Courses

In this class, you will experience the practice of hardanger as a Scandinavian needlecraft and cutwork tradition, enjoyed and practiced for several hundred years (at least since 1650). In this introductory class, students will learn all the basic stitches used in hardanger as well as some of the “hazards” to…

Penny rugs use felted wool scraps to create a textile feast for the eye. Multicolored scraps are arranged in contrasting and complementary colors to create table runners, placemats and more, making a room come alive with color. Shapes of descending sizes are layered onto a wool background piece and stitched…

Rug hooking traces its roots to the northern colonies and Canada, when immigrants utilized textiles on hand to create rugs for their homes. Hooked rugs are made by drawing narrow strips of wool fabric through a background fabric of cotton, linen or burlap with a curved hook much like a…

Punch needle rug hooking is a contemporary take on traditional rug hooking, in which the piece is worked from the back using an Oxford Punch Needle. The yarn is fed through the core of the punch needle, which leaves behind even loops on the opposite side of the backing. This…

Unfortunately, traditional sheepskin blankets with a tanned leather back require that the sheep make the ultimate sacrifice. Yet it doesn't have to be so! Instructor Becky Utecht has developed a modern approach to an age-old craft. Using felting techniques, students in this course will start with an unwashed sheep fleece…

Learn to screen print your own unique designs and to dye fabrics, using natural dyes! Forget depending on textile companies or synthetic dyes—you'll be free to find rebellious color in your local environment, your kitchen, and from natural sources around the world. You won't need a lot of special equipment…

Immerse yourself in the wonderful world of rep weave in a four day workshop with celebrated weaver Kelly Marshall. This course will include presentations and discussion covering the unique characteristics of rep weave, color blending and designing, pattern block movement as well as demonstrating weaving technique and material selection. Each…

Rug hooking is a textile craft, born out of necessity and the desire to bring beauty and warmth into the home. In this class, we will use the natural surroundings of the North Shore landscape to design a rug that is uniquely your own. We will go for walks to…

Join us for a rich exploration of rag rug weaving techniques. Stripes, “pick & pick”, clasped weft, inlay & Rosepath represent the many weave structures open for experimentation. You will gain an understanding of how the sett can influence the design and structure. Each student will warp a loom, prepared…

There are so many functional things you can sew! Spend a weekend helping us with a few projects around North House; from canvas covers that will adorn the Hjordis dock and protect her hull, to seat cushions and curtains to spruce up classrooms, you’ll get to make a mark on…

It works! Sew your own Scandinavian work shirt, designed for comfort and for your favorite outdoor activities. Learn a lifelong skill while creating a shirt you will love to wear. Traditional shirts in Scandinavian countries are great for layering and are designed for outdoor life. Natural fiber striped fabrics of…

Skinnfeller is a traditional Norwegian textile craft that until recently was little known in the United States. Though many textiles made the journey across the Atlantic with thousands of Norwegian immigrant families, for reasons lost to history these sewn and decorated sheepskins are rarely seen in collections in the US.…

Discover the historical craft of hand carding and spinning on a spinning wheel. Beginning spinsters will strive to “get the feel” for the simple act of creating consistent yarn. Those with some prior experience will work to improve their techniques. Class will include ample time for discussions of many topics,…

The classic Saxony-style spinning wheel was invented over 500 years ago, and is still a symbol of the “olden days.” Although the spinning wheel is no longer a household necessity for the production of the family’s clothing, many crafters, knitters, and fiber artists find great satisfaction in spinning their own…

In this two day course, we will explore two different styles of surface design on fabric. On the first day, we will use earth pigments and natural plant dye extracts to paint paste resist designs on fabrics. You will paint directly on natural fibers that have been pre-treated with soy…