Classes-Workshops

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	Classes are held on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.- we have a potluck lunch and ask that you bring a small side dish to share with about 4 people - we provide the entrée and beverages.
	Workshops are scheduled as 3-day weekend retreats. Students arrive on Friday night for dinner at 6 p.m. and bring an evening treat. These are very personal and fun learning experiences. A relaxed farm setting is all part of the weekend - from raising sheep, angora goats, llamas and alpacas to making finished fiber-products.
	Classes cost $50.00 and Retreat/workshops cost $150.00. We provide all equipment, materials and fibers. Downloadable files are available on our website for all students.

NEW - Loretta is offering knitting, felting and spinning classes at The Phipps in Hudson, WI!

Scheduled Classes and Workshops!

Beginning 4 harness weaving & Beginning rug weaving Retreats:

This workshop is designed for those who would like a relaxed, overnight - weekend experience. All students will learn to beam a warp, thread harnesses and setup treadles.

	Balanced weave students will weave a sampler including a variety of cloth tabby and twill patterns ending with a scarf or table runner project.
	Participants who prefer rug-weaving will focus on weft-faced weave structures Students will beam a linen warp then weave a sampler including a variety of weft faced tabby and twill patterns ending with a short, well-designed project - participants will have the opportunity to dabble with rag rug weaving as well.

Looms, equipment, yarns, class manual, overnight accommodations and meals are all included in the $150.00 workshop fee. The classes are limited to five students. Be prepared to work hard and have fun!

Download "class notes" - .pdf file - must have password (obtained at workshop)

Beginning and Intermediate Spinning Classes:

Spinning is an age old art. Learn the history of twisting fibers through time from thigh spinning to the spinning machines of today. Each participant will learn how to draft and spin raw or prepared fiber into yarn.

Intermediate spinning - Now that you have yarn on your bobbins what's next? Learn about plying, working with other fibers and creating simple designer yarns. We spend a good deal of time going over problems people are having as they learn to spin.

	Download "Overview of Beginning Spinning" - .pdf file.
	Download "Plying instructions" - .pdf file.
	Download "Spinning problems and solutions" - .pdf file.
	Download "Saxony Wheel Diaghram" - .pdf file.

I'm Dyeing to Try - Workshop! - TBA

     This is going to be fun! We will teach many methods of small batch dyeing and spend some time focused on carding and combing fiber before (over-dying colored fleece) and after dyeing (blending dyed and natural colored fleeces). Weavers and spinners are both welcome. Wheels and looms will be available all weekend!
·    Color in yarns
·    Dyeing with Synthetic Dyes
·    The Color Wheel - Color Theory
·    Dyeing fleece
·    Painted Rovings and Yarns
·    Injected Color in center-pull balls
·    Immersion Dyeing - skeins and balls
·    Introducing color to yarns through combing and carding

Looms, wheels, dyeing equipment, some yarns and fiber, class manual, overnight accommodations and meals are all included in the $150.00 workshop fee. The classes are limited to five students. Students will be required to supply some yarns of their own if they want to weave or spin during the weekend.

Other Class Offerings upon request

Exotic Fiber -- Llama, mohair and silk - Treat your self to a day in heaven before the hectic holiday season. We will experiment with llama, silk, and mohair. We can try blending, simple designer yarns and different methods of processing. It should be a great day!!

Preparing fibers for Spinning- Carding vs. Combing - Make a notebook of different fibers and the yarns you can create by preparing them differently. Create a reference tool you can use for years to come!!

Vegetable Fibers - Get ready for summer knitting and weaving. Create yarns using cotton and flax, ramie and hemp. Learn how to wet spin and dry spin the fibers and ways to blend them for wonderful yarns!!

Drop Spindle - Learn the ancient art of spinning wool on a drop spindle. Learn plying techniques and try a variety of great drop spindle designs.

Download "Drop spindle overview" - .pdf file.

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