Miscellaneous Classes
All miscellaneous classes will be held in the Sparta United Methodist Church fellowship hall.
OXFORD PUNCH RUGS Beginner
Punch needle is the "upside down" version of rug hooking. It's fun, fast, and worked primarily with yarn (although other things can be used, too). Choose between one 8” x 8” piece (a good sized hot pad) or two 4” x 4” pieces (drink coasters).
In this workshop, you will learn all the basics of punch needle: stretching your monks cloth on a gripper frame, selecting your yarn, designing your piece, best practices for using your punch needle, troubleshooting, and finishing your work. There will also be tips and tricks offered along the way.
This is the perfect class for beginners, or those who have tried punch needle but are looking for more in-depth guidance on technique.
You will come away from this class with either a small tabletop hot pad or two coasters in a design of your choice, and the know-how to create future punch needle pieces of any size.
Prerequisite skills: None
Pre-class homework: None
Students bring: Small (embroidery size) scissors
Class duration: 4 hours
Instructor: Mary Berry
Date and time: Saturday, June 6, 2026, 1:00pm to 5:00pm
Materials fee: $10
Class fee: $40.00
5 to 15 students
BEYOND THE COLOR WHEEL WITH FIBER with Gregg Johnson
Beginner to Advanced
Color surrounds us and beguiles us but can be intimidating. The color wheel is a good place to start organizing one’s thoughts about color, but it is often presented as aimed at painters and decorators. This class will build a color wheel using woven swatches and then go beyond the basic two and three hue color schemes. Whether you are a knitter, weaver, felter, quilter or needle artist, this class can help you in picking your colors. Learn how your choice of tints, tones and shades of hues changes the mood and impact of colors. We will cover how to build contrast, accent, depth and background in picking color combinations.
Friday Afternoon - $30.00
HATS OFF TO VARIEGATED YARN! with Gregg Johnson
Beginner to Advanced
Many yarn lovers fall for a multi-colored yarn but then do not know what to do with it. This class will tell you what you need to know about how a specific color-way will react. The first part of the class will be a discussion of all of the features to note when evaluating the best use of a variegated yarn, the second part will be a hands on creation of a hat using your own variegated yarn, weavers with hand looms can experiment with color swatches if preferred.
For all fiber artisans, this class will help you to not be disappointed in the results you get with a beautiful variegated yarn and learn to use that yarn to its best advantage.
Prerequisite skills: None—just an interest in color and a desire to understand how best to use multicored yarn
Pre-class homework: None
Students bring: Note taking and possibly picture taking equipment, your favorite variegated yarn and an assortment of yarns that might work with it for a hat or swatch, also bring knitting needles and/or small hand looms
Class duration: 4 hours
Instructor: Gregg Johnson
Date and time: Saturday, June 6, 2026 1:00pm to 5:00pm
Materials fee: None
Class fee: $35.00
5 to 25 students
Ply Split Braiding originates in the Thar Desert in India/Pakistan and done by the camel herders. The camels are pack animals and the braids made help tie on the articles the camels carry, and used as bridles and decoration. Peter Collingwood researched and documented this historical technique and brought it to the artistic textile community where it has broadened in many directions. I choose to work with making bracelets from the 4ply cords that I twist and prepare for the students. You will use a tool called a gripfid (which is provided) and by splitting the 4-ply cords in different sequences patterns will be created.
You will be introduced to this technique through making a bracelet.
Prerequisite skills: None—just curiosity about an very old textile technique
Pre-class homework: None
Students bring: Glasses (if needed), note taking materials, open mind as this is probably a new technique to learn
Class duration: 3 hours
Instructor: Michele OReilly
Date and time: Saturday, June 6, 2026 1:30pm to 4:30pm
Materials fee: $15.00 for unique tool, patterns and twisted cords
Class fee: $45.00
6 to 12 students
LOOPS AND RINGS: Dorset Button Basics Beginner and beyond
Discover the charming art of Dorset buttons in this beginner-friendly class! Learn how to transform simple rings and thread into beautifully handcrafted buttons that can be used for embellishing clothing, accessories, and home decor. This class will cover the basic history, techniques, and patterns of Dorset button-making, ensuring you leave with the skills and confidence to continue creating on your own. All materials will be provided, and you'll take home not only your beautiful button but also the tools and knowledge to turn this craft into a rewarding new hobby!
Prerequisite skills: None
Pre-class homework: None
Students bring: Scissors
Class duration: 2.5 hours
Instructor: Rebecca Heid
Date and time: Saturday, June 6, 2026 9:00am to 12:00pm
Materials fee: Included in class fee—3-D printed shuttles, embroidery thread, needles, and any other instructions and supplies needed.
Class fee: $70.00
BRAIDED BEAUTY: Beginners Kumihimo Beginner
Learn the art of Kumihimo, a traditional Japanese braiding technique, in this beginner-friendly class. Discover how to create beautiful, intricate cords that can be used for bracelets, necklaces, keychains, and more. All materials will be provided, and no prior experience is necessary. You'll leave with your own handmade Kumihimo project and the skills to continue braiding on your own!
Prerequisite skills: None
Pre-class homework: None
Students bring: Scissors
Class duration: 2 hours
Instructor: Rebecca Heid
Date and time: Saturday, June 6, 2026 1:00am to 3:00pm
Materials fee: Included in class fee—kumihimo disk, and all thread, instructions and other supplies for finishing projects.
Class fee: $60.00
5 to 20 students