Experience Level: Beginner

Learn to weave wherever you are at Flat Loom Weaving on Sunday, Nov. 2 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Mansion Library.

Whether you are at home, on a road trip or relaxing in a café, this portable weaving technique is perfect for turning downtime into productive, mindful crafting. Instructor Danielle Reed will cover basic weaving techniques, how to set up your loom, color mixing and finishing touches — all using compact tools that fit in your bag!

Students will leave with their own unique weaving, plus the confidence to keep creating at home!

$70/person. Registration will close Oct. 30 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.

Learn more about the space where your course will take place here. If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email owarren@illinois.edu.

By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.

About the instructor

Danielle Reed is a long-time art lover who resides in Indianapolis, Indiana. She has had her hands in fiber since a young age and loves to learn new arts and crafts.

Experience Level: Beginner

Learn about how to improve your health by letting go of highly processed foods at Basics of Plant-Based eating on Wednesday, Nov. 5 from 5 to 7 p.m. in The Studio.

Instructor Karla Freeze will share the story of how she regained her health by adding more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds to her diet. She will also provide resources and tips for a healthy journey, including the six pillars of health as outlined by the American College of Lifestyle Medicine.

$25/person. Registration will close Oct. 29 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.

If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email owarren@illinois.edu.

By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.

About the instructor

Karla Freeze credits the plant-based lifestyle she switched to about 12 years ago for greatly improving her health, helping her to reverse ailments including type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, psoriasis, sleep apnea, while also helping her lose weight.

“Plant-based education is my passion,” she said.

Karla has done many educational sessions throughout central Illinois and worked with an international dining services company in presenting health sessions in Dallas and Houston.

Experience Level: Beginner

Create prints that mimic pen and ink drawings at Intaglio Printmaking on Thursday, Nov. 6 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in The Studio.

Local artist and art educator Sally Walsh will guide students as they create an Intaglio print. While printmaking usually involves an acid bath, oil-based inks and solvents, students will instead learn how to use all non-toxic and fumeless materials to accomplish the same result.

No prior drawing or printmaking experience is needed, but some hand strength is required to operate the press.

All participants will go home with at least one 5×7-inch print but may create more as time allows.

$50/person*. Register here. Registration will close Oct. 30 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.

*Students are welcome to bring pictures or drawing ideas for inspiration.

If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email owarren@illinois.edu.

By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.

About the instructor

Sally Walsh is a retired art teacher from Richland Community College in Decatur. She has more than 30 years of teaching experience and has led previous art classes at Allerton.

Experience Level: Beginner

Give new life to an old picture frame at Fix It! Picture Framing Basics on Thursday, Nov. 6 from 4 to 6 p.m. in The Studio.

Instructor Lou Ann Koebel will cover the basics of picture framing with store-bought mats and frames. This hands-on class will safely cover how to handle plate glass and use both hand and cordless drills as students work on a small framing project to take home.

$55/person*. Registration will close Nov. 3 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.

*Students should bring:
— Scratch awl (example here)
— Side cutter pliers (example here)
— 12-inch ruler or retractable measuring tape
— Medium-size Phillips screwdriver
— Students are also encouraged to bring a picture frame project to discuss in class, their matt and  hardware options.

Learn more about the space where your course will take place here. If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email Olivia Bunting at owarren@illinois.edu.

By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.

About the instructor

Lou Ann Koebel currently leads a weekly dulcimer jam for the East Central Dulcimer Illinois Dulcimer Club at Lincoln Square. She also plays in a local band that visits and performs at local assisted living facilities.

Koebel has taught beginning dulcimer classes for The Farms, where she has had a wonderful time teaching the group and realized her love of teaching and passing on the tradition of playing a mountain dulcimer. Lou Ann also plays at area music festivals.

Experience Level: Beginner 

Learn how to jam with other musicians at Beginner Jam Sessions on Saturdays, Sept. 13, Oct. 11, Nov. 8 and Dec. 13 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in The Studio. Learn to play as a group and learn new songs at a gentle pace in a friendly environment. 

Jams sessions are open to beginning mountain dulcimer players and other instrumentalists. 

$5/person. Registration closes one day before each course begins or when capacity is reached. All sales are final. 

— Sept. 13 
— Oct. 11 
— Nov. 8 
— Dec. 13 

Learn more about the space where your course will take place here. If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email Olivia Bunting at owarren@illinois.edu. 

By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken. 

About the instructor 

Lou Ann Koebel currently leads a weekly dulcimer jam for the East Central Dulcimer Illinois Dulcimer Club at Lincoln Square. She also plays in a local band that visits and performs at local assisted living facilities. 

Koebel has taught beginning dulcimer classes for The Farms, where she has had a wonderful time teaching the group and realized her love of teaching and passing on the tradition of playing a mountain dulcimer. Lou Ann also plays at area music festivals. 

Experience Level: Beginner (all ages; parents/guardians are not required to register with their children, but they are encouraged to be present for those 13 and younger.)

Create a unique piece of art out of locally sourced alpaca fiber at Needlefelt Penguin on Saturday, Nov. 8 from 2:30-5:30 p.m. in The Studio.

Stephanie Block of Sundrop Alpacas will walk students through the needlefelting process to make a penguin, which can be customized to make them look authentic, whimsical or anything in between. The class is perfect for those wanting to learn a new art form.

Take advantage of a fun opportunity to bring a friend or family member for just a $10 add-on fee as you work together on a single project kit!

$65/person* + $10/person for add-on (limit one). Register here.  Registration will close Nov. 1 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.

*A $15 discount is available during registration for those who bring their own needlefelting tools.

If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email Olivia Bunting at owarren@illinois.edu.

By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.

Consider making a weekend out of it and stay overnight with our Weekend Wind Down. View discounted rooms ($110/night + tax) here and book online or by calling 217-333-3287. Find out more about our weekend Wind Down series here.

About the instructor

Stephanie Block is the co-owner of Sundrop Alpacas near Bement. She has been producing popular yarn from her own alpacas since 2016. Stephanie’s spinning style is self-taught, and she is continuously learning so that she can share that knowledge with others.

Experience Level: Ages 18+, familiarity with a sewing machine

Learn how to quilt on a sewing machine at Intro to Machine Quilting on Sunday, Nov. 9 from 12 to 4 p.m. in The Studio.

During this course, instructor Jennie Ingram will guide students as they step into the beautiful world of quilting as they learn about commonly using items such as rotary cutters and mats, rulers and seam rippers. Students will also practice rotary cutting fabric, use a sewing machine to piece a simple block, layer and machine quilt the block, and bind it to complete their Mug Rug!

$80/person*. Registration will close Nov. 7 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.

*Students should bring:

 — Their own sewing machine if possible. Machines are available to rent from The Farms. For more information email Olivia at owarren@illinois.edu.

— Closed-toe shoes are recommended.

Learn more about the space where your course will take place here. If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email Olivia Bunting at owarren@illinois.edu.

By attending, you consent to your image being used in Allerton marketing, social media and publications. Please alert the photographer or videographer if you do not want your image taken.

About the instructor

Jennie Ingram is a lifelong crafter who has been sewing, costuming, quilting, crocheting, and making jewelry since childhood. She received her MFA in Costume Design from UIUC in 2007 and has worked in costume shops across the country including Idaho Shakespeare Festival and Williamstown Theatre Festival.

She spent six years as the Costume Shop Manager at Western Kentucky University, where she enjoyed expanding her student’s skill sets by offering workshops in quilting, corsetry and jewelry making. Since leaving academia she has run an Etsy shop selling handmade charm bracelets, and other gifts.

Jennie is also a moderator and active member of LettuceCraft.com, a forum where members share their handmade creations. Her Halloween sampler quilt, titled Stitch ‘n Witch, was shown at the 20th Annual Festival of Quilts in Urbana.