Fun with Flax Field Trip

Join us on a trip to Marysville to get hands-on with flax. We will help Pete McWade harvest some flax. We will also have the opportunity to try out preparing the flax for spinning, by breaking and scutching. Pete will also show us how flax is spun on the spinning wheel.  Each person will leave with some ready to spin flax fiber. 

UPCOMING GUILD MEMBER-SPONSORED WORKSHOPS & FIELD TRIPS

Craftfolk Collective is Gretchen's new gathering place for creative community in the Sierra Foothills located at:  38 North Main Street, Colfax, CA (rear entrance).

Sign up for the newsletter and don't miss out on any exciting craft classes. There is something for almost everyone.

Here's what's happening soon...

Community Craft Club (FREE)
Thursdays, 4-6pm

Each week, we open our doors for an informal gathering of makers, neighbors, and friends. Bring your own project and work in the company of community. We offer the space, hot mugs of tea, and light snacks to enjoy. Craft Club is a chance to slow down, connect with new people, and enjoy making side by side—no pressure or perfection, just process. Everyone is welcome.

FREE event (Please RSVP). All ages welcome.
Bring your own materials/projects.

Knitting Clinic: Skill Building & Troubleshooting
Sunday, March 22, 2026
10 am - 12 noon

This low-cost, skill-focused knitting clinic is designed to support knitters at every stage of their practice. Bring your own work-in-progress and spend a relaxed, supportive session knitting alongside others who share your interest in fiber arts.

Experienced knitters will be on hand during the clinic to offer one-on-one help when you get stuck, troubleshoot tricky sections, and answer technique questions as they come up. Whether you’re navigating a pattern, fixing mistakes, or refining foundational skills, this clinic offers practical guidance tailored to your project.

Tea and light snacks will be provided, and the atmosphere is informal and encouraging. The clinic is intended as a recurring gathering, giving participants a chance to return month to month and build confidence and skills over time. All levels are welcome.

Drop-in fee (per session): $20

Bring your own materials/projects.

https://www.craftfolkcollective.com/classes/p/open-studio-session-a3rhw-3nra4

Learn to Crochet: Make a Hat in 2 Evenings!
Tuesdays, March 31 and April 7, 2026

6-8pm

Crochet is a simple skill to learn and an excellent way to slow down and let go of the distractions of modern life. In this class, students will learn the basic crochet stitches required to make a cozy merino wool beanie. 

Over the course of two class meetings, students will work toward the completion of this project. This class is intended for beginners, those who are out of practice and want to learn again, or those who simply would like to work on a crochet project with some guidance.

All levels welcome. When registering, students may choose to purchase a materials kit ($25) or bring their own. The materials kit includes bulky weight yarn, a size K/6.5 mm crochet hook, a yarn needle, and scissors — all yours to keep.

If bringing your own materials, please come with approximately 200 yards of bulky weight yarn and a size K/6.5 mm crochet hook. Yarn needles, scissors, and extra hooks will be available to borrow as needed.

Tuition: $60 | Optional Materials Fee: $25

Punch Needle Rug Hooking: A Beginner's Two-Day Workshop

Join Oxford Certified Punch Needle Instructor Melissa Vorndran for a comprehensive two-day beginner workshop in the art of punch needle rug hooking. Working from one of three original patterns of your choice, Melissa will guide you step-by-step through all the skills needed to complete a mug rug coaster from start to finish, sharing practical tips, techniques, and inspiration along the way. This class is designed for total beginners and those looking to refine their technique. You'll leave with a completed project and the confidence to tackle future punch needle work of any size.

What is Punch Needle Rug Hooking? Dating back to 1881, punch needle rug hooking uses a specialized needle tool to push loops of yarn through a stretched foundation fabric, creating richly textured designs. Often described as "painting with yarn," it has surged in popularity for its simplicity, accessibility, and creative potential.

Workshop fee: $185 (Tuition: $135 | Materials Fee: $50)

Materials fee includes a kit with your choice of one of three original pattern designs by Melissa, your chosen pattern pre-drawn on monk's cloth, 100% wool 3-ply rug yarn in your project colors, and a reusable stitch gauge.

Additional Tools

https://www.craftfolkcollective.com/classes/p/beginner-punch-needle

Siren Song Fleeceworks 

Siren Song Fleeceworks is Meredith's fiber mill located on the grounds of the Lucchesi Vineyards & Winery in Grass Valley. She can not only process your fleece, she is offering wool parties, workshops, and mill tours.

March 15, 1-4pm Wool Party at the Mill

Celebrate the beginning of shearing season with us! Get your hands in some fresh wool, learn the art of skirting a fleece, and help out with fiber prep in the mill. Bring your own fleece or play with ours.

RSVP at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1983837718018?aff=oddtdtcreator and use code FFGSAVER (free for members/$15 non-members)

Needle Felt an Easter Bunny

March 28, 1-4 pm
Instructor: Riki Colby

Needle felt an Easter bunny on an egg with fiber artist Riki Colby.  Whether you're new to felting or already love this technique, you'll be able to make your own unique Easter decoration and learn some new tricks for felting wool. Students should bring their own tools (felting needles and pad) or can purchase tools in class for an additional $10.

Cost: $60 general/$50 FFG member (use code FFGSAVER)

Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/needle-felt-an-easter-bunny-tickets-1983901890961?aff=oddtdtcreator 

Macrame a Plant Hanger

April 18, 1pm to 4pm

Instructor:  Andrea Budde

Spring is here, and it's the perfect time to plant something beautiful. Make a stylish potted plant hanger with fiber artist Andrea Budde. New to macrame? That's okay! This is a beginner friendly workshop.

$25 member / $35 non-member, plus $10 materials fee

Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/macrame-a-plant-hanger-tickets-1983902430575?aff=oddtdtcreator    

Use code FFGSAVER for discount

May 9, 1-4pm Make a loom + start weaving on it

Interested in weaving but don't have the space or budget for a loom? Think again! In this beginner friendly workshop, you will make your own frame loom using a picture frame and nails, and learn how to weave on it. 

RSVP at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/make-a-loom-start-weaving-on-it-tickets-1983899545947?aff=oddtdtcreator use code FFGSAVER. $30 member/$40 non-member plus $15 material fee (material list on the event page for those who wish to bring their own supplies)

RECENT GUILD-SPONSORED WORKSHOPS & FIELD TRIPS

Tunisian Stitch Sampler with Linda Dean

Date: November 1 (RSVP by October 15)
Time: 1-4 p.m. (3 hr class)
Location:  BriarPatch Food Co-op, Grass Valley
Cost: $30 members / $35 non-members
Supply fee:  Bring your own hook and yarn - see below

Get excited about this technique that is changing the face of crochet! Tunisian crochet is easier then you may realize and in this class you will learn an assortment of 6 stitches; including Simple, Knit, Full, Crossed, Double Knit, and Purl, as well as a couple of different ways to begin your project. By the end of the class you will have a new understanding of how these stitches are constructed, allowing you to a greater understanding and confidence in your Tunisian project. This is a beginner friendly class, including for those who are new to crochet. 

Materials needed: Tunisian crochet hooks of varying sizes (consider size K through P), light weight yarn (2-3 size weight)*

To RSVP: Reply to the Event email sent via the website system or email Meredith:  programs@foothillfiberartsguild.org.

Questions? programs@foothillfiberartsguild.org

Valley Oak Wool & Fiber Mill

Meredith lead guild members on a field trip to the Valley Oak Wool & Fiber Mill in Woodland. Our private tour was conducted by owner Marcail McWilliams. We saw where fleeces were washed, rinsed, dried, picked, and carded. Of special interest was the yarn spinner/plyer. Paulette helped remove the large filled bobbins of singles in preparation for plying. Marcail adjusted the many gears for just the right combination for that specific yarn, then we watched the plying and skeining process in action. What fun! Many thanks to Meredith for arranging this special outing.

Beginners Natural Dye Workshop II

The workshop included a mordanting demonstration and each participant had the opportunity to dye animal fiber samples in 4 dye pots. All equipment, handouts, and sample materials were provided. Participants learned the skills necessary to try dyeing on their own. 

See photos here.

Beginners Natural Dye Workshop

February 24, 2024

The workshop included a mordanting demonstration and each participant had the opportunity to dye seven fiber samples in 4 dye pots, including one silk scarf. All equipment, handouts, and sample materials were provided. The weather was perfect! There was plenty of time to visit during lunch and we even got a peek at Jeanne's weaving yurt. Participants learned the skills necessary to try dyeing fiber on their own. 

Make It - Take It... Pine Needle Baskets with Andrea Budde

November 26, 2024

Andrea led us in making cute little pine needle baskets with needles collected locally. 

Make It - -Take It... Dragon Boats with Jane Milner
November 28, 2023 

Jane finally was able to reschedule her workshop and we made cute dragon boats. It was so much fun many members went home and made more.

Wooly Painted Pumpkins with Heidi Leugers of Reclaimed Wool

September 16, 2023

Members met in person and via Zoom to create darling pumpkins. Heidi sent us all enough fiber to make many more!

Brioche Knitting with Suzanne Bryan!
January 30, 2021 via Zoom

After speaking to our Guild on Tuesday, January 26, 2021 on Brioche knitting, Suzanne presented a workshop, via Zoom.

This two hour workshop will teach you: Single and two color brioche, Brioche flat and in the round, Increases and decreases. The class project was simple but contained the necessary skills.

Suzanne presented an excellent beginning brioche workshop and it was enjoyed by all, with students seen to be working hard!