w - North House Folk School

Beginning Millinery & Haberdashery:The Blocked Felt Hatwith Emily Moe7/27/13-7/28/13Minnesota’s history is interwoven with the history of hatmaking.Europe’s hunger for beaver felt top hats drovethe voyageurs into the heart of fur country. Most ofthe fur traded at Grand Portage eventually became felthats. There is no softer, warmer or more pliant fiber asfur-felt. We will use millinery fur-felt hat blanks to createhats using the same methods used by milliners since the1300s (minus the infamous mercury), but our creationswill reflect the character and personality of each student--perhaps a 19th century top-hat, a 20’s cloche, BelleÉpoque feather salad, a 40’s fedora (good hats aren’tjust for women) or something made with a distinctly2014 vision. The student will use mysterious and magicalsounding materials -- melousine, ferrule, puzzle blocksand petersham -- to make a couture quality felt hat entirelyby hand. Some sewing experience is helpful but notnecessary.length (days) 2 hours 9am-5pmtuition $150 early bird tuition (6+ wks in advance) $140materials $65age with adult 13+Expedition Footwear:Making Hide & Canvas Muklukswith Jo Wood11/1/13-11/3/13Remember the last time your feet were too cold to enjoywonderful wintry weather? Do away with rigid unbreathablefootwear and discover the traditional footwear ofthe north: mukluks. The flexibility of the natural materialsused in construction allows the foot to generate heat,and a breathable layering system allows moisture to escape.In this course you’ll be guided through the processof pattern making, and handcraft your own pair of hidemukluks with knee high or shorter uppers. Booties orliners must be purchased or made before the workshop.Some sewing experience is helpful but not necessary.length (days) 2.5hours Day 1: 1pm-5pm; Day 2/3: 9am-5pmtuition $200 early bird tuition (6+ wks in advance) $190materials $80Shoemaking: 10th Century Scandinavian Turn Shoe888-387-9762Moccasin-Making & Bead Embroideryin the Aniishiinaabe-Stylewith Marcie McIntire9/6/13-9/8/13Discover the designs, color, styles and technique of traditionalbead embroidery as you work with Ojibwe culturalspecialist and Grand Portage band member MarcieMcIntire, sewing and decorating a pair of moccasins inthis course co-sponsored by the Grand Portage NationalMonument. The course begins with an overview of theGrand Portage National Monument’s historic collectionof footwear and bead embroidery. You then design apair of moccasins to make, choosing from either a babyor child’s moccasin pattern or an adult-sized pair. Usingquality tanned deer hide, Marcie will teach the stepsrequired for assembly and help you design a pattern tofinish your pair of moccasins with bead embroidery.Your materials fee includes the fabric, interfacing, beads,needles and thread. The class will take place in the culturalheritage classroom at the Grand Portage NationalMonument Visitor Center in Grand Portage, MN (35miles northeast of Grand Marais). Please note, moststudents who chose to make adult-size moccasins willfinish one moccasin in 3 days, but leave with the materialsand knowledge to complete the project at home. Forthose interested in staying for an optional 4th day to fullyimmerse in the project, this is available for an additional$50. Please notify North House at the time of registration.length (days) 3 hours 9am-4:30pmtuition $225 optional 4th day $50early bird tuition (6+ weeks in advance) $195materials varies - $75 for adult size, $65 for child sizeage with adult 9+Nålbinding Mittenswith Larry Schmitt4/22/13-4/24/13Nålbinding, similar to but far older than knitting orcrochet, is a way to make a looped-structure fabric witha single needle. Nålbound mittens are valued for warmthand practicality and in this workshop you’ll learn nålbinding,as well as the basics of shaping a Scandinavian-style“work” mitten. A variety of finishing techniques will bedemonstrated, and time will be devoted to the folkloresurrounding nålbinding. Lesson materials, needle, andan appropriate amount of yarn for the first samples areprovided. You will also have the opportunity to makeyour own needles.length (days) 3 hours 9am-5pmtuition $225 early bird tuition (6+ wks in advance) $195materials $2015Nålbinding MittensNålbinding Mittens, Socks, Caps:The Scandinavian Textile Craftwith Larry Schmitt10/22/13-10/26/13Discover the textile craft tradition known as nålbindingand explore its Scandinavian roots. As a course project,students choose to create their own pair of mittens,socks, or a syltemjölkskopp – a “milk strainer” cap. Ordraw from tradition to inspire a project of your owndesign in consultation with the instructor. Nålbinding is away to make looped structure fabric with a single needleand, when worked in wool, it is valued for warmth,durability, and practicality. The course covers the basicsof nålbinding and explores those related crafts that areoften incorporated in Scandinavian-style nålbound items.You will make your own nålbinding needles. Time will bedevoted to the history and folklore of nålbinding as wellas nålbinding’s influence on Scandinavian craft traditions.Scandinavian-style nålbinding reflects both place of originand local culture. Students at North House will createnålbound items inspired by Scandinavia and infused withthe spirit of Grand Marais!length (days) 5 hours 9am-5pmtuition $375 early bird tuition (6+ wks in advance) $350materials $30Sew Your Own:Scandinavian Work Shirtwith Carol Colburn9/20/13-9/21/13It works! Sew your own Scandinavian work shirt, designedfor comfort and for your favorite outdoor activities.Traditional shirts in the Scandinavian countries aregreat for layering and designed for outdoor life. Naturalfiber striped fabrics of cotton, linen, and wool in manycolors and textures can be used to make distinctive shirts.When made of traditional blue or red striped cotton,Scandinavians enjoy wearing these comfortable shirts toreflect their heritage. Sewing patterns and instructionsare based on historical examples. Patterns are based onsquares and rectangles. As you create your shirt, you willbe guided step by step, adjusting your pattern, cutting,machine and hand sewing, and adding the finishingtouches. Scandinavian work shirts are ideal for men,women and children who enjoy all kinds of outdoor life.length (days) 2 hours 9am-5pmtuition $160 early bird tuition (6+ wks in advance) $150materials varies ($25-$90)Shoemaking: 10th CenturyScandinavian Turn Shoewith Jason Hovatter6/27/13-6/30/137/11/13-7/14/13Crafting functional, durable and attractive footwear withyour own hands is a deeply satisfying (and sole-ful!) task.We will begin by making a casting of your foot (shoeswill truly be custom built) then move on to patterningand leather selection, cutting and skiving, butt stitchingand assembly. Once the upper and sole are attached wemove on to turning and hammering, closure and finishingand finally gooping the soles. A wide assortment ofleather working techniques and tools will be covered, andafter learning a few simple methods and skills, you’ll beready to let your imagination run wild on your next pairof shoes. This pair of shoes could easily last you for therest of your life if well taken care of!length (days) 4 hours 9am-5pmtuition $395 early bird tuition (6+ wks in advance) $380materials $100more details, more photos: www.northhouse.org