Classes in Decorah
Fiber Arts
Register early with your $50 deposit. A minimum number of registered students is required for a class to be held.
Bobbin Lace
Kelly Marshall
Come explore the historic art of bobbin lace making or “pillow lace”.
This is a multi-thread lace making technique with many different styles
practiced
throughout Europe and Asia. In this beginner class students will make
a stitch sampler and complete a small project in Torchon lace, the technique
used in the Scandinavian countries. A $10 materials fee collected by the
instructor will cover handouts, pillow, thread, pins, and holder. Bobbins
are free to use in class, or may be purchased from the instructor.
Level of instruction: all levels, please indicate if a beginner.
March 28-30 | $120 members/$150 non-members
Kelly Marshall learned the art of bobbin lace making during a one-year textile program in Forsa, Sweden, in 1987. She has been teaching at the American Swedish Institute and other locations for 19 years and is a member and past president of the Minnesota Lace Society. She has owned and operated the Minneapolis based textile company Custom Woven Interiors Ltd. since 1992.
Introduction to Floor Loom Weaving with Emphasis on Norwegian Techniques
Syvilla Tweed Bolson
Experience a variety of traditional weaving techniques, including vestfoldsmett (brocading), rutevev (single interlocking tapestry), billedvev (picture
weaving) joins, kjerringtenner (vertical stripes), lynild (chevron),
and border designs of hårrender, krabberender and rosebragd (H’s,
crabs, and
rosepath). There will be some pickup work. Students will learn the
basics of drafting using the sampler and instruction booklets, plus
basic weaving
vocabulary terms (English and Norwegian). Students will use both handmade
“butterflies” and shuttles, and will learn to dress a loom (if needed).
Each student will weave according to his or her level of expertise.
Weaving samples from the Vesterheim collection will be on display.
Vesterheim looms will be used. Materials for the class will be available
during
class
from
the instructor with a materials fee.
Level of instruction: beginner.
June 2-6 | $300 members / $350 non-members
Syvilla Tweed Bolson owns and operates a Norwegian yarn business in Decorah and has taught classes in various Norwegian weaving techniques throughout the Midwest. She regularly demonstrates weaving at Vesterheim and has been commissioned to create wall hangings for private homes and public spaces. Syvilla is a ribbon winner at Vesterheim’s National Exhibition of Folk Art in the Norwegian Tradition.
Halvfloss—Short Pile Weaving
Ingebjørg Monsen - Norwegian Instructor
Halvfloss is pile weave on a plain weave ground. The short, dense pile
is used only for the decorative pattern. Cushion covers were woven in
this
technique in the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. The Gudbrandsdal
area of Norway was the center for this weaving technique. Students will
use traditional designs and Vesterheim’s floor looms. This class may require
an additional fee for materials.
Level of instruction: basic knowledge of weaving necessary.
July 12-16 |
$395 members / $495 non-members
Bunad Sewing—Gusset Jacket
Ingebjørg Monsen - Norwegian Instructor
In Hordaland County and several other Norwegian communities, men, women,
and children wear a laskatrøye, or gusset jacket, with their national
costume. 
A laskatrøye is a short jacket with several deep gussets
in the back. The
jacket can also be used without the national costume as a fashionable
garment with ethnic flair. Students will use machine and hand sewing
to construct
a lined wool jacket for a man, woman, or child. This class will
require an additional fee for Norwegian wool fabric, linen, and trims.
Level of instruction: hand and machine sewing skills will be beneficial.
July 19-23 | $395 members / $495 non-members
Ingebjørg Monsen began her textile training at age 5, learning from her mother to sew and knit, and completing a wardrobe for her doll. She took sewing courses at Bergen’s Kommunale Kvindelige Industriskole and weaving courses at Krohnsminde Videregående Skole. Since 1995 she has been teaching weaving and bunad sewing for the Askøy and Bergen Husflidslags. Ingebjørg was a guide on Vesterheim’s 2005 and 2007 Textile Study Tours to Norway.
Traditional Norwegian Overshot Weaves
Syvilla Tweed Bolson
This class will offer instruction in four overshot weave structures—skillbragd,
Telemarksvev, rosebragd, and halvdreiel, which are used for
both traditional and contemporary Norwegian weaving. (Overshot weave
has a pattern
created through weft that “floats” over a plain-weave ground
cloth.)
Students
will choose their favorites and should be able to learn at
least three of the
four techniques during the class. The size of samples will
depend on class size and student interest. Each student will receive
an instruction booklet.
Warping (cotton and linen) will be done the day prior to the
beginning of the class. Coverlets and weavings from the Vesterheim
collection
will be
on display. Students will weave on Vesterheim floor looms
(four,
six, eight shaft, and double harnesses). Norwegian Spelsau
wools will be
used and furnished
by the instructor with a materials fee.
Level of instruction: intermediate and advanced with experience
warping and reading a weaving draft.
August 15-19 |
$300 members / $350 non-members
Syvilla Tweed Bolson owns and operates a Norwegian yarn business in Decorah and has taught classes in various Norwegian weaving techniques throughout the Midwest. She regularly demonstrates weaving at Vesterheim and has been commissioned to create wall hangings for private homes and public spaces. Syvilla is a ribbon winner at Vesterheim’s National Exhibition of Folk Art in the Norwegian Tradition.
Hardangersøm
Joan Leuenberger
Learn the basic stitches and cutting technique used in Hardanger
embroidery as you create beautiful snowflake ornaments.
Each snowflake will have
a different finishing stitch, proving that no two snowflakes
are ever the
same. These snowflakes will be made using 22-count cotton
material with cotton thread. After mastering these basic
techniques, students will
be prepared to tackle larger projects, like doilies and
table runners. Many
students find it helpful to bring a needleworker’s magnifying
glass. Other supplies will be furnished. There will be
a $5 materials fee.
Level of instruction: beginner.
September 6 | $60 members / $70 non-members
Joan Leuenberger has been stitching in the Norwegian tradition since she was a child. Her earliest association with Vesterheim was demonstrating klostersøm at Nordic Fest with her mother. More recently, Joan has taught a number of mini-classes in hardangersøm for the museum.
Holiday Wheat Weaving
Bev Schrandt
This year Holiday Wheat Weaving will be an all-day class!
Students will be able to create two very different
styles of wheat ornaments
that
will make for beautiful holiday decorations in the
Norwegian style. Bev will
teach the flat snowflake ornament that was so popular
last year, and will also teach the woven wheat style
for ornaments.
You
will be able
to make
one or both styles in class. Wheat weaving was very
popular with pioneers as a way to make beautiful yet
inexpensive
ornaments, and the technique
is utilized in many countries throughout the world.
This class will require an additional fee for materials.
Level of instruction: all levels.
September 20 | $60 members / $70 non-members
Beverly Schrandt, from Ossian, Iowa, regularly demonstrates wheat weaving at Vesterheim events.
Ulkurv—Norwegian Wool Basket Making
Jean Schutte
Come and join us—this is a great basket! Students will learn all about
basket making from beginning to end and will take home the completed
project. This
basket is traditionally used for storing yarn, but could have so many
uses in your home. Its size is about 12” square and approximately 10”
high with
a wooden leg at each corner. This wool basket has a wooden bottom and
a strong push-in handle, which could be decorated if desired. This class
will
require an additional fee for materials.
Level of instruction: all levels.
October 18 | $60 members / $70 non-members
Jean Schutte has been teaching basket weaving since 1986. She is mostly self-taught, but has studied with teachers in the Amana Colonies, Iowa; Winona, Minnesota; and Faribault, Minnesota. Jean has worked in many different media, including pine needles, red cedar bark, oak, birch, ash, and willow. In most of her basketmaking classes she uses reed. For the past 18 years, Jean has been teaching classes at various places, including Vesterheim, Northeast Iowa Community College, public schools, 4-H groups, and her studio.
Intermediate Tapestry
Traudi Bestler
Think of weaving a tapestry as “painting” with yarn. In this class, students
will warp simple looms and learn basic techniques for weaving colorful
shapes and pictures. There will be a discussion of designing with
a Scandinavian feel, and each student will create a design for a small
tapestry
piece.
Methods of hanging and framing will also be discussed and demonstrated.
No previous weaving experience is necessary to enjoy this class. Tapestry
can be approached at many levels and subject matter will be tailored
to individual needs. Continuing students are welcome in this class.
This class
will require an additional fee for materials.
Level of instruction: all levels
October 24-26 | $180 members / $200 non-members
Traudi Bestler has been weaving for 35 years, with an emphasis in the last ten years on tapestry. She has studied with Nancy Jackson at Vesterheim and with Jean Pierre Larrochette, Yael Lurie, Archie Brennan, Susan Martin Maffei, and Ruth Manning. She currently teaches tapestry and loom weaving at Minnetonka Center for the Arts, Weavers Guild of Minnesota, and the North House School for Arts Education. She travels in the upper Midwest to teach workshops.
Knitting a Round Yolk Mini-Sweater the “Nor-Way”
Arnhild Hillesland
Learn to make a round yoke sweater by knitting a mini-cardigan with
all the details of an adult sweater. Students will use double-point
and circular
needles and will do the machine stitching and the cutting for
the front opening. Arnhild will teach each little knitting detail of
the sweater
as well as the finishing. She will also explain what is done differently
to
make a pullover and to make a drop shoulder. Students will knit
the body and sleeves, combine them to make the round yoke, and
machine
stitch and
cut the front open to make a cardigan. Students will make the
button band, then learn to space the buttons, make the buttonhole band,
and
the neckband.
This class will require an additional fee for materials.
Level of instruction: comfortable knitting with two colors, and
with double point and circular needles.
October 24-26 | $180 members / $200 non-members
Arnhild Hillesland, from Ames, Iowa, is a native of Norway and has been knitting for as long as she can remember. Arnhild received her Ph.D. in Norwegian language and literature at the University of Tromsø. Since coming to the United States in 1986, Arnhild has traveled throughout the country, teaching Norwegian knitting techniques to eager knitters at trade shows, knitting guilds, and yarn shops. She has also guided numerous groups of knitters to Norway and other countries in northern Europe. Her work has been featured in issues of Interweave Knits and Cast-On.
Beginning Tapestry Weaving
Susan Gangsei
Learn basic tapestry techniques, including loom and warp attributes,
yarn handling techniques, and the characteristics of fabric
quality. Students
in this class will also explore the history of how tapestry
evolved in different regions of the world, including Norway. Students
will produce a sampler
while learning various weaving techniques, including plain
weave, hatching, hatchures, how to weave a curve, and multiple Nordic
dovetail joins.
Students
can use the Vesterheim rigid heddle looms or bring their own
loom. The instructor will provide two types of yarn (Paternayan and
Rauma Spaelsaugarn)
for a
materials fee.
Level of instruction: beginner.
October 31-November 2 | $180 members / $200 non-members
Susan Gangsei has been weaving since 2002. Her tapestry journey began in 2004 with a Vesterheim tapestry class taught by master weaver Nancy Jackson. Since that time, Susan has had regular one-on-one instruction from Nancy to advance her skills in tapestry techniques, fabric quality, cartooning and design. She has also studied rutevev, krokbragd, boundweave, and Nordic joins techniques, as well as design composition. In 2007, Susan’s tapestry Slaying Your Dragon earned a blue ribbon and People’s Choice award at Vesterheim’s National Exhibition of Folk Art in the Norwegian Tradition. Susan’s work is currently being sold in Minneapolis at the Nina Bliese Gallery.
Weaving Holiday Coasters
Syvilla Tweed Bolson
Students will weave coasters or mats with a finished size
of 4” square. The technique will be weft-faced krokbragd,
which
is a
technique historically
used for weaving in Norway. The two designs will include
a nisse grouping and a set of glowing candles with a holiday
flair.
The coasters will
be in traditional holiday colors. The yarn will be Norwegian
Spelsau wool
and linen available from the instructor, and all students
must use the prescribed
materials. Vesterheim floor looms, one for each student,
will be available. This class will require an additional fee for
materials.
Level of instruction: all students with a basic understanding
of weaving and knowledge in warping a loom are welcome.
November 7-9 | $180 members /$200 non-members
Syvilla Tweed Bolson owns and operates a Norwegian yarn business in Decorah and has taught classes in various Norwegian weaving techniques throughout the Midwest. She regularly demonstrates weaving at Vesterheim and has been commissioned to create wall hangings for private homes and public spaces. Syvilla is a ribbon winner at Vesterheim’s National Exhibition of Folk Art in the Norwegian Tradition.