to weave between classes; the looms are portable and may be taken home between sessions. Students who have previously studied Navajo weaving may explore more advanced techniques or continue working on their unfinished project. Materials fee $25 loom rental fee and/or $30 yarn, payable to the instructor. Following class, looms may be purchased from the instructor.
Reserve your seat now 1226 Wednesdays, March 21, 28, April 4, 11, 18, 25 & May 2: 6:00pm-9:00pm, Saturday, March 24: 10:00am-4:00pm, and Sunday, March 25: 12:00pm-4:30pm
Instructor: Betty Glynn Carlson | Level: Beginning to Multi-Level | Tuition: $317/$264 Members
Continuing Navajo
This class is designed to develop your skills in the basic tapestry techniques used in Navajo weaving. If you are working on your first Navajo weaving, this class is a great opportunity to work on an unfinished piece, learn finishing techniques, or practice spinning Navajo warp. More experienced Navajo weavers may practice advanced techniques. Materials that should be brought to class by the student: Navajo loom and tools for weaving (batten, fork, long needles, etc). Students are encouraged to weave between classes and supply their own loom. Prerequisite: Students must have taken at least one Navajo Weaving class.
Reserve your seat now 1228 Tuesdays, April 10, 24 & May 8: 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Instructor: Betty Glynn Carlson | Level: Advanced Beginning to Advanced | Tuition: $89/$74 Members
Dyeing
Paint A Wool Roving
Are you a spinner and want to learn how to dye your own colorful roving? In this one-day class, students will have fun painting a wool roving in a color palette they create and learn the basics of dyeing. Each student will leave with 1/2 lb. of variegated roving to spin into a beautiful designer yarn. Materials fee $20, payable to the instructor, includes merino wool roving and dyes.
Instructor: Aimee Radman | Level: Multi | Tuition: $74 (dye lab fee included)/$65 (dye lab fee included) Members
Reserve your seat now 1231 Saturday, March 31: 10:00am – 4:00 pm
Natural Dyes
Naturally dye your own fibers from traditional cochineal, turmeric, and others. This hands-on class teaches natural dye, mordant, and safety principals for obtaining beautiful colors. The dyes are suitable for any type of woolen fiber or fabric, and students will be dyeing fleece and yarn. The students need to plan to bring old clothing, filter mask, vinyl gloves, safety glasses and their enthusiasm for color. Materials fee $30, payable to the instructor.
Reserve your seat now 1230 Saturday & Sunday, February 25 & 26: 10:00am – 3:00pm
Instructor: Judy Payne | Level: Multi | Tuition: $129 (dye lab fee included)/$113 (dye lab fee included) Members
Off Loom
Introduction to Ply Split Braiding
Ply-split braiding is an age-old craft used by camel herders to make girths and straps for their animals. We use this technique to make decorative pieces such as necklaces or belts. Students will learn how to make cords for use in ply-split braiding. We will also make several braids using various ply-splitting techniques. Materials $15, payable to the instructor.
Reserve your seat now 1232 Saturday, April 14: 10:00am – 4:00pm
Instructor: Dianne Stiff | Level: Beginning | Tuition: $59/$50 Members
Ply Split Coasters
Create two coasters in a triangle and square shape, using the ply split braiding techniques from Northern India. At the information session, there will be a refresher on making cords and details on how to prepare their cords. Students can select two to five cord colors for their designs. Come and enjoy the fun and versatility of this art form. Please bring your gripfid tool if you have one. Students can use the instructors gripfid for the class, as well as purchase pre-made cords or yarn to make cords at WGM. Handout fee $3, payable to the instructor.
Reserve your seat now 1233 Wednesday, February 22: 6:00pm – 7:30pm and Saturday, March 3: 10:00am – 4:00pm
Instructor: Katherine Buenger | Level: Advanced Beginning | Tuition: $74/$62 Members
pixeLoom 101
PixeLoom, a software application for handweavers, provides tools for designing and visualizing drafts, planning projects, and keeping records. This two-session class explores these fundamentals in a demonstration and hands-on format. We will cover how to use the editing tools, work with the color palette, substitute a weave structure into a profile draft, plan a project and generate documentation. Participants should bring a laptop computer (Mac or Windows) with pixeLoom software installed (demo copies can be obtained from Sue prior to the first class). A two-button mouse is also highly recommended. Students will be expected to spend some time practicing their new skills between class sessions. Handout fee tbd, payable to the instructor. Prerequisite: Basic computer skills
Reserve your seat now 1234 Sundays, February 26 & March 4: 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Instructor: Donna Hanson & Sue Farley | Level: Beginning | Tuition: $59/$50 Members
Card Weaving
Learn to weave using a series of threaded cards. No loom, no fuss, just a simple, fun and easy way to weave straps, belts and decorative trims! The instructor will demonstrate threading and manipulating the cards. A few basic patterns will be presented, along with resources for developing more complex weave structures that include color switching and finishing techniques. Cards and 3/2 perle cotton are available for purchase the day of the class at the Guild. Handout fee $5, payable to the instructor.
Reserve your seat now 1237 Wednesday, March 7, 14 & 21: 6pm-8:30pm
Instructor: Karen Searle | Level: Beginning | Tuition: $74/$62 Members
