Celebrating and sharing the arts of weaving, spinning, and dyeing.
The Weavers Guild of Minnesota is a dynamic community of makers who embrace the breadth and depth of global weaving, spinning, and dyeing practices. We offer opportunities for connection and learning through programming, access to supplies, and community partnerships.
Whether you have been creating spun yarn or woven cloth for decades or are looking to try something new, we welcome anyone with an interest. Located in Minneapolis, we have three bustling classroom spaces that host more than 150 programs annually. Our retail shop is bursting with an array of supplies, including affordably-priced donated equipment, tools, and yarn. Stop by and take a peek!
Classes & Workshops
WGM offers courses for a variety of interests. Click here to view current classes.
Introductory Classes
Spinning: Wheel spinning, Spindle spinning, Fiber prep
Portable Weaving: Rigid heddle, Inkle, Card, Kumihimo, Tapestry, Sami-inspired, Needle lace, Netting, Scaffold
Floor Loom Weaving: Floor loom, Rug, SAORI
Dyeing: Fiber & Dye Sampler, Natural Dyeing Basics, Natural Dye Gardening
Examples of Specialty Classes Offered
Spinning: Long Draw, Batts on the Electric Drum Carder, Spinning from Lock, Spinning to Knit or Crochet, Art Yarns, Silk Spinning, Flax to Linen
Rigid Heddle: Weaving with Fine Threads, Pick-Up Patterns, Weft-Faced Weaving, Krokbragd, Magic of the Fold – Doubleweave, Mixed Warp & Weft
Floor Loom: Crackle Weave, Summer and Winter, Krokbragd, Nothing Plain about Plain Weave, Time for Towels, Stripes and Structures, Fundamentals of Rep Weave, Three-Shuttle Rag Rugs, Theo Moorman Inlay Technique, Designing with Weaving Software, Drafting, Dressing Countermarch Looms, Warping Refresher, Finishing Techniques
Dyeing: Dye to Spin, Handpainted Roving, Handpainted Skeins, Palindrome Dyeing, Bengala Dyeing
Other Learning Opportunities
Equipment rental: Members can rent the Guild’s spinning and weaving equipment for on- and off-site use
Visiting artist workshops: WGM regularly hosts workshops by nationally-known artists
Accessiblity
The Weavers Guild is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming work and learning environment for members, staff, faculty, volunteers, students, and the public. Reasonable accommodations will be made by WGM to ensure access to WGM programs and services for people with disabilities. Accommodations include, but are not limited to, providing ASL interpreters, live transcription, large print or Braille materials, and accessible equipment options. For more information, please visit our Accessibility & Facilities page.
Cancellations & Withdrawals
On rare occasions, the Weavers Guild may need to cancel a class due to instructor illness or inclement weather. We work with instructors and students to reschedule these classes when possible. If we are unable to reschedule a class, we will issue a full tuition refund.
Students withdrawing 10 or more calendar days before a class begins will receive a refund of their tuition minus a $25 processing fee.
Students canceling between 10 and 2 calendar days prior to the first class meeting may request a 50% tuition refund. Students may also opt to donate their spot to a student on the waiting or scholarship list.
We are unable to accommodate refunds for those withdrawing less than 48 hours of the class start time. Tuition can be converted to a tax-deductible donation to the Weavers Guild of Minnesota, and we can provide a receipt upon request.
Students facing a medical emergency or illness within ten days before the start of the class may transfer 50% of their tuition fee to another class. Please notify the Guild as soon as possible. Transfer credits expire after six months. Students are responsible for covering any difference between the transfer credit and the cost of the class they transfer into.
As a small organization, our withdrawal policy aims to balance accommodating students’ needs while recognizing the costs of administration and sustainable operations. Timely withdrawals ensure others have access to classes. Please note, our workshop withdrawal policy is less lenient than our class withdrawal policy to account for the additional cost of hosting visiting artists. Read our full policy here.
Materials fees
Most classes require a materials fee, in addition to the tuition price, which covers the cost of handouts and some supplies. This materials fee is paid separately from tuition and paid directly to the instructor on the first day of class. You can find more information about materials fees of specific classes by clicking the REGISTER links in the class catalog.
Weaving classes may also require the purchase of yarns, which are not typically supplied by instructors. Most yarns required by WGM classes can be bought at Fiber Source, our store at the guild, or online in advance of class.