Wool & Dye Works

Classes for Fall 2009:

Minimum of three students to hold a class.
We can usually create a custom class if you have a group of three or more people.
Individual instruction can often be arranged. $25/hr.
Please prepay to reserve your space in class.

Contact us for more information or to enroll.

See some of our past and present students' work here.

woolgatherings

Enjoy a lazy Sunday afternoon. Stitch a little, sip a little, chat with fiber friends. Hooking, stitching, knitting, braiding, punching, whatever.

No charge - just for fun. Coffee, cocoa and tea served.

• 2nd & 4th Sunday afternoons 1-4pm Sept 13 - Dec. 27, except 11/18

Dyeing Woolen Cloth or Yarn with Acid Dyes

with Diane Welter

DYEING WOOL I - Basics for Beginners
How-to for beginners. Simple and very fun.
$25 for one two-hour class, materials included.

• Tuesday Sept. 8, 6-8pm, or
• Thursday Sept. 10, 1-3pm or
• Saturday, Sept. 19, 1-3pm

DYEING WOOL II - Exotic Techniques
Techniques include casserole, tie, spot, etc.
$25 for one two-hour class, materials included.

• Thursday, Oct. 1, 1-3pm or
• Tuesday Oct.6, 6-8pm or
• Saturday, Oct. 10, 1-3pm

DYEING WOOL III - Tonal Techniques
Techniques produce gradated swatches & shaded pieces.
$25 for one two-hour class, materials included.

• Tuesday, Oct. 13, 6-8pm
• Tuesday, Oct. 20, 1-3pm or
• Sunday, Nov. 15, 1-3pm

Rug Hooking
with Joann Gochinski

Five 2-hour classes or two 5-hour classes.
Cost: $90, Materials not included
• Wednesdays, 6-8pm, Sept. 2, 9, 16, 23, & 30 or
• Sat & Sun,10 am-3 pm, Oct 3 & 4 or
• Wednesdays, 6-8pm, Oct. 14, 21, 28, Nov. 4, & 11

Enjoy a fun, relaxed class designed to introduce you to rug hooking. Learn to hold a hook, pull a loop, choose colors and create a future heirloom. Rug hooking uses one simple "stitch" to make unlimited designs and patterns including pictorials, portraits, geometrics, florals, repeat patterns, etc. Start with a simple design of your choice (or make your own) and use rich colors and textures (plaids, tweeds, herringbones) of wool fabric strips. Everything is available at the shop or bring your own. Start with simple inexpensive tools and materials. Come join us for an informal, friendly class. Once you start you'll be hooked.

Braiding
with Janet Hale & Diane Welter

4 two-hour classes or 3 three-hour classes, $75, materials not included.
• Tuesday, 1-3pm, Sept. 15, 22, 29, & Oct. 6 or
• Saturday, 1-4pm, Oct. 24, 31 & Nov. 14 or
• Tuesdays, 1-4pm, Nov. 3, 10 & 17.

Learn to make traditional or contemporary braided rugs from new or recycled wool. Learn to braid and lace oval and/or rectangular shapes to be used as rugs, chair pads, frames around your hooking etc. These mats will serve you and your family beautifully for decades.

Tapestry/Needlepoint
with Diane Welter

3 two-hour classes or 2 three-hour classes
Cost: $55, materials not included.

• Tuesdays, 6-8pm, Sept 15, 22 & 29 or
• Fridays, 1-3pm, Oct. 9, 16, & 23 or
• Sundays, 1-4pm, Oct 18 & Nov. 1 or
• Tuesdays, 6-8pm, Oct 20, 27, & Nov. 3

Use rug wool on a large grid foundation to create a needlepoint chair seat, mat, rug, pillow, bag or whatever you need. No frame or magnifier needed. Very portable, easy to do and definitely addictive. Your design or ours.

Miniature Punchneedle
with Linda Repasky

Single three-hour class. Cost $30, Materials Fee $15.
• Saturday, Oct 31, 9am-12noon

Create tiny “hooked rugs” in only a few hours! Miniature punchneedle creates a lush, rich texture that is irresistible. In this class, you’ll learn all the basics of punching and create a small piece that can be framed or worn as a pin. You’ll need to bring small, sharp embroidery scissors; all other supplies are provided.

Beaded Wool Mat
with Linda Repasky

Single three-hour class. Cost $30, Materials Fee $7

• Saturday, Nov 21, 1-4pm

Use small pieces of wool fabric to create lusciously dense mats. In this class, you’ll learn how to create “beads” from wool that are easily stitched together to make a hot pad or candle mat. This historic technique is easy to learn and allows you to use wool that might otherwise be thrown away. Materials fee: $7. You’ll need to provide wool strips pre-cut to 3/8” widths – if you don’t have these on hand, the Wool & Dye Works staff can help you select wools and show you how to use their cutter.

Bandbox Making
with Linda Repasky

Single three-hour class. Cost: $30, Materials Fee $10

• Wednesday, Nov 4, 9am-12noon

Learn to make an old-fashioned bandbox – not just beautiful to look at, but also very practical for storage. We’ll make a small bandbox from scratch, and then cover and line it with beautiful papers. Once you learn the basic technique, you can create bandboxes in a variety of shapes and sizes. You’ll need to bring a few supplies of your own, too; you’ll get the list once you register for class.

Felted Spiral Vessels
with fiber artist Nancy Dorian

3 two-hour classes. Cost $60, materials not included

• Thursday, Sept 10, 17 & 24. 6-8pm or
• Thursday, Oct 1, 8 & 15. 6-8 pm or
• Thursday, Dec. 3, 10 & 17. 6-8pm

You will love this quick and easy way to make felted vessels. All you need is a jumbo crochet hook and some bulky wool yarn to create beautiful felted spiral shapes. Using coil construction allows for endless possibilities. A cozy bed for your cat, a sturdy tote or beautiful baskets for your knitting are just a few ideas we have percolating. Bring along any novelty yarn leftovers to add texture and interest to you creation.

Nancy Dorian is a local fiber whose work has been featured in Preview Massachusetts Magazine and can be found at galleries and boutiques throughout the Pioneer Valley and on Nantucket. Find out more about her at www.nancydorian.com.

Fine Pile Carpet
with Nancy Kalin

5 two hour classes. Cost $115, materials not included.

• Thursdays 1-3pm, Oct 8, 15, 22, 29, & Nov. 5.

Nancy is a certified teacher of the American Heritage (Vestamayd) method. Start, continue and/or finish a project using this sheared yarn technique which creates a luxurious, dense, pile.

“Seasons of Change” Candle Mat Penny Rug Class
with Judy Jewett
One 4-hour or two 2-hour classes. Cost $30, materials not included.
• Tuesday. Oct 13 & 27 1-3pm or
• Sunday, Nov. 8, 12:30-4:30pm

Have you been drooling over the beautiful wool in the shop and wondering what small, easily finished project you could do with it? These penny rug candle mats by Backyard Quilts are a perfect project. Choose one of the seasonal designs offered in this pattern and make a lovely mat for your home or for a gift. You will learn how to work with wool using the buttonhole stitch. All of the work on this mat can be done by hand and should be close to complete by the end of class.

NOTE: we can usually schedule a custom class if you have a group of 3 or more people.

Unraveled
with Heidi Stevens & Heather King

A welcoming, after school club where kids do creative stuff using traditional textile techniques. A great after school destination! Open sessions.

• Wednesdays, 3-5:30pm, Sept. 30 thru Nov. 18.

Holiday Gift & Ornament Making Blitz
with Heidi Stevens & Heather King

• Three Saturdays: 9am to noon, Dec. 5, 12 & 19.

For more info call Heidi 585-9923 or Heather 586-3767.

Club Membership $300 (includes all sessions listed above)
Drop in fee for non-members: $25