Do you wish you could sew your own clothes, perfectly fitted to your body and style, but it seems too daunting?
Let’s slow the process down, learn the construction, work on fit and sew by hand…no machines required.
In this class we’ll sew a perfectly fitted Skirt, altering the pattern with your unique measurements and style.
Then we’ll learn and practice the hand stitches needed for construction.
Finally, we’ll take your garment and drop it into the natural dye bath, that we brewed up while sewing and chatting, to give it life.
You’ll leave with a handsewn, well-fitting skirt that you dyed with plants!.
Skill Level: Beginner
Supplies provided: Fabric, needles, thread, sewing pattern, instruction manual, natural dyes – all materials
Length: 6hrs
Minimum # of students:5 // Maximum: 15
Would you like to raise your own fiber but don’t have space for large livestock? Consider raising angora rabbits. Their wool is known for its softness, being lighter and warmer than most other wools, and its halo effect. Angora comes in a wide variety of natural colors as well as an incredibly bright white that takes dye well.
The first section of the class will be all about the fiber. We’ll discuss the different breeds of wool rabbits, take a look at micron count and spinning fineness, and experience fiber from all 5 breeds of Angora. This is the perfect opportunity to feel the differences yourself, compare the colors, check out wool, spun yarn, and finished Angora creations. We will discuss different uses of Angora wool and its applications in various garments, with some mention about popular fiber blends.
In the second section of the class we will look at the rabbits themselves. We will cover rabbit anatomy, wool anatomy, housing and care requirements, and more. You will learn will goes into actually having Angoras, what to expect, and some options for marketing fiber.
After a short break we will cover grooming and each participant will get hands on experience grooming and harvesting one of my Angora rabbits. You will leave with some fiber from the rabbit you’ve groomed, handouts, an electronic copy of the notes and presentation, and an afternoon of fun memories
Skill Level: Beginner
Students need to bring: nothing
Length: 2.5hrs
Minimum # of students: 3 // Maximum: 15
We will card luxury batts using silky fibers such as alpaca, silk and bamboo. We will go over prepping for smooth batts and how to blend on the drum carder.
Students can bring their drum carder to class if they desire. I will also have two drum carders available that students can take turns using. Each student will leave with one batt of their own to be used for spinning or felting.
Materials students need to bring: drum carder if they have one.
Materials provided: alpaca, silk and other fibers for blending
Length: 3hrs
Minimum # of students: 1 // Maximum: 12
In this class you will learn the first steps in knitting: cast on stitches and the knit stitch.
Skill Level: beginner
Supplies provided: Size 8 straight bamboo needles and worsted weight wool yarn
Supplies students need to bring: EXCITEMENT TO LEARN KNITTING! 🙂
Length: 1.5hrs
Minimum # of students for class to go: 1 // Maximum: 6
Have you got a spinning wheel sitting around your house calling to you— but you never found the time or courage to answer??
Well, now is your moment. Bring your wheel in and let me help you get started. It’s not hard— you’ve got this! Bring whatever you want to spin— wool roving would be best. If you haven’t got any, there will be some available at class. Let’s make yarn!!
I will help you get control of your wheel, and time permitting, maybe even get some plying in… but we will at least cover those points verbally. If you already spin, but just want a little help, or you need questions answered, we can do that too!
Skill Level: Beginner
Students need to bring: Spinning wheel and roving. Roving will also be available for purchase.
Length: 3hrs
Minimum # of students for class to go: 1 // Maximum: 10
Learning to thrum adds an extra dimension to your knitting. It’s the perfect use for leftover roving to add warmth. Use thrumming to line your hats, mittens, socks, or collars.
We will be working on learning 2 different methods of thrumming, one that shows clearly and one that is somewhat hidden. We will be practicing with angora rabbit wool.
Skill Level: Students should know how to knit & pearl
Students need to bring: Bring a skein of medium weight yarn and a pair of 5-6mm straight needles (approx US size 9)
Length: 2hrs
Minimum # of students: 2 // Maximum: 6
Rather mail a proposal in?
Email address:
Mailing Address:
Tip of the Mitt Fiber Fair
PO Box 530
East Jordan, MI 49727
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