Experience Level: Beginner (16+)

Learn about various stitching methods at Intro to Hand Sewing on Thursday, Dec. 18 from 6 to 9 p.m. in The Studio. 

Instructor Caitlin O’Donoghue will walk students through the basics of practical hand sewing and teach common stitches such as hemming, decorative stitches and closures.

$50/person*. Registration will close Dec. 4 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.

*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

Caitlin O’Donoghue is the Costume Shop Manager at Millikin University, where she teaches intro and advanced costume construction, pattern drafting and stage makeup. She has been working in professional and academic costume shops since about 2010 and loves working with beginning stitchers.

About The Farms

The Farms: An Allerton Folk School, offers classes, workshops, and gatherings focusing on art, health & wellness, history, nature & outdoor education, or science. All experiences value hands-on, experiential teaching and learning, and are facilitated by and for the members of the community.

Experience Level: Beginner

Learn how to decorate cookies for summer at Holiday Cookie Decorating on Saturday, December 20 from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Greenhouse Auditorium.

Learn to decorate holiday-themed cookies with royal icing, crusting butter cream and rolled buttercream! Instructor Jennifer Holhubner will demonstrate and explain wet-on-wet technique, outlining and flooding and make flowers. Each participant will receive directions to decorate five cookies.

$75/person*. Register here by Dec. 13. All sales are final.

*Students should bring a take-home container.

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

Champaign-Urbana native Jennifer Holhubner taught herself how to decorate cakes when she was 16 years old and took up cookie decorating in 2019.

“Although they intimidated me, I forged on and got better with each order. I still have room to grow as we all do in whatever task we take on,” she said. “But I love to share the aspects of baking and decorating. I can actually now say, I am cookier!”

Jennifer also teaches decorating classes at Parkland College.

Experience Level: Beginner (Ages 13+)

Learn about crocheting at Granny Squares 101: Crochet for Beginners on Sunday, Jan. 11 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in The Studio.

Led by fiber artist Billie Theide, students will learn the basics of crochet, how to chain, create basic stitches, change colors, read work, fix mistakes and bind off.

Each student will leave with at least one uniquely designed crocheted “granny square” that can serve as a start for a bigger blanket, scarf, bag, and more!

$95/person* (Ages 13+; 13-15-year-olds must be accompanied by an adult, who does not need to register.) Registration will close Jan. 8 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.

*Students should bring:

— 2 skeins Lilly Sugar ‘n Cream 100 percent cotton yarn or 2 skeins Loops & Threads Classic Cotton (1 each of two different contrasting solid colors)— 1 U.S. H/8 crochet hook
— 1 small sharp scissors

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

Billie Theide is a former chair of the Crafts Program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where she is Professor Emerita. Theide is a metalsmith, jeweler and ceramicist. Her work is in public art collections around the world including the Smithsonian, Museum of Arts & Design in New York City, Nelson Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City and the Racine Art Museum, among others.

She is the recipient of a Visual Arts Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts and five Artists Fellowship Grants from the Illinois Arts Council. Theide has been recognized for her excellence in teaching and is a Distinguished Member and Past-President of the Society of North American Goldsmiths.

About The Farms

The Farms: An Allerton Folk School, offers classes, workshops, and gatherings focusing on art, health & wellness, history, nature & outdoor education, or science. All experiences value hands-on, experiential teaching and learning, and are facilitated by and for the members of the community.

Experience Level: Beginner

Learn a unique art form at Introduction to Stained Glass on Wednesday, Jan. 21 from 5 to 8 p.m. in The Studio.

Kari Keller will teach students how to cut, shape, and assemble a stained glass butterfly suncatcher in Introduction to Stained Glass. All students will take home a butterfly refrigerator magnet at the end of the workshop.

$100/person. Register here by Jan 14. All sales are final.

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

Kari Keller has been a Champaign/Urbana resident since 2008, originally hailing from the tiny town of St. Anne, Illinois. She has had a passion for art since she could hold a crayon and loves to experiment with many different styles, rarely sticking to one theme for long. Kari enjoys teaching acrylic painting, mosaic, and stained glass. She also has a thriving side business as a face painter. Kari is happiest when immersed in a new project and can’t imagine life without art!

About The Farms

The Farms: An Allerton Folk School, offers classes, workshops, and gatherings focusing on art, health & wellness, history, nature & outdoor education, or science. All experiences value hands-on, experiential teaching and learning, and are facilitated by and for the members of the community.

Experience Level: Beginner

Learn printmaking processes at Lino Cuts & Prints on Sunday, Jan. 25 from 12 to 4 p.m. in The Studio.

For a very long time, printmakers have transferred images from specially prepared plates to plants, fabric, wood and metal. In this workshop, instructor Billie Theide will help students learn to design, carve, prepare ink and transfer images to make unique works of art. Each student will get a toolkit that will enable them to continue to work at home.

$135/person. Registration will close Jan. 18 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.

If you will need disability-related accommodation to participate, please email Olivia 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

Billie Theide is a former chair of the Crafts Program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where she is Professor Emerita. Theide is a metalsmith, jeweler and ceramicist. Her work is in public art collections around the world including the Smithsonian, Museum of Arts & Design in New York City, Nelson Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City and the Racine Art Museum, among others.

She is the recipient of a Visual Arts Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts and five Artists Fellowship Grants from the Illinois Arts Council. Theide has been recognized for her excellence in teaching and is a Distinguished Member and Past-President of the Society of North American Goldsmiths.

About The Farms

The Farms: An Allerton Folk School, offers classes, workshops, and gatherings focusing on art, outdoor education, science, storytelling, and wellness. All experiences value hands-on, experiential teaching and learning, and are facilitated by and for the members of the community.

Experience Level: Intermediate to Advanced (need to know how to knit and purl)

Take your knitting skills to a new level at Advanced Knitting: Cables on Monday, Jan. 26 from 6 to 8 p.m. The Studio.

Students will learn the background of cable knitting from instructor Charlie Rainbow Wolf, then get hands-on practice on how to make raised travelling stitches using a cable needle. Students must be comfortable with knitting and purling.

$65/person*. Register here. Registration will close Jan. 19 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.

*Students should bring one of these two supply options (and are advised to purchase them as soon as possible, since availability can change):

OPTION 1: 1 skein of Lion Brand Fisherman’s Wool in a color of your choosing. This is an Aran (worsted) weight yarn made of 100% natural wool yarn known for its warmth and durability. There are 465 yards per skein. It is hand washable, lay flat to dry. Avoid choosing the darker color or the one with flecks as the cables won’t show up as nicely. Either natural or oatmeal are recommended, but birch tweed and brown heather will also work.

OPTION 2: 3 balls of Lion Brand Wool-Ease Worsted weight yarn in a color of your choosing. This yarn is made of 80% acrylic and 20% wool. There are 197 yards per ball; the three balls must be the same dye lot. It is machine washable. A lighter color is best; choose a solid color as opposed to a variegated one.

Additional Supplies Required:

— Pair of US size 9 (5.5 mm) single point, straight knitting needles

— Cable needle: KnitPro Simfonie brand is recommended

If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email Olivia 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

Charlie Rainbow Wolf describes herself as an “old hippie” who has studied the “weird ways of the world for nearly 50 years.” She is happiest with her hands in the mud, either making pottery in her ‘artbox’ or tending things in her ‘yarden’ (yard + garden).

Astrology, tarot and herbs are Charlie’s greatest interests, but she has dabbled in most metaphysical topics in the last five decades — because life always has something new to offer.

She is a contributing author for Llewellyn Worldwide, is a ghostwriter for renowned psychic celebrities, and makes a wicked batch of fudge! Charlie lives in central Illinois with her very patient husband and special needs Great Danes.

About The Farms

The Farms: An Allerton Folk School, offers classes, workshops, and gatherings focusing on art, outdoor education, science, storytelling, and wellness. All experiences value hands-on, experiential teaching and learning, and are facilitated by and for the members of the community.

Experience Level: Beginner

Learn a life-long skill you can continue to practice on your own at Learn To Draw on Wednesdays, Feb. 4, 11, 18 & 25 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. in The Studio.

Instructor Sally Walsh will guide students in various drawing techniques to gain a basic understanding of drawing, including shading properly to create beautiful artwork.

$70/person*. Registration will close Jan. 28 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.

*Students should bring:— Spiral-bound sketchbook or mixed media pad (9”x12”)— Pencil— Kneaded eraser— See-through plastic ruler— Pencil blender for shading

If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email Olivia 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

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.

About The Farms

The Farms: An Allerton Folk School, offers classes, workshops, and gatherings focusing on art, outdoor education, science, storytelling, and wellness. All experiences value hands-on, experiential teaching and learning, and are facilitated by and for the members of the community.

Experience Level: Beginner

Learn to draw, shade and create texture at Beginning Pen & Ink on Wednesdays, Feb. 4, Feb. 11, Feb. 18 & Feb. 25 from 12 to 2:30 p.m. in The Studio.

Instructor Sally Walsh will teach the basics of hatching, dots and varied lines to help students learn how to create texture and visual interest.

$70/person*. Registration will close Jan. 28 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.

*Students should bring:— Spiral-bound sketchbook or mixed media pad (9”x12”)— Pencil— Kneaded eraser— See through plastic ruler— 1 to 3 black roller ball, gel or felt tip Sharpie-type pens with varying tip sizes.

If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate, please email Olivia 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

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.

About The Farms

The Farms: An Allerton Folk School, offers classes, workshops, and gatherings focusing on art, health & wellness, history, nature & outdoor education, or science. All experiences value hands-on, experiential teaching and learning, and are facilitated by and for the members of the community.