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Esther's Place Winter 2012 Classes
WET FELTING/ Needle Felting
Felting is one of the most amazing processes in the art world. Watch the fiber transform, shape and blossom into something entirely different from its original state. We make felting a creative experience that will inspire many projects to come! All of these classes are easy enough for beginners, yet engaging enough to be taken multiple times with infinite possibilities.
Needle Felted Slippers
Cost: $35 + materials : $25
Sat. Feb. 4th 1-5 pm OR Thurs. March 29th 10-2 pm
Combine needle/wet felting in these comfy slippers that make great gifts! Bring a felting tool if you have one.
Needle Felted Hats
Cost: $35 + materials : $25
Fri. Feb. 24th 10-2 pm OR Wed. March 28th 10-2 pm
Winter is here and you’ll want to keep that head warm! No better way than with a felt hat. We’ll pick out a great combination of colors, your sized form and we’ll show you how to do the rest! Bring a felting tool if you have one.
Nuno Felted Scarf
Cost: $50 + materials : $15
Thurs. Feb. 9th 5-9 pm OR Sat. April 21st 1-4 pm
We’ll choose from beautiful hand dyed 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 towel.
NEW!!! Nuno Felt as Yardage
Cost: $50 + mat. $20
Sat. Feb. 25th 1-4 pm OR Fri. March 30th 1-4 pm
Take nuno felting to the extreme- which means delving into the stash to develop a totally unique piece of 36”x30” yardage. Use fibers, yarns, threads, fabrics, surface design techniques, pre felts, and crazier things as we design and felt a piece of yardage. The finished result can be a wall hanging, part of a purse, vest or jacket, or a home furnishing component for pillows, lampshades, etc.
Vessels, Bowls and Vases Oh My!
Cost: $50 +mat. $28
Fri. March 9th 10-2 pm OR Thurs. April 12th 5-9 pm
If you like working with ceramics, this is a neat class to learn to work with fibers in a similar way. Create textures, layers and unique vase shapes with the fiber. Bring a towel with you.
NEW!!! Embellished Berets with Janan
Cost: $45
Wed. Feb. 22n 1-4 pm OR Fri. March 16th 10-1 pm
Using a wool beret as a canvas, you will learn how to “draw” beautiful flowers and other motifs. Use yarn and fiber with needle felting to embellish. This will give you ideas for dressing up a dull piece hanging in your closet. Be inspired with needle felting!
NEW!!!! Everything plus the Kitchen Sink Vessels
Cost: $40 + mat. $20
Sat. Jan. 28th 1-4 pm OR Fri. April 13th 10-1 pm
Using a balloon, nylons and fiber, we’ll magically create a small vessel. We’ll also give examples of other kitchen-friendly things to use that you have on hand! This process is an easy, low mess way to approach vessel making. Try a new way to create sculptural felt!
Wet Felted Flowers
Cost: $20
Fri. Feb. 17th 10-noon OR Sat. March 31st 10-noon
Using bubble wrap, we’ll form layers and with water, soap and rolling create a flower. Then it will be shaped, petals cut and completed with stiffener. Curious? Come make one for yourself and see how much fun it can be.
Wet Felted Tote Bag
Cost: $50 + mat. $20
Wed. March 7th 10-2 pm OR Fri. April 27th 1-5 pm
We’ll form layers and with water, soap and rolling to create a bag. Then we’ll add all kinds of great embellishments and designs. The result will be a bag as beautiful as it is practical.
NEW!!!! Mixed Media Exploration
Cost: $50 + mat. $20 Thurs. Feb. 23, Mar. 1st 1-3 pm OR Tues. April 17,24th 10-12
If you were inspired by Natasha’s Italy pieces, this class will introduce you to those techniques. Choose from beautiful silks, apply stiffeners and oil pastels and create a background; then create a nuno felt. The next week we will assemble a 8x10” piece using beads, wire, threads and more. This will fuel your creativity for sculptural work, cards, embellishments and beyond!
NEW!!! Flower Fantasia
Cost: $25
Wed. April 4th 10-noon
Be enchanted with the way different materials come together and the textures they form a flower. Using simple needle felting and luxurious hand dyed silks, you’ll fashion an easy flower in no time at all!
Knitting
Call ahead for needle size needed for classes
Our knitting classes are designed to be a fun, easy, no-tears approach to learning a new skill. When registering, ask about supplies needed and we can help you pick out everything you need!
Knitting 101
Cost: $45+ materials $18
Sat. Feb. 11, 18, 25th 4-6 pm OR Thurs. April 12, 19, 26th 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. This is the perfect class if you have never knitted or if it has been years since you last picked up needles! Materials include yarn and needles for the scarf.
Knitting 102
Cost: $50
Thurs. March 22, 29th and April 5th 5-7 pm
Expand your skills! We’ll cover increases, decreases, as well as fixing knitting mistakes, simple patterns and lace. 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! Students should feel comfortable with knitting and purl.
NEW!!!! Knitting 103
Cost: $50
Tues. Feb. 14, 21, 28th 10-noon
Build on your knowledge with this class. We will learn two color knitting, cables and how to pick up your work. We’ll also cover finishing, seaming and blocking. Bring with you any questions you might have about knitting! Knitters should feel comfortable with knitting, purling and working pattern stitches.
Thrummed Mittens
Cost: $50 ; materials extra
Fri. Feb. 3, 10, 17th 2-4 pm
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. You will learn to knit in the round, picking up stitches, three needle joins and more.
Socks 101
Cost: $55; materials extra
Tues. March 13, 20, 27th 10-noon
Skill Level: Beginning knitter, comfortable with knit, purl and working pattern stitches
We’ll use the traditional method of double pointed needles and a simple pattern that will have you making a pair in no time at all. Learn short row shaping, picking up stitches, the Kitchener stitch and more!
NEW!!!! “Cowl”girls
Cost: $50
Wed. Feb. 8, 15, 22nd 10-noon
Create a cowl and learn how to knit in the round on circular needles while creating one of the hottest knits of the season! Cowls can be made in any weight yarn and pattern. We’ll give you examples for many versions!
NEW!!! Knit-A-Long: The Traveling Woman Shawl
Cost: $40
Thurs. Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23, March 1, 8th 10-11 am
Chase away the winter doldrums with this fun knit a long. We’ll start this project, and let you work at your own pace, offering help and support along the way. It is fun to see the colors and variety that exists in a knit a long- come join us!
Dyeing
Shibori Dyeing
Cost: $30 + materials: $15
Wed. Feb. 15th 1-4 pm OR Sat. April 28th 1-4 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 your choice of silk gauze or habotai silk, in yardage, shawl and scarf sizes.
Weaving
Using your Stash in Weaving Workshop
Fri. Feb. 3rd 10-2 pm OR Fri. April 20th 10-2 pm
Cost: $175 (includes a loom!)
Upgrade to a large 25” loom for only $140 more!
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 we’ll teach you how to make great scarves.
Spinning
When you start your spinning journey at Esther’s Place, you get to experience it all. You’ll be embarking on the adventure of creating your own yarns, complete with texture, color and style all your own. Whether on a spindle or wheel, start your adventure this year!
Drop Spindling 101
Cost: $30 + materials: $20
Thurs. Feb. 16th 2-4 pm OR Sat. March 24th 9-11 am OR Fri. April 27th 10-noon
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
Cost: $115 + materials $35
6 pm Sat. Jan. 28th – 4 pm Sunday Jan. 29th OR 6 pm Sat. March 31- 4 pm Sunday April 1st
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 for2 days.
Spinning 101
Cost: $235 + materials: $35
Sat. Jan. 28th, Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25th, March 10th 9-11 am
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.
Spinning 201
Cost: $75 + mat. $15
Skill Level: Beginning Spinner on the wheel or spindle
Thurs. Feb. 23rd, March 1, 8th 5-7 pm
This class expands on the skills learned in the beginning spinning class. We cover problem shooting, and different plying techniques, then exotic fibers like cotton, silk and angora, and styles of novelty yarn.
NEW!!!! Art Yarn Extravaganza
Cost: $45 + mat. $15
Skill Level: Beginning Spinner on the wheel
Fri. Feb. 10th 10-noon OR Sat. April 14th 9-1 pm
Spend a few hours in the madness of creating fun art yarns. We will be making coils, Tunisian knots, slubs, incorporating beads, sequins, wire, feathers, felt, silk ribbons, doing core spinning for lofty “cloud” yarns and sheepy yarn and a whole lot more!
Taking it from Barn to Beautiful
Cost: $40 + mat. $20
Wed. Feb. 1st 10-2 pm OR Thurs. April 5th 10-2 pm
So what happens to wool after it is sheared? Learn to prepare the fibers and spin them into yarn. We start with raw wool, wash, card and drop spin a mini skein of yarn. Learn to appreciate this great resource even better!
Mix ‘n’ match felting Classes…
Here is a list of easy classes that anyone can take, whether or not you have felted before. Call us up to make an appointment to come out and join the felting fun going on here at Esther’s Place. There is no minimum and we’ll always have a little snack for you to enjoy during your time!
$20 a person/ 2 hour classes
- 3-D Felted Animal- bring a picture of your favorite animal or pet and we’ll make it!
- Garden Bug Magnets- make a ladybug, butterfly and bee that have a magnet inside the fiber!
- Needle Felted fairy- From the petal dress to the wonderful alpaca hair, this fairy bring spring alive.
- Wet felted soap- you’ll get a soap bar kit to make one in class and three more as gifts!
- Felted bracelet- make gorgeous felt beads and combine with our fabulous bead collection to create a unique bracelet!
- Knitting Sheep – complete with yarn and needles, this sheep is too adorable
- Natasha’s Signature Flowers- colorful felt, beads and Lincoln curls make this special….learn to shape the wool with needle felting into great accessories!
- Wet felted coin purse- use bubble wrap, wool, water, soap and elbow grease to create this coin purse.
- Stash Buster Flowers- we’ll have ideas of on how to make bits of fiber, fabric and more into a beautiful flower as we make one together
- Sushi Roll Jewelry- learn to transform wool into rolls of color, which we then slice and fashion into a bracelet
- Felt Pine Trees- using a foam form and hand dyed wool locks, make a tree that is an elegant decoration for the holidays or with any forest scene.
- Geode Pin Cushion- Imagine fun layers of wool and color to house your pins!
- Wet felted flowers- a brand new flower technique using wool, water, soap and more to create layers of petals.
- Birds- from the beacon of spring, the robin, to the quirky chickadee, choose whatever bird you would like to create and watch it take flight!
- Lavendar Lamb Sachet- Tuck sweet scented lavender inside this little lamb for a special sachet.
- Mr. Penguin- let this little guy dance away as you create an adorable penguin out of wool!
- Safari animal- get to your wild side with making an elephant, zebra, lion or giraffe
- Birthday sheep- complete with all kinds of bright colors and a cupcake, this is a super cute gift for someone special
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 a 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.
$75 and a 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.
*Travel fee:
0-30 miles $35
30-50 miles $45
50-80 miles $55
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