Experience Level: Beginner

Imagine making a quilt on the go without a sewing machine at Quilting 101: Paper Piecing on Sunday, March 1 from 12 to 4 p.m. in The Studio.

Instructor Billie Theide will walk students through the versatile process of English Paper Piecing that can be used to make a wide range or projects like quilts, bags and contemporary artwork. Students will use paper templates to create geometric quilt patterns and motifs and take home an included toolkit that will enable them to quilt at home or on the go.

$120/person. Registration will close Feb. 22 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 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: Beginner (Ages 13+)

Whether you want to learn to knit or just need a refresher, enroll in Knitting 101: Knitting for Beginners on Sundays, March 8 and 15 from 1 to 4 p.m. in The Studio.

Fiber artist Billie Theide will teach the basics of knitting, including needle and yarn selection. Students will learn how to cast on, basic stitches, how to read work, fix mistakes, cast off and make fringe and pom poms.

$95/person* (Ages 13+; 13-17-year-olds must be accompanied by an adult, who does not need to register.) Registration will close Sept. 21 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:
— 2 skeins of Lion Brand Re-Spun Thick & Quick yarn. This is classified as a Super Bulky 6 yarn made of 100% recycled plastic. There are 223 yards per skein; the two skeins must be of the same dye lot. It is hand washable; lay flat to dry. Avoid purchasing a dark colorway.
— 1 pair of Clover Takumi 9″ Bamboo Knitting Needles, US 13 single pointed straights.

OPTION 2:
— 3 skeins of Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick Yarn. This is classified as Super Bulky 6 yarn made of 80% acrylic and 20% wool. There are 106 yards per skein; the three skeins must be of the same dye lot. It is machine washable. Choose a solid colored yarn and avoid purchasing a dark colorway.
— 1 pair of Clover Takumi 9″ Bamboo Knitting Needles, US 13 single pointed straights.

Additional Supplies Required:
— pair of sharp scissors
— laptop, iPad, or smartphone
— pencil

If you will need disability-related accommodations in order 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 a former chair of the Crafts Program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where she was a 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.

Experience Level: Beginner

Learn an ancient form of textile art at Beginning Bobbin Lace on Tuesdays, March 10 through March 24 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in The Studio.

With all of the resources that connect lacemakers across the world, there’s never been a better time to learn how to bobbin lace! Instructor Robin Bagwell will lead this hands-on class, teaching how to cross and twist as well as how to follow pattern.

Students will get the feel of moving bobbins and seeing various patterns develop as they learn the half stitch, cloth stitch and whole stitch. Written instructions will allow participants to continue their bobbin lace at home.

$180/person. Registration will close March 17 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.

If you will need disability-related accommodations in order 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

Robin Bagwell learned bobbin lace at a park in 1994 after running across a lady she just happened to meet! That led to Sunday afternoon sessions during the summer to learn the textile art form. She has been enjoying and teaching bobbin lace since.

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: Some weaving experience needed

Continue your journey into the world of weaving at Beginning Weaving II on Saturday and Sunday, March 21-22 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Greenhouse Auditorium.

This 2-day class with instructor Sharon Bowles will be a continuation of Beginning Weaving I, but instead of everyone doing the same article, students will pick their own project, measure the warp, beam the warp, thread the heddles to their selected pattern, thread the reed, tie the warp to the cloth beam rod, wind bobbins and weave a sample of their selected yarn. Students will then weave samples from the other looms, giving them a wide variety of weave structures they can try out.

This course is a great way to continue your weaving journey!

$250/person*. Registration will close March 13 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.

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

Sharon Bowles began weaving in 1990 and started teaching shortly after. She was taught to weave in a one-on-one class and wove two table runners in 12 (approximately) 2-hour lessons, and she teaches the same method when she teaches. Sharon has experience in weaving with silk, lace weaving, 8-shaft pattern weaving, parallel weaving, block weaves, and Shaker reproduction towels.

Sharon has experience in weaving with silk, lace weaving, 8-shaft pattern weaving, parallel weaving, block weaves, and Shaker reproduction towels. She has taught many workshops and classes to weavers’ guilds in Florida, Ohio, and Champaign-Urbana. She earned her Journeyman certification from the Weavers Guild of Boston in 2021 and a master’s certification in April of 2022.

Most recently, Sharon taught Beginning Weaving I & Weaving II at The Farms, and a 2-day workshop in 4 shaft patterns for the Champaign-Urbana Spinners and Weavers Guild.

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

Learn a unique knitting technique at Advanced Knitting Skills: Knitting Lace on Monday, March 23 from 6 to 8 p.m. in The Studio.

This course is an introduction to the advanced knitting technique of knitting lace, which instructor Charlie Rainbow Wolf says is easy once you learn the basics. Participants must be proficient in casting on, knitting, purling and casting off.

$65/person*. Register here. Registration will close March 16 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.

*Students should bring:— 1 skein of Lion Brand Wool-Ease worsted weight (No. 4) yarn or its equivalent. This is an 80% acrylic, 20% wool yarn that is machine washable and available from Lion Brand and Michael’s, as well as many yarn shops. Avoid yarns that are too soft like Caron Simply Soft, Snuggly Wuggly or Facets, as they will not hold the pattern as well.— 1 pair of US size 8 (5mm) single point, straight knitting needles.— 1 blunt end needle for weaving the ends of the finished piece.— A notebook and pencil to take notes.

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 an ‘artbox’ or tending things in her ‘yarden’ (yard + garden).

Astrology, tarot and herbs are Charlie’s greatest interests, but she has also dabbled in 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 variety of hand embroidery stitches and create a unique craft item at Embroidery 101: Cherry Blossom & Dogwood Sampler on Tuesday, March 31 from 12 to 4 p.m. in The Studio.

Instructor Billie Theide will introduce students to the history of embroidery and samplers. Students will learn how to transfer designs to fabric, choose different threads and yarns, and create a variety of stitches, as well as how to finish and care for embroidered samplers.

$110/person. Registration will close March 24 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

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.

Experience Level: Beginner

Create a functional and unique piece of spring décor at Basket Weaving: Touch of Spring on Friday, April 3 from 12 to 4 p.m. in the Greenhouse Auditorium.

Instructor Bonnie Rideout will lead students as they start by inserting and securing spokes into a wood, slotted base. Students will then learn about twining, shaping and how to add a matchstick border. The baskets will be celery green and natural colors with pretty pip berries adorning the front.

$65/person. Registration will close March 20 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.

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

Bonnie Rideout wove her first basket in 1994 and quickly caught the “basket bug.” She created a business — Bonnie’s Baskets in Decatur — in 2006 to teach others to weave. She is also a traveling instructor and has taught weaving in 18 states.

Find out more about Bonnie on her website, Facebook, Instagram and Etsy pages.

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 to make a beautiful hand-pieced and hand-stitched quilt from scraps of fabric at Quilting: Meditative Slow Stitching By Hand on Tuesday, April 7 from 1 to 4 p.m. in The Studio.

Instructor Billie Theide will help students explore hand-piecing and hand-quilting a quilt in a unique way by stitching from the outside in. The class will also explore the rich cultural history of meditative slow stitching.

$120/person. Registration will close April 1 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 in order 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 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.