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Instructors

Traudi Bestler

Long Lake, MN
North House Folk School photo of instructor, Traudi Bestler

Traudi has been weaving and creating textile projects for over 30 years. Her prime interest is passing along the history and joy of making fiber art. Traudi studied weaving, spinning, and dyeing at the Weaver's Guild of Minnesota, The Weaving School, and Sievers School of Fiber Arts. She currently teaches weaving and dyeing at the Minnetonka Center for the Arts and has been a workshop presenter for the last 25 years at the MN Federation of Weavers conferences.

Current Courses Offered by Traudi Bestler

3 Days
Teaser image for Handcraft A Wool Braided Rug

Handcraft A Wool Braided Rug

Instructors: Traudi Bestler
The three-strand wool braided rug is reminiscent of an era when rag rugs were considered an affordable way to reuse worn clothing and blankets to create a rug for the home.  Early American immigrants and rural pioneers handcrafted the rag rug and created a fiber tradition that has been passed…
Fri, Oct 4th, 2019  –  Sun, Oct 6th, 2019
9am-5pm
Instructor: Traudi Bestler
2 Days
Teaser image for Inkle Loom Weaving

Inkle Loom Weaving

Instructors: Traudi Bestler
Inkle looms are a great way to get started with weaving: they require little additional equipment, are easy to use and to understand, and are easily stored. Specially designed to be used for making strong, patterned bands, inkle looms are used for weaving belts, laces, bookmarks, guitar and other instrument…
Tue, Jul 16th, 2019  –  Wed, Jul 17th, 2019
9am-5pm
Instructor: Traudi Bestler
1 Day
Teaser image for Kumihimo with Beads

Kumihimo with Beads

Instructors: Traudi Bestler
Kumihimo is an ancient Japanese technique used to make beautiful cords. Historically, the most complex forms were used as a functional embellishment on samurai armour. Today, it's more common to use kumihimo cords to embellish your arm as beaded bracelet. Students will learn how to braid on a kumihimo disk,…
Mon, Jul 15th, 2019
9am-5pm
Instructor: Traudi Bestler
3 Days
Teaser image for Tapestry Weaving: Painting with Fiber

Tapestry Weaving: Painting with Fiber

Instructors: Traudi Bestler
Woven tapestries are said to bring the northern landscape alive through geometric, curved, representational or abstract images. Using the North Shore landscape as inspiration, you'll explore this colorful craft and create a landscape tapestry of your own. In this three-day class, you will assemble and warp a frame, then weave…
Fri, Jul 12th, 2019  –  Sun, Jul 14th, 2019
9am-5pm
Instructor: Traudi Bestler
3 Days
Teaser image for Weaving on the Rigid Heddle Loom: Spring Scarves

Weaving on the Rigid Heddle Loom: Spring Scarves

Instructors: Traudi Bestler
Learn to weave on the rigid heddle loom while making a beautiful, lightweight scarf perfect for spring evenings. Using North House rigid heddle looms or their own looms in good working condition, students will learn how to set up the loom, weave the scarf, and finish it with a lovely…
Fri, May 24th, 2019  –  Sun, May 26th, 2019
9am-5pm
Instructor: Traudi Bestler

Past Courses Offered by Traudi Bestler

Easy Weaving on a Cardboard Loom

Inkle Loom Weaving Introduction

Kumihimo: Japanese Braiding

Tablet Weaving

Weft-Faced Weaving on the Rigid Heddle Loom