February 2025 Newsletter

Cam’s Corner
No. 8   February 2025
 
 

Brrr! Winter has arrived! My snowshoes and skates are ready! I’m loving the snow and cold weather. Gives me the perfect excuse to play with wool.

Exciting things have been happening at the shop!   In late January, we purchased 90-100 pounds of vintage wool. Some yardage, and some rolled. The shop is in disarray as we figure out where to shelve it all.

Felting Classes

The shop will soon have needle felting classes!! Tracy Kochanski from Dreamlet Studios in Westfield will be teaching how to make felted birds. A different bird will be done each month. Tracy does detail that makes them look so life-like. Honestly y’all, I’ve never been interested in needle felting but one look at these birds and I knew I was in trouble. Oh boy!

Felting classes will be held on March 22^nd, April 24^th, May 17^th and June 27^th. Each day will have classes in the morning (9:00-12:00) and afternoon (1:00-4:00). Classes are limited to eight (8) participants.  An email detailing the class will be sent out in the next few days.

Rug Hooking 101

Also, starting in March, I will be teaching 4 weeks of rug hooking on Fridays, March 7^th - 21^st in the morning 10:30-12:30 and afternoon 1:30-3:30. Students will make a 12” x 12” design of their choice and will learn how to put the design on linen, how to hook and the various ways to finish the project.

Classes are limited to 8 students.

Rug Braiding 101

For the month of March, I will be teaching traditional rug braiding. Each 2-hr class will run on Wednesdays from March 5^th – April 9^th. We will be making a little oval rug that is a perfect trivet for a 9” x 13” pan...or use it to put a lamp on or as a kitty bed. The options are endless. Students will learn how to make a sore thumb, how to braid, lace and rat-tail. Classes are limited to 6 students.
 

Wool Applique 101

Wool applique classes will be held on April 11th and 18th.  We will do a bunny (just in time for Easter) that can be combined with other blocks to make a quilt, put on a bag or as a small table decoration. In this 2-hr class, students will learn how to transfer designs using the freezer paper method, and a couple basic embroidery stitches. Classes are limited to 6 students.

With the exception of July and August, we hope to have on-going classes. So, keep an eye on the website to sign up. If you prefer to do individual classes in rug braiding, rug hooking or wool applique call the shop. Individual classes can be scheduled to fit your schedule.

We are still working on wool applique kits. It is amazing how time consuming the process is.

Events:

Vintage Sewing Machine (VSM) meeting – Saturday, February 15^th 2:30-4:30 at Hill Institute

Photo exhibit at Forbes Library, “Through Her Lens: 7 Women Photographers of Western Mass” will be on display from February 10^th - February 28^th