Medieval Threads

2+ hour classes where the student will have time to work on a project under the tutelage of the instructor.

Description of Class:This is a hands-on class to learn the basics of leather bag construction. Students will create their own pouches.
Length of Class: 3 hours
Instructor's SCA Name:Lady Antonia diMarino
Instructor's Mundane Name:Toni Szymanski
Maximum Number of Students:6
Expected Skill Level of Student: Beginner
Student Cost of Materials:$15
Student Expected to Provide:Nothing beyond the desire to make their own pouch.
Instructor to Provide:All materials, tools, and handouts

Description of Class:This class will focus on the hands-on production of a "bonnet" arming cap or a surgeon's cap, useful for working in a feast kitchen. We will review basic types of caps, select pattern and type of fabric desired, cut out pattern and start sewing. Students will have patterns for future use. The student will be able to complete the project at home.
Length of Class: 3 hours
Instructor's SCA Name:Forester Dillon ap Dillon
Instructor's Mundane Name:Thomas Dillon
Maximum Number of Students:4
Expected Skill Level of Student: Beginner
Student Cost of Materials:$0
Student Expected to Provide:Needle, thread, scissors for cloth and paper, desire to try something new simple and useful.
Instructor to Provide:Fabric, paper/cardstock, patterns, cutting surface sewing machine and serger

Description of Class:Ready to take your inkle weaving to the next level? In this hands-on class, you'll learn the art of pick-up weaving to recreate the striking warp-faced patterns seen in historical bands from Scandinavia and beyone. This class is perfect for the curious beginner. Bring your sense of adeventure and weave something wonderful!
Length of Class: 3 hours
Instructor's SCA Name:Lady Alyse
Instructor's Mundane Name:Jayme Lipscombe
Maximum Number of Students:10
Expected Skill Level of Student:Willing to try something new.
Student Cost of Materials:$10
Student Expected to Provide:Enthusiasm, curiosity, patience, and eyeglasses, if needed.
Instructor to Provide:All materials plus humor, patience, practice looms, weaving materials, and know how.

Description of Class: This class will go over the basics of knitting: casting on, knitting, and purling. Pattern reading will be covered if there is interest. Personal instruction will be available. After the basics are taught, there will be a knitting salon for all levels of knitters. Bring your project to work on or get help from other knitters.
Length of Class: 3 hours
Instructor's SCA Name:Baroness Gwenllyn the Mistrel
Instructor's Mundane Name:Janet Scheltema
Maximum Number of Students:5 students for the class, everyone welcome for the salon.
Expected Skill Level of Student: Beginner
Student Cost of Materials:Try for free. Pay for yarn and needles if you want to keep them or bring our own supplies.
Student Expected to Provide:You may bring your own supplies, patterns, projects or questions.
Instructor to Provide:yarn and needles - No cost unless you wish to buy.

Description of Class:Oh! You beautiful doll! Students will make a linen rag doll based on a couple of exemplars found in Egypt 200 BCE to 400 CE. And to paraphrase a well-known (in certain circles) quote, "We're all born naked and the rest is costume." There will be appropriate clothing patterns for the dolls so they don't have to remain naked.
Length of Class: 3 hours
Instructor's SCA Name:Mistress Anthoinette Martel
Instructor's Mundane Name:Antoinette Martell
Maximum Number of Students:8
Expected Skill Level of Student:Students should be able to hand stitch.
Student Cost of Materials:$5
Student Expected to Provide:Students should bring scissors for cutting fabric.
Instructor to Provide:Instructor will provide materials, needles and thread, and embellishments.

Description of Class:Learn about ways to find and use historical embroidery designs from a variety of resources. Collect the great designs or details you love in existing artifacts to stitch yourself.
Length of Class:1 hour
Instructor's SCA Name:Mistress Kay of Tre Asterium
Instructor's Mundane Name:Kay Jarrell
Maximum Number of Students:10
Expected Skill Level of Student:Beginner to Intermediate
Student Cost of Materials:$5
Student Expected to Provide:Pen for Notes, Pencil to chart counted designs. Hand-held or eyeglass magnifiers are useful. STUDENTS MAY WANT TO BRING A TABLET.
Instructor to Provide:Paper Handout on site. Signup sheet to receive emailed expanded handout and my Bibiography of related books and resources. Let’s save some trees.

Description of Class:Sure, yeah, nalbound hats are all the rage but where did the yarn come from? Learn how to spin your own yarn using a drop spindle and prepared fleece. Samples of different fleeces and plant fibers will be available to touch. Class will also include a brief discussion and demonstration of preparing fleece for spinning and, if time permits, plying yarn together. Students are welcome to bring their own quipment and wool, but a basic drop spindle and a small amount of prepared wool will be provided.
Length of Class:1 hour
Instructor's SCA Name:Lady Ysabetta di Cesare
Instructor's Mundane Name:Mari Hersh-Tudor
Maximum Number of Students:10
Expected Skill Level of Student:Beginner
Student Cost of Materials:$5
Student Expected to Provide:
Instructor to Provide:Instructor will provide drop spindles and wool.

Description of Class:This class provides an introduction to the fiber arts used to make books in the medieval period, several of which are still used inboth commercial and artisanal book binding. Example materials, books, and pictures will be shared, beginning with making the paper (or papyrus, or parchment) for a book's pages, on through the preparation and construction of book covers, page blocks, and assembled books.
Length of Class:1 hour
Instructor's SCA Name:Lady Aine inguen Ui Connaill
Instructor's Mundane Name:Anna O'Connell
Maximum Number of Students:10
Expected Skill Level of Student:No experience required
Student Cost of Materials:$0
Student Expected to Provide:Interest in book binding or paper making, and associated paper, cardboard, thin wood, and leather crafting techniques.
Instructor to Provide:Handout describing SCA period methods/styles of binding. There will be samples and tools available to investigate.

Description of Class:A hands-on experience with horsehair. We will discuss historical uses while cording or stitching (student's choice) with horsehair. Students can weigh in on the age-old question of which color hair is stronger. We will be working with 3-6 hairs at a time. Students may want to bring a magnifier.
Length of Class:1 hour
Instructor's SCA Name:Lady Kathleen Redrider
Instructor's Mundane Name:Kathleen Haak
Maximum Number of Students:12
Expected Skill Level of Student:No experience required
Student Cost of Materials:$0
Student Expected to Provide:A magnifier may come in useful.
Instructor to Provide:Teacher will bring hair for student to experiment on.

Description of Class:This is a 2-part class. The first half will be about learning how to start a basic dye kitchen at home. The second half will be about chemical safety.
Length of Class:1 hour
Instructor's SCA Name:THL Al-Jania Qamar bindt Vartam
Instructor's Mundane Name:Jena Jones
Maximum Number of Students:10
Expected Skill Level of Student:Beginner to intermediate
Student Cost of Materials:$0
Student Expected to Provide:
Instructor to Provide:A presentation for how to be dye safely.

Description of Class:Learn how to choose, skirt, and scour a raw fleece. Differnt methods will be discussed so that people can process fleece at home.
Length of Class:1 hour
Instructor's SCA Name:THL Al-Jania Qamar bindt Vartam
Instructor's Mundane Name:Jena Jones
Maximum Number of Students:10
Expected Skill Level of Student:Beginner to intermediate
Student Cost of Materials:$0
Student Expected to Provide:Students may bring small samples of fleece if they have any.
Instructor to Provide:Teacher will share the processes involved.

Description of Class:Learn the secret to attaching large skirts (or sleeves or ruffs) to small bands without math. Yes, it's hand sewing but no, it's not complicated. The finished pleats hang beautifully and look professional. So boost your sewing game by learning this historically accurate technique.
Length of Class:1 hour
Instructor's SCA Name:Mistress Fionna Goodburne MacNicol
Instructor's Mundane Name:Karen Goodburne
Maximum Number of Students:8
Expected Skill Level of Student:Students should be familiar with hand sewing
Student Cost of Materials:$5
Student Expected to Provide:Thread snips and personal sewing kit, if desired
Instructor to Provide:Handout, preprocessed fabric, needles, and thread.