Fiber Arts Workshops
In a world driven by convenience and immediate gratification, the satisfaction of creating something with your own hands seems lost to time. Our ancestors processed, spun and dyed yarn and sewed by hand for thousands of years. Slow down for a day and connect with the past at the Mercantile cabin.
These workshops are in partnership with Sarah Moore of The Wandering Nook and will include:
*Intro to Early American Hand Sewing Stitches
*Make an Early American Apron
*Natural Dying
*Spinning Wool
*And More!
Intro to Spinning
September 24th, 2022 (10am-1pm)
Natural Dyeing
Returning Spring 2023!
Have you always wanted to learn how to make yarn, but don't know where to start? Join us for a beginner level spinning class and take your first steps on this exciting journey! This introductory class starts at the source- our resident Cotswold sheep.
This class has been planned with the complete novice in mind. There will be a couple spinning wheels available for use in the class, but if you happen to have your own working wheel, please let us know in advance.
This class will include:
*Meet and greet with the resident Cotswold sheep
*What to do with a fresh fleece
*A brief intro to different types of spinning wheels
*The basic parts of a wheel and how to keep it running smoothly
*How to get those hands and feet working together to create yarn
*How to attached a leader
*The use of hand cards and drumcarding
*How to draft (pull apart) your fibers
*How to create a handspun single
*A brief intro to plying and finishing yarn
The workshop fee of $50 includes instruction, wool for spinning (that you can take home), the use of hand carders and spinning wheel if you do not own one. The registration fee is non-refundable after September 16th, 2022. Class is limited to 5 participants (Ages 14 and up) and pre-registration is required.
Prior to the invention of synthetic dyes around the time of the Civil War, all fabrics were dyed using natural means. People used berries, clay, moss, bark, flowers, roots, and even bugs.
Join us as we learn some methods of natural dyeing. We will dye wool yarn using items that may be found in your back yard, kitchen, or grocery store, including black walnuts, turmeric, black bean juice, and possibly some flowers as well.
The workshop fee of $65 includes instruction and all class materials. We hope that you will leave with a sense of accomplishment and the lovely skeins of wool that you have dyed! This class is limited to 8 participants (adults only) and pre-registration is required.
