Española Valley Fiber Arts Center | 325 Paseo de Oñate | Española, NM 87532 | (505)747-3577 

Classes at the Center

   

The Española Valley Fiber Arts Center offers a wide variety of classes for adults and children. Classes can range in length from one afternoon to several weeks. Classes are offered year-round in all aspects of weaving, spinning, dyeing, knitting, beadwork, embroidery and other techniques.

Many of our classes are taught by recognized masters in their field, and we proudly offer instruction in Northern New Mexican traditions such as Chimayó-Style Weaving, Jerga, and Colcha Embroidery. Current classes are listed below. The two prices listed are for members/nonmembers (one membership benefit is 20% off on classes). Besides regular youth classes, we also offer a summer fiber arts day camp for children ages 6 to 13.

January - March 2009 Schedule

Class Descriptions and Registration in pdf format 

The two prices listed with the classes are member/nonmember prices.  Please sign up early, classes with insufficient signees are cancelled 2 weeks before the start date.   A minimum 25% deposit is required.  If a class is cancelled, or if you notify us more than two weeks before the class starts that you cannot attend, the deposit will be refunded or applied to another class.  At 2 weeks the deposit becomes non-refundable.  A registration form is included in this newsletter on page 6. 

SPINNERS TOOLBOX with Jen Fehlau - $84/105 - materials fee $20. 
This course is for students who are ready to move beyond basic spinning and are ready to build on that basic foundation with additional skills that will enable them to have what they need in their “toolbox.”  Students will practice using the skills they learn to work with the new fibers, create different thickness and qualities of yarn, and evaluate the yarn they produce and improve on them.  The class is designed with homework in order to get the most out of this course.  Students should be prepared to have time to practice in between class sessions.  Member can rent a wheel from EVFAC or bring your own. 
Sundays, April 5, 19 & 26 & May 3; 1:00pm to 4:00pm.

HANDPAINTED ROVING with Chelsea Lovato - $25/34, materials fee $10.
Learn the techniques for hand-painted roving used in spinning, felting, or knitting.  This class offers the basic use of Cushing's acid dyes for hand-painted effects in one or multiple colors. We will learn to use the microwave and stove for use in setting the dyes. A fun and informative class for all fiber artists who use roving. These techniques can be applied to wool yarns as well. EVFAC will have roving for purchase.  Chelsea is a New Mexico native who has been spinning for four years.  She is also a knitter and her love of these two hobbies, combined with an intense love of color, inspired her to begin to dye roving and yarn.     
Saturday, April 11; 1:30pm to 4:00pm. (right after Spinning Saturday)

BEGINNING QUILTING SERIES 2 with Terry Meyer - $42/53, materials list supplied.  Confident beginners build your quilting skills with the “BUZZ-SAW.”  Make a pillow top or small wall hanging using machine quilting. Have your fabric prepared before class (wash and iron). Instruction will be given out before class. Owner of Wild Wind Quilting, Terry is a new addition to our teachers. She is passionate about quilting, and has started a guild in New York.
Saturday, April 18; 10:00am to 4:00pm.   Sample on display at EVFAC

COLONIAL RUG HOOKING with Monna Monk - $84/105, materials extra. Equipment list supplied
Learn the art of Colonial Rug Hooking – North America oldest Folk Art.  Rug hooking is a craft wherein you make rugs from loops of yarn or wool fabric that are pulled through a stiff base of burlap or linen, done with a unique crochet hook. Monna will teach you how to make your own pattern and will sell frames and hooks. Class will be offered for two weekends in April and May. You may take one or both classes. Monna has a particular interest in wool, as the cotton and synthetic fibers are not doing the wicking job of wool and even the military has returned to wool socks. She likes to use the Merino wool and silk combinations. The Rug Club that Monna created in Buffalo, WY, works out of Mountain Meadow Wool Mill, a small company that processes small batches of wool for local sheep ranchers. Monna is hoping to relocate to New Mexico.
Saturday-Sunday, April 25-26; 10:00am to 4:00pm.   Sample on display at EVFAC

GOING BIG! WITH BASKETS with Irene Smith - $42/53, materials fee $25.  Equipment list supplied.
Now that you’ve made a Market Basket, use your skills to make a BIG Market Basket, so you can tote a ton of produce in style. In this class, students will revisit the steps in making a basic market basket and will learn to add filling weavers for a sturdier base.  Irene has been making baskets for 30 years and has worked in the repair and restoration of Indian baskets.  
Saturday, April 25; 10:00am to 4:00pm. 

INTRODUCTION TO CHIMAYO STYLE WEAVING with Lisa Trujillo - $147/184, materials extra. 
Learn how to combine angles and forms to create this unique form of woven expression.  To take this class you must be able to warp a loom by yourself prior to the class, and control edges in weft-faced weave.  Lisa’s work has received numerous awards at Spanish Market and is part of collections around the world.  With her husband Irvin, she owns  Centinela Traditional Arts in Chimayo.
Friday, Saturday & Sunday; May 1-3; 9:30am to 5:00pm.

COLONIAL RUG HOOKING with Monna Monk - $84/105, materials extra, equipment list supplied.
Learn the art of Colonial Rug Hooking – North America oldest Folk Art.  Rug hooking is a craft wherein you make rugs from loops of yarn or wool fabric that are pulled through a stiff base of burlap or linen, done with a unique crochet hook. Monna will provide a pattern to use and materials kit.  Class will be offered for two weekends in April and May. Take one or both. Sample on display at EVFAC.  
Saturday and Sunday, May 2-3; 10:00am to 4:00pm.  

BEGINNING SEWING with Lorraine Gruys - $56/70. A separate supply list of basic equipment accompanies this class.
Our class will cover the basics!  We will move along quickly and hopefully thoroughly so you are comfortable with the information and are able to use what you are learning.  You will be provided with a workbook where you may take notes, read simple description of the “task,” and plastic sleeves for keeping samples of the exercises we do in class.  I urge you to be familiar with your sewing machine.  You should be able to wind bobbins, thread your machine, change stitch length width, with ease.  I will, of course, be able to assist you with minor problems, but I am hopeful you will be comfortable with the use of your machine. Lorraine is a custom tailor and an experienced sewing teacher at Santa Fe Sewing Center. 
Saturdays, May 9 & 23; 10:00am to 2:00pm.

BEGINNING QUILTING SERIES 3 with Terry Meyer - $42/53, materials list supplied.
Confident beginners build your quilting skills with the “LOG CABIN.”  Make a pillow top or small wall hanging using machine quilting. Have your fabric prepared before class (wash and iron). Instruction will be given out before class.  Sample on display at EVFAC.  Owner of Wild Wind Quilting, Terry is a new addition to our teachers. She is passionate about quilting and has started a guild in New York.
Saturday, May 16; 10:00am to 4:00pm.   

ADVANCED RIB BASKETRY: THE EGG BASKET with Irene Smith - $42/53, materials fee $15, equipment list supplied.   Maximum 6 students - sign up early!
Use the skills you learned in making a Melon Basket to create this classic basket.  This time, you’ll learn the shaping and weaving techniques involved in making this double –pouch form, also known as the hip, neck or butt basket.  Please review the god’s Eye lashing from the Melon Basket class, so we can move ahead to the new techniques.
Saturday, May 16; 10:00am to 4:00pm. 

SUMINAGASHI MARBLING with Suzanne Vilmain - $42/53, materials fee $10.
Spilling Ink / Marking Water / Capturing Tension.   Beginning with traditional techniques, sumi inks on Japanese papers, you will learn how to prepare various inks, dyes and metallics to print on papers and fabrics. With a single strand of hair, our breath, and soap we will move and manipulate while reveling in the patterns of chance and surface tension.  Suminagashi is a meditation -- still as a yoga pose, easy as a brush stroke, magical as capturing a dream.  Once comfortable with the basics, we will practice making prints that capture a vocabulary of marbled patterns.  Simple Japanese folded book forms will be used to assemble these patterns into a collaborative edition of samples and will be produced as a souvenir/container.  Artist Suzanne Vilmain utilizes layering techniques in her book arts and series of ephemeral memoirs; she teaches printmaking, binding, letterpress, and marbling workshops .
Saturday, May 23; 10:00am to 4:00pm.

CHENILLE with Trish Spillman - $126/158, materials extra.
We will weave 2 scarves of luxurious chenille in 3 days.  This is not for beginning weavers.  If you have taken this class before and would like to either refresh on extend your chenille knowledge, come have fun.  Any questions, please, call Trish Spillman at 753-3781.  Trish is the founder of EVFAC.  She weaves for sale and for fun and is fearless with color and novelty yarns.
Wednesday, Thursday & Friday, May 27-29; 10:00am to 4:30pm.

FELT TAPESTRY with Leland Guthrie $84/105 materials extra.  Break out of the geometric confines of warp and weft.  Explore smooth curves and beautiful color gradients as we learn to “paint” with wool.  The first day will be spent immersing ourselves in the artistic medium of wet wool and laying out our designs.  The second day come prepared to get wet, wild and soapy as we roll our designs into the prepared backgrounds and dance, stomp, squish and knead our tapestries into life.    Leland is an accomplished and creative felter, interested in the historical and cultural significance of felting. 
Saturday - Sunday, May 30 - 31; 9:30am to 4:30 pm.

HANDPAINTED ROVING with Chelsea Lovato - $25/34 materials fee $10.
Learn the techniques for hand-painted roving used in spinning, felting, or knitting.  This class will teach basic use of Cushing’s acid dyes for hand-painted effects in one or multiple colors. We will learn to use the microwave and stove for setting the dyes. This is a fun and informative class for all fiber artists who use roving. These techniques can also be applied to wool yarns as well. EVFAC will have roving for purchase.
Saturday, June 13; 1:30pm to 4:30pm (right after Spinning Saturday).

MITERED CORNER JACKET with Valentina Devine - $70/88 Materials extra. The possibilities for using the mitered corners technique are endless. The pattern stitch in this garment is garter stitch (knit every row).  The knitter uses color at random; so collect colors that are pleasing to the eye and be a one-of-a-kind designer. Valentina is a well-known knitting artist, designer, author, and teacher with many years of experience.
Saturday, June 20; 10:00am to 4:00pm, & Sunday, June 21; 1:00pm to 4:00pm. 

INTRODUCTION TO NUNO FELTING with Lise Poulsen - $49/62, materials fee $13.   Nuno felting is becoming very popular now, and it’s a fast and easy technique for creating beautiful highly textured ‘fabric’.  This one-day class will introduce you to the process and provide you with the materials to take away your very own creation in the form of a fabulous scarf.   Please note that there is some physical work involved – just perfect for a light upper body workout! Ask for the equipment list when you sign up. Born in England, Lise comes from several generations of accomplished and professional knitters and tatters.  She has worked in a variety of fiber mediums for the past twenty years.  Felting for over ten years, she draws inspiration for colors and textures from landscapes in England and her new home in the mountains south of Taos. 
Saturday, June 27; 9:30am to 4:30pm.

BLOCKWEAVES with Jason Collingwood - $245/307, materials extra.  This class will fill fast - sign up early!
An exploration of three end block weave, the same structure Jason uses to weave all of his rugs.  The technique starts with simple two color design and moves on to designing within the blocks and the introduction of a third color.  Techniques such as clasped wefts and dovetailing will be looked at to further increase the design scope of this structure.  2/1 double faced twill will also be covered in this class.  Special emphasis will be placed on Shaft Switching, everyone being able to adapt their looms in class to try out this exciting technique.  Jason Collingwood began studying weaving with his father, renowned weaver, Peter Collingwood, in 1987.  Jason’s rugs have been exhibited widely throughout the United Kingdom, Europe and the United States.  He spends eight to twelve weeks per year teaching rug weaving techniques in the United States and Canada.
Saturday, Sunday and Monday, June 27- 29; 9:30am to 5:00pm.


UPCOMING SUMMER CLASSES


PINE NEEDLE BASKET with Irene Smith - $42/53, materials fee $12.  Irene will teach coiled basket techniques using long leaf pine needle and raffia.  Students will learn a traditional coiled basket “start”, increasing shaping, and various stitches to create a small basket needle.  Irene has been making baskets for 30 years and has worked in the repair and restoration of Indian baskets.
Saturday, July 18; 10:00am to 4:00pm.

EXPLORING TAPESTRY USING THE HOKETT LOOM when one has “not enough time and very little money,” with Sharon Van de Velde. There is no fee for instruction, materials fee $10.  Looms will be available for the class and for purchase.  Please call to reserve your space soon so that looms can be ordered to arrive on time.
Have you wanted to learn tapestry but just could not make the time for a longer class? Learn the fundamental “meet and separate” technique and how all tapestries are variations of “hills and valleys”.  You will learn how to blend weft fiber from piles of leftovers, separated into lights, mediums and darks.  Sharon has been a tapestry weaver for eleven years.  She finds the Hokett Loom the perfect medium for testing a design or one’s choices of colors without making a huge investment.  The smaller creations can be worked together to form a large design.  As a chemist Sharon learned a lot about color. She dyes most of her yarn and also spins.
Saturday, August 15; 10:00am to 4:00pm.

Natural Dyeing with Liesel Orend- Materials Fee $15.
Learn the basics of using natural dyes to color wool and cotton yarns.  The properties of well-known dyes such as osage orange, cochineal, cutch, logwood and madder will be explained so that students will understand the range of color available from each dye material and under what conditions it works best.  Students will learn to create and maintain an indigo vat, which will then be used to create blues, and, through over dyeing, greens and purples.  This class will cover safe mordanting procedures, using the least toxic materials available, alum and iron.  We will also learn how to prepare dye baths, wash finished yarn, and keep records.  Students will make a rainbow of samples to keep and will be able to go home and begin dyeing their own yarn! 
Saturday & Sunday, August 8 & 9; 9:30am to 5:00pm.

Dye Plants to Grow with Liesel Orend- $62/$49, materials fee $10.
Explore the wide range of color available to you through plants you can grow yourself!  In this class we will use the plants growing in Liesel’s garden, including Hopi dye sunflowers, coreopsis, tobacco, madder and even bindweed to make a rainbow of samples.  Finally, we will make beautiful shades of blue using fresh indigo or woad leaves grown in the garden.  Seed sources and planting requirements will be discussed.  Students will receive yarn samples to keep.  A map to Leisel’s studio will be provided. Liesel is passionate about natural dyes and is an expert dyer.  She gathers and grows many of her dyes, and sells her naturally dyed yarn.
Saturday, August 29; 9:00am to 5:30pm.


ONGOING LEARNING at EVFAC

SPINNING SATURDAY - Polish your spinning skills or learn to spin in an informal setting.  Bring your wheel or borrow one of ours.  Free.
Saturdays, April 11, May 9, June 13; 10am to 1pm.

BRING YARN OVER, KNIT TOGETHER - A relaxed, social gathering for knitters and crocheters (not a class but we learn from each other).  All levels welcome; no charge.  Bring your yarn and needles (or buy some here) and join us!  
Mondays; 5-8pm.

WALK IN AND WEAVE for those who want to make 2x3 rag rug, but have no experience in weaving.   Cost is $25 for the warp and $10 for weft materials. 
Please contact Pam, 505-747-3577  to set up a time.

DYE DAY WORKSHOP with Pam Stewart.  Materials fee $10.  Please sign up in advance.  We will be using a modified version of the Color by Accident method for creating multicolored fabric or yarn with fiber reactive dyes.  These dyes are best for cellulose fibers such as cotton, rayon, Tencel, bamboo or linen.  Warp painting will also be offered.   Please have your fabric or warps prepared before class (fabric should be washed if new; warps already wound and tied loosely but frequently). Pam is the Education Coordinator at EVFAC. She is an accomplished fiber artist with special expertise in  sewing and rug weaving.  Her passion for dyeing is infectious, and tie-dyeing is one of her specialties.  
Saturdays, April 23, May 23, June 20;10am to 2pm.  

College Credit Courses at EVFAC

The following classes are offered at EVFAC through Northern New Mexico College.  Students can apply and register online at www.nnmc.edu, or call Donald Martinez for assistance at 575-581-4120.  The deadline for registration is one week prior to the class, and if you’ve never taken a class at NNMC before, be advised that you must apply (for non degree status) two weeks before the class begins.  Tuition is a bit higher for New Mexico non-residents, and it is substantially lower for New Mexico seniors 65+.


Four Harness Plain Weaving: Color & Weave
Instructor: Liesel Orend
Dates: June 11-13, Thurs, Fri, Sat; 9:00am to 4:00pm.
Location: This NNMC class is offered at the Espanola Valley Fiber Arts Center
Credits: 1, Tuition: Approx. $90 for NM residents    
Course # 30602
Color and weave is a weave structure that creates infinite design possibilities using a light and a dark color on a four harness loom.  The pattern looks complex, but it is actually a plain weave structure, without the floating threads a twill weave would produce.  Students will learn about this fascinating weave structure, and create one scarf or shawl to take home.  Simple patterns, such as log cabin, can accommodate the beginning weaver, but the more complex variations will bring something new to those who are more experienced.  Liesel is an accomplished weaver and a regular instructor at Northern New Mexico College and EVFAC. She weaves tapestries, complex weave rugs, and traditional jergas. She enjoys teaching the basics of weaving.

Four Harness Weaving: Double Weave Poncho
Instructor: Liesel Orend
Dates: July 8-12, Wed - Sun
Times: 9:00am to 6:00pm
Location: This NNMC class is offered at the Espanola Valley Fiber Arts Center
Credits: 2, Tuition: Approximately $130 for NM Residents    
Course # 30583
In this special form of weaving, fabric is woven folded in half on the loom, and then can be unfolded once it is off the loom.  In this class, students will learn the technique of double weave and will design and weave a poncho or blanket, incorporating vertical and or horizontal stripes.   Some weaving experience is preferred.

*NOTE*  There is space available in Liesel Orend’s April/May classes, Four Harness Weaving III: Saddle Blanket and the Design for Textiles class. See our Newsletter, January – March, 2009 or call the College.

Remember, registration for NNMC classes is through NNMC, not EVFAC .