Threads of Connection: Fiber Arts Exploration

Dive into the creative world of fiber arts with Threads of Connection-a week-long immersive workshop for the crafty at heart. We'll cover the basics of spinning, knitting, crocheting, sewing and quilting, fueling your creativity and introducing you to potential new hobbies. Team up on awesome collaborative projects that give back to the local community, and be inspired by a visit to the Quilt Museum of Virginia. The highlight is an epic quilting party where we'll stitch our personal quilt pieces into one amazing group blanket and donate it to the Rockbridge SPCA. When our designs come together, it represents our group goals of building community and mastering our craft. Threads connect us through creativity, charity, and straight up fun with fiber.


Highlights and Overview
• Day trip to the Virginia Quilt Museum in Harrisonburg, VA: when is quilting Art vs. Craft?
• Learn the basics of machine sewing, spinning yarn, knitting, crochet, and more.
• Collectively create a handmade fabric blanket for animals at the Rockbridge SPCA
• Play with needles and thread: sew your own tote bag out of vintage fabric.
• Visit local fabric and yarn stores: pick out materials and think about the business of fiber!
• Be part of a 21st century Quilting Bee! How have fiber arts changed over the centuries?

Expectations

• Students will be expected to read one or two selections each day to prepare for discussions.
• Students agree put in the effort and to approach each new craft with a growth mindset--you can learn to do this, it just takes practice and time! (You'll have time in the evenings to work on projects individually or as a group.)

Questions or comments, please contact Julie Knudson at jmknudson@wlu.edu or K.T. Vaughan at kvaughan@wlu.edu.