SPINNING

 

SUSPENDED (Drop) SPINDLE SPINNING SEMINAR, Diana Twiss

HALF DAY, Sat. Mar.22, 8:30-12:30pm CLASS 101 - accepting registrations until Tues.Mar.18 @ 6pm

 

Bring your spindle spinning questions, challenges, successes, and tips to this session and together we will figure it out and get you on your spindling way. This half-day session is designed as a seminar facilitated by Diana Twiss. In a seminar we learn from each other, share our tips and tricks, see a variety of spindles, and come away with an abundance of information and connections. It is for spindle spinners who can make a continuous thread with a drop spindle and want to learn more and connect with a community of spindle spinners. Overall, we will be working together and sharing our experiences, so the learning will continue long after the seminar is over.

 

In this class, we will have discussions, hands-on demonstrations and learning activities related to: 

• All the basics such as making a leader, joining fibre, and winding on (making a stable cop)

• Preparing fibres for spindle spinning

• Drafting techniques such as worsted, woolen and spinning from the fold

• Strategies for spinning difficult or challenging fibre

• Making a two-ply and chain plied yarn with a spindle

 

SKILLS: must be able to spin a continuous thread with a spindle or wheel

 

EQUIPMENT:

• Drop (suspended) spindle. Spindles weighing between 25g – 40g are ideal. Students who don’t yet own a suspended spindle can borrow one for the workshop. The instructor has a class set of top-whorl spindles and bottom whorl cross-piece spindles for the duration of the seminar.

• Hand carders (for fibre preparation segment).

• Shoe box – to act as a lazy kate and storage box.

 

MATERIAL COST: $15 (payable to instructor in cash)

 

 

SUPPORTED SPINDLE SPINNING SEMINAR, Diana Twiss

HALF DAY, Sat. Mar.22, 1-5pm CLASS 102  (FULL)

 

Some of the most beautiful tools in the hand spinning world these days are the support spindles. Simple, elegant and (mostly) easy on the body, they are a wonderful way to make light airy yarn.

 

This half-day session is designed as a seminar facilitated by Diana Twiss. In a seminar we learn from each other, share our tips and tricks, see a variety of spindles, and come away with an abundance of information and connections. It is for spindle spinners who want to learn more and want to connect with a community of spindle spinners. Bring your support spindle spinning questions, challenges, successes, and tips to this session and together we will figure it out and get you on your spindling way. If you have ever wanted to try making yarn this way or you are interested in knowing how these simple tools work, this session is for you.

 

In this session, we will cover all the basics and more such as: getting started, choosing and preparing your fibre, flicking your spindle for a good long spin, drafting fibre, winding a good, stable cop, and removing the singles for plying, and plying yarn. Overall, we will be working together and sharing our experiences, so the learning will continue long after the seminar is over.

 

SKILLS: Must be able to spin a continuous thread with a spindle or wheel – no experience with support spindles required, but hopefully those with expertise will join in.

 

EQUIPMENT:

 

• If you own a support spindle (and bowl), bring them along. Students who don’t yet own a support spindle, can borrow some for the workshop. The instructor has a class set of support spindles and bowls, in various styles.

• Hand carders (for fibre preparation segment).

• Shoe box – to act as a lazy kate and storage box.

 

MATERIAL COST: $15 (payable to instructor in cash)

 

 

WEAVING

 

WEAVE AN EVERLEA GRADIENT, Janna Vallee

FULL DAY Fri. Mar. 21, 9:30-5pm CLASS 201 accepting registrations until Tues.Mar.18 @ 6pm

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Learn the art of weaving a contrasting gradient using your choice of 10 beautiful naturally dyed Everlea yarns. This project is not only fun to weave, but surprisingly simple, and something you will want to weave over and over again using different colourways each time.

What is a contrasting gradient? A contrasting gradient is two gradients woven at the same time using a weaving technique called pick'n'pick. Gradients are woven from dark to light in opposite directions alongside each other creating stunning shifting colour harmonies from beginning to end. You will choose your colourways from
a large array with the help of your instructor, Janna Maria.
 

SKILLS: beginner, this workshop is beginner friendly. Never woven before? No problem!

 

EQUIPMENT: Kit, $98, Walnut Everlea Mini Loom, Two Everlea Weaving Needles, Pick-Up Stick, Yarn, warp, finishing needle. If you already own an Everlea loom and weaving needle, your supplies fee will be $35 for the yarn and a second needle. This loom is yours to keep, so I want you to get the one you really want! To change your loom size or wood type, please shop online at the special link below and choose 'local pick-up' at checkout and I'll bring your chosen supplies for you on the workshop day.

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Everlea Supplies

 

MATERIAL COST: $98/$35 (payable to instructor in cash) for mini loom kit

 

INTRODUCTION TO RIGID HEDDLE WEAVING, Pearl Chow

HALF DAY, Sat. Mar.22, 8:30-12:30pm CLASS 103 accepting registrations until Tues.Mar.18 @ 6pm

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Bring your rigid heddle loom or use one provided during class. You will learn the parts of the loom and weaving basics. Warp directly onto the loom with smooth, non-stretchy yarns and weave with novelty yarns, if desired, all from your stash. Pearl will demo weaving techniques you may like to incorporate in your project (as time permits), bring samples for ideas, and will provide a handout of tips. Please bring centre pull balls of yarn, if possible, but a skein holder and ballwinder will be available for use in class.

 

SKILLS: beginner

 

EQUIPMENT: rigid heddle loom, 7.5/8 dpi reed and accessories. DK/Worsted weight yarn for project*.

 

*Some looms are available to borrow, please email us at fibreswest64@gmail.com to reserve one. If you wish to purchase a loom for the class, please email info@penelopefibrearts.com. We offer a 10% discount on Ashford Rigid Heddle looms if you are a registered student in this class.

 

MATERIAL COST: $15 (payable in cash to instructor) or, bring 200 gms of DK to Worsted weight wool (*smooth yarn, not textured, lighter colours, not acrylic, approximately 200 yds to each 100 gm skein). If you are borrowing one of our looms, please bring colour fast yarn that will not stain the reed and loom.

 

FELTING

 

BEGINNER NEEDLE FELTING, Pearl Chow

2 hours, Fri. Mar.21, 11-1 pm Beginner  accepting registrations until Tues.Mar.18 @ 6pm

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Needle felting is a quick and portable craft allowing you to create objects as realistic or imaginary as you decide. Safety tips will be taught and sample projects, using various techniques, will be shown and taught, time permitting. Material kits may be purchase during class

 

SKILL: beginner

 

EQUIPMENT: supplied by instructor

MATERIAL COST: $15 (payable to instructor in cash) for one needle, fibre and bloc

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FELTED TEA COSY, Shari Bronson

HALF DAY, Fri. Mar.21, 1-5pm CLASS 104  (FULL)

 

Have fun creating your own unique style felted tea cozy. You will learn how to use a resist, layout of fibres and various finishing techniques. Various embellishment and lining techniques will also be discussed. Suitable for all levels.

 

SKILL: beginner, ability to perform felting rolling actions by hand

 

EQUIPMENT: Two large bath towels, bubble wrap approximately 24" x 48" (small bubbles), clear lightweight plastic approximately 18" x 24", water bottle with holes punched in the lid or ball brauser, a bar of hand soap, olive oil is best, synthetic bath scrubber or plastic bag to scrub with, a sponge or cloth to wipe up water, large cookie sheet or rubber rug mat with sides to work on, dishpan and/or ice cream bucket, sharp scissors.

 

MATERIAL COST: $30 (payable to instructor in cash)

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PUNCH NEEDLE

 

INTRODUCTION TO MODERN PUNCH NEEDLE, Sahm Jalbert

HALF DAY, Sat. Mar.22, 1-5pm CLASS 105  (FULL)

 

This class is for the fibre-focused maker who would like to learn about the background and technique of punch needle or feel they might like to go further in the craft. In this class, students create a sampler using a simple floral design. Sahm will provide a complete kit called "Textures" that includes everything students need for the project including an Oxford Punch Needle tool, widely regarded as the best punch needle being made today. 

 

The class starts with background information on punch needle, its traditional use, and on how modern makers are translating the skill. We talk about the four essential tools and how they work together, focusing on how the stitches "stay in." We quickly get started on the project and Sahm will guide students through the four 'rules' - the techniques that ensure success and can be used as a troubleshooting checklist for future projects. During this time, we explore why some stitches are suitable for hard-wearing practical items like rugs and pillows, while others are suitable only for decorative wall hangings. Students are free to pick and choose yarn colours and to decide how they apply the techniques in their samplers. 

 

SKILLS: beginner

 

EQUIPMENT: provided by instructor

 

MATERIAL COST: $80 (payable to instructor in cash) for complete kit