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The following courses
are currently scheduled.
Courses are listed
alphabetically
by title.
Natural Plant Dyes
Karen
Rognsvoog
Session Options:
. . .
7/24/2009 - 7/26/2009
. . . 10/2/2009 - 10/4/2009
Discover the range of colors which can be achieved and
the “thrill of discovery” by learning the complex
subtleties of nature’s palette. This course explores the
uses of plant dyes as you venture into the field to gather
your own dye materials and prepare different dye baths.
Students learn proper techniques of mordanting (setting
the fastness) to ensure longevity of the colors.
Discussion about the applications of natural plant
materials on other fabrics such as silk, cotton, linen,
and synthetics will also be included. Students will focus
their dye projects on wool yarn for knitting or weaving
and go home with recipes, a complete handbook and 8.75 oz
of wool to knit, weave or use for other projects (silk and
cotton fabric will be also available for dyeing).
Whether you’re after the strong, dashing tones to make
your project more ‘colorful’ or you’re looking for the
subtle, soft colors used in grandma’s treasured coverlets,
this course explores the variations of over 50 dye
samples. Dyeing with natural materials is more than a
craft - it's a fascinating and inexpensive hobby. The
range of colors which can be achieved produces the "Thrill
of the Unexpected." Dyeing with vegetable materials
creates the soft and subtle colors found in museum
pieces, antique coverlets and many other treasured
heirlooms. In class, students gather some of their own
plant materials, learn how to prepare the dye bath and
learn the process of "mordanting." The mordant 'sets' the
fastness of the color to prevent fading AND determines the
color of the final product. Students will work with
natural fiber yarn and dye 8.75 oz. of wool to knit, weave
or use for other projects. They will also learn about
growing dye plants with tips on pruning, harvesting and
storing materials for future use.
Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 3
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $225
. . . Materials Fee: $45
. . . Intergenerational Age: n/a
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Bead Embroidery
Jo
Wood
Session Options:
. . . 7/25/2009 - 7/26/2009
Add some dimension to your life and discover how to
“paint with beads.” Let Jo introduce you to the same
stitches and appliqué techniques that have adorned
moccasin tops, sashes and other decorative garments for
over 6,000 years. Bead embroidery spans cultures and
communities across the globe. It’s a craft that requires
the application of beads to a background fabric with a
variety of stitches to create rich colors, texture and
patterns. In this course you’ll create a beaded pin
inspired by your chosen landscape image while learning a
life-long skill for future embellishment projects.
Jo's approach to 'painting with beads' is a reflection of
both tradition and innovation. Preview Jo's bead
embroidery style on her website by visiting
www.jowoodbeads.com
Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 2
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $150
. . . . . . Non-peak Tuition (Nov-Apr): $130
. . . Materials Fee: $25
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Level: Beginner
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Bead
Embroidery - The Pin Series
Jo
Wood
Session Options:
. . . 10/17/2009 - 10/18/2009
Discover the magic of “painting with beads” through
your choice of seven different signature lapel pin beaded
pin projects. A reflection of the art and craft of bead
embroidery, artist Jo Wood will lead you through your
choice of one or two bead embroidered projects, time
permitting. The birch tree pin captures the essence of
this tree species of the North. The lady slipper pin
reflects the natural beauty of Minnesota's state flower.
The Christmas tree pin is just a perfect touch for a
holiday gift. The dragonfly pin is playful in terms of
color and dimension. For the beginning beader this course
offers an opportunity to learn basic stitches. For the
experienced and returning beader it’s a unique, rewarding
project to expand your creative palette of painting with
beads.
Jo's approach to 'painting with beads' is a reflection of
both tradition and innovation. Preview Jo's bead
embroidery style on her website by visiting
www.jowoodbeads.com
Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 2
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $150
. . . . . . Non-peak Tuition (Nov-Apr): $130
. . . Materials Fee: Varies ($18-$70)
. . . Intergenerational Age: 12+
. . . Level: All Levels
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Exploration In Handmade Paper
Nancy
Daley
Session Options:
. . . 9/11/2009 - 9/13/2009
Learn the skill and the art of pulling a beautiful
sheet of paper out of a tub full of mush! Papermaking from
plant fibers has been practiced for thousands of years. In
this course you will work through all the steps in the
ancient process of making paper out of plant fiber in the
Asian style. Plants will be cooked and beaten, reduced to
their basic cellular structure, then reconstructed into
lovely translucent sheets. Local plant materials will be
used along with plants (kozo) grown specifically for
papermaking. You will take home paper ready to make into
books, stationery, cards or other creations.
The course begins with a slideshow of the papermaking
villages of Western China, as a way for you to get
acquainted with the process and available papermaking
options. The following morning, the group will be
immersed in the papermaking process from cooking and
beating fiber to pulling sheets. By the last day of
class, you will be working on your own papermaking
project, adding small amounts of grass, lichen, lace or
whatever inclusiions you may want to create for your own
paper.
Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 2.5
. . . Hours: Day 1: 5pm-8pm; Day 2: 9am-5pm; Day 3:
9am-3pm
. . . Tuition: $190
. . . Materials Fee: $20
. . . Intergenerational Age: 14+
. . . Level: Beginner
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Felted
Hats
Patty
Doherty
Session Options:
. . .
6/26/2009 - 6/27/2009
Felting is a magical transformation that takes place
when heat, moisture and agitation are applied to wool.
The result is a matted, non-woven seamless product of both
comfort and style. This class begins with a historical
overview and discussion of suitable fleeces, preparation
of wool and various methods of felting. Using washed and
carded wool, you'll prepare batts and then with the use of
a washboard, hot soapy water and a lot of elbow grease,
you'll start to bring shape and form to the brimmed hat of
your choice. Colors, weight and style all blend together
as you design and create your own headwear.
Even though the traditions of felting predates spinning
and weaving and has had many uses over the years from
yurts in Mongolia to armor in medieval times to hats,
mittens, and booties in Scandinavian countries, felting is
a wonderful expression of contemporary styles that's both
playful and fun.
Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 1.5
. . . Hours: Day 1: 6pm-9pm; Day 2: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $115
. . . Materials Fee: $30
. . . Intergenerational Age: 12+
. . . Level: Beginner
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Felting
- From
Sculpture to Scarves
Elise
Kyllo
Session Options:
. . .
9/11/2009 - 9/12/2009
Discover the expressive and enjoyable craft of wet
felting, as we warm up by sculpting an aesthetic and
charming flock of birds. Using recycled wool, students
will make a rough bird form, then apply dyed wool roving
over the form and through the mysterious process of
agitation, hot water and soap, a felted bird will be
hatched. Through this same process, other projects such
as slippers, hot pad and tea cozies can be easily
created. Building upon what we’ve learned we’ll progress
to nuno felting which combines silk and wool to create a
felting a durable, warm and elegant fabric. You will use
this technique to create a warm, whimsical scarf.
If you have never tried felting before, this will be a
great introduction. If you have experience, you’ll
thoroughly enjoy the creative process and stretch your
skills. Nuno felting is a is a fairly new craft using
ancient methods and materials. Each person will learn this
unique technique of wet felting that is less bulky than
many felted objects you may have seen. Nuno felting is
especially exciting because it is a bit like painting with
wool on a silk canvas. Once felted, a whimsical
watercolor is created that you couldn't have quite
predicted. Students invited to bring silk, organza, nylon
or chiffon scarves they would like to embellish with wool
fibers.
Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 2
. . . Hours: Day 1: noon-5pm; Day 2: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $150
. . . Materials Fee: $25
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Frame
Loom Weaving
Traudi
Bestler
Session Options:
. .
.to be scheduled
Finally, a loom weaving project that doesn’t take a
lot of space and that's light on the pocketbook. The frame
loom offers you the opportunity to weave on a sturdy,
portable loom that makes quality textiles. Frame loom
weaving produces textiles with geometric designs such as
stripes or plaids and a shuttle that weaves back and forth
from one side of the fabric to the other. You'll develop
your weaving skills on a frame loom as you work to finish
a project of your choice - from table linens, wall
hangings, tote bags to pillow covers - over the course of
three days. You will have the opportunity to create a
weft-faced textile of your choice in class and use at
least two colors and several geometric patterns for your
project.
Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 3
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $225
. . . Materials Fee: Varies ($10-$15)
. . . Intergenerational Age: 14+
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Handcraft A Wool Braided Rug
Traudi
Bestler
Session Options:
. . .
6/17/2009 - 6/19/2009
The three-strand-braided wool 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 down from generation to generation.
In this class, you will learn the craft of braiding rugs
by making your own oval rug (about 2’x3’). You are
welcome to bring old blanket-weight wool to incorporate
into your own rug. However, the instructor will bring
enough colors of wool, braiding tools, and other supplies
for ‘heirloom’ rugs.
Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 3
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $225
. . . Materials Fee: Varies ($40-$50)
. . . Intergenerational Age: 14+
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Natural Plant Dyes - Tutorial For Quilters
Karen
Rognsvoog
Session Options:
. . .
6/14/2009
Quilters! Ever wonder why the quilts and tapestries
found in museums have maintained their colors for years
and sometimes centuries? Quilters, spinners and other
fiber artists have been using natural plant materials to
color their fibers, thus maintaining the longevity of the
color by mordanting, or “setting the fastness.”
For this one-day class, students will learn the process of
mordanting and how to prepare dye baths from plant
materials. Cotton and silk squares will be available for
dyeing for your quilt project or any other fabric project
you have in mind.
Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 1
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $75
. . . Materials Fee: $15
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Natural Plant Dyes - Tutorial For Spinners
Karen
Rognsvoog
Session Options:
. . .
6/12/2009
For all you spinners out there, this class will change
your mind about using chemical dyes to color your roving
or fleece! This course will explore the use of dyes from
nature. Students will learn the “process” of preparing a
dye bath, the use of mordants to set the “fastness” and
how mordants determine the color. The morning will be
spent preparing the dyes by boiling the dyestuffs to
extract the colors, and in the afternoon, students will
dye their fibers to spin. Class members should bring
natural color roving or fleece to dye, and their spinning
wheels to use while we wait for the dyes to be ready.
Roving will be available for purchase from the instructor.
Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 1
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $75
. . . Materials Fee: $10
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Old-Fashioned Rug Hooking
Carol
Dunn
Session Options:
. . .
6/16/2009 - 6/18/2009
If you have longed for a therapeutic yet utilitarian
craft, then Rug Hooking is for you! Rug hooking can trace
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 crochet
hook. In this class, each student will color plan and
hook a small design that can be used as a rug, wall
hanging, table mat or pillow top. Proper techniques of
hooking and finishing will be taught. There will also be
discussions on acquiring wool and the steps to process it
for use in hooking (i.e. washing, dyeing, cutting). On
the first day of class, students will select the rug
pattern and wool they will work on during the course,
prices vary by design.
To complement hands-on activities, the instructor will
have a wide range of resources for reading and for
discussion. In addition, many sample hooked rugs projects
will be available for inspiration. Carol notes: "Many of
us, as we evolve into 'hookers', feel the need to tell our
own stories with our rugs; family history, pets, homes
we've lived in and favorite places." It promises to be a
relaxing and creative three-day class, and an opportunity
to tell your own stories.
Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 3
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $225
. . . Materials Fee: Varies (approx $45-$80)
. . . Intergenerational Age: 12+
. . . Level: Beginner to Intermediate
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Sew
Bee It
- Traditional Quilting Workshop
Crystal Nelson/Beth Kidd
Session Options:
. . .
3/21/2009
. . . 4/18/2009
. . . 5/16/2009
Tradition, handwork and community. Enjoy the elements
of quilting bees of a bygone era as you expand on your
quilting skills by learning (or relearning) the skills of
sewing on a treadle or hand crank machine and hand
quilting. Quilters join efforts to make the North House
Folk School Community Quilt. Your quilting experience
begins in the morning with the opportunity to sew on an
antique sewing machine. Participants will work side by
side with Crystal Nelson, proprietor of Crystal's Log
Cabin Quilts in Grand Marais, as she introduces the old
machines and how to use and care for them. Each student
will make two quilt blocks, one for themselves to take
home and one for the Community Quilt. The afternoon is
spent hand quilting on a frame, sharing time and stories
with other quilters. Beginners and experienced quilters
are encouraged.
Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 1
. . . Hours: 9am-4pm
. . . Tuition: $45
. . . Materials Fee: Included
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Tapestry Weaving I
- Painting with Fiber
Traudi
Bestler
Session Options:
. . .
7/11/2009 - 7/13/2009
In the craft of tapestry weaving the power of weaving
fiber to interpret the landscape and its people is
immediately apparent. Tapestry weaving is a fiber art
medium that allows the weaver to create geometric, curved,
representational or abstract images. Travel to the North
Shore, a place of artistic inspiration for visual artists,
to explore this rich craft and create a landscape tapestry
of your own. In this class, you will assemble and warp
your tapestry frame, then weave a small sampler to learn
technique. Proper mounting and hanging techniques will
also be covered. For students interested in a rich, full
tapestry learning experience, register for Tapestry
Weaving II (see separate course description).
Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 3
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $225
. . . Materials Fee: $35
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Level: Beginner
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Tapestry Weaving II
- Beyond the Basics
Traudi
Bestler
Session Options:
. . .
7/12/2009 - 7/13/2009
Deepen and expand on your tapestry weaving skills,
experiment with various tapestry joins and special
effects, create custom colors by blending yarns and
develop an efficient way of mounting and framing your
tapestry. This in-depth course is designed for students
already familiar with the craft of tapestry wishing to
expand on their skills. Students may work with the
instructor to define specific skills they want to
develop. In addition, students will assemble a portable
loom with a tensioning device to create a more versatile
tapestry weaving tool. Make tapestry weaving your new
medium for landscape "painting."
Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 2
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $150
. . . Materials Fee: $35
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Level: Intermediate
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Textile Craft Workshop
Larry
Schmitt
Session Options:
. . .
6/22/2009 - 6/24/2009
Simple, portable, rich. Drawing from historical
sources, everything covered in this course is a "take
along" fiber arts project. You'll make your own tools for
spinning cotton and wool the way it was done - with a
"ten." There's a weaving project completed without a loom,
coiled basketry worked in odds and ends with yarns, and a
natural dye project, completed without a dye pot using dye
materials collected from forest, bog and marsh. We'll
experiment with braids and embellishments drawn from old
Scandinavian textiles - flettet snor, frynseflet, bregdet
band and rundflet snor. All are simple and portable
projects with insight into the ways textile crafts
evolved. This workshop will be useful for those who want
to introduce textile crafts to children or adults – with
many ideas for introducing traditional craft into the
classroom.
Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 3
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $225
. . . Materials Fee: $20
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced
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Weaving on the Modified
Rigid
Heddle - Woven, Decorative Bands
Larry
Schmitt
Session Options:
. . .
10/16/2009 - 10/17/2009
The intricate and colorful band weaving that is
sometimes found on lusekofta (Norwegian ski sweaters) can
be woven on a “spaltegrind." This workshop will show how
to transform a standard rigid heddle into a spaltegrind, a
modification developed in the 1930s and 1940s by American
weavers, to weave colorful, decorative bands that may
include names, dates, and mottoes. In peasant crafts
from Scandinavia, often, pattern is laid upon pattern for
dazzling effect and the use of these colorful bands in
combination with two-color knitting is but one example of
this approach to design. Students learn how to modify a
standard rigid heddle and the basics of pick up weaving
for bands. If desired, students can make appropriate
shuttles – a small woodworking project.
Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 2
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $150
. . . Materials Fee: $25
. . . Intergenerational Age: na
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced
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Weaving with Beads - On The Loom
Traudi
Bestler
Session Options:
. . .
7/10/2009
Learn how beads can be used on the loom to create
folk-inspired motifs. Students weave one or more
bracelets to learn the technique. In the class, students
explore several ways to construct homemade looms and learn
about commercially made bead looms. Different types of
closures and clasps will be incorporated into this
creative project. No weaving experience is required to
enjoy this class. Participants may choose to bring their
own beads or purchase them from the instructor. Each
student receives a basic bead weaving kit.
Course Details:
. . . Length in Days: 1
. . . Hours: 9am-5pm
. . . Tuition: $75
. . . Materials Fee: $16
. . . Intergenerational Age: 14+
. . . Level: Beginner to Advanced
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