Learn to Spin
Mondays, December 4-18, 2023, 5:30pm-7:30pm (3 sessions)
Teaching Artist: Ellen Minard
In this 3-part class you will learn the basics of hand-spinning yarn. We will start out learning how to draft the fiber and then spin it into yarn. Over the 3 classes you will learn how to ply and set your yarn. We’ll briefly touch on parts of the wheel and wheel maintenance, some different ways to prepare fiber, different types of wool, and different techniques for spinning. There will be time for you to practice between classes and come back with questions! All fibers and handouts are included in the supplies fee.
Please bring your spinning wheel, if you have one. If you do not have a wheel, please contact hello@craftstudies.org when registering, as we will have some wheels available to borrow.
$150
Dyeing: Design Your Own Hand-painted & Gradient Yarns
Teaching Artist: Ellen Minard
Do you love the look of handprinted yarn? Drooling over a sock blank, or a gradient set? This is your chance to design your own!
We will start with a brief introduction to hand painting yarn, and then move right into the fun part. You choose your to dye either a sock blank or skein of sock yarn. After that, the rest is up to you, at your own pace, with all of the equipment and dyes you need! There will be plenty of time, a lot of yarn (all full skeins and enough for a complete project) for you to choose from. Prices for additional skeins will range from $5 to $25, and Ellen will guide you through whatever you would like to dye! Tonal? Speckled? More variegated? Anything that you are interested in, we can dye! Please be sure to bring an apron, or an older shirt that you don’t mind getting a little dye on. Everything else is provided.
$150
Creative Mending with Needle Felt
Saturday, December 2, 2023, 10am-12pm
Teaching Artist: Molly Morin
Learn the basics of needle felting and give new life to older clothes. Add your own designs to mend sweaters with runs or moth-holes, worn or torn flannel shirts, or other wool and cotton garments with small holes or stains. This class will cover introductory needle felting along with color and composition basics to help make your designs shine.
Bring several garments for mending, all other tools and materials are included. All levels welcome, no experience necessary.
$60
Sewing Machines Essentials
Teaching Artist: Carol Devins
If you've never used a sewing machine or you’d simply like a refresher, this series of workshops is for you!
This workshop will introduce you to the anatomy of the sewing machine and how to get started including, bobbin winding, threading, stitch selection and sewing a variety of seams. Together, we will make a quick and easy, yet endlessly customizable pillowcase.
Choose from a variety of fabrics from our collection, or bring along the following to personalize your project: 3/4 yard for the body of the pillow, 1/4 yard for the cuff & 1/4 yard for accent. Recommend 100% quilting cotton.
Bring your own sewing machine (along with its associated “feet” and manual) or use one of the studio’s sewing machines.
$75
SOLD OUT
Handled Broom-Making
Teaching Artist: Larry Antonuk
In this workshop we’ll explore the construction of handled brooms. Using the “tumble spool” method to bind broom corn to different sized handles, and learn different methods to complete the winding. We’ll finish off by stitching the main section of the broom to give it strength. By varying the size, materials, and technique we’ll be able to create hearth brooms, small house brooms, or full-sized parlor brooms. Students will start the day learning some basic techniques and will complete a small broom in the morning and a larger broom in the afternoon.
All materials and tools will be provided by the instructor.
$150
Check out the Whisk Broom Workshop on Saturday, October 14th, 2023
Introduction to Rug Hooking
One Day Workshop Sunday, October 22, 2023, 1pm-4pm
Teaching Artist: Fern Strong
This one day class is an introduction to traditional rug-hooking. The instruction will include the basic techniques to hook the pattern provided. Discussions will cover tools and equipment, different fibers, finishing methods, and much more.
All students will be given a kit of materials including a basic pattern, rug hook, foundation, and quilting hoop to hold pattern. Cut wool strips and/or yarn will be provided.
$100
Whisk Broom: Hawk Tail or Turkey Wing
Teaching Artist: Larry Antonuk
Learn the basics of traditional whisk broom construction. Starting off with a simple Bundle Broom, students will master the use of the tumble spool and the story stick, creating a small but serviceable whisk brooms. The workshop will then progress to building a Hawk Tail or Turkey Wing design, using a plaited handle of either broomcorn stalk or basket reed.
All materials and tools will be provided by the instructor.
$150
Squire Boots
Special Four-Day Workshop
Friday, October 6, 2023 - Monday, October 9, 2023, 9am-5pm daily
Guest Artist: Molly Grant of The Cordwainer Shop
Design and construct your own pair of leather boots! Worn by men and women, this simple but classic leather boot is ankle-high with a toe cap, heel foxing and laces. Choose from an array of leather colors to craft a unique pair of boots all your own. Starting with basic pattern making and how to properly lay the leather, learn basic shoe-making techniques to create a fully leather-lined boot upper, which is then attached to your custom-sized leather sole. All levels welcome; some hand/finger strength and dexterity are needed for sewing.
$450 registration fee + $250 materials fee payable to instructor; includes all materials needed to create your personalized boots!
Visiting the Upper Valley to attend this workshop? Please reach out to us at hello@craftstudies.org for lodging recommendations.
Half Square Triangle Workshop
Wednesdays, October 4-October 25, 2023, 9 - 11A
Teaching Artist: Carol Devins
Learn and play with the most versatile building block in a quilter’s bag of tricks: the half-square triangle. Explore a variety of ways to make and combine half-square triangles to create a seemingly endless array of quilt designs! This quilt block is easy enough for beginners, but can be turned, rotated and resized in so many ways that it continues to engage even the most advanced of quilters. This class Includes demonstration and discussion of foundational piecing, accurate 1/4-inch seams, triangle quilt math, and formulas for up and down-sizing. Discover the multitude of patterns that you can create with this simple block.
Choose from a variety of fabrics from our collection, or bring along the following to personalize your project: 6 fat quarters and 1/2 yard of a background fabric that coordinates.
This class is designed to support community members over the age of 50, and is offered at a reduced rate of $75 through the generous support of AARP Vermont.
Offered in partnership with Bugbee Senior Center and through the generous support of AARP Vermont.
Sheep to Skein with Junction Fiber Mill
Tuesdays, October 3 - November 7, 2023, 6pm-8:30pm (6 sessions)
Partner: Amanda Kievet of Junction Fiber Mill
Learn how to process wool from sheep to skein while harnessing the tools of a modern wool mill. During this class, use Junction Fiber Mill’s equipment to create pin-drafted roving from two different breeds of sheep’s wool sourced from a local farm. Then learn how to hand spin the roving YOU made into yarn.
Please bring your spinning wheel, if you have one. If you do not have a wheel, please contact hello@craftstudies.org when registering, as we will have some wheels available to borrow.
This class is proudly offered in Partnership with Junction Fiber Mill.
$300
$20 materials fee paid directly to Junction Fiber Mill
Sewing Basics: Piped Pillowcase
Teaching Artist: Carol Devins
If you've never used a sewing machine or you’d simply like a refresher, this series of workshops is for you! Each of these short accessible workshops will build your sewing confidence!
Nothing finishes off a pillow like piping! Take your sewing skills to the next level while making the home decor of your dreams! Choose complimentary fabrics to create a custom and durable throw pillowcase with piping and a hidden zipper!
Choose from a variety of fabrics from our collection, or bring along the materials to personalize your project. A materials list will be sent to registered students in advance of the workshop.
Bring your own sewing machine (along with its associated “feet” and manual) or use one of the studio’s sewing machines.
$75
This workshop is available to take on its own, or as part of the Sewing Basics Series. A 10% discount available for those who register for all four workshops in this series. Email hello@craftstudies.org for more information.
Sewing Basics: Pillowcases, September 6, 2023
Sewing Basics: Tote Bag, September 13, 2023
Sewing Basics: Zipper Pouches, September 20, 2023
Sewing Basics: Piped Pillowcase, September 27, 2023
Sewing Basics: Zipper Pouches
Teaching Artist: Carol Devins
If you've never used a sewing machine or you’d simply like a refresher, this series of workshops is for you! Each of these short accessible workshops will build your sewing confidence!
Learn how to integrate a conventional zipper and an invisible zipper by making two zipper pouches. Begin with a simple flat rectangular pouch, then move onto a slightly more advanced box bottom pouch. Learn simple techniques that will enable you to make more pouches in any size you desire!
Choose from a variety of fabrics from our collection, or bring along the following to personalize your project: 1/2 yard of 2 fabrics, 1 nylon zipper at least 16 inches long,
Bring your own sewing machine (along with its associated “feet” and manual) or use one of the studio’s sewing machines.
SOLD OUT
$75
This workshop is available to take on its own, or as part of the Sewing Basics Series. A 10% discount available for those who register for all four workshops in this series. Email hello@craftstudies.org for more information.
Sewing Basics: Pillowcases, September 6, 2023
Sewing Basics: Tote Bag, September 13, 2023
Sewing Basics: Zipper Pouches, September 20, 2023
Sewing Basics: Piped Pillowcase, September 27, 2023
Sewing Basics: Tote Bag
Teaching Artist: Carol Devins
If you've never used a sewing machine or you’d simply like a refresher, this series of workshops is for you! Each of these short accessible workshops will build your sewing confidence!
Working with a simple pattern, make a lined tote bag with handles. Practice marking your project, cutting double layers of fabric, proper pinning, maintaining your seam allowance and backstitching to create a versatile tote bag.
Choose from a variety of fabrics from our collection, or bring along the following to personalize your project: 1/2 yard of 2 fabrics; either quilting cotton or a light weight decorator fabric.
Bring your own sewing machine (along with its associated “feet” and manual) or use one of the studio’s sewing machines.
$75
This workshop is available to take on its own, or as part of the Sewing Basics Series. A 10% discount available for those who register for all four workshops in this series. Email hello@craftstudies.org for more information.
Sewing Basics: Pillowcases, September 6, 2023
Sewing Basics: Tote Bag, September 13, 2023
Sewing Basics: Zipper Pouches, September 20, 2023
Sewing Basics: Piped Pillowcase, September 27, 2023
Needlepoint 101
Mondays, September 11, September 18 & October 2, 2023, 2023, 6pm-8pm (3 sessions)
Teaching Artists: Kelly Clements & Kayla Fay
Join local needlepoint designers, Kelly of Alice & Blue Needlepoint and Kayla of Fire & Iris Designs for a needlepoint 101 class. Learn how to get started, basic as well as decorative stitches, how to read stitch charts, and finishing techniques.
$120 + $65 materials fee payable to instructors
SOLD OUT
Sewing Basics: Pillowcase
Teaching Artist: Carol Devins
If you've never used a sewing machine or you’d simply like a refresher, this series of workshops is for you! Each of these short accessible workshops will build your sewing confidence!
This workshop will introduce you to the anatomy of the sewing machine and how to get started including, bobbin winding, threading, stitch selection and sewing a variety of seams. Together, we will make a quick and easy, yet endlessly customizable, pillowcase.
Choose from a variety of fabrics from our collection, or bring along the following to personalize your project: 3/4 yard for the body of the pillow, 1/4 yard for the cuff & 1/4 yard for accent. Recommend 100% quilting cotton.
Bring your own sewing machine (along with its associated “feet” and manual) or use one of the studio’s sewing machines.
$75
SOLD OUT
If you are interested in taking this class, please check out the Sewing Machine Essentials workshop on November 19th, 2023.
Space still available in the other sewing basics workshop series: Tote Bag, Zipper Pouch & Piped Pillowcase.
This workshop is available to take on its own, or as part of the Sewing Basics Series. A 10% discount available for those who register for all four workshops in this series. Email hello@craftstudies.org for more information.
Sewing Basics: Pillowcases, September 6, 2023
Sewing Basics: Tote Bag, September 13, 2023
Sewing Basics: Zipper Pouches, September 20, 2023
Sewing Basics: Piped Pillowcase, September 27, 2023
Natural Dyes of the Upper Valley
Two-Day Workshop: Saturday, August 12 & Sunday, August 13, 2023
1pm-4pm daily
Teaching Artist: Rachel Donegan
In late summer, the Upper Valley is in full bloom with a bright array of dye plants at our fingertips. This two-part workshop will guide you through an exploration of color from garden plants and flowers commonly found around our area, as we process plants, prepare our fiber, and of course, dye! We will use mordants, plant and animal fibers (cotton, wool, and silk) to create an array of colors, patterns, and a dye journal that can be used for future fiber projects!
$160
One Spot Left!
A Taste of Tapestry Weaving
Saturday, July 29, 2023
9am-4pm
Guest Artist: Rebecca Powell
Tapestry is an art form in which you develop an image by weaving each separate color of the design as you create the cloth. In this introductory workshop, you will learn the basic techniques for creating images in woven cloth, and take home your own unique sampler piece.
All materials and tools will be provided.
$175
SOLD OUT
Shibori
Saturday, July 8, 2023
11AM - 4PM
Teaching Artist: Valerie Dearing
Discover Shibori, the ancient art of dying cloth with a blue dye from the Indigo plant used in Japan, Africa,Peru, and India! We will learn folding, binding & wrapping techniques and use stencils to imprint patterns onto our fabrics. We then dip them numerous times in & out of the dyebath to build up a lighter or darker shade of blue. Students can make up to 15 pieces. All dye kits & work stations will be provided.
Recommended materials students should bring: Dishwashing gloves, a waterproof apron to protect your clothes, a large trash bag to bring your wet pieces home, and 10-15 fabrics- laundered, used or new, white or pastel colors in natural fabrics such as cotton, silk, wool, bamboo, linen, and rayon
$120
Sold Out
Broom Making: Hawk Tail
Saturday, June 10th
1pm-5pm
Guest Artist: Larry Antonuk
In this afternoon workshop students will learn the basics of traditional whisk broom construction. Starting off with a simple Bundle Broom, the students will master the use of the tumble spool and the story stick, creating a small but serviceable whisk broom. The class will then progress to building a Hawk Tail design, using a plaited handle of either broomcorn stalk or basket reed. All materials and tools will be provided by the instructor.
$100
Needle Felt Studio
Thursdays, May 4-25, 2023
5:30pm-8:30pm
Teaching Artist: Molly Morin
Join Molly for this open-ended introduction to needle felting. Learn about needle felting tools, materials and methods, and work with Molly to create a strategy for making your own needle felt sculptures. This class is flexible and exploratory. We'll do some early exercises together and allow plenty of space for realizing your own designs.
$275
Sashiko
Teaching Artist: Amy VanderKooi
Originally a Japanese technique to mend and reinforce clothing, traditionally with white thread on blue fabric, sashiko is also lovely for modern decorative design. In this workshop we will explore its history, practice the running stitch approach and learn how to draw our own stitching patterns. We will start several small sampler pieces that can be incorporated into other work when completed.
SOLD OUT
$75
Natural Dyes from the Kitchen and Pantry
One Day Workshop: Saturday, March 25, 2023, 1pm - 4 pm
Teaching Artist: Rachel Donegan
Learn how to color cellulose fibers with kitchen scraps and pantry staples in this introduction to natural dyeing. We will experiment with mordants and modifiers to create a wide variety of color-fast hues. Participants will go home with swatches of all the colors we produce and the confidence to dye textiles or yardage at home.
$85, all materials provided
Black Ash Berry Basket
Saturday, March 19, 2023, 10am-4:30pm
SOLD OUT
Guest Artist: Penny Hewitt
Make your own basket and in the process learn one of the oldest crafts in human history. For thousands of years baskets served as indispensable objects in every culture. Carry on the tradition and take home a beautiful, durable and useful basket crafted from local and responsibly harvested, hand pounded black ash logs.This is a great introduction to the extraordinary qualities of the black ash tree. Weave a square to round basket, approximately 6”x 6” with optional leather strap in a six hour class that includes a discussion on how the material is harvested and processed.
$125, plus $35 materials fee due to instructor at time of class
Dyeing: Design your own Hand-Painted & Gradient Yarns
Saturday, March 11, 2023, 10am- 4pm
Teaching Artist: Ellen Minard of Ellen’s 1/2 Pint Farm
Do you love the look of handprinted yarn? Drooling over a sock blank, or a gradient set? This is your chance to design your own! We will start with a brief introduction to hand painting yarn, and then move right into the fun part. You choose your first project of either a sock blank or skein of sock yarn. After your first project, the rest is up to you, at your own pace, with all of the equipment and dyes you need! There will be plenty of time, a lot of yarn (all full skeins and enough for a complete project) for you to choose from. Prices for additional skeins will range from $5 to $25, and Ellen will guide you through whatever you would like to dye! Tonal? Speckled? More variegated? Anything that you are interested in, we can dye!
Please be sure to bring an apron, or an older shirt that you don’t mind getting a little dye on. Everything else is provided.
$120 + $30 materials fee, payable to instructor; plus as little or as much additional yarn as you wish to purchase to dye
Creative Mending with Needle Felt
One Day Workshop, with option to continue study
Wednesday February 15, 2023 5:30pm - 8:30pm
Teaching Artist: Molly Morin
Students may sign up for more than one session if they’d like to come back and keep using the tools and materials.
Learn the basics of needle felting and give new life to older clothes. Add your own designs to mend sweaters with runs or moth-holes, worn or torn flannel shirts, or other wool and cotton garments with small holes or stains. This class will cover introductory needle felting along with color and composition basics to help make your designs shine.
Bring several garments for mending, all other tools and materials are included. All levels welcome, no experience necessary.
$75
Rug Hooking: Make a Tote Bag
Sundays, January 15, 29 & February 26, 2023 (3 sessions)
1pm-4pm
Teaching Artist: Fern Strong
Learn to rug hook a tote bag! Your fabulous bag will consist of a two sided pattern with some sewing required.
Instruction will include basic hooking and finishing techniques, color choices, and much more.
Beginners and experienced rug hookers welcome.
The workshop fee will include a pattern printed on a linen foundation, wool to complete the project, and yarn for binding.
Additional supplies for beginners (hoop and hook) available for purchase.
$225
Learn to Spin
Tuesdays February 28, March 7, and March 14 (3 sessions) SOLD OUT
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Teaching Artist: Ellen Minard, from Ellen’s 1/2 Pint Farm
In this 3 part class you will learn the basics of hand spinning yarn. We will start out learning how to draft the fiber and then spin it into yarn. Over the three classes you will learn how to ply and set your yarn.
We’ll briefly touch on parts of the wheel and wheel maintenance, some different ways to prepare fiber, different types of wool, and different techniques for spinning. There will be time for you to practice between classes and come back with questions!
All fibers and handouts are included in the supplies fee. Please bring your spinning wheel, if you have one. If you do not have a wheel, please contact craftstudies@craftstudies.org as we will have some wheels available to borrow.
$120, plus $30 materials fee paid directly to instructor at time of class
Please contact us at craftstudies@craftstudies.org to be placed on the waiting list.
Birch Bark Ornaments
Guest Artist: Penny Hewitt
Enjoy the simple pleasure of creating a decoration or gift from local materials that have been responsibly harvested. Utilizing techniques common to the Scandinavian and Russian style of basketry, you will craft birds and stars from strips of inner bark from the paper birch. Included is a discussion on how the material is harvested and prepared.
Ages 14+
$75 + $25 materials fee paid directly to instructor at time of class
Art Quilts Series
Saturday, November 5, 2022: Beginner Machine Quilting
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Guest Artist: Margaret Sheehan
Register for just one class or take all three together to make your own unique art quilt!
Saturday, September 4, 2022 - Curved Piecing: Learn to sew gentle curves for Art Quilt backgrounds. In this class you will learn two different approaches to achieve soft effects for landscapes. We will create the background for a landscape quilt that you can finish at home, or in future classes on October 1 and November 5 at CraftStudies.
Saturday, October 1, 2022 - Pish Knots and Other Fun Embellishments: In this class we will learn how to do an assortment of embellishments to create a playful art quilt. Let’s have some fun, add some whimsy and release your signature on your art. This class can be taken individually or in conjunction with the additional art quilt classes offered on September 3 and November 5.
Saturday, November 5, 2022 - Beginner Machine Quilting: In this class we will practice a variety of machine quilting techniques and learn how to put together a quilting plan for your quilt. You will go home more confident in your abilities.
Materials required:
Sewing machine in good working order with new machine needle required for all classes. Students will receive a materials list for any additional needed materials prior to each class.
$100 each class
Garment Sewing: Georgia Tee
Wednesday November 2 and Friday November 4 (2 sessions)
9 AM - 12 PM
Teaching Artists: Leah Fosco and Susan Greene
For beginning sewists!
Make your first garment with us in this two session workshop. Together we will make the Georgia Tee: it has a boxy oversized fit, great sleeve cuffs, and a hem that can be adjusted to hit at just the right place. It’s the perfect first garment and wardrobe staple, and you can change the fabric or length for endless variations. We will guide you through common garment sewing techniques, and provide lots of tips to build your confidence and launch you on your garment sewing journey.
$150 + supplies
Supplies:
Pattern: Students must purchase and print their own digital pattern before class, but we can assemble and cut it out together. The pattern can be purchased here.
Sewing Machine: Students are most successful when they bring their own sewing machine from home so that they can continue sewing on the same machine after class. However, if you do not have a sewing machine but wish to take the class, we will be able to arrange something- please reach out to leah@craftstudies.org if this is the case!
Fabric: Students must purchase, launder and iron their fabric before class. The Georgia Tee requires 1.6 yards of woven fabric. A great option for a beginner is linen: it is easy to sew and drapes well. More detailed fabric guidance is provided on the pattern. Unfortunately, there is not a great local source for fabric. You may be lucky to find something at JoAnn’s, but the fabric truly does determine the success of the project. The closest local fabric store is Notion, in Montpelier. We recommend purchasing fabric online. Online options include:
Fiddlehead Artisan Supply (Maine)
Shipping takes time! Please order early so you can have your fabric prepared for class! If you would like recommendations or guidance, we are more than happy to help- please reach out to leah@craftstudies.org
Class & Workshop Policies
Please review our policies and procedures regarding registration, health and safety. Get all of your questions answered in advance.