Classes: Custom Classes I Off-Site Teaching I Esther's Place Classes
Education about sustainable fiber farming and fiber arts is part of our mission at Esther's Place. We offer a wide range of educational opportunities ranging from elementary to university level workshops and presentations on sustainable farming and fiber arts to in house workshops and classes. For school visits in the Northern Illinois area, we come to your class(es) with all the materials for a delightful age-appropriate fiber arts project as well as various educational materials.
Our in-house classes and workshops
are held in two lovely rooms adjoining our shop.
We have some very exciting classes scheduled at Esther's Place for the coming year for the very beginner to the experienced fiber artist. Classes are designed to be warm, fun, informative, and succesfull for all.
In addition to our scheduled classes we can host a class – anytime, any day- for a group of 3 or more.
Custom Classes
Gather your group of three or more and we can host a class specifically designed by you and your friends! Whether you want to felt, knit, weave, dye or enjoy any other fiber art, we can put together a great class guaranteed to make you relax, laugh and learn something new. Some fun classes are the needle felted hat, purse, small knitting project, drop spinning, nuno felting and so much more!
Call 630-556-9665 and talk to Natasha to pick your project, day, time and class.
Gift Certificates and Private Lessons are also available!
To register use our registration form to mail or email to
info@esthersplacefibers.com
or telephone 630-556-9665.
Teaching
We can come to your meeting, home or group and bring a hands-on activity! You can choose from any of the workshops listed on the retreat page and we will bring all of the supplies needed. Makes a fun girls night for your friends and neighbors. Minimum of five participants.
$10/ person and $35/ flat travel fee
If your group would like to learn more about how we got started, the process from the sheep to the finished product and see the whole process in action, we offer an hour-long, engaging presentation. From art guilds to schools, libraries and more, this is a great way to learn more about fiber arts.
$50 and $35/ flat travel fee
If you are looking for a workshop, class or intensive study for your group, we can provide a variety of classes tailored for your needs. From novice to intermediate skill levels, we offer instruction in many areas of fiber arts. Please give us a call and talk to Natasha for more details.
Knitting
Call ahead for needle size needed for classes
Knitting 101
Cost: $45+ materials $15
Thurs. May 27th , June 3rd, 17th 7-9 pm OR
Tues. July 20th, 27th and August 10th 10-noon
Come learn with us as we teach to cast on, knit, purl, cast off, and more as you start on a beautiful scarf.
Thrummed Mittens
Cost: $45 ; materials extra
Fri. June 4th 2-4 pm, June 11th 10-12 & July 9th 10-noon
Skill Level: Beg. knitter; comfortable with knit and purl
Create the coziest pair of mittens you may ever have- they are lined in tufts of the fluffy roving. Pick out your colors of yarn and roving at the class.
NEW!!! Use your Stash Simple Shawl
Cost: $40
Wed. June 9th, 16th, 23rd 2-4 pm OR
Tues. Aug. 10th, 17th and 24th 10-noon
Skill Level: Beginning knitter, adventurous to try more
Bring your stash yarns of similar weights(or stop in to have us help you choose) and we’ll create a neat shawl based on garter stitch and yarn over increases. You may of seen our sample with shades of greens here at the shop. This is easy and it’s great to use up your stash yarns too!
Knitting 102
Cost: $45 Tues. July 6th, 13th and 20th 7-9 pm
Expand your skills! We’ll cover increases, decreases, as well as fixing knitting mistakes. The other half of the class will be devoted to helping you start a project, so bring an idea, yarn and pattern or come ahead for help in picking out something fun!
Weaving
Using your Stash in Weaving Workshop
Fri. May 28th 10-2 pm OR Tues. August 3rd 10-2 pm
Cost: $160 (includes a loom!)
Upgrade to a large 25” rigid heddle folding loom for only $135 more! Ask for more details…
This is a workshop will not only teach you how to weave on a rigid heddle loom, but will get you started on a project and will send you home with Schacht Spindle’s Cricket loom! Bring your stash yarn (and a bag lunch)and we’ll teach you how to make great scarves.
NEW!!!! Using Your Stash Reunion/ Rewarping!
Wed. June 16th 10-1 pm OR Fri. August 27th 10-1 pm
Cost: $45
Have you come to one of our earlier classes? We are having a day where you can come connect with others who have also taken the class, see their scarves, and get a refresher as we rewarp the looms.
Spinning
Drop Spindling 101
Cost: $25 + materials: $20
Tues. June 22nd 10-noon OR Wed. August 25th 2-4 pm
Get introduced to the wonderful art of spinning with a drop spindle. We make it fun to learn to make your own yarns! This is a great way to start.
Jump Start- 2 Day Workshop
$95 + materials $35
6 pm Tues. June 1st - 4 pm Wed. June 2nd OR
6 pm Sat. August 7th- 4 pm Sun. August 8th
Have you been wanting to learn to spin? This intensive two day workshop will cover basics, from drop spindling to wheels, fiber differences, and technique. Class fee includes overnight accommodations& meals for 2 days.
Spinning 101
Cost: $220 + materials: $35*
Sat. May 29th 10-12, June 5th 10-12, June 12th 4-6, June 26th 10-12, July 3rd 10-12 and July 10th 10-12
*Ask about our family rate!
This class will have you spinning beautiful yarn in just a few short weeks! Learn the in depth fundamentals of fiber preparation, drop spindling, wheels, techniques and plying. The last class is a dyeing class, too! Includes rental of Schacht Matchless Wheel for 5 weeks.
Dyeing
Shibori Dyeing
Cost: $30 + materials : $15
Fri. June 11th 1-4 pm OR Tues. August 10th 6-9 pm
Learn to fold, pleat, scrunch and manipulate material to create a unique, one-of-a-kind dye pattern! We will teach basic color theory and dye a 100% scarf and shawl during class. Great for holiday gifts.
Dyeing Workshop
Cost: $35
Wed. July 7th 1-4 pm OR Thurs. August 26th 6-9 pm
Bring your fiber, yarn or item to be dyed and we’ll spend an afternoon working on lots of fun colors! Bring an apron or clothes you can work in.
WET FELTING
Nuno Felted Scarf
$50 + materials : $12
Sat. June 26th 1-4 pm OR Wed. July 14th 1-4 pm OR Tues. August 24th 5-9 pm
We’ll dye the silk, choose our fibers and have fun. This class is a wet felting process that is a fun exercise for creativity and the body! Bring a bag lunch and two towels.
Stash Yarn Table Runner
Cost: $50 + mat. $8
Thurs. June 3rd 1-3 pm OR Wed. August 18th 10-12
Create a beautiful felt runner from your yarn stash. You must have some wool yarns in the mix, but bring fun texture novelty yarns too! Bring 2 towels.
Felted Checkerboard and Pieces
Cost: $35+mat. $20
Tues. June 1st 10-2 pm OR Thurs. August 12th 10-2 pm
This class will teach many techniques of wet felting as we make all the pieces of the game! Bring 1 towel.
Vessels, Bowls and Vases Oh My!
Cost: $50 +mat. $28
Sat. May 29th 1-4 pm OR Thurs. August 5th 10-2 pm
If you like working with ceramics, this is a neat class to learn to work with fibers in a similar way! Bring 1 towel.
Wet Felted Geodes Good for kids 4+
Cost: $15
Tues. June 22nd 2-3 pm OR Wed. July 28th 3-4 pm
Make two felted geodes- flat beads and a large version with hand motion to felt wool into magical geodes!
Wet Felted Soap Bar Scrubbies
Cost: $8
Tues. June 29th 2-3 pm OR Wed. August 11th 3-4 pm
Learn how to make these great scrubbies that are fun for gift making! Good for kids 4+
Needle Felting
The age suggestions are guides for younger felters, but call if you have questions! We welcome all ages young and older to join us for these fun, easy felting classes.
Felted Animals- Good for kids 8+
Birds Cost: $17
Wed. June 9th 10-noon or Sat. July 31st 4-6 pm
Create your choice of a cardinal, bluejay or chickadee.
Dogs and Cats
Cost: $17 Sat. May 29th 4-6 OR
Thurs. July 1st 1-3 OR Aug. 28th 10-12
Bring a picture of your pet to felt a figurine of it!
Safari
Cost: $17
Wed. July 7th 10-noon OR Sat. August 14th 4-6 pm
Create your elephant, lion, giraffe, or zebra!
Kid’s Summer Felting Camp
Good for kids 5-14 ! Cost: $28
Thurs. June 17th 10-3 pm OR Fri. August 6th 10-3 pm
Kids! Come fora fun day discovering fiber. We’ll create several projects, play games and make healthy snacks. Bring a lunch and a sense of adventure!
NEW!!! Embellished Berets with Janan Hudek
Cost: $30 + materials: $15
Thurs. August 19th 1-3:30 pm
Have you admired the gorgeous felt hats here at the shop? Meet the artist and let her inspire your own creation and more embellishing on jackets and more!
Needle Felted Clutch Purse
Cost: $35 + mat. $18
Tues. June 8th 10-2 pm OR Fri. August 6th 5-9 pm
.We’ll help you select a beautiful blend of colors and blend on the drum carder, and by the end of class, you will have a purse completed! Great for Christmas gifts.
Needle Felted Slippers
Cost: $35 + materials : $25
Tues. July 13th 10-2 pm OR Sat. August 14th 10-2 pm
Combine needle and wet felting in these comfy slippers that make great gifts! Bring a bag lunch and felting tool.
Wooly Sheep Tea Cozy
Cost:$35
Thurs. May 27th 1-3 pm OR Sat. June 26th 4-6 pm
Perhaps you have seen our adorable felt sheep that doubles as a tea cozy! We’ll provide inspiration and you will go home with your own sheep to keep your tea hot.
Pigs Really Can Fly!- Good for kids 10+
Cost: $22
Thurs. June 10th 1-4 pm OR Sat. August 28th 1-4 pm
Create your own whimsical rendition of a flying pig, complete with sparkling wings and all! Choose from your own color selection and accessories.
Heirloom Tomatoes- Good for kids 6+
Cost: $15
Wed. August 11th 1-3 pm OR Tues. August 31st 7-9 pm
Choose from dozens of different types of tomatoes to felt, taste heirloom tomatoes and learn how to save the seeds.
Needle Felted Gnomes
Cost: $24
Tues. June 29th 10-1 pm OR Fri. August 13th 10-1 pm
Who’s hiding in the garden? Mr. Gnome…with his little curly beard, clothing ensemble and sculpted face.
Felted Fiber Animals- Good for kids 8+
Cost: $15
Fri. July 9th 4-6 pm OR Sat. August 7th 1-3 pm
Start your fiber flock with a cute alpaca, sheep or angora bunny.
Needle Felted Mermaids
Cost: $24
Sat. June 12th 2-4 pm OR Wed. July 28th 10-12
Create your magical mermaid with fun hair, sparkling fins and a beautiful face, all from the wool fibers!
Christmas in July! ?
Get a jump start on the holiday gift season with these classes!
Needle Felted Nativity
Wed. June 30th 10-12 OR Sat. July 3rd 10-12
Mary, Joseph, Jesus, Star and three sheep Cost: $30
Needle Felted Kings and Camels
Wed. June 30th 1-4 pm OR Sat. July 10th 1-4 pm
Three camels and three wise men! Cost: $30
Needle Felted Shepherds and Barnyard
Sat. July 31st 9-12 OR Wed. August 4th 1-4 pm
Shepherd & boy, donkey and chickens Cost: $30
Needle Felted Nativity Angels
Tues. July 20th 1-3 pm OR Sat. July 31st 1-3 pm
Three heavenly angels Cost: $30
Father Christmas
Cost: $28
Thurs. July 8th 1-4 pm OR Sat. August 7th 9-noon
Felt Pine Trees
Cost: $20
Sat. July 3rd 4-6 pm OR Tues. July 27th 4-6 pm
Friends of Esther Summer Classes
Join this community of wonderful folks who share your passion for food, family, fiber, faith, fauna and flora and fun! We share in quarterly potlucks, in addition to being a part of fun classes. Classes are open to members and membership is $35/ a year per person or $50 a family. Summer is packed full of great classes so don’t miss out.
Canning The Bounty – $10
Join us to learn the basics of canning, where we’ll make a soup, tomatoes and pickles. It is easy, safe and economical. Keep your family fed for less and have a fun time with friends making delicious foods.
Thurs. August 26th 1-5 pm
Cheesemaking 101- $10
Come learn how simple it is to make cheese with milk you can find in the stores. Or if you have your own milking animals, with your milk you can create wonderful cheeses! We’ll make two types of cheese and have lots to sample from too.
Sunday June 27th 2-5 pm
Backporch Nostalgia - $10
Do you have fond memories of a special back porch in your life? Come join Peg Dordal on her farm and enjoy peach sun tea, lemonade, dessert, fleece skirting, good conversation and the fresh country air. Sunday June 13th at 1pm to 3pm. Donations accepted $ 5.00
Join us at our Summer Gathering- Sat. July 10th 5-9 pm
Bring a dish to pass and meat for the grill, lawn chairs an instrument to play, a project to work on and join us for a party! We’ll supply dinner ware, and beverages!
Calling Friends of Esther members…
Do you have a special something you want to share? Let us know and we’ll include it for the fall!
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