Skill Level and Prerequisites: Beginner

Instructor: Liz Whiteside

Group Meet Ups: Sundays, October 25, November 22, December 20, January 17, February 21, March 21, April 18, and May 16; 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm 

$220 member/$220 non-member

What you will learn: There are over 35 hours of video learning plus written info/PDFs. This is a 9 month class that you will have access to 35 hours of video for life. You can join us and work as a group or go at your own pace. We will have access to Liz Whiteside for questions and feedback. That’s a huge amount of content.

We will jump straight into Seascapes in our first ‘starter’ module. Note: This module is purposefully set up with a limited number of colors. This is to allow non-UK people to purchase yarn in a cost effective way. You can see if you like the color blending journey before investing in more colors.

We will start gently with graduated color blending, before adding more advanced designs and objects of interest - like boats.

There are so more exercises to choose from:

• Start Seascape model with a limited palette

• Color blending in gradients/multiple colors

• Abstract works

• Four selvedge/fringeless

• Exposed warp play

• Shapes and sheds

• Meet and separate

• Importance of pigtails

• Twisting warp

• Creating worms

• Weaving side on

• Importance of cartoons

Four selvedge weaving is a great technique to know about. If you have a Mirrix pocket loom (or equivalent) then Liz will show you how to do it on these looms. Liz will also show you how you can use a classic Mirrix to create the ancient method too.

Liz Whiteside will be at your side as we take it step-by-step. Liz will create all the designs for you, and you can download them as PDFs. She will show you how you can print these templates to scale.

Materials: As per the beginner’s course, but everything is itemized again for you. You will utilize a 6” loom, small tapestry needle, tapestry beater (kitchen fork), scissors, and masking tape.

Looms: Either a Mirrix Saffron, Chloe (either size), or a frame loom. You would only need a Mirrix style loom for four selvedge weaving. Liz wants you to work at 8 ends per inch for the most success.

Note: As a guild, we will do a group order on the yarn. Our Education and Programming Committee is also working on a discount for Mirrix Looms!

Skill Level and Prerequisites: Beginner

Instructor: Cherie Maxson and Erica Lueder

Saturday, October 31; 10:00 am - 2:00 pm 

$50 member/$60 non-member

We’ll start with the Science.  Participants will learn how to prepare dye stock solutions, what depth of shade means, and how to make the calculations to get the color you want every time.  From there, we’ll go to the Art, mixing color a bit at a time, or overdying, to see what you can create! We’ll start with mixing primary colors to get secondaries, and then move on to creating one of a kind custom colors.  Each participant will leave with 25 samples and a logbook of dye recipes.

Bring lunch or plan to go out for a break.

Materials Notes: (25) 10 gram skeins per participant provided.  Bring rubber gloves, note taking material and a plastic bag or two to carry home your wet samples.  Wear old clothes or an apron!  This is messy!

Material Fees (payable to Instructor): $25.00

Equipment Notes: Dye lab equipment and primary cool and warm YRB dyes

Maximum participants: 12

Skill Level and Prerequisites: Beginner

Instructor: Rainbow Feathers Farm

Location: 69 Western College Rd, Cedar Rapids

Saturday, November 7; 10:00 am - 2:00 pm 

$63.75 member/$63.75 non-member

Ever wondered how a cone of yarn becomes a finished hat or scarf in an afternoon? In this hands-on beginner class, you’ll learn to operate a Brother flatbed knitting machine from the ground up - no prior knitting experience needed, just curiosity.

What you’ll learn: This isn’t just “push the carriage and hope.” You’ll walk away actually understanding how your machine works:

• How stitches are formed - the real mechanics behind every knit and purl, demonstrated by hand before you see it at speed on the machine

• Machine anatomy - needle beds, carriage, tension dial, sinker plate, and every part you’ll touch explained

• Yarn selection - which weights and fibers work best for you machine, and how to test any mystery yarn with the wrap-per-inch method

• Machine setup from scratch - mounting, threading, tension settings, and the safety basics every student needs

• Casting on - three methods (e-wrap, waste yarn, and latch-tool), so you know which to use and why

• Tension & swatching - why a 10-minute swatch saves hours of frustration, and how to read your fabric like a pro

• A real finished project - you’ll choose between a hat or a scarf, and knit it start to finish using everything you’ve learned

• Casting off & finishing - blocking, and weaving in ends so your project looks professionally made

You’ll Leave With: A finished, wearable project you made yourself - A tension swatch and notes to reference for your next project - The confidence to set up and run the machine independently

Why Take This Class: Machine knitting is having a real moment - makers, small designers, and craft entrepreneurs are using these machines to create things you simply can’t buy anywhere else. Whether you want to make gifts for the people you love, explore a new creative outlet, or eventually build something of your own, this class is where it starts.

Bonus!: We also get to feed and play with the alpacas!

Maximum participants: 8

Skill Level and Prerequisites: Beginner

Instructor: Cherie Maxson

Sunday, November 8; 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm 

$50 member/$60 non-member

Ever wonder which preparation you should use with a washed fleece?  How do you choose whether to comb, card, flick, and what does that even mean?  This class will teach you to use all three fiber prep methods, and why and when you should use each one.  

Materials Notes: Fiber will be provided

Equipment Notes: Hand cards and Hand combs will be available to borrow in class, but if students have their own, they should bring them.

Maximum participants: 10

Skill Level and Prerequisites: Beginner

Instructor: Tyler Johnson

Sunday, November 15; 9:00 am - 4:00 pm 

$100 member/$110 non-member

This workshop will cover everything you need to know about making beautifully carded batts! We will cover a wide range of topics in regards to properly using your drum carder, starting with a thorough introduction to the equipment and the fibers themselves. Covering woolen vs. worsted prep, we’ll work through carding your own washed locks; which we will then either blend or layer with a variety of other wools and luxury fibers depending on your end goal. We will also go over some “blending theory” with some good rules of thumb for creating a “good” blend of wools and other fibers that work together nicely.

Material Fees (payable to Instructor): $20. Materials cost will cover 4 oz of fiber: 1 oz washed locks, 1 oz combed top, 1 oz accessory fiber, 1/2 oz Silk, 1/2 oz “texture”

Equipment Notes:  Drum Carders provided by Guild, or student may use their own

Maximum participants: 5

Skill Level and Prerequisites: Beginner

Instructor: Des Moines Weavers and Spinners Guild Members

Saturday, November 21; 9:00 am - 3:00 pm 

$65 member/$65 non-member

Do you love the idea of gifting a handmade item to a loved one (or yourself!) for the holidays? But, seriously, who has the time for that?!?  

Well, now you do!

We’ll have the looms all set up and instructors on hand.  You just need to arrive for a relaxing day of crafting to make a fashionable hand woven scarf!  No experience is necessary as the setup, warping of the rigid heddle looms, will already be done.  You will quickly learn the weaving process and off you go, leaving at the end of the workshop with a finished, hand-woven, wool blend scarf!

A selection of different colorways will be available on a first come-first serve basis.

Maximum participants: 8

Skill Level and Prerequisites: Beginner

Instructor: Emily Bollhoefer

Saturday, November 21; 9:00 am - 3:00 pm 

$50 member/$60 non-member

It’s relaxing, it’s portable, it’s inexpensive and it spun the world’s threads for thousands of years.  It’s the Drop Spindle! Spindling is a great way to learn the mechanics of spinning, to learn how to handle fiber, and to experiment with new fibers.  Spindlers have great control of drafting and the insertion of twist.  The instructor will demonstrate with various fibers and spindles.  Plying techniques will be discussed and demonstrated.  No experience necessary!

Equipment: Drop Spindles and Fiber will be available for your use or you are welcome to bring your own. 

Instructor Bio:  Emily is a member of the Des Moines Weavers and Spinners Guild and one of the more accomplished spinners in the Midwest. Her gorgeous yarns have earned many accolades including Blue Ribbons in Spinning and Handknit with Handspun, Best of Show and Sweepstakes at the Iowa State Fair; Blue Ribbons at the Wisconsin State Fair; Best of Show at the Michigan Fiber Festival; and 1st Place at HGA Convergence 2024!

Maximum participants: 8

Skill Level and Prerequisites: Beginner

Instructor: Bonnie Ohrt

Saturday, November 21; 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm 

$60 member/$70 non-member

This class will start with the basics of needle felting, and learning the capabilities of 3 different species of wool types used: Alpaca, Sheep’s wool and Llama fiber.  We will go over the steps involved in order to create your own style or design of the pictured example of a Mountain Bluebird. 

You will have your choice of doing this Bluebird picture, or you can select from a large variety of other project examples that Bonnie will have available that day, or even do a felting project on a Christmas Stocking!

A “Starter Kit” is included with the class fee. This kit includes all materials needed to create your own picture – with plenty of wools to take home with you to continue another project!

No special skills are required – as when doing any needle felting pictures – your own creativity will show through. Everyone has their own style, and this is just a fun new art concept to learn!

Materials Notes: Students do not need to bring anything - all materials, including the Starter Kit, will be provided and included in the cost of the class. The Starter Kit includes:

• Wool base

• Foam pad

• Fiber multi-Pack

• 3 Needle felting needles

Instructor Bio: Bonnie is the creative energy behind Homespun Family, a small family business which incorporates both the historical side of her family and the current activities with their fiber animals.  Bonnie creates many 2D needle felting artworks and custom animal prints.  Having learned from her grandmother and parents, Bonnie has years of experience weaving rag and denim rugs, and also fiber/wool rugs made from their own alpaca as well as Jacob Sheep, Navajo Churro, Racka Sheep and llama!

Maximum participants: 12

Skill Level and Prerequisites: Ages 10 to 14

Instructor: Des Moines Weavers and Spinner Guild Members

Saturday, December 5; 10:00 am - 12:00 pm 

No cost for kids!

Come make a bracelet or keychain - perfect for a Christmas Gift!

Kids get to keep the kumihimo disc.  

Maximum participants: 15

Skill Level and Prerequisites: Ages 10 to 14

Instructor: Des Moines Weavers and Spinner Guild Members

Saturday, December 5; 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm 

No cost for kids!

Come make a band for a strap, bracelet, or keychain!  

Maximum participants: 15

Skill Level and Prerequisites: Beginner

Instructor: Tyler Johnson

Sunday, December 6; 9:00 am - 4:00 pm 

$100 member/$110 non-member

This workshop will cover everything you need to know about making beautifully carded batts! We will cover a wide range of topics in regards to properly using your drum carder, starting with a thorough introduction to the equipment and the fibers themselves. Covering woolen vs. worsted prep, we’ll work through carding your own washed locks; which we will then either blend or layer with a variety of other wools and luxury fibers depending on your end goal. We will also go over some “blending theory” with some good rules of thumb for creating a “good” blend of wools and other fibers that work together nicely.

Material Fees (payable to Instructor): $20. Materials cost will cover 4 oz of fiber: 1 oz washed locks, 1 oz combed top, 1 oz accessory fiber, 1/2 oz Silk, 1/2 oz “texture”

Equipment Notes:  Drum Carders provided by Guild, or student may use their own

Maximum participants: 5

Skill Level and Prerequisites: Intermediate or Beginners Looking for a Challenge

Instructor: Adah Leshem

Zoom Call Set Up: Thursday, January 21st;
Class: Saturday & Sunday, January 30th & 31st;

$205 member/$230 non-member

Advancing Snowflake is a beautiful twill design that shows more pattern interest than a straight twill without creating long floats. It is a lovely option for runners and borders of towels as well as scarves & cushion covers.

Materials Notes: 10/2 Mercerized perle cotton or 8/2 unmercerized cotton/cottolin. Can bring several colors to experiment with

Equipment Notes: 8 shaft loom, 10 or 12 dent reed, shuttles, bobbins, weights for floating selvedges, scissors, pins small post it notes

Maximum participants: 6

Skill Level and Prerequisites: Intermediate

Instructor: Marilyn Anderson of Two Cedars Weaving 

Saturday & Sunday, February 20th & 21st; 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

$205 member/$230 non-member

Learn the techniques of a weft faced pattern and go home with a set of 4  placemats and a table runner.

Materials Notes: You need 2000 yards of 8/4 cotton in 2 to 5 colors for warp, 100 yards mop cotton (or 1” wide fabric strips or super bulky cotton yarn), and 180 yards of 8/4 cotton for weft.

Equipment Notes

You will need to bring:

• 4 shaft loom that with a minimum 13” wide weaving width.

• 8 dent reed

•  2 shuttles

• Scissors

• Tape measure

• Pins

• Post it notes
  
  

Maximum participants: 4

Skill Level and Prerequisites: Beginner

Instructor: Lisa Schweitzer 

Saturday, March 6th; 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

$100 member/$110 non-member

Let’s play with foraged fibers! In this class, we’ll spend the day learning to make baskets with cording, netting, and twining with many different materials gathered from nature and the garden. Materials are likely to include: daylilly leaves, grapevines, cattails, corn husks, and other stuff from the instructor’s garden or her woods.

Equipment Notes: Good quality garden secateur (can share), spray bottle, towel, Nalbinding needle or Sami shuttle (helpful, but don’t worry if you don’t have it)

Maximum participants: 8

Skill Level and Prerequisites: Beginner

Instructor: Melba Granlund

Thursday April 22nd - Friday April 23rd;

$200 member/$220 non-member

Have you ever admired beautiful mittens in a museum display - the historic ones that were made from nålbinding? Even better, those that were embroidered? Some of the oldest nålbound garments are socks and mittens which date to either the Viking Era or even earlier Iron or Stone Age.

In this two-day class students will learn nålbinding techniques suitable for mittens using a variety of practice yarns and then craft their own mittens using woolen yarn of their choice. Design choices for shape of mitten and hands-on instruction on how to make embellished finished edges like roped braids or loopy kavelfrans will be demonstrated. Many students will be able to complete one mitten during class time. Finished pieces, reference materials, and photographs of historical garments will be available for hands-on inspection and inspiration. Ideas for embroidery will be discussed so students can add embroidery to their mittens at a later time. 

Materials Fee 

The materials fee of $20 covers several types of practice yarns, written instructions, and a handmade wooden nålbinding needle.

Additional Supplies

Students will need to purchase yarn for their final project and bring it to the first class. Single-ply woolen yarns like Lamb's Pride bulky (highly recommended, very soft, has 15% mohair) and Alafoss Lopi (a bit scratchy but works well) are recommended. Loosely plied woolen yarns such as Rauma Vams or Roving yarns (very soft with hardly any twist, tends to shred if overworked) also work well. Superwash is not suitable for nålbinding as the yarn must be able to felt. Yarn for braided edges is the same as used for the body of the mitten. Yarn for kavelfrans or embroidery will be discussed and must be provided by the student. 

Suggested Tools 

● Measuring tape 

● Note taking materials

Maximum participants: 8

Skill Level and Prerequisites: Beginner

Instructor: Melba Granlund

Saturday April 24th - Sunday April 25th;

$200 member/$220 non-member

Ever wonder how some of those narrow trims or bands you’ve seen on historical garments were made? The oldest ones were woven with threads or yarns and simple tools. That’s still true today. One of the weaving techniques used to make these bands was called Tablet Weaving, commonly known today as Card Weaving. In this class, students will learn how to weave some patterns from the Viking Age using colors of their choice and an inkle loom. No experience is required, but the technique does require long periods of sitting.

Materials Fee of $20 includes instructional booklet and yarns for two different Viking era patterns using colors selected by the student. Students must purchase (and bring with) the weaving cards to use in class, sold in a pack of 25 for @ $10-15.  Shuttles will be available, but students are free to bring their own.  

Maximum participants: 8

Past 2025-2026 Guild Year Classes:

Beginning Weaving on a 4-Shaft Loom Sept. 22, 24, 29, & Oct. 1, 2026

Beginning Spinning on a Wheel Sept. 26 & 27, 2026

Creating a Zipper Pouch with Your Handwoven Oct. 4, 2026

From Flax to Thread: Hands-On Linen Processing Oct. 10, 2026

Weave Your Own Rug Oct. 11, 2026

Beginning Rigid Heddle Oct. 17, 2026

Getting Started with Woolly Washing Oct. 18, 2026

Weave Your Own Rug Oct. 22, 2026

Beginning Inkle Weaving Oct. 24, 2026

Past 2025-2026 Guild Year Classes:

Beginning Spinning on a Wheel Sept. 27 & 28, 2025

Intro to Natural Dyes Oct. 5, 2025

Beginning Weaving on a 4-Shaft Loom Oct. 7, 9, 14, & 16, 2025

Danish Medallions on a Rigid Heddle Loom Oct. 25, 2025

Beginning Card Weaving Nov. 1, 2025

Beginning Drop Spindle Nov. 22, 2025

Beginning Band Weaving Nov. 22, 2025

Weave-A-Scarf Workshop Nov. 22, 2025

Beginning Rigid Heddle Dec. 7, 2025

Beginning Weaving on a 4-Shaft Loom Feb. 10, 12, 17, & 19, 2026

Rug Weaving on a Floor Loom Mar. 15, 2026

Intro to Navajo Style Weaving Mar. 24 & 26, 2026

Rug Weaving on a Floor Loom Apr. 16, 2026

Intro to Wet Felting Apr. 25, 2026

2D Needle Felting Apr. 25, 2026

Beginning Drop Spindle Apr. 25, 2026

Beginning Basketry Techniques Apr. 25, 2026

Monk's Belt Workshop Apr. 25, 2026

Weave-A-Scarf Workshop Apr. 25, 2026

Rug Weaving on a Floor Loom May 9, 2026

Beginning Weaving on a 4-Shaft Loom May 19, 21, 26, & 28, 2026

Past 2024-2025 Guild Year Classes:

Beginning Spinning on a Wheel Sept. 7 & 8, 2024

Beginning Weaving on a 4-Shaft Floor Loom Sept. 10, 12, 17, & 19, 2024

Beginning Rigid Heddle               Sept 28

Introduction to Natural Dyes Sept 29

Beginning Tapestry Oct 6

Beginning Drop Spindle Oct 20

Tea Towels on a Rigid heddle Oct 26

Weave-A-Scarf Workshop                                                                                            Nov 23

Double Weave on a Rigid Heddle Dec 8th

Beginning Card Weaving Dec 15th

Beginning Spinning on a 4-Shaft Loom                                                               Jan 28, 30, Feb 4, 6

Weaving Krokbragd on a Multi-Shaft Loom with Debby Greenlaw Feb 20 - 22

Supported Spindle Mar 30

Bookbinding with Woven Covers Apr 6

Spinning Crepes with Peggy Doney (The 100th Sheep) Apr 26

Beginning Card Weaving Apr 26

Beginning Drop Spindle Apr 26

Introduction to Wet Wool Felting with Lisa Nelson Apr 26

2-D Needle Felting with Bonnie Ohrt Apr 26

Traid Dyeing with Peggy Doney (The 100th Sheep) Apr 27

Past 2023-2024 Guild Year Classes:

Beginning Rigid Heddle Sept. 17 & 24, 2023

Rag Rug Weaving Sept 30 & Oct 1, 2023

Overshot Weaving on a Rigid Heddle Loom Oct 7, 2023

Beginning Weaving on a 4-Shaft Loom Oct 10, 12, 17, & 19, 2023

Beginning Card Weaving Oct 15, 2023

Beginning Spinning on a Wheel Oct 28-29, 2023 

Weekend Weaving Workshop Nov 11, 12, 14, 2023

Beginning Tapestry Nov 18, 2023

Beginning Band Weaving Nov 18, 2023

Beginning Drop Spindle Nov 18, 2023

Weave-a-Scarf Workshop Dec 2, 2023

Intermediate Rigid Heddle Dec 10, 2023

Color as a Communication Tool with Chris Acton Jan 13, 2024

Texture in Tapestry                                                                                   Jan 21, 2024

Overshot Weaving on a Rigid Heddle Loom Jan 27, 2004

Kumihimo Feb 4,  2024

Weave and Sew a Tote Feb 6, 2024

Weekend Spinning Workshop Feb 10, 11 2024

Beginning Rag Weaving on a 4-Shaft Loom.                             Mar 2, 2024

Working with Rags                                                                                     Mar 3, 2024

Repurpose and Create: Making Cordage                                      Mar 10, 2024

SAORI Weaving with Chiaki O'Brien Apr 27, 2024

Beginning Rigid Heddle Apr 27, 2024

Beginning Card Weaving Apr 27, 2024

Beginning Drop Spindle Apr 27, 2024

Learning to USe a Pin Loom Make-and-Take Apr 27, 2024

Bengala Mud Dyeing with Chiaki O'Brien Apr 28, 2024