Local Opportunities…

If you don’t live close to the northern NJ region/Newark Museum, you can skip this post.  I need to make a shameless commercial announcement about two classes I’m teaching, because they are really really fun, and you might not know about them.  The Newark Museum is not known for its promotional department.

The museum is known however for its small but well equipped arts studios, on the second floor, a fully equipped weaving studio with Schacht Baby Wolf looms, and complete sewing area, with 8 Bernina sewing machines.  They have a wonderful metals studio and a light spacious airy high ceiling design studio for all sorts of creative classes.  They offer series classes and weekend one day wonders.  Their classes are very very reasonable, and parking is included.  At least it always has been.

I’m delighted to be teaching two intensives there next month, the first is my infamous Fiber Boot Camp.  The class runs four days, July 11-14, 2011 and it is my favorite class to teach.  This is the class I wrote about last summer, where every three hours we try a new technique.( Blog Post1 , 2, 3) It is an abbreviated version of the class I taught in the spring at County College of Morris.  Even Fiber enthusiasts with some experience have a blast with this course, remembering summer camp, I provide all the materials, there is a short list of things to bring from home that you more than likely have laying around, like a pyrex pie plate and some brown paper bags.

A Wearable Extravaganza: Wrap your Body in Clothing from Your Own Hands

with Daryl Lancaster

This is a terrific class for those wanting to learn to fit and sew clothing from their

handwoven, hand printed, dyed, quilted, felted or other special fabric, as well as for those

more experienced students wanting polished and professional results. Students construct a

basic unlined jacket, from their own fabric, custom fit to themselves while learning all sorts

of inspiring techniques to make their garments reflect their creativity. Course is designed to

teach creativity as well as technique. Students who have already made a jacket with me in

any other class may opt to bring their own patterns and agenda. All levels

Four Days, Monday – Thursday, July 18 – 21, 10 am – 4:30 pm

Member: $207, Non-member: $230, Materials: $25. Includes twill

tape, interfacing, pattern paper and extensive bound handout.

If you are interested in these classes or seeing what else the museum is offering, here is the PDF link for the summer brochure with all the descriptions.

And I have to include this shameless plug from Annie M, who took my garment construction class in the spring, and really really enjoyed it.  Annie organizes the Thursday night knitting group at the Boonton Holmes Library.  She writes a newsy reminder for members just before the meeting and had this to say about my class…

” I took the sewing class with Daryl during this past spring semester and I cannot quantify how much I learned. I had basic sewing skills, very basic. It seemed, whenever I did anything on my project during the class, that there was always some further tip, technique or tid bit of knowledge that Daryl would share with me. It’s the kind of knowledge that a) makes one a better sewer and b) helps sewing make more sense to the sewer. I highly recommend her courses.

This past spring’s sewing class was my first experience with the Newark Museum. What a neat place! The workshops are very reasonably priced; workshops include safe on-site parking; the museum is a couple of blocks away from Halsey Fabric Shops and close to yummy restaurants.”