Fiber Arts

Calling all fiber artists! Do you have a project you're in the middle of? Want some company while you work? Sounds like AFS Sewing Circle is the place for you! Quilters, knitters, and fiber artists alike are welcome to join us every month for an afternoon of quilting and camaraderie. Bring your works in progress, and enjoy sharing your experience and the company of your fellow quilters. Pre-registration is not required. All are welcome!

This is a class to take if you are new to sewing or if you just need to refresh your skills. Topics included will be basic sewing and pattern skills needed for garment sewing and quilting. You will need to be familiar with theses skills to enjoy future quilting and sewing classes. Notions that are necessary, as well as nice to have will be shared a discussed. Students will need to bring their own sewing machine. Students may also wish to bring their other sewing tools and notions that they would like to learn more about.

Spinning, the ancient art of twisting fibers to make yarn or thread, still thrives today, and this workshop will show you how to bring its magic into your own creative practice. In this workshop, you will learn how to spin wool using spindles and a spinning wheel and hear stories and folklore about spinning while you practice. You will learn the basics of spinning, how to work with the properties of wool, and how to ply and finish the yarn you have spun. No experience is necessary.

This weave structure creates a light and airy scarf that is perfect for early spring through fall. It is always a wonderful accessory to add color to your wardrobe any time of year. A hem stitch will be hand sewn on the loom at the start and finish of the scarf, allowing the soft yarns to flow as a soft fringe.

Wool is a versatile ecological material for knitting, felting, and weaving, but processing it can be a bit tricky for a beginner. In this workshop, you will learn how to work with wool starting with raw fleece straight off the sheep and ending with handspun yarn ready to be incorporated into your craft projects. We will play with wool from a variety of sheep breeds, including some rare heritage breeds, and we’ll learn how to use their different qualities to create the perfect materials for your projects. You will learn how to use different wool processing tools like hand cards, wool combs, and a drum carder. If you like starting with natural materials and seeing them through to the finished product, this is a great workshop for you!

Wool is a versatile ecological material for knitting, felting, and weaving, but processing it can be a bit tricky for a beginner. In this workshop, you will learn how to work with wool starting with raw fleece straight off the sheep and ending with handspun yarn ready to be incorporated into your craft projects. We will play with wool from a variety of sheep breeds, including some rare heritage breeds, and we’ll learn how to use their different qualities to create the perfect materials for your projects. You will learn how to use different wool processing tools like hand cards, wool combs, and a drum carder. If you like starting with natural materials and seeing them through to the finished product, this is a great workshop for you!

Wool is a versatile ecological material for knitting, felting, and weaving, but processing it can be a bit tricky for a beginner. In this workshop, you will learn how to work with wool starting with raw fleece straight off the sheep and ending with handspun yarn ready to be incorporated into your craft projects. We will play with wool from a variety of sheep breeds, including some rare heritage breeds, and we’ll learn how to use their different qualities to create the perfect materials for your projects. You will learn how to use different wool processing tools like hand cards, wool combs, and a drum carder. If you like starting with natural materials and seeing them through to the finished product, this is a great workshop for you!

Calling all fiber artists! Do you have a project you're in the middle of? Want some company while you work? Sounds like AFS Sewing Circle is the place for you! Quilters, knitters, and fiber artists alike are welcome to join us every month for an afternoon of quilting and camaraderie. Bring your works in progress, and enjoy sharing your experience and the company of your fellow quilters. Pre-registration is not required. All are welcome!

The overshot weave structure is a personal favorite of Janet’s. The instructor will share the history of the weave structure and the pattern that students will be using to create an elegant table runner.

Learn to weave on a floor loom.  With instruction and hands on experience, you will perform each step of the process - winding a warp, dressing a loom, and weaving a cotton towel to take home and use for years to come.

In this series of classes, a new quilt block will be introduced each month along with the techniques used to cut, piece, and construct the quilt block. Color is an important component to block and quilt design. Examples will be presented for each block to help you create a quilt that is pleasing to your personal color and style. Each offering can stand on its own, so take one, a few or all five! Students should have some basic knowledge of sewing prior to taking this class.
May 14: Log Cabin Quilt Block – A nice beginner block to practice the mastery of the ¼” seam and the skill of squaring off the block as it builds in size. The technique to sandwich the quilt layers will be taught as well as completing the quilt with a bias binding. Students will use their blocks to create placemats.
June 11: Four Patch Star Quilt Block – This is a well-known traditional block with many variations. We will look at the variations and dream of future quilting possibilities. Students will learn several methods to cut and sew half square and quarter triangles; the building block for an endless variety of quilt blocks. Sewing techniques will be shared and practiced to create the points of the star. You will also learn how to complete a pillow with or without a zipper.
July 9: Traditional Basket Block – This is another traditional block that will use the skills taught in the Four Patch Star Block Party. Variations in color will often make this block a popular choice for seasonal quilts and table runners. Several examples will be shared. New sewing and quilting techniques in this class will include placing blocks on point, sashing, and adding a sleeve to make this a wall hanging.
August 13: Blazing Star- The Blazing Star Quilt Block is spectacular and will use the skills acquired in previous block parties. You will be surprised to learn that the challenge to this clock comes in organizing your pieces before you sew each block, the sewing should no longer be your challenge.
September 10: Maple Leaf Block – A traditional block that is very popular in quilts and seasonal table runners and wall hangings. Just in time for Autumn in the Adirondacks, create your own display of fall leaves in a quilted project for your home.

Learn to weave on a floor loom.  With instruction and hands on experience, you will perform each step of the process - winding a warp, dressing a loom, and weaving a cotton towel to take home and use for years to come.