Fiber Art
Introduction to Skinnfeller: Online Course
Course Overview
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. Made of soft brain-tanned sheepskins and decorated with carved wooden block prints, skinfeller are gorgeous pieces of folk art that tell personal and cultural stories. Get a taste of this craft by sewing a small skinfeller heart ornament using sheepskin pre-cut and stamped by instructor Karen Aakre. During class you will learn how to stuff and sew your ornament (perfect for Valentine's day!) as well as gain insight into the cultural history of this traditional craft. Perfect for students curious about embarking on larger skinfeller projects who'd like a short introduction to the art form.