Join Julie Drogsvold for a transformative 6-hour class in her Cotton Spinning Made Easy class! Dive into the technique of Long Draw spinning, a historic technique used to spin cotton for centuries. Long draw spinning enables fast spinning of short staple fibers into consistent singles. 

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Topics Covered

• Adjust your wheel for short staple fibers 

• The traditional Long Draw method for spinning cotton.

• Discussion

  • Cotton’s unique qualities 

  • The variety and beautiful yarns that you can create

  •  Tips for care and use of your handspun cotton yarns

Class Outline:

1. Begin with Carding -  using cotton lint students will learn the most effective way to create punis.

2. And Spin - Starting with our punis we will also spin naturally-colored cotton sliver and even spin cotton from the seed.

3. Finishing - Plying techniques and finishing procedures for success!

Endorsed by Joan Ruane, the "cotton queen”, international instructor and cotton spinning expert. 

Skill Level Required: Students should have a good working relationship with their wheel 

and be capable of spinning a consistent single. 

What to bring! 

1. Spinning wheel or e-spinner, 

   1. ideally flyer-driven with scotch tension 

2. Carders - cotton hand carders preferred (but wool will do) 

3. 3 empty bobbins 

In this workshop participants will be invited to go down the proverbial rabbit hole and learn about angora fiber and the 

rabbits that grow it. Students will be able to meet living representatives and learn about their care. They will also be 

able to evaluate examples of angora fiber and determine the best use for each grade of wool. Students will be able to 

observe or participate in a guided spinning exercise; spinning from the cloud and a selection of carded and combed 

wool. 

Topics covered:

• Breeds and their unique characteristics

• History, housing and husbandry 

• Grooming and fiber preparation

• Spin and blend using this luxurious fiber

Class outline:

1. Meet the beasts - Julie brings out the stars of the show.

2. Fiber processing - get a front row seat as these puff balls get a trim!

3. The Cloud - learn in detail the challenges and benefits of this fiber.

4. Try it for yourself - jump into the journey of spinning.

Skill Level Required: Students should have a good working relationship with their wheel 

and be capable of spinning a consistent single. 

                  What to Bring! 

1. Spinning wheel, e-spinner or spindle 

2. Hand Carders, higher tpi preferred 

3. Lazy Kate and 3 empty bobbins 

4. Niddy noddy or ball winder 

               Instructor will supply: 

1. Angora fiber and fiber for blending 

Description text goes here

Would you like to make beautiful rolags and bright, textured batts? This class will provide you with all the tools, materials, and technique needed to create your very own!

Join us for an engaging half day class designed for all skill levels! Participants will learn foundational techniques to create unique fiber blends, enhancing your understanding of color and texture. Explore creative possibilities, refining your skills to achieve custom blends that elevate your projects all with the help from the supportive and patient instructor of Julie!

Topics covered:

• Blending fibers on your board

• Create dynamic and textured blends

• Make rolags and batts from your board

• Learn different fibers work on your board

• Tips and tricks to make your board a valuable tool for spinning and felting

Class outline:

1. Build a board - During class each student will build their own individual blending board!

2. Let’s Learn - an indepth dive into the materials best suited and the techniques of blending boards

3. Jumping in - One-on-one help from Julie herself and problem solving along the way as you master the art of the blending board. 

All students will take home a full size blending board they made for continued use. 

Skill level Required: Join us as you are! Whether you are a beginner or advanced, everyone is welcome, and will gain valuable insights from this class.

Instructor will supply:

1. Board 

2. Blending cloth 

3. Packing brush 

4. Rolag dowel 

5. Fiber for class use 

6. All tools needed

Would you like to make bright, fun and textured art batts, then spin those batts into amazing yarn? This class will provide all the tools and materials needed to use your blending board in new and exciting ways from a variety of fibers and materials. 

Students will then creatively spin batts and rolags in a thick and thin manner to create one-of-a-kind singles and plied yarn. 

Blending Boards will be available for purchase before class.

Topics covered:

• The times for using batts and rolags while spinning

• How different fibers and materials act on your board

• How to blend and problem solve with your board 

Class outline:

1. Let’s Learn - an indepth dive into the materials and fibers best suited for art batts and how to get the most from your board.

2. Jumping in - One-on-one help from Julie herself on spinning techniques from the batt as well as from rolags.

3. Create - Time will be devoted to practicing and mastering this fun spinning, as well as show and tell of each student's unique art yarn!

Skill Level Required: Students should have a good working relationship with their wheel 

and be capable of spinning a consistent single. 

What to bring! 

1. Blending Board (Blending Boards will be available for purchase before class)

2. Spinning wheel or e-spinner 

3. Lazy kate 

4. 3 empty bobbins 

5. Niddy noddy or ball winder

Let's make one-of-a-kind wet felted creations with batting you've created with your blending board. In this class we will create stunning batts with blending boards, using a multitude of fibers and add-ins and then we will wet felt those batts into stand alone vessel works of art. 

Topics covered:

• Create your best batt

• How different fibers and materials act on your board

• How to blend and problem solve with your board 

• Different techniques to shape and create 

Class outline:

1. Let’s Learn - an indepth dive into the materials and fibers best suited for batts and how to get the most from your board.

2. Jumping in - Use the best felting techniques to create your vision.

3. Create - Make one-of-a-kind vessels, as well as a show and tell of each student's unique vessel!

Skill level Required: Join us as you are! Whether you are a beginner or advanced, everyone is welcome, and will gain valuable insights from this class. 

                  What to bring! 

1. All their creativity and imagination 

2. Blending Board 

   Instructor will supply: 

1. Fiber for class use 

2. Wet felting supplies

This course is designed for those desiring to learn how to spin yarn by hand. Class will go over using a drop

spindle and the benefits of both the spindle and spinning wheel to create yarn. Students are welcome to bring a spinning wheel if they have one. Class will focus primarily on the technique of spinning fiber into singles, as well as finishing to make 2-ply yarn. No previous spinning experience is required. 

Topics covered:

• The different types of Drop Spindles

• The wide spectrum and variety of Spinning wheels

• Fiber Preparation

• Drafting

• Control

Class outline:

1. Through the Forest - Learn the different types of drop spindles and spinning wheels, when and what they are best used for.

2. The Rainbow - Learn about spinnable fibers and where to find success.

3. Into the Reeds - Jump into drafting and fiber control.

All with the ever patient and experienced tutor Julie by your side! 

Skill level Required: Join us as you are! Whether you are a beginner or advanced, everyone is welcome, and will gain valuable insights from this class.  

Students will need to bring: 

1. Students will be supplied a drop spindle but are welcome to bring their own

2. Spinning wheel or e-spinner if available 

3. Niddy noddy if available

What makes the Turkish Spindle unique? Expand your spinning with this versatile and beautiful classic spindle.

Topics covered:

• Characteristics of the Turkish Spindle

• Skip the ball winder - How cops make plying faster and easier 

• Tips and tricks for success

Class outline:

1. Everything starts with the fiber!

2. Starting a lead and drafting.

3. Troubleshooting and practice.

Skill level Required: Join us as you are! Whether you are a beginner or advanced, everyone is welcome, and will gain valuable insights from this class.   

Instructor will supply: 

1. Turkish spindle for student to keep 

2. Fiber for class use

Long draw spinning is a classic technique useful for every spinner. True woolen yarn can be quickly spun and is ideal for wonderful warm weather clothing. Hone your skills with this light-hearted and fun class, starting with carding washed fleece and then long drawing your prepared rolags. 

Topics covered:

• Mastering the Long Draw: How it works.

• Which fibers and preparations bring success.

• Carding, consistency, and practice.

Class outline:

1. Preparing the fiber

2. Drafting- the art of learning to let go

3. Twist - how much or how little your fiber and wheel prefer

4. Troubleshooting - the best way to learn is to do it and ask ALL the questions you can!

Skill level: Students should have a good working relationship with their wheel and be capable 

of spinning a consistent single. 

Students will need to bring: 

1. Spinning wheel or e-spinner, ideally with Scotch tension 

2. Hand Carders, any tpi will work

3. Lazy Kate and 3 empty bobbins 

4. Niddy noddy or ball winder

Spinning from the fold is an excellent way to give your spinning a little bit of loft, without having to change your worsted prep fiber. In this class we'll take the process step-by-step and create lovely smooth, but a little less dense yarns. 

Topics covered:

• The technique of the draft

• Choosing your fibers and preparations

Class outline:

1. How to prepare fibers for success

2. Drafting from the fold

3. The advantages of this technique and your final results

Skill level: Students should have a good working relationship with their wheel and be capable 

of spinning a consistent single. 

      Students will need to bring: 

1. Spinning wheel or e-spinner 

2. Lazy Kate and 3 empty bobbins 

3. Niddy noddy or ball winder 

       Instructor will supply: 

1. Fiber for class use 

Let's make one-of-a-kind needle felted creations with batting you've created with your blending board. In this class we will create stunning batts with our blending boards, using a multitude of fibers and add-ins and then we will needle felt those batts into stand alone ornamental works of art. 

Topics covered:

• Creating the best batts

• How to blend and problem solve with your board

• Needle felting fibers for success

• Different techniques for shape and color

Class outline:

1. Creating the base - Making unique and colorful batts

2. Get your tools ready - Diving into the process and techniques of needle felting

3. Shaping - the look and feel options are endless 

4. Finishing touches and problem solving for anything that comes along the way

Skill level Required: Join us as you are! Whether you are a beginner or advanced, everyone is welcome, and will gain valuable insights from this class. 

                  What to bring! 

1. All their creativity and imagination 

2. Blending Board (Boards will be available for purchase prior to class)

The Sheep to Shawl competition is a mainstay of Fairs and Festivals around the world. Have 

you and your friends ever wanted to enter but felt like you weren't ready? Here is your 

opportunity to go over the steps of the competition, polish your skills and then go through a trial 

contest without as much of a time pressure (although there will be some). You will then be set to 

enter the next Sheep to Shawl you see advertised and be confident in your abilities. 

Topics covered:

• Shearing

• Fleece preparation 

• Spinning

• Plying

• Weaving

• Preparing your team

• Focusing on your presentation 

• Judging Criteria
  

Skill level Required: Join us as you are! Whether you are a beginner or advanced, everyone is welcome, and will gain valuable insights from this class.  

Competitions routinely involve shearing, spinning and weaving, and students do not need to be proficient in any to take the workshop. 

Students will need to bring: 

1. Hand carders 

2. Spinning wheel (e-spinners are typically not allowed, but if an e-spinner is best for you, bring it.) 

3. Empty bobbins, at least 3 

4. Notebook/Laptop to keep notes 

5. Your favorite weaving pattern for a 4 harness loom, at least 8 epi 

6. Any other favorite tools for practice

Instructor will supply: 

1. Raw fleece 

2. Wool washing supplies 

3. Drum carder 

4. Bobbin winder 

5. Warped loom 

6. Shuttles 

7. Prep supplies

8. Presentation Boards and art materials