Workshops 2026 -27 Season
2026 - 2027 Season
The 2026-27 Program & Workshop committee has an interesting array of Programs and Workshops in the coming months. You can read full information on our website, www.valleyfiberartguild.org
Take full advantage of your membership, enjoy interesting programs each month and
sign up for a Workshop/Classes, learn something new.
We’ve included a Registration Form to print in the newsletter.
Please note: Workshop/Class registrations fees are non-refundable, if for some reason you are unable to take the workshop or class it is possible to find someone who would like to take the class. We sometimes have wait lists. We will make every effort to help you find a replacement. Thank you for your consideration.
Hand Woven Cracker Basket with Gary Terlisner
Learn the basics of basket making
Date: October 23, 2026
Time: 9am-2pm
Venue: Valley Presbyterian Church
Cost: $58.00 Plus $15 materials fee paid to the teacher
Limited to 8 Students
Miss this class and wish you hadn’t! Learn the basics of basket making and leave with
a lovely basket you can use daily. Gary Terlisner is a “Master Basket Maker” who
enjoys sharing the fabrication and interlacing of plant materials to make one-of-a-kind
art pieces. You will learn the why and why not to basic basketry in this class.
There will be several colors to select from to set your piece apart from the rest.
This is a beginner class that will get you hooked.
One-of-a-kind Art Bowl with Lyndy Runyon
Make a one-of-a-kind Art Bowl
Date: October 27, 2026
Time: 9AM-1PM
Venue: Lyndy’s Studio—477 E Paseo Chuparosas
Cost: $65.00 (includes variety of wool, silk, fabric, all tools)
*No additional supplies are needed by participants.
Limited to 6 Students
Create a wet-felted bowl shape using wool, silk fibers along with silk fabric and novelty yarns. Learn easy layering techniques, embed rocks or marbles into the surface or create ruffles, holes or layers to cut through and reveal secrets you laid under the outer layer. A variety of techniques will be demonstrated, and you can put them into your piece to create interest.
Make a one-of-a-kind Art Bowl to enjoy as a sculpture,
basket or holder for your favorite things. Everyone will be able to take home new skills to explore the Fiber craft of Felt Making with their beautiful bowl.
Thread Box Folder with Deborah Brunner
Zhen Xian Bao ~ Chinese Thread Box Folder
Date: November 6, 2026
Time: 9am-4pm
Venue: DBFA Studio
Cost: $75.00 includes paper and embellishment elements
Limited to 8 Students
Make a replica of a vintage Chinese thread keeper with a contemporary aesthetic, using a hand-made, textured cotton rag paper. You will learn how to cut, fold and glue a series of boxes into a fascinating folder suitable for many things besides thread keeping. We will embellish the cover of the folder with collage and stitching before the final assembly. It is truly an objet d'art that would make a beautiful and interesting gift, a conversation piece on a table or for the utilitarian service it was originally created. This workshop will entail the math it takes to create each element of the folded box, how to cut and paste the paper elements and assemble them into the folded box portfolio.
Student will complete the thread box folder in class.
Student Supply List:
Glue Sticks: 2 Large and 2 small
Rotary cutting equipment; mat cutter and ruler
OR 18” ruler, scissors
Cordage and Conversation with Saoirse Byrne
Date: February 5, 2027
Time: 9am-12pm
Zoom Workshop (our first!)
Venue: VPC Fellowship Hall
Cost: $80.00
Limit: Min. 5 Students ~ Max. 15 Students
The ancient art of cordage using the fabrics in our lives- sharing in the joy and exploration using materials and found objects, a perfect opportunity to turn things from your stash in to useful and meaningful pieces of art. Cordage is accessible even to those who would not consider themselves artists or crafty. The process is fun, simple, and repetitive in a way that leaves room for conversation, laughter, contemplation. Cordage making is accessible to folks who would not consider themselves crafty as well as to artists wanting to explore another way of engaging with materials.
Perhaps there is fabric in your life that is dear to you that no longer serves in its current form. This workshop is an invitation to explore this ancient process and the share in conversations as our hands find the rhythm of the making. Come away with an understanding of how to turn materials in your life into beautiful and useful lengths of cord, whether to wrap a gift, hang as a garland or wear as a necklace.
Supply list:
Fabric you can cut or tear into strips: look in your closet (dresses, blouses, scarves no longer worn or have sentimental value), remnants from sewing & quilting, cotton, silk or rayon ribbons, found object: beads with larger holes, washers, old pendants are just a few suggestions.
Scissors
Small container or a spray bottle for water
Clip or clothes pin to mind cordage in progress
Silk Painting a Silk Scarf with Peggy McGaughey
Date: February 25, 2027
Time: 9am-12noon
Venue: Valley Presbyterian Church
Cost: $60.00 Includes silk scarf & all supplies
Limited to 8 Students
Since 1987 I have been fascinated and frustrated with silk painting. Over the years I have kept loving it though and have many good memories of what I
accomplished. Teaching silk painting has been a love of mine and have taught many classes over the years. I have made and sold many silk scarves, several large wall hangings, art pictures, silk jackets, blouses, yardage and pillow covers.
The thing I love most about silk painting is the vibrant colors that can be achieved on silk. Also, I can draw a design onto silk and make it a picture of whatever I decide. So much can be done with silk and especially painted silk.
In the class I will explain the different kinds of silk available and which silk to use for each item. Where to buy silk and supplies. Explain the difference between silk painting and silk dyeing. Examples of various techniques to apply. Each person will be given a long white silk scarf and silk paints. All supplies will be provided, you only need to bring a fun attitude and an apron or shirt to cover up your clothes just in case the paint gets on your garment. Gloves are nice…keeps your hand and fingers from being rainbow fingers at the end of class!!
The class will be 3 hours long (approximately) and you will leave with a wonderful ORIGINAL silk scarf to show your friends.
Extreme Warp Makeover with Robyn Spady
Unlock the Potential of a Single Threading
Date: March 6, 7 & 8, 2027
Time: 9am ~ 4pm each day
(the 8th is flexible)
Venue: Green Valley Elks Lodge
Cost: $325. plus $15. supply fee
Limited to 20 Students
Hate to warp, but love to weave? Want more versatility from a single warp? Then this is a workshop for you! In this workshop, participants will warp their loom with their choice of one of three four-shaft threadings and dive deep into the creative possibilities that lie within a single threading by performing an extreme makeover and weave it many different ways . . . from twill, lace, and overshot to swivel,
corduroy, deflected weft, and double-faced. At the same time, participants are
presented with the basics of different weaves and weave structures and how to adapt a single threading to weave an astonishing variety of woven structures,
including concepts such as star vs. rose fashion, weaving on opposites, and echo treadling. Come learn why a single warp doesn’t mean a single look!
Four-shaft loom required.
(Note: This is not a round-robin workshop.)
Level: Intermediate to Advanced (and adventure-seeking beginners)
Materials fee: $15/person
Looms will be warped prior to the workshop. There is not a supply list, but Robyn will provide detailed information about 6 weeks before the workshop.
Pop Top Doll Workshop with Maryann Lundin
Date: March 18-19, 2027
Time: 9am-3:30pm
Venue: Valley Presbyterian Church Room #1
Cost: $93.00
Supply Fee: $15. pattern, iron on interfacing for the body, various yarns for the hair, embroidery thread for the hair trim, eyes, fabric pens for face, powdered blusher, modpodge, paint for hands, etc.
Limited to 8 Students
Come join Maryann for an introduction to the fun and creative world of cloth art dolls! In this beginner-friendly workshop, you’ll create a charming Pop Top Doll, a variation of the Pop Top Doll pattern by Julie McCollough. Along the way, you’ll learn the basic techniques and skills used by cloth doll makers.
You’ll learn how to:
· Stitch and construct the doll pattern
· Stuff your doll properly to achieve the desired firmness and shape
· Create a simple, expressive face
· Use Mod Podge to seal painted facial features
· Create a fun hairstyle using yarn
· Work with a variety of tools and materials used in cloth doll making
By the end of the workshop, you’ll have your own Cloth Art Doll to make you smile—and the basic skills and confidence to create many more!
Student supply list:
Sewing machine, basic sewing tools; scissors, thread, straight pins.
Quilting fabrics, fiberfil for stuffing, the exact fabric requirements are available at Registration.
