submitted by Annette Siffin, MAHS Historic craft project
We are excited to announce a new schedule of Historic Craft Project classes beginning in January! Classes will be in the craft room in the back of the Blacksmith Museum at 324 E Main St. To participate, sign up at the Blacksmith Shop Sundays from 1 to 4 pm or email historiccraftproject@gmail.com. Lace
Class fees may be paid by cash or check; materials fee should be paid by cash only. Fees will be collected at the first class. Please make checks payable to: Manchester Area Historical Society.
Please note, your class fee will go in its entirety toward supporting the Historic Craft Project — a nonprofit, volunteer-organized effort, which is part of the Manchester Area Historical Society. We encourage people to join Manchester Area Historical Society (MAHS).
In the event of snowy weather and ice storms, classes may be rescheduled, and the class fee will carry over to a newly rescheduled date (in April) or be reimbursed to the participant, if they prefer.
Classes scheduled are as follows:
Embellishing Knit Fabrics with Embroidery Rita Halford, instructor. Tuesday, Jan. 16, 6:30–8:30 pm Cost: $40 Materials fee: $5 (cash only, please) Participants must sign up for this class in advance. No drop-ins please. Maximum class size: 6 people
Young adults ages 10 and up are welcome. Because we will be using sharp needles for our embellishment, this class is not suitable for younger participants. Please note some materials that are nice to bring with you: sharp scissors, sharp/chenille needles, DMC floss, and any materials (napkin, hanky, plain-knit item) that you are wondering about embellishing.
This class explores embellishing techniques using embroidery. Demonstrations will be given on three different types of fabric (knit fine gauge, knit large gauge, and woven fine gauge). We will take a look at fabric stabilizer options and play with silk embroidery thread, as well as DMS floss and mercerized cotton thread. We will delve into how to prepare for an embellishment project, how to launder it when necessary, how to securely weave in ends, and how to set yourself up for success when choosing a piece of plain clothing to embellish.
If you happen to have a plain pair of socks, mittens, hat, scarf, vest, sweater, or even a plain light-color T-shirt (not black or dark blue) — bring them! We will get to play around with how different stitches look when embroidered over knit fabric. Class participants will also be introduced to different methods that may be used to transfer a pattern from paper to fabric. Participants who knit (and have knit solid-color swatches) or crochet (and have solid color swatches) are welcome to bring those squares to practice embroidery on.
Beginning Knitting (adult) Annette Siffin, instructor Thursdays, Jan. 18, 25, and Feb. 1, 6:30–8:30pm Cost: $60 Maximum class size: 8 people
This is a class for beginning knitters. You will learn how to cast on, the basic knit stitch, and how to bind off, while creating your own small simple scarf. You will also be presented with a couple of different ideas for finishing the ends of the scarf using fringe or ribbon. Please bring your own knitting needles (straight or circular — can be size 8 with worsted or aran weight yarn, or size 10 with bulky yarn) and 200–400 yards of yarn (scarf length will depend on how much yarn you have). We will have some needles and yarn to practice with at the first class if you are not sure what to buy.
Beginning Knitting (kids ages 5–16) Colleen Schoenfeld, instructor Saturdays, Feb. 10, 17, 24, and March 2, 1–3 pm Cost: $80 Materials fee: $20 (cash only, please; includes needles and yarn) Maximum class size: 10 kids
Kids learn the basics of knitting (cast on, knit stitch, bid off) while making a small project.
Handmade Valentines: Paper-Cut and Woven Cards Margaret Shaw, instructor Thursday, Feb. 8, 6:30–8:30pm Cost: $40 Materials fee: $5
In the past, Valentines were made by hand. Learn the art of paper cutting and be able to craft your own stunning cards for all occasions. Recipients will appreciate and cherish them. Bring small scissors and interesting papers such as old letters, sheet music, or magazine pages if inclined.
Spinning Wool on a Spindle and on a Wheel Margaret Shaw, instructor Thursdays, Feb. 15, 22, and 29, 6:30–8:30pm Cost: $60 Materials fee: $10 (includes 2 ounces of roving made from Dave Renner’s flock and our Fall 23 event Wool Skirting — cash only, please) Maximum class size: 6 people
Learn to spin wool in this historic craft class. Begin with a support spindle or join a partner and team spin on a spinning wheel. You’ll have three weeks to learn and practice, and you are also welcome to practice spinning on our wheels during our Sunday open house hours. Bring your own wheel if you have one.
Hand Quilting Vicky Eisele, instructor Thursdays, March 7, 14, and 21, 6:30–8:30pm Cost: $60 Materials fee: $10 (includes pre-cut quilt pieces to work with — cash only, please). Maximum class size: 6 people
Learn to quilt by hand using pre-cut quilt pieces to make a small project. Learn about different needles, thread, stitches, color, and design.
Small Woven Paper Basket with Japanese Pinwheel Rita Halford, instructor Tuesday, March 26, 6:30–8:30 pm. Please sign up no later than Friday, March 22. Participants must sign up for this class in advance. No drop-ins please. Cost: $40 Materials fee: $14 (a basket-weaving kit enough to make 1 paper basket — cash only, please). Please note, some needed materials are not included in the kit, but will be provided for this class by the instructor at no additional cost for use by participants: a plastic grid, painter’s tape, glue, scissors, tapestry needles, sewing clips, and a mold. Maximum class size: 9 people. Children 8 and up are welcome but must bring an adult helper.
Have you ever wondered how baskets are made? Are you a fan of the art of paper folding? Then this class may be perfect for you! In this beginner-friendly class, we will explore the construction of a small simple basket by weaving with colorful painted paper. Participants will be introduced to vocabulary that pertains to simple basket weaving. We’ll have fun discussing the options for a decorative sewn-on finish as well. (Optional: Bring buttons with you, if you have some that you are especially fond of; 2–4 should be plenty.)
A simple over-one, under-one weaving technique will be demonstrated. Participants will start off by weaving the bottom of the basket, proceed to weaving in the round using stopping and starting method, and finish with a lashed rim made of waxed linen thread. A demonstration of how to make a 4-spoked and a 6-spoked Japanese pinwheel will conclude the lesson.
The original pattern and copyright belongs to Annetta Kraayeveld. Class is being taught with her express permission to use her pattern to introduce people to the art of basket weaving. Participants are welcome to keep the pattern and to reach out to Annetta, if they would like to purchase more kits to play with in the future (https://www.prairiewoodbasketry.com/).
Finished basket dimensions: 4 1⁄2” x 2 3⁄4” x 1 3⁄4” high (Perfect for stowing business cards or other small items) Colors: We will have a variety of colors to choose from; the finished basket color is chosen by the participants. Please note, the first people to sign up will get the widest selection of weaving colors to choose from.
Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.
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