This beginner's patternmaking class will provide an opportunity for students to learn about using front and back bodice blocks, along with patternmaking techniques to manipulate the blocks to draft a sleeveless top of your design. We will cover button and buttonholes, facings, seams, pleats, shirring and dart manipulation. Intermediate sewing skills are required for this class as you will cut and sew the finished pattern in muslin.

Level: Intermediate

Instructor: Giovanni Daina-Palermo (Read Giovanni's bio)

Members: $440

Non Members: $528

Materials fee: None for this workshop

Materials provided by instructor:  Drafting paper

Students should bring: A detailed list will be emailed to registered students closer to the event. Student will need: pencil, eraser, L square, 2x18 clear ruler, French curve, scissors, awl, pins, pattern weights.

Interested in applying for a scholarship? Apply here!

Learn about our COVID policy here: Workshop Policies

Inkle weaving is a great way to make belts, straps, edgings and more. They are affordable, versatile and portable. Once you learn to set up the loom, you'll find an unending variety of patterns to weave. We'll cover all the basics in this class to get you off to a great start.

Level: Beginner

Instructor: Sue Helmken (Read Sue's bio)

Members: $110

Non Members: $132

Materials fee: No materials fee for this workshop.

Materials provided by instructor: full instruction sheets, extra yarns

Students should bring: inkle loom and heddles, warp and weft yarn, scissors, tapestry needle

Students who do not have a loom may rent one from Local Cloth to use in the class and to take home afterwards. The rental option is $10 per month and can be selected when registering for the workshop.

Learn about our cancellation & COVID policies here: Workshop Policies

Interested in a Local Cloth workshop scholarship? Apply here!

Rigid heddle looms are a great way to learn about weaving, but where do you get started? Right here! In this class you will learn how to thread the loom, then we will explore a variety of techniques. Full instructions will be given for you to take home and practice all that you have learned. You'll be surprised how much you can do with these looms.

Level: Beginner

Instructor: Sue Helmken (Read Sue's bio)

Members: $110

Non Members: $132

Materials fee: No materials fee for this workshop.

Materials provided by instructor: full instruction sheets, some yarns

Students should bring: rigid heddle loom, warping peg [optional] threading hook, warp yarns, scissors, tapestry needle, stick shuttle

Students who do not have a loom may rent one from Local Cloth to use in the class and to take home afterwards. The rental option is $10 per month and can be selected when registering for the workshop.

Learn about our cancellation & COVID policies here: Workshop Policies

Interested in a Local Cloth workshop scholarship? Apply here!

Needle Felting without armature wire! You will create the shape of your pumpkin or gourd. Then the fun of sculpting the features to bring it to life. You may choose a funny pumpkin or possibly even a scary witch face. You'll learn how to shape the wool to create the eyes, ears, nose, warts and even hair if you wish. You will have a Halloween decoration to take home at the end of the class and the skills and knowledge to make more.

Level: Intermediate

Instructor: Claudia Lemacks (Read Claudia's bio)

Members: $55

Non-Members: $66

Materials fee: $15 cash, venmo, or card (collected at time of workshop)

Materials provided by instructor: All wool and felting materials needed

Students should bring:  If you have a picture of a face you would like to make bring that, and a snack for yourself or to share with the group.

Learn about our cancellation & COVID policy here: Workshop Policies

Interested in a Local Cloth workshop scholarship? Apply here!

All wool has value and separating it out helps you to be able to use it to its best potential. What happens before washing, carding, spinning, felting, or dyeing can make all the difference in the final product.

In this hands-on class, you'll learn how to properly skirt a sheep fleece, remove unwanted fibers and debris, and prepare wool for processing. We'll explore how to read the fleece, cleanliness, and fiber quality affect the finished product.

Whether you're raising sheep, processing your own wool, scouting out a fleece at SAFF, or purchasing fleeces from local farmers, this class will give you the confidence to do so with greater ease and efficiency.

You'll learn:

• What skirting is and why it matters
• How to identify prime, secondary, and discard wool
• Removing vegetable matter and contamination
• Sorting fleece by use
• Preparing wool for washing, spinning, felting, or sale
• Common mistakes that reduce fleece value
• Leave with practical skills that save time, improve wool quality, and help you get more value from every fleece.

Level: Beginner

Instructor: Kirsten Bonanza (Read Kirsten's bio)

Members: $55

Non Members: $66

Materials fee: No materials fee for this workshop

Materials provided by instructor:  Fleece to practice on. Additional fleece may be available for purchase for student use outside of class. 

Students should bring: N/A

Learn about our cancellation & COVID policies here: Workshop Policies

Interested in a Local Cloth workshop scholarship? Apply here!

Crochet is an enjoyable way to showcase yarns you have spun, dyed, been gifted... Crochet can be relaxing and mindful. In our Introduction to Crochet we will learn three basic stitches and a starting chain. Our project will be a cowl. We will also discuss yarn weight, yarn types, blocking, and some basic crochet terms.

Level: Beginner

Members: $110

Non members: $132

Instructor: Kate Hammond (Read Kate's bio)

Materials fee: No materials fee for this workshop.

Materials supplied by teacher: Instructor will provide the cowl pattern, terminology instructions and helpful links.

Materials students should bring: 

• Crochet hook in size 6mm/J – you may find it cost effective to buy
• a set especially if you plan to crochet more. I like the type with the foam handle – a bit easier on the hands!
• Small scissors
• Measuring tape
• Darning or yarn needle to work in the ends when finished
• A bag to tote all your precious work

Yarn for the cowl:
 Worsted weight yarn (4) – a soft yarn in a light color (As a beginner, please avoid dark colors as it is very difficult to see your stitches) approx. 200 yds will make a nice length cowl. For your first project you should look for an inexpensive acrylic - possibly one that says no pill or low pill

Learn about our cancellation & COVID policies here: Workshop Policies

Interested in a Local Cloth workshop scholarship? Apply here!

What if the fibers from animals that are often considered waste could become one of the most useful tools in your garden? This lecture-based class explores how natural fibers like sheep wool and alpaca can be used to build healthier, more resilient soil systems. You’ll learn the “why” behind fiber use, along with practical ways to integrate it into your garden, from mulch to full forest garden layering systems. The class includes:

• A live demonstration of how to apply and layer fiber in garden beds
• Clear guidance on using fiber for moisture retention, soil building, and plant support

Perfect for gardeners, homesteaders, and anyone interested in regenerative practices and working more in partnership with the land.

Level: Beginner

Instructor: Kirsten Bonanza (Read Kirsten's bio)

Members: $38.50

Non Members: $49.50

Materials fee: No materials fee for this workshop.

Students should bring: N/A

Learn about our cancellation & COVID policies here: Workshop Policies

Interested in a Local Cloth workshop scholarship? Apply here!

Students will be provided with a vintage linen napkin, which they will treat as a mini quilt. We will walk through sandwiching the layers, hand quilting, and binding the piece. All materials are provided, and students may bring scrap fabric if they wish to incorporate it. This is a slow, process-based workshop welcoming all levels. Students will leave with a completed hand-stitched mini quilt and an understanding of the fundamental steps of quiltmaking, along with the confidence to scale these techniques up to larger works.

Level: Beginner

Instructor: Casey Engel (Read Casey's bio)

Members: $110

Non-members: $132

Materials Fee : $20 cash, check, card (to be collected day of class)

Instructor will provide: Scrap batting, Napkins, fabric remnants, basting pins, pearl cotton thread, and milliner needles

Students should bring: Scrap fabric (optional) if you'd like to incorporate it into your napkin quilt.

Learn about our COVID & cancellation policies here: Workshop Policies

Interested in a Local Cloth workshop scholarship? Apply here!

In this workshop you should have some previous experience needle felting. I will have 2 variations of making the bats wings. One uses a wire armature and is not for beginners, the other we will cut the wings from prefelt. The little hand size bat will be perfect to hang in your doorway for Halloween.

Level: Intermediate

Instructor: Claudia Lemacks (Read Claudia's bio)

Members: $55

Non-Members: $66

Materials fee: $20 cash, venmo, or card (collected at time of workshop)

Materials provided by instructor: All wool and felting materials needed

Students should bring: You may bring a snack for yourself or to share with the group.

Learn about our cancellation & COVID policies here: Workshop Policies

Interested in a Local Cloth workshop scholarship? Apply here!

In this workshop you will learn how to turn wool into fabric by wet felting. You will learn the prefered layout and technique for wet felting. We will all make a similar scene of a sunrise or sunset in a landscape format. When it is completed it will be able to hang or frame or embellish a jacket or a bag. Aprox finished size will be 8 x 10". Some of you may want to enhance your finished piece by adding needle felted details or embroidery to your design. I will supply all the wool and wet felting materials needed. Each student must bring an old bath size towel for under your work and a 2-4 cup size bowl for water.

Level: Beginner

Instructor: Claudia Lemacks (Read Claudia's bio)

Members: $55

Non-Members: $66

Materials fee: $20 cash, venmo, or card (collected at time of workshop)

Materials provided by instructor: All the wool and wet felting materials needed

Students should bring:  Each student must bring an old bath size towel for under your work and a 2-4 cup size bowl for water.

Learn about our cancellation & COVID policy here: Workshop Policies

Interested in a Local Cloth workshop scholarship? Apply here!

Discover the speed, comfort, and fluid rhythm of Continental knitting in this comprehensive full-day beginner workshop. Whether you’re completely new to knitting or looking to switch from English (throwing) style, this class will guide you step-by-step through the fundamentals of efficient, ergonomic knitting.

What You’ll Learn

• Over the course of six hands-on hours, you will learn:
• How to comfortably tension yarn in your left hand
• The Continental knit stitch (“picking” technique)
• The Continental purl stitch
• How to combine knit and purl stitches to create basic stitch patterns
• Casting on and binding off
• Reading simple knitting instructions and abbreviations
• How to correct the most common beginner mistakes

Class Structure

This workshop is paced for absolute beginners—no prior knitting experience required. We’ll work in short guided segments with plenty of time for practice, troubleshooting, and individual help. By the end of the day, students will complete a small sampler project using both knit and purl stitches.

Who This Class Is For

Perfect for brand-new knitters, crocheters exploring knitting, or experienced English-style knitters interested in learning the Continental method.

Takeaway

Students leave with a completed sampler swatch, strong foundational skills, and the confidence to tackle beginner patterns using Continental techniques.

Level: Beginner

Instructor: Lisa Sandberg (Read Lisa's bio)

Members: $110

Non Members: $132

Materials fee: $10 cash, venmo, zelle, paypal, or cashapp (paid the day of workshop)

Materials provided by instructor: 

25 grams of yarn per knitted sampler. (1 required, additional available for further home practice)

Students should bring: One set of size US 7-9 (4.5-5.5mm) circular knitting needle with a cord at least 12in. Scissors, tapestry needle and glasses if needed. Optional: stitch markers.

Learn about our cancellation & COVID policies here: Workshop Policies

Interested in a Local Cloth workshop scholarship? Apply here!

Start where it actually begins — with freshly shorn (dirty) wool.

In **Fleece to Fiber**, we begin with raw, unwashed fleece and walk step-by-step through the transformation into usable yarn. This is a hands-on, practical class designed to build real confidence working with wool in its natural state.

You won’t just hear about the process — you’ll do it.

We Begin With Cleaning

Each participant will receive**raw, unwashed wool** to practice

* Cleaning

* Washing/scouring techniques that clean without felting

* Proper temperature control and handling

* Drying methods

Spinning in the Grease

Before everything is perfectly washed and fluffy, we’ll briefly explore **spinning in the grease**: This gives you a real understanding of fiber behavior at different stages.

Carding Clean Wool

You will also receive **cleaned wool** to practice:

* Opening and fluffing fiber aka picking & flicking

* Combing & Hand carding

You’ll feel the difference between raw, washed, and fully prepared fiber — which is the key to discovering what kind of yarn you want to create.

From Fiber to Usable Product

We’ll finish by drafting and spinning prepared fiber into yarn using:

* Drop spindle (great for beginners)

* Spinning wheel (bring your own)

What You’ll Leave With

* Hands-on experience cleaning raw fleece

* Practice spinning both in the grease and from fiber you prepare

* Carded wool ready for spinning

* Confidence to process those fleeces you've been eyeing on your own

No prior experience required. All materials provided.

There is something deeply satisfying about working from fleece to finished fiber. Once you understand the whole process, you’ll never look at yarn the same way again.

Level: Beginner

Instructor: Kirsten Bonanza (Read Kirsten's bio)

Members: $110

Non Members: $132

Materials fee: $40 cash or venmo (to be paid day of the workshop)

Materials provided by instructor:  Unwashed fleece, Washed fleece, soap, a mesh bag, a variety of carders and combs (to borrow)

Students should bring: Please bring drop spindles, and/or cards/ combs if you have them

Learn about our cancellation & COVID policies here: Workshop Policies

Interested in a Local Cloth workshop scholarship? Apply here!

Discover the beauty and versatility of gouache as you create 3 finished works of art from concept to completion. In this hands-on class, you'll learn how to work with gouache in 3 different ways. Use it for design projects, use it like watercolor or use it straight from the tube to create an acrylic like painting. You will learn how to design a balanced composition, mix vibrant colors, and apply gouache using both transparent washes and rich, opaque layers. Through step-by-step instruction, you'll explore techniques for creating texture, depth, highlights, and fine details while developing your own artistic style. Whether you're new to gouache or looking to refine your skills, you'll gain the confidence to express your creativity and complete works you'll be proud to display or create your own portfolio. It’s easy to work with as well as very versatile. No experience necessary. Have some fun and challenge your creativity.

This class will be hosted off-site at the home of the instructor. Directions to the home will be provided after registration.

Skill Level: Beginner

Instructor: Camille Daunno (Read Camille's bio)

Members: $110

Non-members: $132

Materials Fee: $20 cash or venmo (collected at time of workshop)

Materials Provided by instructor: Set of Gouache paints, brushes, practice paper, watercolor pad, mixing palette, water container, pencil, eraser resource to work from

Student should bring: Lunch. Instructor will provide coffee, tea, water, cookies, snacks

Learn about our cancellation & COVID policies here: Workshop Policies

Interested in a Local Cloth workshop scholarship? Apply here!

Take your sashiko stitching in a decorative, contemporary direction in this beyond-the-basics workshop. Beaded sashiko is a modern craft trend that replaces or accents traditional running stitches with Toho bugle beads, crafted for beauty and resilience in the historic city of Hiroshima. The 6 hour class (including 30 minute lunch break) begins with a brief sashiko refresher before moving into the techniques used to incorporate beads into geometric stitching patterns. Participants are expected to be comfortable following a grid-based Sashiko pattern (Hitomezashi). We will explore bead placement, thread and needle selection, secure stitching methods, and ways to adapt traditional Hitomezashi structures for contemporary textile work. Participants will craft three beaded sashiko items: a quilt square or embellished patch, a beaded brooch, and an amulet. These projects will provide experience working with different formats, finishing techniques, and possible applications for beaded sashiko on garments, accessories, quilts, and textile art.

Level: Intermediate

Members: $110

Non members: $132

Instructor: Gail Clement (Read Gail's bio)

Materials fee: $45 cash or venmo (to be collected day of workshop)

Materials supplied by teacher: Fabrics for practice and exercises; thin sashiko thread; bugle beads in 3 sizes; Sashiko beading needles; plain and metallic beading threads; 3 patterns; instructional handout

Materials students should bring: Needle minder, pin cushion, thread snips, magnifier if needed

Learn about our cancellation & COVID policies here: Workshop Policies

Interested in a Local Cloth workshop scholarship? Apply here!

Learn this fun technique and your imagination will do the rest. The possibilities , design and application will create gorgeous patterns, from just a few colors and single design to overlays and multiple patterns. Print note carts, make an Art print ready to hang, or print your own quilt squares or pieces of fabric to sew. You can print journal covers or just have fun experimenting. 

This class will be hosted off-site at the home of the instructor. Directions to the home will be provided after registration.

Skill Level: Beginner

Instructor: Camille Daunno (Read Camille's bio)

Members: $55

Non-members: $66

Materials Fee: $10 cash or venmo (collected at time of workshop)

Materials Provided by instructor: Acrylic paint, silcone mats to work on, paper for test prints, Brayers, stencils, fabric squares 3 Gelli plates to share

Student should bring: Gelli plate, extra fabric squares, stencil of choice, apron, lunch for a break

Learn about our cancellation & COVID policies here: Workshop Policies

Interested in a Local Cloth workshop scholarship? Apply here!

Crochet Beyond Basics will focus on crochet in the round, increasing, creating handles along with discussion on reading a pattern.

Level: Intermediate

Members: $110

Non members: $132

Instructor: Kate Hammond (Read Kate's bio)

Materials fee: No materials fee for this workshop.

Materials supplied by teacher: N/A

Materials students should bring: Any scrap yarn you have could be used in this project. The hook size will be determined by the yarn you choose. Typically, a worsted weight yarn will need a size 5.5 to 6mm hook. If you want to hold a couple of yarns together consider an 8mm hook. The goal is to have a good firm fabric so the basket will stand up. If you don’t have a stash, mention it to friends, aunties, neighbors and you will be amazed at what people will give you simply to reduce their stash. If not, buy some inexpensive yarn of various colors.

Learn about our cancellation & COVID policies here: Workshop Policies

Interested in a Local Cloth workshop scholarship? Apply here!

This class is designed for students who know how to warp a loom and understand some basic techniques of weaving tapestry, meet and separate, hatching, as well as weaving geometric and curved shapes. If you have taken Betty's Beginning Tapestry weaving class you should have these skills. In this 3 day class we will review the above techniques as well as adding some new ones as you weave a small cartoon of your own design. Day 1 will be spent refining your image into a weaveable cartoon. Please bring any photos, sketches, or paintings you have and want to weave. This is not a design class, please have your design ideas worked out prior to class. You will warp your loom and start weaving once the cartoon is finalized. Day 2 and 3 you will weave your image. We will discuss finishing and ways to present your piece after cutting your piece off the loom on day 3.

Level: Intermediate

Instructor: Betty Hilton-Nash  (Read Betty's bio) 

Members: $330

Non members: $396

Materials fee: $20 cash, card, or venmo (to be collected day of class)

Materials provided by instructor: Warp, weft, printed instructional handout, looms are available at Local Cloth. If you have your own loom please get in touch with Betty first.

Materials students should bring: Scissors, a tapestry beater (heavy kitchen fork will do), ruler, a small hand mirror. Instructor has a few.

Learn about our cancellation & COVID policies here: Workshop Policies

Interested in a Local Cloth workshop scholarship? Apply here!

Curious about dyeing your own yarn? Dabbling in Acid Dyes is a playful, hands-on introduction to using acid dyes on wool yarn.

Students will explore the basic principles of acid dyeing, including safe dye handling, preparing yarn, working with color, applying heat and acid, and properly finishing hand-dyed yarn.

Working with two full 100-gram skeins, students will create two distinctly different colorways: one multicolor skein and one dimensional solid. Along the way, we’ll explore intentional color placement, how colors interact, and techniques for creating depth and variation rather than perfectly uniform color.

Students will leave with 200 grams of their own hand-dyed yarn, two approachable dyeing techniques, and the foundational knowledge to continue experimenting with acid dyes at home.

No previous dyeing experience is necessary. Come ready to experiment, get a little colorful, and see what happens when yarn meets dye!

Level: Beginner

Instructor: Lisa Sandberg (Read Lisa's bio)

Members: $110

Non Members: $132

Materials fee: $35 cash or venmo (paid the day of workshop)

Materials provided by instructor: Two 100-gram skeins of wool yarn per student; professional acid dyes; citric acid; dyeing pans and utensils; measuring and application tools; gloves and other necessary dyeing supplies; heat-setting equipment; and materials needed for rinsing and finishing the dyed yarn.

Students should bring: Apron or old shirt/smock to protect clothing; wear clothing that can safely be stained and closed-toe shoes. Bring a notebook and pen/pencil for taking notes. All yarn, dyes, gloves, dyeing equipment, and other supplies will be provided by the instructor.

Learn about our cancellation & COVID policies here: Workshop Policies

Interested in a Local Cloth workshop scholarship? Apply here!

This is another "knitters' choice class" in the Knit Design series wherein students explore the infinity of knitted-stitch patterns that the basic knit and purl stitches can yield and their design value.

The series concept is to help knitters think like designers while also further developing creative and analytical knitting skills. 

The two-fold objective of this workshop course is to (1) introduce students to several categories of knit stitches and provide written instructions for at least one example of each category including, for example, cable, decorative ribbing and "double yarnover" lace-effect stitches to incorporate in their project(s).

The (2) co-objective is for students to then decide on, and knit, leg-, arm- or wrist-warmers using whichever combination and order of stitch motifs they select, in chosen porportionate amounts, for an integrated project.

[The instructor's personal third objective is to provide a fun learning experience that also provides students with patterns for simple hand-knitted projects that do not require a lot of yarn, or time, to make and in time for holiday gift-giving.]

The instructor will provide written pattern stitch and pattern template instructions for the resulting project(s).

All written instructions are written for both (1) knitting "back and forth" on straight needles (aka knitting in rows) and (2) knitting "in the round" on double-pointed or circular needes, including the magic loop method, so students can work with either.

Level: Intermediate/Advanced Beginner

All knitters who can comfortably knit, purl, and work combinations thereof, as in a ribbing stitch, are welcome - as are students with different knitting "technique" preferences, whether American, British or Continental. 

Instructor: Catherine Wingate (Read Catherine's bio)

Members: $220

Non members: $264

Materials fee:  $5 paid via cash (to be collected day of workshop)

Materials Provided: The instructor will provide handouts to support learning of the different stitches.

Materials students should bring:  Students should bring an adequate amount of sportweight yarn for instruction simplicity but DK and worsted weight yarns can be used if preferred.

For informational purposes, or for those wanting a similar result, the light blue armwarmer shown in the attached photograph uses Knit Picks' Wool of the Andes sport yarn in Wonderland Heather.

The manufacturer lists the gauge for this yarn as 6 sts = 1" on #3 - 5 needles (3.25mm-3.75mm). A 50 gram skein yields 137 yards and the armwarmer in the photograph used approximately 3.3 skeins.

It was knitted on size #4 needles and knitted in-the-round to yield a denser and warmer stitch than might be otherwise be used for a different garment.

[The yarn was used because it has been a favorite with students as affordable and readily available in a variety of colors. The instructor has no affiliation with Knit Picks beyond frequent buyer.]

Note: Students will have differing yardage needs depending upon the project(s) they choose to make.  However if, for instance, one wants to knit a pair of legwarmers, of a known length and circumference, online resources and some yarn store personnel can advise on adequate yardage needs if the knitter provides the gauge achieved with that yarn. As always, having more than enough yarn is always advisable.

And, again as always, having more than enough yarn is always advisable.

Registered and prospective students are welcome to contact the instructor for further information at clkngo@aol.com.

Learn about our cancellation & COVID policies here: Workshop Policies

Interested in a Local Cloth workshop scholarship? Apply here!

In this class we will use traditional bookmaking techniques to make a collection of small books. These books are diminutive but still function like their larger sisters. Aside from their traditional use you can also use them as jewelry, quick creative projects, accent pieces and perfect small gifts for the winter holidays or to create a library of various book binding techniques. We will use these techniques: simple pamphlet, origami, soft cover multi-signature and Japanese Stab binding.

Level: Beginner

Instructor: Joyce Tromba (Read Joyce's bio)

Members: $110

Non Members: $132

Materials fee: $25 cash (paid the day of workshop)

Materials provided by instructor: All materials and tools will be supplied by instructor

Students should bring: Optional: Bring your own bookmaking tools if you have them.

Learn about our cancellation & COVID policies here: Workshop Policies

Interested in a Local Cloth workshop scholarship? Apply here!