Fall Fiber Expo II Workshops and Classes

Saturday October 3rd, 2026

# 101 Making Yorkshire Buttons, Nancy Macali 9:00 a.m - Noon

Class Size: 12 Students

Skill Level: Beginner

Cost: $65.00 / Student

All Materials provided - please bring a small sharp pair of scissors.

Learn how to create beautiful hand-woven Yorkshire buttons that can be used to embellish clothing, textiles and

artwork. In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn the traditional technique of weaving thread on a small

round loom to construct decorative buttons.

Participants will explore how to create both flat and rounded button forms, allowing for a variety of visual effects

and uses. These woven buttons add a distinctive, custom touch to sweaters, jackets, blouses and other

textile projects.

Learning Outcome:

Participants will learn the traditional technique used to construct woven Yorkshire buttons using a button loom.

They will explore methods for creating both flat and rounded button forms and understand how these structural

variations affect the finished design. By the end of the workshop, participants will have completed handmade

buttons and gained the skills needed to continue making Yorkshire buttons for garments and textile work.

Supplies Included: Button loom, needle and assorted threads.

# 102 Making Faces, Nan Calvert 9:00 am - 1:00 pm

Skill Level: Beginner

Class Size: 12

Cost: $ 65.00

Material Fee: $10.00 paid directly to the instructor - with all materials provided.

Needle felting is fun. It's even "funner" when the felted piece is brought to life with a face. In this class, you will learn

the techniques for sculpting eyes, lips, brows, teeth, noses, wrinkles and warts. We will use Merino short batt fibers

to make the faces and core wool for the head.

Registration closes for this class on September 26th 2026.

Saturday Afternoon Classes

# 201 Introduction to Basketry, Heather Macali 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Skill Level: Beginner

Class Size: 12

Cost: $ 85.00

Come Learn the basics of basket weaving! In this course we will be making a gathering basket with an egg

basket bottom. techniques covered are rib construction utilizing a frame/armature with flat, oval and round reed.

We will discuss proper tension - dos and don'ts of this simple gathering basket.

All Materials included.

# 202 Making and Using Silk Paper, Nan Calvet 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Skill Level: Beginner

Class Size 12

Cost: $80.00 / student

Raw Silk is a wonderfully versatile medium. It can be a stand alone art piece or incorporated into felting,

weaving, collage and mixed media. In this class you will use silk with its natural sericin coating to fashion

silk paper sheets. Then, you will paint and embellish your paper and make a small book complete with a

simple binding. Of course, there will be beads and other blingy things on hand!.

Registration closes for this class on September 26th 2026.

# 203 Learning to Dye with Professional Dyes, Missy Cushman 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Cost: $70.00 / Student

Skill Level: Beginner

Class Size: 10 Students

In this class you will choose a 100 gram skein of 463 yards to learn to dye. This is an ideal all purpose yarn that is

made of (75% SW Merino / 25% Nylon). You will learn how to dye using the variegated dyeing method, using

professional dyes. After you have dyed your skein of yarn it will then be heated and you will be instructed on how

to wash it at home after it has cooled.

All Materials are Included.

Sunday October 4th, 2026

# 301 Colorful Twill Bowl, Kathy McMinn 9:00 - 4:00 THIS IS AN ALL DAY CLASS!!

Skill Level: No Experience necessary

Class Size: 10

Cost: $75.00 / Student

All Materials Included

Starting with a wood base and on a mold for a great shape, weave this bowl with many color

choices. This is a full day class with time for lunch and shopping.

# 302 Introduction to Wet Felting - Slippers, Nancy Macali, 9:00 - 4:00 THIS IS AN ALL DAY CLASS!!

Skill Level: Intermediate

Class Size: 12

Cost: $80.00

Learn the art of wet felting to create a cozy pair of custom wool slippers. This class is perfect for both beginners an

seasoned crafters, as we will cover fundamental techniques while encouraging personal creativity in design.

Participants will be introduced to basic wet felting techniques, optimal fiber selection for felt making, and guided

through the process of designing and creating their own unique wool slippers.

Materials Provided: Protein fibers (comb top) in a variety of colors, plastic resist, netting, bubble wrap, felting tools,

soap vinegar, electric kettles, 5 gallon buckets and gloves.

Please Bring: Bath towel and paper scissors, and your homework!!

Student Homework: Trace each foot on a piece of paper to create patterns; make sure to have at least 1.5" of

paper allowance around each foot. We will have time to do this in class but if you prefer to do this prior to the

workshop that is totally fine.

# 303 Japanese Knot Bag, Nan Calvert 9:00 am. - 1:00

Skill Level: Beginner

Class Size: 12

Cost: $90.00 / student

You will make this useful and beautiful bag from Merino wool and decorate it with prefelts and/or handmade paper.

You will be wet felting over a resist. This lovely, versatile bag will get loads of compliments and it will be one of a

kind!!

Registration closes for this class on September 26th - please bring 2 bath towels with you to class.

# 304 Make a Hawk Tail Broom, David Shepherd 9:00 a.m. - Noon

Skill Level: Beginner

Class Size: 10

Cost: $70.00 / Student

In this class you will learn how to make a Hawk Tail Broom. A Hawk Tail broom is a traditional, hand tied folk art

whisk broom - made from natural broomcorn. Unlike the Turkey Wing broom - which is bound down one side to

mimic a bird's wing - a Hawk Tail broom is bound symmetrically down a central spine, causing the fibers to flare

out evenly on both sides like a Hawk's Tail.

All Materials are supplied. Wear good shoes no sandals please, and will need to have good arm strength.

Sunday Afternoon Classes

# 401 The Ancient Practice of Stone Wrapping, Nan Calvert 1:00pm - 4:00pm

Skill Level: Beginner

Class Size: 12

Cost: $70.00 / Student

In this class, you will learn foundational techniques for the ages-old art of stone wrapping. Natural caning will be the medium

of choice for wrapping. Additionally, there will be other fibers with which to adorn the stones. In modern times, wrapped stones

are used for meditation focal points, lovely art pieces, and sometimes as treasures found along a trail.

Registration closes for this class on September 26th, 2026.

# 402 Learn to Spin on a Turkish Spindle, David Shepherd 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Skill Level: Beginner

Class Size: 10

Cost: $80.00 / Student

In the class you will learn how to spin on a Turkish Spindle. You will create a single ply, then will be shown how to

make ita two ply yarn. You will receive a Turkish Spindle at the beginning of the class that you will use and then

keep. Fiber will be provided and colors will vary.

Fiber Expo Instructor Bio's

Introducing Fiber Expo's

Fiber Artists, Instructors & Lecturers

Nan Calvert, Felt and Fiber Artist.

More than 20 years ago, I was introduced to felting arts at the Racine Dominican Eco-Justice Center in Racine, Wisconsin. Since then, my passion for it has grown exponentially. My felting practice has drawn me to the captivating and expansive world of fiber and textile arts that includes small-scale weaving, looping, stone wrapping and the use of fine, handmade paper. One of the countless things I love about this pursuit is that because it is ancient, it connects us with early humans and gives us a glimpse into their lives and culture.

Along the way, I discovered that introducing people to fiber arts is something I love as much as making art. I am most fortunate to have taught at a number of venues such as the Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival, Lost Art Fiber and Textile Studio in Waukesha, and Gallery 223 in Lake Geneva. Most recently, I was accepted as a teacher at the Textile Art Center in Madison beginning in Spring 2026.

Prior to being free to immerse myself in fiber, I spent over 20 years as a teaching naturalist in Milwaukee and Racine counties, working with school-aged kids and adults with the goal of helping to build a more environmentally literate society. At the time of my retirement, I was a Subject Matter Expert on native plant communities of southeastern Wisconsin, working with a non-profit group focused on water quality issues and habitat restoration.

As for me personally, I am lucky to live on a little slice of heaven off Highway 11 in the Town of Dover with my husband, 2 dogs, 2 angora goats, 4 horses and quite a number of chickens. It is both a great privilege and joy to live this creative life.

Tina Etter

I have been teaching at the Michigan Fiber Festival, Fiber Expo, Thumb fiber and Folk, OPC, The Basket Sampler, Wisconsin Sheep and Wool, for the last few years and this year for the first time at Northern Michigan Sheep and Wool. I am available to teach small classes in Highland Michigan.Once upon a time there was a little girl who loved all things art . Then she grew up and did grown up stuff. She found herself on a small farm surrounded by llamas and sheep. Oh my she said now I can try all things wool. So she did and found felting was fun and NEEDLE FELTING was the VERY BEST. The end.

Nancy Macali

Nancy has been teaching for 44 years and taught high school for 35 years. Throughout my retirement I have contiued to give workshops and guest lectures. My love of fibers started in my youth living next - door to my grandmother. She taught me to knit, sew, and garden. I continued my pursuit of fiber knowledge throught college to present day.

As an artist and creator, I am skilled in weaving, knitting, felting, dyeing, spinning, sewing, and other various techniques. I am passionate about sharing my knowledge with others and encourage the exchange of creative discourse.

Kathy McMinn

Kathy started weaving baskets over 30 years ago. She has owned The Basket Sampler in Highland,

MI since 2007. There are many styles of baskets that interest her, from simple pencil baskets to more

complicated twill patterns. She often incorporates yarns and fibers into her baskets. She teaches all

age groups from preschool to senior citizens. You can see some of her work at her website

www.thebasketsampler.com.

Kathy Moskal

Kathy learned to knit in childhood, and took it up again after moving to a farm in Chelsea, Michigan in 1998. She volunteers at Waterloo Historical Museum demonstrating spinning on a wheel and drop spindle, felting and weaving. She raises fiber animals: alpacas, llamas, angora goats and angora rabbits on her small farm. Kathy is a member of Spinners Flock in Chelsea, MI. She is also co-owner of Criations by Leslie, Custom Embroidery and their web-site is http://www.criation

David Shepherd

David has been a lifelong woodworker starting as a child building things from the wood out of his father's scrap box, later studying industrial arts and the after graduation joining his father at a local cabinetry shop. Years later when the shop closed he decided to open his own. As he started to build fiber tools, and create them he knew he needed to also know how to use them. Mostly self taught with guidance from other crafters and You Tube. The Dealgan Spindle called to him, and it soon became his favorite spindle. After making a few small changes to the traditional design he has found the most user friendly version of the Dealgan Spindle possible and is looking forward to teaching it to you in his class.

If you are interested in teaching a class or workshop, please use the link below to sign up Today!!

Class/Workshop Proposal CLICK HERE

Enjoy all of our classes - have a request let us know!!

If you are interested in teaching a class or workshop, please use the link below to sign up Today!!

Class/Workshop Proposal CLICK HERE