Working with plants growing on the island, we will explore a botanically derived palette as the season shifts towards dormancy. The workshop will include a gathering walk, subsequent plant processing, colour extraction and fibre dyeing. Please reach out if you have accessibility concerns regarding the gathering portion of the day. All levels are welcome.

Welcome to knitting! Whether you are an absolute beginner or have tried knitting in the past, this class is for you. In this 3 hour session, we'll explore the knit stitch, casting on, and binding off and get you started on fingerless mitts or a dishcloth. We'll also look at fixing mistakes and reading patterns. Your instructor, Sarah, is happy to tailor instruction to your skill level.

Beginning Embroidery Morning Session Participants will practice basic embroidery stitches on a linen sampler. The fabric, needles, fabric pen, and embroidery threads will be provided as part of the materials package. Bring a pair of sharp scissors. Beginning Embroidery Afternoon Session Participants may continue their samplers incorporating more advanced stitches, or work on a needle book. Materials and instructions for a simple needle book will be included in the materials package for both morning and afternoon sessions. Participants should not expect to complete the needle book during the session. Experienced stitchers are welcome to enroll in the afternoon session only, but beginners need to start with the morning session.

If you are planning to build a boat, might want to someday, already have a boat to maintain and repair, or just generally like to dream about boats – this may be the course for you. In the 2-day workshop we will discuss all aspects of wooden boat design and building, including reading plans, tools and techniques, building methods, and more. There will some hands-on exercises in basic methods such as mixing epoxy, laying fibreglass, drawing and cutting smooth curves, and making scarf joints in planks. Previous experience with hand tools is helpful but not required.

In this class for advanced beginner knitters (must know how to knit in the round), we'll explore the techniques in traditional top-down heel flap socks while knitting a pair of bulky slippers. We'll be working in the round using either double pointed needles or the magic loop technique. Some students will be able to finish 1 slipper during the class time - all students will have the skills to complete the slippers at home. (example photo attached - mine will be a little different)

How do you make those intricate twists and turns of crossed stitches? The projects look complicated, but you will see how simple they can be. In this class for adventurous beginner knitters, we will cover what a cable is, the steps you need to make cables in your knitting, the tools you might need, and importantly, how to fix cable mistakes! We will work from a printed pattern to make a cozy headband – you’ll learn how to read knitting charts and interpret cable symbols on knitting charts. Skill level needed: Students must be comfortable with casting on stitches, knitting, and purling Kit fee: $6 includes cable needle and handouts. Equipment needed: Yarn: Approximately 50g of lighter coloured, aran to bulky weight yarn, preferably not cotton/hemp/linen. Knitting needles (9-10" straight or 24-32" circular) for knitting flat, appropriate gauge for your yarn (most likely 5 to 6mm). Please contact Sarah at sarsbarknits@gmail.com if you have any questions about materials

Are you concerned about the amount of used clothing going into the landfill? Using upcycled textiles, you can transform ordinary t-shirts into extraordinary rugs bursting with personality. In this hand-on workshop, you will learn the art of rug hooking, blending traditional techniques with eco-friendly flair. Whether you are a seasoned crafter or a curious beginner, this class promises fun and inspiration. Let’s hook into sustainability and style together. In this class, students will learn: a. how to choose t-shirts and other recyclable fabrics for rug hooking; b. how to cut t-shirts into useable strips, c. how to pull the strips into desired width sizes, d. the basics of rug hooking including pulling loops, hooking a corner, a circle and points; e. how to choose colors that make your rugs “pop”, and f. how to finish the rug This class is open to beginners and experienced hookers to a maximum of 15 students. The morning will focus on learning basic rug hooking techniques and the afternoon will focus on developing an interesting background.

Do you have a sewing machine gathering dust because it scares you? Would you like to know what all those dials, knobs and feet are for? This workshop will help you make friends with your machine. You’ll learn: What all of the bits and pieces do. How to maintain your machine. How to choose appropriate needles, thread and stitches for your projects. We’ll work on a couple of small projects that will give you experience with: Starting and finishing seams. Seam finishes.. Use of stabilizers Zipper installation. Buttonholes.

Join sculptor and mixed media artist Cynthia Minden for a workshop to learn how to make tiny rib construction baskets. Working in small scale, we will have the opportunity to make a few of these charming vessels and you’ll be able to apply these skills in a larger format later on. Made from hoops, ribs and weaving materials, rib construction is a wonderful basketry technique which has been used for hundreds of years in a variety of adaptations, such as egg baskets, garden baskets, hen baskets and more. Because miniature baskets are not constructed to hold a lot of weight, we can experiment with all sorts of weaving materials, including reed, natural materials, fabric, wire, paper and cordage. You will learn two lashing techniques: one for making a mini basket with a handle and another technique to make a mini basket without a handle. Both approaches are applicable to larger work.

Have you been intrigued by the beautiful knit Pressed Flowers and The Shift Cowl patterns? Both are worked with mosaic, or slip stitch, colour techniques! In this 3-hour introduction, we’ll try a couple of different mosaic styles and give you the experience you need to jump right into those beautiful patterns. Your swatches can be used as mug coasters! (Optional – for thicker coasters, you can sew on a piece of wool felt as backing - I'm using pieces of a felted wool sweater). I’ll also demonstrate the Chain Cast-on, which results in a cast on edge that matches the standard bind off.

We will learn how to sew 2 cotton rope baskets using a zigzag stitch on the sewing machine. One basket with a straight finish and one with a spiral finish. Students will also learn how to dye their basket using two different methods. They will learn about the different types and weights of rope and what works best for making these machine stitched baskets.

Ill be sharing how to weave a basket with soft fibers. With this technique, you can use fibers such as wool, jute, hemp, cloth, tule and cattails. You will learn a twining technique that can be used with many fibers to make baskets.

In this class you will learn how to make a circular rug using strips of fabric and a special tool. The technique is not difficult and it’s a fun, relaxing project to work on while watching tv or visiting with friends. You will not complete your rug in the three-hour class, but will get enough done to be comfortable with the process. Course difficulty – easy Length of course – three hours Supplies needed: Scissors Fabric strips. Lightweight wovens, such as quilting cotton, work best. Denim and wools are not suitable. Colour choice is up to you. Use coordinating fabrics or mix and match. Cut, don’t rip, strips into 1” by at least 40”. You’ll need between 20 and 25 strips. Instructor will also bring fabric for you to use. Kit fee - $15 This is for the tool and a large selection of fabric. Maximum 8.

Discover the beauty and creativity of visible mending in this beginner-friendly workshop designed to help you repair and personalize your worn textiles with individual style and intention. We'll explore how mending can be both functional and expressive, using basic hand-sewing techniques to patch, reinforce, and decorate woven fabrics. Throughout the workshop, we’ll also introduce some simple shashiko-inspired stitches—a popular and striking form of traditional Japanese visible mending known for its geometric patterns and strength. You’ll learn how to make your mends durable and long-lasting while celebrating the history and charm of the pieces you’re repairing. Woven fabric swatches for practice will be provided, but if you have a small mending project you'd like to work on, feel free to bring it along. All supplies for the class will be provided, kits and additional supplies will be available to purchase.

This class will take place in the instructor's own woodworking shop and using his tools. The class is limited to three students and the shop will be available for the entire three day weekend for the course. The project will be cutting boards or another project proposed by the student and deemed acceptable in advance by the instructor.