Skill Level and Prerequisites: Beginner

Instructor: Cherie Maxson 

Tuesday & Thursday, September 22, 24 29, & October 1; 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm 

$205 member/$230 non-member

Learn to weave on a 4 shaft floor loom! In this class we will work from winding a warp through warping the loom and weaving a sampler of simple weaves. Handouts and discussion will include planning a project, vocabulary of weaving, reading a drawdown, talking about yarn weights and what those numbers mean, warping from back to front, sleying the heddles and reed, and setting up the shafts to weave plain weave and some twills. 

Material Notes:  You only need a pair of scissors and note-taking materials.

Equipment Notes: Floor looms provided by the Guild for the class.

Maximum participants: 4

Skill Level and Prerequisites: Beginner

Instructor: Emily Bollhoefer 

Saturday & Sunday, September 26 & 27; 9:00 am - 12:00 pm 

$105 member/$125 non-member

Learn to spin on a spinning wheel!  In a small group setting, with expert hands-on instruction, you will learn how to set up the wheel, draft, spin and ply in order to make your own yarn.  You will learn how to spin using wool but the techniques can be applied to all sorts of fiber such as alpaca, cotton, flax.

Material & Equipment Notes: Spinning Wheels and wool fiber will be provided for the class.  You are also welcome to bring your own wheel in good working condition.

Maximum participants: 4

Skill Level and Prerequisites: Intermediate - Need to be able to sew & have a handwoven piece

Instructor: Sue Crawford

Sunday, October 4; 10:30 am - 2:30 pm 

$60 member/$70 non-member

Let’s Make a Zipper Bag From Your Handwoven!!!
This class will concentrate on seam stabilization unique to handwoven and ravel-y fabrics prior to and during the construction process. You will be creating samples for later reference using supplies provided in class. Samples will also explore lining and stiffening option for future projects.

Supplies you should bring:

• Sewing Machine, regular foot and zipper foot

• Fabric enough to cut two 8x11 inch pieces

• Ruler

• Scissors - fabric & thread

• Thread

• Bias Tape - ½ inch width

• 6 inch ½ inch wide ribbon

• Marking Pen

• Pins or Clips

Optional:

• Iron

• Cutting Mat

The instructor will be bringing a set of optional items for everyone to share.

Material Fees (payable to Instructor): $5.00

Maximum participants: 6

Skill Level and Prerequisites: Beginner

Instructor: Tom & Joanne Blodgett 

Saturday, October 10; 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm 

$30 member/$30 non-member

Join flax experts Tom & Joanne Blodgett as you discover the transformation of the simple flax plant into fine linen thread. In this immersive, hands-on workshop, you’ll experience the traditional, centuries-old process of turning raw flax straw into spun fiber using authentic historical tools and techniques. Perfect for fiber enthusiasts, history buffs, spinners, and anyone curious about traditional textile crafts!  

Through guided demonstration and hands-on practice, you will work through every stage of processing retted flax straw:

• Breaking: Crushing the woody inner core (the shive) of the flax stalk using a traditional flax brake without damaging the valuable bast fibers inside.

• Scutching: Scraping away the loosened woody bits using a scutching board and wooden knife, leaving behind clean, flexible ribbons of fiber.

• Hackling: Combing the raw fibers through a series of fine-toothed metal hackles to separate the coarse tow fibers from the long, silky strick of line flax.

• Spinning on a Drop Spindle: Preparing dressed fiber and learning the art of drafting and twisting linen fiber using a portable drop spindle.

No prior fiber arts or spinning experience is required! This class is suitable for total beginners as well as experienced spinners looking to expand their knowledge into plant-based fibers.

Note: Fiber processing can produce some dust and plant debris. We recommend wearing comfortable clothes you don't mind getting a little dusty, or bringing an apron.

Minimum age 10 years. Under 16 accompanied by an adult

What’s included:  

• All raw materials (retted flax straw and dressed fiber) for hands-on practice.

• Access to all processing equipment (brakes, scutching boards, knives, hackles and drop spindles) during class.

At 10:30am, prior to the class, there will be a free presentation open to the public. (See details on Lectures and Weave-Alongs Page.) The presentation will include history, plant biology, cultivation, harvesting, fiber sheds and modern day uses followed by demonstrations of breaking, scutching, and hackling.  There will be an approximate 45 minute break before the class begins at 1:00pm.

Maximum participants: 15

Skill Level and Prerequisites: Beginner

Instructor: Shari Janssen

Sunday, October 11; 9:00 am - 4:00 pm 

$105 member/$125 non-member

Come weave a 25” x 30” rug on a pre-warped floor loom. You bring your own materials for the rug you wish to create and the instructor will show you how to prepare the materials to weave and how to get started and how to finish the rug.

Materials Notes:  Please bring either 2 bedsheets, 6 - 8 pairs of jeans or 6 - 8 Xlarge t-shirts, (11 if small or medium). Good scissors for cutting fabric and note taking materials. (If anyone needs material email the instructor) Warped floor looms will be provided by the guild. Maximum 4 unless you have a traveling floor loom and would like to join. Email instructor about this.

Maximum participants: 5

Skill Level and Prerequisites: Beginner

Instructor: Pam Poppe

Saturday, October 17; 9:00 am - 4:00 pm 

$105 member/$125 non-member

A great introduction if you've been curious about weaving! You'll learn the basics of warping the loom and weaving. This is a full day class and you will complete multiple wash rags made from Sugar ‘n’ Cream cotton. 

Materials Notes: You will need to bring 2 skeins of Sugar N Cream cotton, in 2 contrasting colors.

Equipment Notes: A Schacht Rigid Heddle loom with an 8-dent reed will be provided for the class.  If you prefer to provide a loom for your own use, please make arrangements with the instructor prior to the class

Maximum participants: 6

Skill Level and Prerequisites: Beginner

Instructor: Greg Padget

Sunday, October 18; 10:00 am - 2:00 pm 

$60 member/$70 non-member

Workshop Description:
Ever felt unsure about how to start washing a raw fleece? You’re not alone! In this workshop, Greg from Plaid Perch Farm will break down the wool washing process into clear, approachable steps. Our goal is to make scouring fun and stress-free. We want you to feel confident handling raw fleece from start to finish.

Together, we’ll walk through the process step-by-step while everyone scours 4 ounces of raw wool. We will cover the supplies you need, the science behind scouring, and experience scouring together in real time. Between soakings, we will discuss tips and tricks like skirting, inspecting your fleece, and more.

The result? A fun, welcoming, and accessible experience that will leave you feeling confident and maybe even a little excited about washing wool! You will take home the fleece you washed, along with the supplies you need to start scouring at home.

Material Fee and What This Covers:
$25 - Required material fee: each student will get 4 ounces of raw wool to scour and a laminated step-by-step guide. You may want to bring an apron, but not required.

Please note: We will handle hot water, dirty fleece, and lift buckets of water. If you need accommodations, please notify us in advance. Your fleece will be damp when you leave and needs to be laid out to dry.

Maximum participants: 10

Skill Level and Prerequisites: Beginner

Instructor: Liz Whiteside

Group Meet Ups: Sundays, October 18 & 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: Shari Janssen

Thursday, October 22; 9:00 am - 4:00 pm 

$105 member/$125 non-member

Come weave a 25” x 30” rug on a pre-warped floor loom. You bring your own materials for the rug you wish to create and the instructor will show you how to prepare the materials to weave and how to get started and how to finish the rug.

Materials Notes:  Please bring either 2 bedsheets, 6 - 8 pairs of jeans or 6 - 8 Xlarge t-shirts, (11 if small or medium). Good scissors for cutting fabric and note taking materials. (If anyone needs material email the instructor) Warped floor looms will be provided by the guild. Maximum 4 unless you have a traveling floor loom and would like to join. Email instructor about this.

Maximum participants: 5

Skill Level and Prerequisites: Beginner

Instructor: Bailey Steinfadt

Saturday, October 24; 9:00 am - 12:00 pm 

$50 member/$60 non-member

Inkle weaving has a long,cross-cultural history,and is a fun way to create simple or intricate woven bands that can be used as bookmarks, custom trims, ribbons, guitar straps,leashes, and more. Inkle looms are  portable and take up very little space! Students learn to set up and weave simple bands on an inkle loom. Students will try a few patterns, choosing from a variety of colors. All equipment and tools needed for the class are provided.

Maximum participants: 4

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: 6

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: 6

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