Fiber Arts Classes | Wisconsin Alpaca & Fiber Fest

Fiber Arts Classes

Classes will be added as they are scheduled. Check back often.

All classes will be held Saturday and Sunday, April 25-26, in the New Holland Pavilion 1

E-Spinning

Saturday, April 25

9 to 10:30 am OR

11 am to 12:30 pm

Try out e-spinning. Whether you are a beginner or experienced spinner, you can accomplish e-spinning.

Class Fee: $40, plus $10 material fee.

Click to Register Here

Instructor is Carmen Ballman, and class size is limited to 10.

Little Needle Felted Birds

Saturday, April 25

9 to 10:30 am

Have you ever wanted to try needle felting? This class is a great way to get started, learn some basics and make a cute little wool bird. Needle felting doesn't have to be complicated. It can be a fun way to create something amazing out of wool. In this class, we will go over how to make basic shapes, mix colors and sculpt 3D creations out of wool.

Class fee: $30 covers all necessary supplies including the roving and needles.

Instructors are Karen and Bethanea Kottwitz. Maximum class size is 15.

Create a Zwirnknopf Button

Saturday, April 25

9 am to Noon

Often confused with Dorset buttons, Zwirnknopf buttons are constructed differently and have infinite design possibilities. We’ll learn the basic weaving technique and stitches to create a button in class. Students will also learn how to read patterns and create their own variations. Finally, we’ll cover how to apply and care for thread buttons on garments and jewelry.

Class Fee: $30 includes handouts, button forms, button clamp, thread and needle. No experience necessary.

Supplies: Students should bring scissors. Reading glasses or magnification is also helpful if needed for close-up work.

Click to Register Here
Instructor is Cris Robinson, and class size is limited to 12.

Japanese Knot Bag

Saturday, April 25

9 am to 4 pm

Using a simple resist and straight forward wet felting techniques, you’ll fashion a beautiful bag suitable for carrying a whole bunch of things! One loop handle is long and the other is short. Slip the long one through the short one and – Voila! – a secure and lovely pouch for all your treasures. We will be using Merino wool, primarily.

Class Fee: $75 includes handouts, button forms, button clamp, thread and needle. Basic wet felting skills are very helpful.

Supplies: Students should bring four beach towels or old bath towels.

Click to Register Here
Instructor is Nan Calvert, and class size is limited to 12.

Felted Soaps

Saturday, April 25

11 am - 12 pm

Handmade soap and warm fiber are a wonderful combination. Wet felting your soap gives you a built-in scrubby and helps the soap to last longer. Learn the basics of wet felting while creating a practical and easy gift. Students will have enough time to make one felted soap and gain the knowledge to make more at home.

Class fee: $30 fee will cover all the necessary supplies including the roving and handmade soap. Nothing is required of students other than their desire and enthusiasm to learn.

Instructors are Karen and Bethanea Kottwitz. Maximum class size is 15.

Kinusaiga

Saturday, April 25

1 to 3 pm

Try out this newer no-sew quilted like art form! Pictures can be made from any fabric scraps you may have laying as we piece them together into beautiful mosaic patterns. This is a great way to work with fabric without all of the stress and cost of a sewing machine! Let your creativity show and make a new colorful piece of art. Please note this class will require the use of a sharp craft knife. If you are signing up a child, contact the instructor ahead of time to see if accommodations can be made.

Students should bring: A pair of sharp scissors. Feel free to bring any fabric scraps you have to add to your project but there will be plenty of fabric provided.

Class fee: $35 covers all necessary supplies including the fabric and tools required to make a beautiful kinusaiga. To register for this class, sign up HERE.

Instructors are Karen and Bethanea Kottwitz. Maximum class size is 15.

Beaded Stitch Marker Scissor Fob

Saturday, April 25

1 to 4 pm

Learn to make itty bitty wet felted beads for lightweight stitch markers that you’ll love to use! Then we’ll create a beaded scissor fob to hold them so you’ll always know where to find your scissors and your stitch markers. Class techniques include wet felting, hole piercing, bead stringing, and jewelry construction.

Class Fee: $30 includes handouts, wool roving, beads and jewelry findings. Tools will be provided. No experience necessary.

Supplies: Students should bring scissors, ideally the pair on which you want to add a fob. Reading glasses or magnification is also helpful if needed for close-up work.

Click to Register Here
Instructor is Cris Robinson, and class size is limited to 12.

Beginning Drop Spindle (101)

Saturday, April 25

1 to 3:30 pm

Whether you have never picked up a spindle before or are currently able to lap spin or park and draft, I can make you more comfortable and confident in your future spinning adventures. We will go over some basic spinning information and terminology; I promise, no pop quizzes. But I love sharing my love of spinning and nerdy side with some fun science stuff. Bring your spindle or borrow one of mine. I will also have spindles available for purchase. Approximately 2 oz of fiber will be provided per student. If you have a drop spindle, feel free to bring it. However, you are still welcome to try one of mine. There are no prerequisites for this class.

Class Fee: $45. Please bring $5 cash to class for fiber and supplies.

OPTIONAL! Bring a spindle if you already have one, but buying one before class is not recommended. You will understand why by the end of class. No experience necessary.

Click to Register Here

Instructor is Renee Love of Wavellite Creative. Class size limited to 12.

Advanced Drop Spindle (300)

Saturday, April 25

5 to 8 pm

You have a handle on drop spinning, but you know there are some fun techniques out there. You want to try something new and fun with drop spinning! Depending on the students, we might cover "Ply on the Fly" (including Chain ply on the drop spindle), the finer points of getting what you want out of your spin (consistency or purposeful Thick-Thin or Color management), and/or Core Spinning on the drop spindle.

Class Fee: $55. Please bring $5 cash to class for fiber and supplies.

OPTIONAL! Bring your favorite spindle or two. Necessary skill: This is the Advanced class; you need to be comfortable in your drop spinning skills to get the most out of this class. You must be able to spin with an unsupported spindle and be able to let the spindle spin suspended while drafting. There will be “finger gymnastics” in this class.

Click to Register Here

Instructor is Renee Love of Wavellite Creative. Class size limited to 12.

Kinusaiga

Sunday, April 26

9 to 11 am

Students should bring: A pair of sharp scissors. Feel free to bring any fabric scraps you have to add to your project but there will be plenty of fabric provided.

Class fee: $35 covers all necessary supplies including the fabric and tools required to make a beautiful kinusaiga.

Instructors are Karen and Bethanea Kottwitz. Maximum class size is 15.

Drop Spindle Beyond Basics (102)

Sunday, April 26

9 to 11:30 am

Ok, you got yarn on the Spindle... now what? Maybe you took a class 2 days ago and need more assistance, or you took a class 2 years ago and need help getting going again.

Are you currently able to lap spin or park and draft? I can make you more comfortable and confident in your future spinning adventures. We will go over some basic spinning information and terminology; I promise, no pop quizzes. But I love sharing my love of spinning and nerdy side with some fun science stuff.

Class Fee: $50. Please bring $5 cash to class for fiber and supplies.

If you have a drop spindle, feel free to bring it. However, you are still welcome to try one of mine. Spindles will be available for purchase.

Click to Register Here

Instructor is Renee Love of Wavellite Creative. Class size limited to 12.

Plying Basics

Sunday, April 26

9 am to 12:30 pm

Learn the basics of plying singles to obtain a balanced yarn.

Class Fee: $35, plus $10 material fee.

Supplies: Students should bring a spinning wheel and drop spindle and be a beginning spinner.

Click to Register Here

Instructor is Carmen Ballman, and class size is limited to 10.

Weaving in the Round

Sunday, April 25

8 am to 11 am

Let’s take all manner of natural fibers (even paper) and a circle and weave something vibrant, textural, and exciting. You’ll incorporate beads – if you wish – as well. You’ll learn various techniques like Rya knots, Soumac stitch, circle in a circle, twining stitch, and more! You’ll return home with a beautiful piece of wall art that you designed and created.

Class Fee: $45 includes all materials and equipment. If you have a favorite yarn, by all means, bring it along!! No experience necessary.

Click to Register Here
Instructor is Nan Calvert, and class size is limited to 12.

Introduction to Knooking

Sunday, April 26

9 am to Noon

Love the look of knitting but just can’t deal with the pointy sticks? Try knooking: knitting with a crochet hook. It’s KNit + hOOK = KNOOK, pronounced ‘nook’. Knooking uses similar motions as crocheting, and the hook and cording take the place of knitting needles. The resulting fabric structure is identical in look, feel, texture, and drape of a weft knitted fabric. In this intro class, students will learn to cast on, create the knit and purl stitches, and bind off. We’ll knit flat but will discuss knitting in the round and other techniques, as well as how to create your own knook tools, convert patterns, and other helpful tips.

Class Fee: $30 includes handouts and a size J Knook with cord. Experience Required. Students should have a very basic knowledge of crochet and be able to make chain and single crochet stitches.

Supplies: Students should bring scissors and about 100 yards of a solid-colored, medium worsted weight (4) yarn in a medium or light color. The recommended hook size for your yarn should be I, J or K (5.5 to 6.5 mm) to work with the size J Knook provided in class. Reading glasses or magnification is also helpful if needed for close-up work.

Click to Register Here
Instructor is Cris Robinson, and class size is limited to 12.

Felted Soaps

Sunday, April 26

11:30 am - 12:30 pm

Class fee: $30 fee will cover all the necessary supplies including the roving and handmade soap. Nothing is required of students other than their desire and enthusiasm to learn.

Instructors are Karen and Bethanea Kottwitz. Maximum class size is 15.

Making and Using Silk Paper

Sunday, April 26

Noon to 3 pm

You’ll have the delightful experience of fashioning gummy silk – raw silk fiber with its natural sericin – into sheets akin to paper via the application of water and heat. Silk paper can be stamped, sewn, painted, molded, beaded, and sculpted into countless cool artistic things. Our project will be a handmade silk paper book with a simple binding. They make perfect gifts and keepsakes.

Class Fee: $45 includes handouts, button forms, button clamp, thread and needle. Basic wet felting skills are very helpful.

Supplies: None required from students, no experience necessary.

Click to Register Here
Instructor is Nan Calvert, and class size is limited to 12.

Little Needle Felted Birds

Sunday, April 26

1 to 2:30 pm

Class fee: $30 covers all necessary supplies including the roving and needles.

To register for this class, sign up HERE.

Instructors are Karen Kottwitz and Bethanea Kolinski.