Experience Level: Beginner

Learn the basics of working with a loom at Beginning Weaving I (Afternoon) on Saturdays, Sept. 12 through Oct. 10 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Greenhouse Auditorium.

This 5-week class led by Sharon Bowles will encompass all aspects of beginner weaving as students create a table runner. Students will become familiar with weaving terminology, parts of the loom, figuring the weaving pattern for the width of the loom and project, measuring out the warp, beaming the warp back to front, threading heddles, threading the reed, tying on the warp, and winding bobbins.

$250/person*. Registration will close Sept. 7 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.

*Students should bring a 4-shaft loom if they have one. All other supplies will be provided, including a loom if needed.

Experience Level: Beginner (ages 16+)

Learn a new instrument at Learn Guitar: Get Started the Right Way on Tuesdays, Sept. 15 through Nov. 17 from 6-7 p.m. in the Studio.  

Leading this course is musician Rex Parvin, who has a very specific approach to teaching guitar based on having an understanding of how music works and how that understanding applies specifically to the guitar. It is essentially a 3-step process: 

— Learn the notes on the guitar
— Learn how those notes go together to form chords.
— Apply and combine steps 1 and 2 to form chords and play songs, developing your own style and creative expression. 

$200/person*. Registration will close Sept. 11 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final. 

*Students should bring their own guitar.  

Experience Level: All Levels (All Ages 16+) 

Explore the magical qualities of the Elegant Writer pen paired with watercolor in Mystical Mushrooms Watercolor on Friday, Sept. 18 from 6-9 p.m. in The Studio. 

Emily Tackitt of Moonbeam Jellyfish will lead this whimsical mixed-media workshop. Students will learn how to sketch their own playful mushroom doodles before transforming them into enchanting woodland-inspired paintings using water-reactive ink techniques, watercolor washes, and expressive linework.  

Students will explore how a simple writing pen can create beautifully moody shadows, soft atmospheric textures, and unexpected magical effects when activated with water. 

$115/person*. Registration will close Sept 11 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final. 

*All supplies will be provided 

Experience Level: Beginner (Ages 13+)

Learn step-by-step instructions for creating a beautiful, wearable flower crown using fresh, in-season blooms at a Flower Crown Workshop on Saturday, September 19 from 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. in the Studio.

Rachel Wooters will guide students through the process of selecting, layering, and securing flowers to build a balanced and lasting floral design. This hands-on workshop is relaxed and beginner-friendly, with plenty of room for creativity and personal style. Students will leave with a finished flower crown and the skills to continue creating at home!

Perfect for Homecoming weekend, this workshop is a lovely opportunity to create your own floral headpiece and enjoy a creative experience with friends while capturing beautiful seasonal photos together.

$90/person. Registration closes on September 12 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.

All skill levels (ages 16+)  

Learn how to arrange flowers like a pro at Dahlia Flower Arranging on Saturday, Sept. 19 from 2-3:30 p.m. in the Arboretum Shed. 

Delight Flower Farm welcomes friends & friendly folks to learn about a variety of fall flowers and the bouquet-making elements as they play with fresh cut flowers grown on the Farm. There will be plenty of the season's star - dahlias! - as well as zinnias, amaranth, celosia and more.  

Vases are included so students can design their own bouquet to take home or gift to someone. 

$65/person*. Registration closes Sept. 12 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.  

*Students should bring gardening gloves.  

Entry Level: Beginner

Create a unique decorative scarf, winter neck wrap, or modern necklace at Knitting Without Needles: French Tube Scarf on Sunday, Sept. 20 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. in The Studio. 

Instructor Billie Theide will teach students how to knit in the round without juggling single or double pointed knitting needles as they design and knit a colorful, striped, tubular scarf. Students will learn how to make looms from readily available materials, as well learn about commercially available looms. 

All students will receive a tool kit to continue knitting at home.

$95/person*. Registration closes Sept. 13 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.  

*Students should bring the following: 
--pencil 
--pair of embroidery scissors 
--2 or more skeins (any colorway) of locally available yarn:     
     --Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton or     
     --Loops & Threads Twist Love Cotton OR     
     --Lion Brand Made with Love The Cottony One OR     
     --Yarn Bee Fundamental Cotton OR     
     --I Love this Cotton Crafter’s Secret Cotton 

The following things are optional; bring them if you have them: 
--colored pencil set --bits of left over yarn in any fiber and weight 
--partial skeins of left over yarn in any fiber and weight 
--left over fabric scraps (linen, cotton gauze, cottons, and polyester with no right sides) 

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 

Billie Theide is Professor Emerita and a former Chair of the Crafts Program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Theide is a metalsmith, jeweler, textile artist, 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.

All skill levels 

Learn how to color, shape, and assemble paper petals in Paper Flower Art: Marigolds on Sunday, Sept. 20 from 2-5 p.m. in the Library.  

Instructor Cathy Peters will introduce students to the world of paper flower art as they learn how to create 3 unique marigolds. This fun and relaxing class will teach you skills to continue crafting at home!

$50/person. Registration closes on Sept. 17 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.   

Experience Level: Beginner (ages 13+; Students ages 13-15 should have an adult present who does not need to register) 

Discover the art of textile sculpture in Hand Stitching – Hearts on Thursday, Sept. 24 from 12:30-4 p.m. in The Studio.  

In this hands-on workshop, Gaye Grant of 3 Penny Studio will teach students to create a charming 3-D heart brooch featuring a beautifully layered flower center. Along the way, participants will learn essential hand stitches and beginner-friendly soft sculpture techniques to bring their unique creation to life. 

$70/person*. Registration closes on Sept. 21 when capacity is reached. All sales are final.  

*Students should bring sharp scissors.