W1  What a Difference a Stitch Makes

Mary Self
Friday 28 April 10:30am–1:00pm
$65 – includes a materials fee of $20 to cover a printed stitch sample panel of linen/cotton fabric, two skeins of Strand yarn (different colour choices available) and needles.
Skill level: All levels

Enhance your lovely fabrics by adding another layer of stitched wool. Mary will teach you a number of her favourite outline and fill embroidery stitches. She will also discuss different needles, and how to work with different fabrics for the best result. You will be provided with a printed stitch sampler on which to try out the stitches. This can then be constructed into a handy stitch dictionary and needle book. You are welcome to bring some of your own yarn and fabrics so we can discuss and sample some creative ways to stitch. You will have access in class to other yarns and threads to try.

Mary graduated with her Bachelor of Design in Textiles in 1999, following over a decade of corporate life as a Systems Engineer at IBM. Having owned Nancy’s Stitch Studio for 22 years, she is now continuing the online and wholesale sales of Jennifer Pudney Kits, Strand yarn and her own designs. She is also loving time to continue developing her own design and art practice.
maryself.nz

Back to the top

W2  Make Your Own Stitch Markers

Joy Wintour
Friday 28 April 10:30am–1:00pm
$85 – includes a materials fee of $40 to cover the cost of beads, charms and fittings.
If you finish quickly and want to make more stitch markers there will be more supplies available on site, so bring cash for extras.
Skill level: All levels

Stitch markers are the jewellery of knitting (and crochet) – functional, they can also be pretty, diverse in looks, and one can never have too many! In this class you will learn three different techniques for making stitch markers. Design your own markers using each technique, and take home three completed sets of six! There will be a range of beads and charms supplies, but please note that they will differ to those in the picture.

Joy has been crafting since she was a child. She worked through university for a jewellery shop, making beaded necklaces and earrings. She took up knitting about ten years ago and was able to apply her beading skills to making stitch markers. Joy is half of the mother-daughter team who own theyarnqueen.co.nz and their socials are the best place to see finished work.
instagram.com/theyarnqueennz/

Back to the top

W3 Make a Small Flax Kete

Caroline Smith
Friday 28 April 10:30am–1:00pm
$45
Skill level: All levels

In this workshop you will create a small two cornered kete (konae) using the Māori raranga techniques and flax prepared and provided for the task. No prior experience is required, and all materials and equipment will be provided. However, information and demonstrations in the last half hour of the workshop should provide enough information for you to collect and prepare flax yourself should you wish to make another kete in the future.

My background lies in earth science and teaching. However much of my art and craft work, including exhibition and teaching, has involved creating and embellishing felt. I’m now going back to draw inspiration from the earth. I am exploring plant and other fibres using traditional basketry techniques. I look forward to sharing and exploring some of those ideas with others.

Back to the top

W4 Weave Narrow Bands Using a Mini Rigid Heddle

Sandra Brooks
Friday 28 April 10:30am–1:00pm
$65
Skill level: Beginner

Learn how to make simple bands using a mini rigid heddle and backstrap.

Sandra has been braiding and weaving bands for over 15 years and is interested in a wide variety of techniques. She is passionate about creating bands and cords that can be used for a variety of purposes. Sandra is also a loom weaver and an embroiderer.

Back to the top

W5 Mending by Design
Repeated on Saturday afternoon: W5A

Anna Hicks
Saturday 29 April 10:30am–1:00pm
$49 – includes a materials fee of $4
Skill level: All levels

Rather than trying to conceal the wear and tear on your favourite clothing, why not make a feature of it? Mending should be something fun and celebrated as part of the item’s history rather than something to be disguised. In this class, you’ll learn a variety of decorative patching and hand embroidery techniques to repair and add design features to your much-loved wardrobe.

Anna Hicks is a sustainable textile artist from Wellington. She has a fashion design degree and has been exhibiting and teaching a variety of textile art for many years now. She is passionate about promoting the health benefits of hand crafts and believes that imperfections are proof it was handmade.

annahicks.co.nz
facebook.com/RunningWithStitches
instagram.com/runningwithstitches

Back to the top

W6 Introduction to Fiberworks PCW Weaving Design Software

Agnes Hauptli
Saturday 29 April 10:30am–1:00pm
$49 – includes a materials fee of $4 to cover the cost of handouts
Skill level: Beginner/intermediate

This workshop is for weavers who are intending to or have purchased the software and want to learn more about it. What the software can do for you, how to use the different tools and how to create designs that are weavable. This workshop will be in the form of a lecture (not a practical workshop). Please bring pen and paper to take notes.

I started weaving about 30 years ago and bought my first version of Fiberworks in 2001. Since then I have trialled other design software but Fiberworks is the one I use for all of my work that is being created. All of the items I weave I design myself and these are mostly scarves, shawls, baby wraps, baby blankets and art pieces for exhibitions.

agnes-h-hand-weaving.com
facebook.com/agneshhandweaving
instagram.com/agneshauptli

Back to the top

W7 Spinning European Flax

Shan Wong
Saturday 29 April 10:30am–1:00pm

$55 – includes a materials fee of $10 for grades of combed flax fibre
Equipment: spinning wheel
Skill level: Moderately confident in spinning

Flax is a bast fibre extracted from the stem of the flax plant*. It becomes linen when spun. Linen is long, lustrous and strong, and has been used to make cloth for thousands of years. Hand spinning flax is an ancient skill. You will learn how to spin flax on your spinning wheel from combed flax fibre and how to finish the yarn. Linen yarn can be used as singles or plied in knitting, crochet and weaving. *European flax Linum Usitatissimum distinct from New Zealand flax Harakeke.

Shan is largely a self-taught spinner. Her scientific training gives her a deep technical understanding and a love for problem solving. Her friends at her guild enjoy her wicked sense of humour. She collaborates with Mary Knox in all manners concerning spinning wheels, and maintains the NZ Spinning Wheels Info website nzspinningwheelsinfo.wordpress.com

Back to the top

W8 Considerations for Constructing a Felt Garment

Rene Corder Evans
Saturday 29 April 10:30am–1:00pm
$47 – includes a materials fee of $2
Skill Level: All levels

This workshop will give students a basic understanding of the factors that need to be considered when planning, designing and making a constructed felt garment. Students will learn basic pattern manipulation techniques, how to understand/change a commercial pattern and other considerations for designing a felted garment, and suitable seam finishings. Students may wish to bring a pattern or drawings, pictures and sketches of a garment they wish to construct. While this class is not hands-on, some basic sewing knowledge would be an advantage. Students need to bring paper, scissors, ruler, pencils, glue or tape, and a notebook or paper.

Rene has a passion for all things textiles, but specialises in constructing felt garments and weaving, especially weaving that has movement beyond the normal grid. She has a Diploma of Fashion Design from the University of the Fraser Valley, Canada, and went on to become a textile design instructor within the same University. Rene is now retired and divides her time between New Zealand and Canada. Her work can be seen at www.corderevans.com

Back to the top

W9 Paint and Steam Dyeing
Repeated on Friday morning: W9A

Fiona Macrae
Saturday 29 April 2:00–4:30pm
$70 – includes a materials fee of $25 to cover the dye and two 50g skeins and one 100g skein of yarn.
Skill level: Suitable for all levels of dyeing experience

Learn how to use acid dyes and a yarn painting technique to produce your own unique hand dyed yarn. Please bring a container to take wet yarn away in. Please wear old clothes or bring an apron.

Fiona is a dyer, tapestry weaver and felter from Wellington. Fiona is an experienced tutor and has tutored a number of dyeing workshops.

Back to the top

W10 Introduction to Surface Crochet

Ruth Walden
Saturday 29 April 2:00–4:30pm
$45
Skill level: Previous crochet experience required

Participants are required to pre-crochet two simple blocks in the yarn weight of your choice; the patterns will be sent out in advance. You will need to bring to the class your completed blocks, additional yarn nuggets in the same weight as that used to finish your blocks in at least three colours, and the crochet hook in the size you used to make the blocks.

Surface crochet involves making stitches through the surface of a previously crocheted surface to create 3D texture and embellishments. These techniques are commonly found in textured blankets but can be used for many types of projects. We will explore ways to use a variety of stitches to embellish your crochet and bring the surface of your work to life. Participants must be confident to use single crochet to create geometric shapes, and we recommend that you are confident with chain stitch, single crochet and double crochet (using American terms).

Ruth recalls as a nine-year-old watching her mum crocheting a raffia handbag. As she watched, she realised it just made sense so she sat down to teach herself to crochet. She hasn’t looked back since! With 50 years crochet experience, Ruth looks forward to sharing this technique with you. Ruth is half of the mother-daughter team who own theyarnqueen.co.nz and their socials are the best place to see finished work.

Back to the top

W11 Long Draw Spinning

Shan Wong
Sunday 29 April 10:30am–1:00pm

$53 – includes a materials fee of $8 for various rovings and fibre suitable for long draw. You may also bring your own fibre.
Equipment: Spinning wheel and hand carders.
Skill Level: Moderately confident in spinning

Long draw is traditionally used in Europe to make woollen spun yarn. It’s particularly suited for rapidly spinning shorter fibre into elastic, light and warm yarn, which is different to worsted yarn. You will learn how to set up your wheel, prepare your fibre, and spin in long draw. Not only will your yarn be soft and airy, you’ll be able to spin productively!

Shan is largely a self-taught spinner. Her scientific training gives her a deep technical understanding and a love for problem solving. Her friends at her guild enjoy her wicked sense of humour. She collaborates with Mary Knox in all manners concerning spinning wheels, and maintains the NZ Spinning Wheels Info website nzspinningwheelsinfo.wordpress.com

Back to the top

W12 Introduction to Papillon Shawl

Joy Wintour
Sunday 29 April 10:30am–1:00pm

$45
Materials options: No materials fee will be charged for this workshop at the time of registration. There are three options – you will be contacted to determine your preferred option:

You will also require a 100cm circular needle, 3.5mm (or your preferred size for this weight of yarn). If supplying your own wool, you will require 4 ply/fingering yarn in two colours, 200g of your main colour and 100 grams of your contrast colour. The yarn must be balled or caked and ready to knit.
Skill Level: Suitable for adventurous beginners and above. Must be confident with the simple knit stitch to do the class – all other techniques (except casting/binding off) will be covered in class.

The Papillon Shawl by Marin Melchior has enchanted knitters since it was released. It is bewitchingly simple for such a beautiful, finished result, but many people find themselves overwhelmed when they first attempt it. This class will break down the pattern and the techniques used so that you can be confident to make your own. Be warned – once you have made one, you may find yourself making many more!

Ten years ago, Joy decided she really wanted something more portable than her beloved sewing machine. Knitting and Joy just clicked with each other, like a great first date, and within six months she was a better knitter than she was a sewer. She looks forward to helping you achieve your butterfly shawl dreams. Joy is half of the mother-daughter team who own theyarnqueen.co.nz and their socials are the best place to see finished work.

Back to the top

W13 Make Cords Using A Lucet

Sandra Brooks
Sunday 29 April 10:30am–1:00pm

$65 – includes a materials fee of $20 to cover the cost of the lucet and fibre.
Skill Level: Beginner

Learn how to make cords using a lucet, a tool dating from both the Viking and Medieval periods. Lucet cords are strong, square and slightly elastic.

Sandra has been braiding and weaving bands for over 15 years and is interested in a wide variety of techniques. She is passionate about creating bands and cords that can be used for a variety of purposes. Sandra is also a loom weaver and an embroiderer.

Back to the top

W14 Make A Simple Basket

Caroline Smith
Sunday 29 April 10:30am–1:00pm

$45
Skill Level: All levels

In this workshop you will create a basic coiled basket using leaves from NZ flax and cabbage trees as the core and stitched with strong threads, yarns and or recycled fabrics. No prior experience is required. All materials and equipment will be provided but do bring your own threads etc. if you wish. You can embellish as time allows with feathers, leaves, beads, or other surface stitching.

My background lies in earth science and teaching. However much of my art and craft work, including exhibition and teaching, has involved creating and embellishing felt. I’m now going back to draw inspiration from the earth. I am exploring plant and other fibres using traditional basketry techniques. I look forward to sharing and exploring some of those ideas with others.

Back to the top