Two great folk dress traditions collide in this unique workshop: the highly embellished vests of traditional Eastern European clothing and the battle vests worn for decades by punks, bikers, and metalheads. Students will bring a vest or jacket and any patches, pins, or other personal items they wish to add to it (although all necessary materials will be provided other than the vest itself). We will learn a variety of traditional Eastern European surface embellishment techniques to further decorate our vests with handmade pompoms and tassels, embroidery, grommets, braids, and more, using brightly colored yarns and other fun materials. Students will take a tour through the vibrant folk vests of Ukraine, Albania, Bulgaria, Estonia, and other parts of Eastern Europe to find inspiration for their work. Each vest will be a hybrid creation using traditional techniques and individual inspiration, reflecting the beauty of folk dress and the scrappy DIY ethic of punk culture.

Physical ability and skill notes: All levels welcome. Fine motor skills to thread a needle and perform basic embroidery stitches, braid yarn, and make pompoms. Students are encouraged to bring reading glasses or a magnifier if needed for close work.

Students ages 14+ may register for this course independently. Youth ages 10-13 are welcome to register with an adult. Adult/child pairs will complete two projects and pay two materials fees. A 25% tuition discount applies to the youth registrant when registering with a full-paying adult; call to register.

Required Tools

• A vest or jacket, preferably denim, canvas, or some other strong material. Leather may also be used but the instructor should be notified in advance due to the need for different tools.

Optional Tools

• Thimble or sailor’s palm for stitching tough material
• Patches or personal embellishments