February

Patricia Stephenson, Instructor

Sunday, February 16, 2025

9 AM – 3 PM

The aim of this course is to provide a solid foundation in the art of nuno felting while creating a merino wool and silk scarf. We will drill down on equipment needed, felting and finishing technique and how to avoid the most common mistakes people make when learning to felt. Additionally, the course will cover surface embellishments such as silk, viscose and bamboo, long wools and the types of wool fibers most suitable for different applications.

Patricia Stephenson
Patricia Stephenson owns and operates Moon on the Mountain Farm and Fiber Arts LLC in Western Loudoun County Virginia. She is an artisan felt maker and shepherd to a small flock of ecologically and humanely raised (…and much loved) Merino sheep and alpacas. These lovely animals provide the fine wool Patricia uses to craft sculptural felt works and wearable art, and she takes inspiration from the beauty of the natural environment in this quiet, secluded part of Virginia.

Jessica Kauffman, Instructor

Sunday, February 16, 2025

9 AM – 3 PM

Break out of the indigo-only box and learn to clamp, bind, fold, or twist fabric to achieve dozens of variations on traditional Shibori patterns. Because we are using easy, effective, low-impact fiber reactive dyes, you can create any color you want! This will be an immersion-bath class, where we will submerge our projects in an activated dye bath and take them home in bags to wash out 24-48 hours later. Experiment with a traditional one-color effect or go crazy with multicolor projects. Class will give you time to make multiple smaller projects (napkins, fat quarters) or 1-2 larger projects (yardage, aprons, garments). These dyes work on plant fibers, so think cotton, linen, rayon, bamboo, hemp, etc. Everything is provided except whatever you want to dye. Dyeable t-shirts and assorted other garments will be available for purchase. 

Jessica Kaufman

I first learned to teach batik, tie-dye, and shibori while working at Gwynn Valley Camp in the early 2000s, and I came back year after year to continue my studies in the crafts programs there. Eventually I was hired to head up the crafts program, and was so inspired by what I was doing that I decided to earn a Masters degree in Crafts Education at Prescott College in Arizona (2008). I learned so much about how we learn as makers, how crafting positively effects our brains and our self-esteem, and about the handmade movement specifically in Southern Appalachia in the last century. All of this, plus my undergraduate degree in teaching theatre arts, means that I can give you an entertaining, in-depth, and well-paced course full of insight and experience.      

Linda Kay Benning, Instructor

Saturday, February 15, 2025

9 AM – 5 PM

Students will use Redwork techniques to embroider a hand towel.

Linda Kay Benning
Linda Kay Benning has been on a fiber journey her entire life exploring work done primarily by women. She believes the fiber work enriched their lives with color and beauty. Often their skills provided supplemental income for the family, regardless of what continent they resided on.
“I am an inch deep and a mile wide in the realm of fiber arts, focusing primarily on the heritage skills,” she recently explained. “My understanding and appreciation grows every time I try something new, often laughing when I examine my first attempt.”
She is currently president of the Chesapeake Region Lace Guild, a charter chapter of the International Organization of Lace, Inc., (IOLI), a member of IOLI, and a member serving on the administrative council of the International Bobbin and Needle Lace Organization, based in Paris. She is a member of the Embroiderers’ Guild of America, the Smocking Arts of America, and the Nelly’s Needlers who support the Woodlawn Needlework Show, now preparing for their 62nd show that will be held March 2025.
Linda Kay is a frequent teacher for these groups and also teaches virtually with The Lace Museum and with the Smithsonian Associates. She resides in Arlington, Virginia.

Patricia Stephenson, Instructor

Saturday, February 15, 2024

9 AM – 5 PM

Spend a relaxing day learning the basics of clothing mending with Shelagh Jessop of Stuart Moores Textiles. Shelagh will teach you the fundamentals of clothing mending along with some basic stitching techniques that will not only repair your clothing but make them stand out as you prolong the life of your much loved clothing. Each student will take home a mending kit that will include Stuart Moores Textiles plant dyed flosses and fabrics as well as everything you need to continue your mending practice at home.

Patricia Stephenson
Patricia Stephenson owns and operates Moon on the Mountain Farm and Fiber Arts LLC in Western Loudoun County Virginia. She is an artisan felt maker and shepherd to a small flock of ecologically and humanely raised (…and much loved) Merino sheep and alpacas. These lovely animals provide the fine wool Patricia uses to craft sculptural felt works and wearable art, and she takes inspiration from the beauty of the natural environment in this quiet, secluded part of Virginia.

Shelagh Jessop, Instructor

Saturday, February 15, 2024

9 AM – 5 PM

Spend a relaxing day learning the basics of clothing mending with Shelagh Jessop of Stuart Moores Textiles. Shelagh will teach you the fundamentals of clothing mending along with some basic stitching techniques that will not only repair your clothing but make them stand out as you prolong the life of your much loved clothing. Each student will take home a mending kit that will include Stuart Moores Textiles plant dyed flosses and fabrics as well as everything you need to continue your mending practice at home.

Jessica Kauffman, Instructor

Saturday, February 15, 2025

9 AM – 5 PM

Have you tried ice dyeing yet? It’s positively addictive and you won’t believe your results. With the magic of applying safe, easy-to-use fiber reactive dye powders over ice, colors & effects are ethereal, intricate, and never the same twice. As the colors split and fissure due to the slowly melting water, your fabric takes on watercolor-like effects that can be subtle or psychedelic! Overdye colored fabric or start with white; either way, you’ll create yardage (and/or pre-sewn garments) that are beyond beautiful. Every square inch is different! Works on knits or wovens. Class will give you time to make multiple smaller projects (napkins, fat quarters) or 1-2 larger projects (yardage, aprons, garments). These dyes work on plant fibers, so think cotton, linen, rayon, bamboo, hemp, etc. Everything is provided except whatever you want to dye. Dyeable t-shirts and assorted other garments & fabric will be available for purchase.

Jessica Kaufman

I first learned to teach batik, tie-dye, and shibori while working at Gwynn Valley Camp in the early 2000s, and I came back year after year to continue my studies in the crafts programs there. Eventually I was hired to head up the crafts program, and was so inspired by what I was doing that I decided to earn a Masters degree in Crafts Education at Prescott College in Arizona (2008). I learned so much about how we learn as makers, how crafting positively effects our brains and our self-esteem, and about the handmade movement specifically in Southern Appalachia in the last century. All of this, plus my undergraduate degree in teaching theatre arts, means that I can give you an entertaining, in-depth, and well-paced course full of insight and experience.