Experience Level: Beginner (Ages 16+) 

Assemble your very own wreath adorned with everlasting flowers harvested and dried at Delight Flower Farm at Everlasting Wreath Workshop on Saturday, Nov. 14 from 1-2:30 p.m. in the Arboretum Shed.  

These dried wreaths are great to hang or even use as a table centerpiece at all your upcoming holiday gatherings. Wreath bases are made of grapevine or willow. Materials needed for assembly will be provided 

$65/person*. Registration closes Nov. 7 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.  

*Students should bring gardening gloves. 

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.

Experience Level: Beginner  

Join Sally Walsh for a hands-on Soap Making Workshop on Sunday, Nov. 15 from 9:00am-4:00pm in the Allerton Mansion Dining Room.  

Sally will walk students through the process of making soap including the science of making soap, safety, ingredients used, and the herbal benefits. Participants will then learn how to make your own bar of soap with your preferred scents. Students will be able to trade soap and take home each other's recipes. All students will receive a booklet of instructions and soap recipes and take home a bar of soap.  

All supplies will be provided.  

$110/person*. Registration closes Nov. 8 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.  

*Please wear old clothes. 

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.

Experience Level: All Levels

Be guided through the process of making your own woven basket at Basketweaving: Simple Elegance on Friday, Nov. 20 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. in The Studio. 

“Simple Elegance” starts by weaving a woven, filled base.  Techniques include start/stop weaving, twining, triple twining with an arrow and a step up, the use of overlays and double lashing.  Rolled, leather Amish handles adorn the sides of the basket.  A complementary floral sprig and metal embellishment adorn the front.  Accent colors are teal, caramel and chocolate brown.  Dimensions of finished basket: 8 ¼” W x 9 ½” W x 5 ½” H

$95/person. Registration will close Nov. 13 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  

Curious on how to whittle or carve in the round? Join us for Woodcarving Basics: Holiday Ornaments on Saturday, Nov. 21 from 1-5 p.m. in The Studio. 

A small holiday ornament is a fun way to learn how to safely use a carving knife and practice the three basic wood carving cuts.  Students will have a choice of projects – either a snowman or fir tree. Small eyelets, ribbon and paints will be available to make your carving into a holiday ornament. Class material includes either a snowman or Fir tree Basswood blank, additional carving tools and a carver’s board.   

$85/person*. Registration will close Nov. 16 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.  

*Students should bring: 
- Carving Glove 
- Flex Cut Carving Knife Set 
OR 
-Flex Cut Roughing Knife 

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.

Experience Level: Beginner 

Fall is the perfect time to learn to crochet at Crochet 101: Fingerless Gloves on Sunday, Nov. 22 from 10 a.m-4 p.m. in The Studio. 

Participants will crochet a pair of fingerless gloves with a unique cable-like stitch pattern. Crochet gloves for yourself or gift a pair to a friend or family member! This class is beginner friendly. Students will learn to read crochet patterns, determine size, learn to chain, turn, crochet through the back loop, do half double crochet, slip stitches, and yarn over. Additionally, the class will explore blocking and caring for hand crocheted items. 

$95/person*. Registration closes Nov. 15 or when capacity is reached. All sales are final.  

*Students should bring the following: 

OPTION 1 YARN 

2 skeins (same dye lot) Cascade 220 Sport. This is classified as a lofty sport to DK weight yarn of 100% Peruvian Highland Wool. There are 164 yards per skein. Available in 73 colors. It is hand washable in cold water. Avoid purchasing a dark colorway. 

OR 

OPTION 2 YARN 

2 skeins (same dye lot) Berroco Ultra Alpaca Light. This is classified as a DK weight yarn made of 50% Super Fine Alpaca and 50% Peruvian Wool. There are 146 yards per skein. Available in 36 colors. It is hand washable in cold water. Avoid purchasing a dark colorway. 

AND 

--US F (3.75MM) crochet hook 
--pair of small sharp scissors 
--laptop, iPad, or smartphone 
--pencil 

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.