About

This class has been cancelled. We are sorry for the inconvenience.

All Day Fiber Bootcamp 9:00 - 4:00

Explore Weaving, Sewing and Fashion Upcycling. Join us for a crash course in weaving, sewing, and embellishing your clothes. From a woven cloth, you will create a zipper pouch. Your woven cloth can also be used to embellish your clothes. You’ll cherish your zipper pouch, learn basic sewing skills and fashion upscaling. Included in the material fees for this class is a complete take-home sewing kit to get you started on your fiber journey!

This class series is all about learning by doing!

Day one: You will start with a discussion on why everyone signed up for the class to help us cater the class to your specific needs. Next, we will do a quick overview of how the looms were prepared so you can understand the mechanics of the loom and some basic vocabulary. Then, we’ll have an introduction to weaving on a floor loom with the rest of the day to dive deeply into different colors, patterns, and techniques. Spend the afternoon weaving!

Day two: More weaving! You can get one-on-one support as you weave. As you become more comfortable with your weaving, you may wish to explore more complex weaving patterns, or you may want to do a color study using a consistent pattern in many different colors. It’s up to you! Our goal today is for you to end the day feeling confident weaving at least three different patterns. In the afternoon session, we will share some examples of weaving patterns and projects that you could make with your handwoven pieces. We will then take a short time to brainstorm ideas of how to revive an item of clothing or a bag by mending it with your beautiful handwoven fabric. We will weave a bit more and then learn how to take our pieces off the loom.

Day three: We will begin the day with the sewing machine orientation course. Upon completion, you will be approved to use the fiber arts studio sewing machine in the future. After we’ve become acquainted with the machines, we will learn how to prep our handwoven fabric for use as a zipper pouch to hold our class supplies. During the afternoon you will make your own zipper pouches – you will be amazed what a simple process it is! After making your zipper pouch, you can choose to make another or work on a different textile project of your choosing. We will be at your disposal to help you with whatever you’re hoping to make or mend.

Day four: Workshop time! The last day of class will be dedicated to finishing your zipper pouch(es) and using your handwoven fabrics to mend your well-loved textiles.

By the end of this course, you will know how to:

• Tie up treadles 
• Wind bobbins
• Maintain proper weaving body mechanics
• Weave 3-4 different weaving patterns (plain weave, 3/1 twill, pebble weave, and more!)
• Switch between weft colors
• Move your fabric forward and measure how much you’ve woven
• Take your piece off the loom
• Wash your handwoven fabric Prepare your fabric for sewing
• Sew a small zipper pouch with handwoven fabric
• Mend clothing or bags using three different stitches and your handwoven fabric

Details:

• This class is for youth ages 12-16. 
• Registration closes on Wednesday, July 27 at 1:00 pm.
• When you register your youth, please enter their name in the Youth's Name field and enter the parent/guardian email address for "registrants email". All reminders and important information will go to the email address you register with.
• Please complete and return this minor permission form by July 27.
• There is a materials fee of $90 added to your tuition which covers the take home sewing kit
• Students should bring their own lunch.  BARN has a fridge to keep food cold and a microwave for heating up food.  
• Please click here for BARN's current COVID-19 health & safety protocols.
  
• BARN is committed to accessibility. Tuition Assistance is available - click here to fill out the simple application before registering for a class. For those who might need physical assistance, please learn about BARN's Companion Program here. 
• If you have any questions, please email BARN Youth Program Director Jess Henderson at JessH@bainbridgebarn.org.
  

Instructor: Alex McKeon is a BARN member who has always found time in her life for creating. She has had a wide variety of professional experiences including work as an expedition leader, yoga instructor, personal chef, snowboard instructor, and nanny. She lives on the island with her husband and toddler and believes that working with young women is one of the most fulfilling uses of her time.