Portland Fiber Gallery
Is Now PortFiber @ portfiber.co


 

For a number of years this was the website for the Portland Fiber Gallery.
Content is from the site's 2002 - 2013 archived pages and other outside sources.


The new owners of this site's domain have retain a historial look back of the site's original content when the gallery was owned by Melodi Hackett.
If you have inadvertently ended up here while searching for the Portland Fiber Gallery....it has been reincarnated and is now known as PortFiber**. The new owner is Casey Ryder. The new website is found at: https://portfiber.com/.

** PortFiber was established in 2013. It is the reincarnation of the Portland Fiber Gallery & Weaving Studio.  On September 30, 2013, former owner Melodi Hackett sold the business to long-time employee Casey Ryder. The focus of the shop remains the same--to support and inspire the fiberarts community with quality supplies and amazing classes taught by local instructors.  Fiberarts is in our collective blood.  It's a connection to our past, to our ancestors, to the earth and its fiber producing creatures. It is the aim of PortFiber to embrace those connections and make new ones with those who share the love of wool!  Fiber folks, be welcome!

Portland Fiber Gallery
50 Cove Street
Portland, ME 04101

Portland Fiber Gallery & Weaving Studio

Committed to the development & support of the fiber arts community through inspiration, education, & quality supplies.

Welcome to the Portland Fiber Gallery

Located in the Bayside area of Portland, we strive to provide an encouraging community for fellow fiber-lovers by offering classes and carrying supplies for weaving, spinning, wet felting, needle felting, and dyeing.  We also carry a selection of handmade garments, blankets, rugs, and items for the home.  Stop in and let us help you on your merry fiber way!  

 

About Us

The Portland Fiber Gallery and Weaving Studio was founded in the summer of 2000 by owner Melodi Hackett.  It was formerly located on Stevens Ave. in Deering Center.  Focusing mainly on weaving  to begin with, it began to extend to other areas of the fiber arts including felting, spinning, and dyeing.  The store moved to Congress Street in January 2005. In December 2011, we relocated again!  We're now located at 50 Cove Street.  Bigger space + parking = happy workers and happy customers!


Melodi Hackett graduated from UNH with a degree in Anthropology.  She and her husband Rick moved to Maine from Ithica, NY in 1978 and started a family.  It wasn't until her two daughters were old enough to stay home alone that Melodi began weaving, first taking a class at a shop in Scarborough.  During the early 90s, Melodi was seriously addicted to knitting and was working part time at Martha Hall, a knitting shop in Yarmouth.  In the late 90s she and some other artists opened Central Square Studios on Stevens Ave., a multi-artist stuido and gallery.  This shop eventually became what is now the Portland Fiber Gallery & Weaving Studio.

Casey Ryder learned how to knit when she was in middle school.  Her Meme taught her the two basic stitches, but nothing ever really came of it until college where she gave it another try.  She became more involved in the world of fiber arts when she began interning at the Fiber Gallery in the Fall of 2008.  It was here that she  learned how to spin, felt, and weave.  In addition to working at PFG, Casey also works at Sew Portland and does a bit of side-promotion for the New England Fiber Arts Retreat at the Medomak Retreat Center in Washington, Maine.  She is very grateful to be living the fibery life!

Originally from Louisville, KY, Dana Fadel moved to Portland to pursue her love of weaving through an internship at the Portland Fiber Gallery.  She's been weaving for four years and continually inspired to weave more.  She also loves to embroider and crochet, but has yet to learn how to knit.

Rachel Bingham is back!  She worked at our Congress and Washington St. location from 2008-2010 teaching classes in spinning, needle felting, and dyeing.  She returned to us this past September as a dyer, creator of art batts, Etsy lister extrodinaire, and general shop helper.  Rachel is a self-taught knitter, spinner, and natural dyer and has been working with fiber for twenty-two years!  She lives on Peaks Island and works at her own studio dyeing, spinning, knitting, weaving, and painting.  She is happy to talk to you about your fibery projects and offer any help you may need!  Check out her Etsy shop, too: 44clovers.

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SUPPLIES

SPINNING

FIBER:

  • Undyed & Hand-dyed Top:  
    • alpaca/wool, alpaca/silk, bfl, bfl/silk, mixed bfl, mixed bfl/silk, superwash bfl, camel/merino/silk, cashmere/silk, corriedale, falkland, merino, superwash merino, merino/silk, superwash merino/cashmere/nylon, merino/yak/silk, polwarth, polwarth/silk,silk caps + squares, wensleydale
  • Undyed & Hand-dyed locks
  • Commercially dyed Top:  
    • merino, merino/silk, silk, romney, corriedale, Peace Fleece
  • Angelina

EQUIPMENT:

  • Spinning Wheels For Sale Or Rent:
    • Louet S10 & S51 
    • Ashford Traveler, Traditional, & Kiwi 
    • Schacht Ladybug & Sidekick
  • Bobbins
  • Russian Drop Spindles
  • Schacht Hi-Lo Spindles
  • Hand Cards
  • Swifts
  • Ball Winders
  • Jumbo Lazy Kate

ACCESSORIES:

  • Ashford Niddy Noddies
  • Spinning Wheel Oil
  • Handy Andy

WEAVING

YARNS:

  • Wool, merino/silk, cotton, silk, merino/tencel, tencel, linen, rayon, rayon chenille

LOOMS FOR SALE OR RENT:

  • Rigid Heddle Looms
  • Table Looms
  • Floor Looms
  • Warping Boards

FELTING

SUPPLIES:

  • Needle Felting Wool
  • Needle Felting Foam
  • Needle Felting Needles
  • Multi Needle Felting Tools
  • Needle Felting Kits
  • Merino Wool
  • Silk Gauze for Nuno
  • Felted Soap Kits

DYEING

SUPPLIES:

  • Un-dyed fiber and yarns
  • Individual Greener Shades Dyes
  • Greener Shades Dye Kit (all 9 colors)
  • Botanical Colors Aquarelle Liquid Indigo Dye Kit
  • Botanical Colors Aqarelle Liquid Natural Dyes

KNITTING

YARN:

  • Hand-dyed yarns
  • Brown Sheep Worsted Weight, Bulky Weight, & Nature Spun
  • The Yarn Co. Acadia & Terra

NEEDLES:

  • HiyaHiya Circular Needles 
  • HiyaHiya Interchangeable Circular Needles


2013


During 2013 the ownership of the Portland Fiber Gallery transitioned from Melodi Hackett to the most capable and long-time employee Casey Ryder.

Portland Fiber Gallery
50 Cove Street
Portland, ME 04101

Classes 2013

Registering for Classes

Pre-registration and payment is required to hold your spot for a class.  Please call us with your credit card information.  Or you may pay in-store with cash or check.  Class fees are non-refundable unless a class is cancelled due to insufficient enrollment.  If this happens, you will be refunded in full.

Tuesdays | 2:00pm-4:00pm | Rag Rug Weaving or Rigid Heddle Weaving with Dana Fadel

Wednesdays |  5:30pm-7:30pm | 4-Harness Weaving or Rigid Heddle Weaving with Melodi Hackett

Thursdays  | 12:00pm-5:00pm  | PortSpinners--social gathering meets weekly to spin.  Join us!  

Jan 26 | 2:00pm-4:00pm  | Needle Felted Tomte (Gnome) with Anne Thomes

Jan 31 | 5:00pm-7:00pm | Needle Felted Heartscapes with Kathleen Gerdes

Feb 8 |  11:30am-1:00pm | Spinning 101 with Casey Ryder, first of four sessions

Feb 9  | 2:00pm-3:30pm  | Wet Felted Vessels with Bristol Ivy

Feb 23 |10:00am-4:00pm | Core Spinning with Jackie Ottino Graf

March 2   | 1:00pm-5:00pm | Dyeing 101 with Casey Ryder

March 23  | 9:30am-4:00pm  | Fiber Preparation with Robin Russo

March 24  | 9:30am-4:00pm  | Spinning Exotic Fibers with Robin Russo

 

Weaving Classes

4-Harness Weaving or Rag Rug Weaving: 

Learn to warp a loom and produce a scarf or table runner using color and pattern variation based on tabby threading.  Or create a rag rug out of your old clothing or fabric.  This class meets for six sessions.  Cost is $275 and includes materials and loom rental.* 

4-Harness Weaving on Wednesdays, 5:30pm-7:30pm

OR

Rag Rug Weaving on Tuesdays, 2:00pm-4:00pm

*Loom rental is included for the 6 sessions of class.  Additional time needed to finish a project past these 6 sessions will require that the student pay $10/week in rental fees.  Also note that the student may use their rental fees towards the purchase of a new loom.

Rigid Heddle Weaving:

Make a scarf or table runner while learning the basics of weaving on a small rigid heddle loom.  The first session is 2-3 hours with the option to take your loom home.  The second session is 1-2 hours, learning how to finish your project.  Cost is $110 and includes materials and loom rental.

Wednesdays, 5:30pm-7:30pm

OR

Tuesdays, 2:00pm-4:00pm

Dyeing Classes

Dyeing 101

Delve into a world of color and learn two different dyeing techniques:  hand-painting and sumbersion dyeing on wool.  Cost is $70 and includes dyes and use of equipment. Bring your own washed and undyed fiber and/or yarn or you may purchase them here.  Each student will dye four 4 oz. lots. *Max of 4 students.

Saturday, March 2nd; 1:00pm-5:00pm

*Please bring an apron and/or wear old clothes.

Spinning Classes

Spinning 101:

In this 4-session class, you will learn the mechanics and drive systems of different spinning wheels, how to handle different wools, and how to create a plied yarn. You will also learn about fiber preparation methods and how these affect your finished product.  Cost is $180 and includes materials* and spinning wheel rental**. Sign up with a friend, and the cost is $165.  

Fridays, February 8, 15, 22, & March 1; 11:30am-1:00pm

*Throughout the class, students will spin a total of 1lb of various fibers including corrieldale, falkland, bfl, polwarth, mixed bfl/silk, alpaca/wool, alpaca/silk, camel/silk, merino, merino/silk, merino/yak/silk, superwash merino/cashmere/nylon, polwarth/silk, and kid mohair.  Woah!

**We credit wheel rental fees towards the purchase of a new wheel.  You may rent a wheel regardless of whether or not you're taking a class for $10/week. 

Core Spinning with Jackie Graf:

Have you seen the beautiful "art yarns" out there?  Ever wanted to learn how to make them?  If so, sign up for our core spinning class with core spinning pro, Jackie Ottino Graf of Dyemamma Woolworks.  (Her first place yarn at this year's Fiber Frolic pictured right.)

Fiber and drum carders will be provided to create one of kind batts, which will then become the outer fiber of our corespun yarns!  Cost is $75 and includes fiber to create a batt.  *You must know how to spin on a wheel.

Saturday, February 23rd; 10am-4pm

Please Bring:

-Your spinning wheel (or you may use one of the shop wheels, but let us know ahead of time)

-250 yards of core yarn wound into a center pull ball or ona cone. Mohair is the best, but anythiing will do.  The bulkier your core yarn, the bulkier your finished yarn will be.  

-Lunch--we'll take a lunch break! 

Fiber Prep with Robin Russo:

Well prepared fibers spin easily into beautiful yarns.  This class covers both drum-carding and hand held combing of fine, medium, and coarse wools; color blending; luxury fiber preparation; and separation of guard hair from undercoat.  We will also spin the carded and combed preparations so that we can view the difference between woolen and worsted yarns. This class will also help you have a greater understanding of all types of fibers and their properties.  Must be able to spin and ply on either a drop spindle or wheel.  Bring a wheel or spindle or rent one for the day from the shop.

Cost is $150 + $12 materials fee

Cost is $250 with Spinning Exotic Fiber class (see below) + $27 materials fee

Saturday, March 23; 9:30am-4:00pm

About the Artist: 

Robin Russo lives in Bradford, Vermont where she teaches spinning, dyeing, felting and working with exotic fibers.  Since the 1980’s,  she has taught at numerous gatherings of spinners, weavers, felters, knitters and historical societies.   She has also been writing for Interweave Press for 10 years and has had articles published in Interweave Knits, Spin Off and Interweave Felt.  A fiber enthusiast for more than 40 years, she takes every opportunity to explore its potential.

Spinning Exotic Fibers with Robin Russo:

This is a spinning class that covers cashmere, yak, camel, qiviut, llama, alpaca, mohair, pygora, angora, and silk.  We will discuss each animal's geography, history, and fiber properties and will spin from raw fiber, commercially prepared fiber, and our own fiber preparations.  We will cover wheel adjustments, spinning techniques, and fiber preparation as well.  Please bring your wheel or drop spindle.

Cost is $150 + $15 materials fee

Cost is $250 with Fiber Preparation class (see above) + $27 materials fee

Sunday, March 24th; 9:30am-4:00pm

About the Artist:

Robin Russo lives in Bradford, Vermont where she teaches spinning, dyeing, felting and working with exotic fibers.  Since the 1980’s,  she has taught at numerous gatherings of spinners, weavers, felters, knitters and historical societies.   She has also been writing for Interweave Press for 10 years and has had articles published in Interweave Knits, Spin Off and Interweave Felt.  A fiber enthusiast for more than 40 years, she takes every opportunity to explore its potential.

Felting Classes

Felted Landscapes with Kathleen Gerdes

Just in time for Valentine's Day!  Needle felting is a fun way to express your artisitic side!  Come learn the basics and create a 2-D needle felted heartscape. Cost is $35 and includes materials--a foam pad, a felting needle, and wool materials.  Does not include a frame.

Thursday, January 31st; 5:00pm-7:00pm

About the Artist:

Kathleen L. Gerdes is a fiber artist who became interested in needle felting after many years of enjoying work with fabrics and yarn.  She spends most of her time in her home studio creating colorful wool designs such as fiber wall hangings, wet felted wool vessels and other 3 dimensional sculptures. Her needle felting work can be seen at The Alpaca Shed in Portland, Maine.  Kathleen lives in Falmouth, Maine and when she's not working with wool, she is a decorative painter, a potter, and an avid hiker and bicyclist.

Needle Felted Tomte with Anne Thomes

A tomte is a mytical creature from Scandinavian folklore who would look over a farmer's home and family, especially at night, and protect them from misfortune.  Come learn how to needle felt and create a tomte of your own! Cost is $35 and includes materials:  fiber, foam pad, and felting needle.

Saturday, January 26th; 2:00pm-4:00pm

About the Artist:

Anne is a mulit-media artist.  She works in various areas of the fiber arts as well as in watercolor painting and calligraphy.  She began needle felting in 2004 at the International Quilt Market, learning to flat felt on scraps of wool fabric. Over time, she progressed to 3-D sculptural work.  Anne began writing needle felting instruction booklets in 2009, celebrating the four seasons. A fifth booklet is in the works about a Maine sea gull named Lawrence.

Wet Felted Vessels with Bristol Ivy

Ever wanted to take your fiber into three dimensions? We'll combine wool, soap, water, a resist, and some elbow grease to create a one-of-a-kind wet-felted bowl or vase.  No experience needed.  Cost is $30 and includes materials to make two vessels.

Saturday, February 9th; 2:00pm-3:30pm

About the Artist:

We're excited to have Bristol Ivy back in the shop.  A former PFG employee, Bristol is pursuing her career as a knitting designer. Her patterns have been published with Quince & Co., Brooklyn Tweed's Wool People, and Twist Collective. When not spending every waking moment designing, she works behind the scenes for Brooklyn Tweed and dabbles extensively in weaving, spinning, dyeing, needle felting, and wet felting.  Bristol lives in Portland.

 



PORTLAND FIBER GALLERY AND WEAVING STUDIO AND FIBER GIVEAWAY!

by THE SPINARTISTE on SEPTEMBER 21, 2012

Publisher’s Notes: It is with great pleasure that I introduce this week’s Featured Artist: the group of artists that make up the Portland Fiber Gallery and Weaving Studio. The group comprised of Melodi, Casey and Dana have been tremendoulsy supportive of Spin Artiste (advertiser, Spin Quest vendor, Leather and Lace Challenge Collection host location) and I am delighted to lift back the curtain so we all can learn more about their terrific enterprise!

Spin Artiste (SA): Hello ladies of Portland Fiber. Tell us how Portland Fiber Gallery and Weaving Studio came to be?

Portland Fiber Gallery (PFG): After a year as a multi-artist studio gallery, I (Melodi) took over the space myself in 2000. Other artist friends encouraged me to keep it just fiber so I recruited about 30 consigners, some teachers, borrowed some looms and bought a wider variety of materials and we were off. We offered weaving, needle felting, knitting, and book-binding. After a couple of years, the spinning bug thoroughly hooked me so I started buying wheels, better fibers for spinning (as opposed to needle felting) and then we also started doing some dye workshops.

PFG: Melodi is the owner and is in charge of buying. She also teaches classes in 4-harness weaving, rigid heddle weaving, drop spindle spinning, and some felting classes..

Casey is the shop manager. She does the bulk of the hand-dyeing; teaches classes in wheel spinning, needle felting, dyeing, and carding; and is the “oiler” of our fiber shop machine—trying to keep everything running smoothly.

Dana teaches weaving classes and fills in at the shop on occasion.

PFG: The original vision was a multi-artist studio/gallery space based on a shop I visited on a trip to Arizona. It wasn’t to be just fiber arts. It was me and 2 painters. After a year we parted ways and I took over the space myself.

SA: Casey and Dana, How did you get your opportunities to intern at PFG, and how would you describe your experience as interns?

Casey: I first wandered upon the PFG 3 years ago while walking around town looking for yarn. I ended up being roped into wheel spinning lessons and loved it! My favorite part was the class on hand-carding. Rolags are fun!

A few months later, I signed up to take a dyeing class with Bristol Ivy who worked at PFG, but is now an up and coming knitwear designer. I was floored to be able to spin something that I had also dyed myself! After my dyeing class, I was asked if I’d like to intern at the shop. My response: “Uh…YEAH!”

I really enjoyed my whole intern experience. Sometimes I would be in the dye kitchen, other times I’d be threading heddles for a chenille scarf. I’ve learned so much about running a business while working here and I love the problem solving nature of it all. How to get your name and product out there is both challenging and exciting.

Dana: I wanted to move to Portland, Maine, from my hometown of Louisville, Kentucky to learn to weave, and I simply “googled” weaving and Portland. Melodi and I began emailng each other about the internship and I was psyched. During my internship, she gave me free reign over the studio by letting me experiment with different patterns, yarns, and looms, and I wove most days and into the night. In exchange, I would make things to sell at the shop. I loved my life as an intern with the Portland Fiber Gallery!

SA: Casey, you seem to have your hand in many outlets of the fiber world, from PFG to your work with the New England Fiber Art Retreat. What would you say you have taken from each avenue?

Casey: The first thing that comes to mind is the people. I have made connections with so many talented, wonderful people–from ten-year-old needle felters, to artists displaying their work in galleries, to knitters who are looking to try something new. But the thing that binds us all together is the love of wool, the need for artistic expression, and the desire for community. And I sure do love this community.

SA: Dana your weaving is amazing. You mentioned that you are always inspired to make more woven pieces. What drives you to keep weaving?

Dana: I couldn’t quite put my finger on what drives me to keep weaving, but never in my life have I had so much vigor or excitement over something. After choosing amazing colors and textures to wind into a warp, there’s nothing more fun than daydreaming about what it will look like once I’m finished. For one thing, weaving has taught me patience, something I never thought I’d learn!

SA: Tell us about the gallery?

PFG: In January we moved to our 3rd location. It’s probably 2.5 times the size of the original studio. It’s a more commercial (as opposed to retail) location so there is always plenty of parking. We have a large retail space that can also accommodate the spinning groups that meet there. There’s a weaving room with 6 floor looms, many table looms and rigid heddle looms. Our dye kitchen is huge by comparison to our previous space.

Our gallery of finished goods has diminished over the years. We’re having so much fun teaching and supplying folks with the raw materials, we have less time for production. We are more inclined to consign hand-made tools for felting and spinning. Locally produced fibers are also more prevalent.

SA: What piece of equipment is most coveted at the gallery?

Casey: My favorite toys are the spin dryer and the drum carders. We use the spin dryer as the last step in our dyeing process. After the hand-dyeds have been washed, we put them in the spin dryer to spin out the excess water before they hang up to dry. Our old spin dryer just broke and the new one we ordered is three times as big! Woah!

We have two drum carders—one electric and one hand crank. I’ve been drawn to the non-electric one lately and applying fibers directly to the big drum for some real textured batts. OH! And the Supwash Merino/Cashmere/Nylon is my favorite fiber base to spin. It’s heavenly!

Dana: The Macomber Loom is divine!

SA: I know Portland is an up and coming place for arts of all kind. How has your location influenced your work?

PFG: We used to be located on Congress Street on the East End, but recently moved to a less trafficked area of town, the Bayside area. It has been a bit of an adjustment to not have as many walk-ins; however, our regular customers really appreciate that we now have parking. We also moved into a building that has 20-30 other artists renting studio space. So it has been nice to be in a space where creative ju-ju surrounds us.

One of the artists who shares our building has taken a real liking to needle felting, creating beautiful, abstract, and inspiring landscapes.

In the past we’ve had interns from the Maine College of Art. Our most recent intern, Victoria, is currently studying painting at MECA, but she’s artistic in many mediums. It’s always an eye-opening experience to have someone new do what you’ve been doing and see how he or she does it differently. Victoria is a very talented dyer and we had fun working with her.

SA: How would you describe your group dynamics?

PFG: When we are all in the shop, we’re usually all working on different projects, but we have fun together. We find inspiration among each other and we’re always bouncing ideas off one another, whether it be in regards to something we are making, a class we’re teaching or want to teach, or ideas on how to make an aspect of the business better.

We all really care about this place. It’s special to each of us.

SA: When teaching your students, what have you found you learned for yourselves?

Casey: I have learned how to meet students where they’re at. I’ve “written” my lessons in certain way; however, everyone comes from a different place—different learning styles, knowledge they already bring to the table, maybe some preconceived notions of how they want their finished product to look. My job is to quickly assess these things and tailor my lesson to work for them. I feel like this is something that will continue to get better with practice.

Dana: Many of my students have taught me to be absolutely free with my creativity, that is, with my choices of colors and patterns. I tend to fall into a rhythm of using certain colors and weaving a purely symmetrical piece, but the most beautiful weavings exhibit the freedom from overthinking

Melodi: People can be so hard on themselves. I encourage students to have fun and not try to be perfect.

SA: If the walls of PFG could talk what would they say?

PFG: Whatever they said, it would probably be hard to understand because the walls are covered in wool.

SA: If you all were a super hero troop what would be the team name?

PFG: The Wooly Wonders!

SA: No doubt! Thanks so much to all of you for giving us a peek into your world. I hope someday to see your studio on person and hope that the readers can too.

And, now, the moment you’ve been waiting for…THE GIVEAWAY! Whoever gets this fiber is going to be thrilled — I handled a lot of PFG’s fiber for Spin Quest and it was breathtaking. This particular batt, Mountain Fairies, is 4.3 oz. of natural Maine Alpaca, hand dyed Maine wool, Corriedale, Merino, Superwash Merino, Nylon, Sparkle and Silk. So, if you want to get in on the action, leave a comment below and let us know what your favorite combo of fibers is in a batt. Extra entries for sharing on Facebook, Twitter, etc. — just leave a comment letting us know you did. Winner to be picked via random number generator after 5 pm EST this Sunday. In the meantime, make sure to check out the Portland Fiber Etsy shop — lots of nice items to choose from! Until then, all the best, Arlene

 

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Fall + Winter 2012

Registering for Classes

Pre-registration and payment is required to hold your spot for a class.  Please call us with your credit card info or mail or drop off cash or a check.  Class fees are non-refundable unless a class is cancelled due to insufficient enrollment.  If this happens, you will be refunded in full.

**Many of our fall classes have not been set as we are short on instructors at the time.  Please continue to check back for updates.  Thanks for your patience.

A Note About Class Times

We understand if the times listed below do not work with your schedule.  If you're interested in the weaving or spinning sessions, please contact us and we will try to work with your schedule.  For other classes, you may arrange for a private lesson or wait for the next set of classes to roll around.

Bronze Metal Clay for Fiber Artists with Ray Cooper

Have you ever wanted a special set of buttons or a shawl pin for that special fiber project, but you just couldn't find the right one?  In this class, you will learn to design and make your own buttons or shawl pin using Fast Fire  Bronze clay, a new and easy-to-use prduct.  No previous metalworking experience is required, just your enthusiasm and design ideas.  If you are not sure what to make, there will be plenty of examples in class to help you on your way!  Cost is $70 and includes materials.

Please bring a notebook and pen or pencil and your design ideas if you have them. Bring a knitting project if you'd like to knit while pieces are fired in the kiln.

Saturday, October 27th; 10:30pm-4:00pm

About the Instructor:  Ray Cooper is a fiber and metal clay artist from Buxton, Maine. He started in crafts as a fiber artist over 40 years ago and still enjoys spinning and dyeing yarn, knitting, and weaving.  About eight years ago, Ray took his first of many classes in metal clay and became a certified metal clay instructor in 2006.  Ray has studied with many of the masters of metal clay including Tim McCreight and Fred Woell.  In 2010, Ray was the TA in a metal clay class at Haystack taught by Donna Penoyer.  


Weaving Classes

Beginning 4-Harness Weaving: 

Learn to warp a loom and produce a scarf or table runner using color and pattern variation based on tabby threading.  This class meets for six sessions.  Cost is $275 and includes materials and loom rental.* 

Wednesdays, 5:30pm-7:30pm

OR

Tuesdays, 2:00pm-4:00pm

*Loom rental is included for the 6 sessions of class.  Additional time needed to finish a project past these 6 sessions will require that the student pay $10/week in rental fees.  Also note that the student may use their rental fees towards the purchase of a new loom.

Rigid Heddle Weaving:

Make a scarf or table runner while learning the basics of weaving on a small rigid heddle loom.  The first session is 2-3 hours with the option to take your loom home.  The second session is 1-2 hours, learning how to finish your project.  Cost is $110 and includes materials and loom rental.

Wednesdays, 5:30pm-7:30pm

OR

Tuesdays, 2:00pm-4:00pm

Dyeing Classes

Introduction To Dyeing:

Delve into a world of color and learn two different dyeing techniques:  hand-painting and sumbersion dyeing on wool.  Cost is $70 and includes dyes and use of equipment. Bring your own washed and undyed fiber and/or yarn or you may purchase them here.  Each student will dye four 4 oz. lots. *Max of 4 students.

Saturday, November 17th; 1:00pm-5:00pm

*Please bring an apron and/or wear old clothes.

Spinning Classes

Core Spinning with Jackie Graf:

Have you seen the beautiful "art yarns" out there?  Ever wanted to learn how to make them?  If so, sign up for our core spinning class with core spinning pro, Jackie Ottino Graf of Dyemamma Woolworks.  (Her first place yarn at this year's Fiber Frolic pictured right.)

Fiber and drum carders will be provided to create one of kind batts, which will then become the outer fiber of our corespun yarns!  Cost is $75 and includes fiber to create a batt.  *You must know how to spin on a wheel.

Saturday, November 10th; 11am-5pm

Please Bring:

-Your spinning wheel (or you may use one of the shop wheels, but let us know ahead of time)

-250 yards of core yarn--mohair is the best, but anythiing will do.  The bulkier your core yarn, the bulkier your finished yarn will be.  

-Lunch--we'll take a lunch break!  

Drop Spindle Spinning:

This is the most basic and most portable form of spinning.  In this two-session class, you will learn drafting and spinning techniques on a Russian drop spindle.  Cost is $65 and includes a spindle and fiber.  

Tuesdays, November 13th, 20th; 1:30pm-3:00pm

Wheel Spinning:

In this 4-session class, you will learn the mechanics and drive systems of different spinning wheels, how to handle different wools, and how to create a plied yarn. You will also learn about fiber preparation methods and how these affect your finished product.  Cost is $180 and includes materials* and spinning wheel rental**. Sign up with a friend, and the cost is $165.  

Thursdays, November 29, Decmber 6, 13, 20; 11:30-1:00pm

*Throughout the class, students will spin a total of 1lb of various fibers including corrieldale, falkland, bfl, polwarth, mixed bfl/silk, alpaca/wool, alpaca/silk, camel/silk, merino, merino/silk, merino/yak/silk, superwash merino/cashmere/nylon, polwarth/silk, and kid mohair.  Woah!

**We credit wheel rental fees towards the purchase of a new wheel.  You may rent a wheel regardless of whether or not you're taking a class for $10/week. 

Felting Classes

Felted Landscapes with Kathleen Gerdes

Create a 2-D felted landscape while learning the basics of needle felting.  You may choose to create one of Kathleen's desings  or bring an idea or photo along with you to work from.  Cost is $35 and includes materials.

Thursday, November 15th; 5:30pm-7:30pm

About the Artist:

Kathleen L. Gerdes is a fiber artist who became interested in needle felting after many years of enjoying work with fabrics and yarn.  She spends most of her time in her home studio creating colorful wool designs such as fiber wall hangings, wet felted wool vessels and other 3 dimensional sculptures.  Her needle felting work can be seen at The Alpaca Shed in Portland, Maine.  Kathleen lives in Falmouth, Maine and when she's not working with wool, she is a decorative painter, a potter, and an avid hiker and bicyclist.

Winter Whimsy with Anne Thomes

The autumn season is upon us!  That means pumpkin patches, corn mazes, and beautiful fall foliage.  Drawing upon the beauty New England during this time of the year, come learn how to needle felt a pumpkin along with other autumn veggies!  No experience is necessary.  Once you learn the basics of needle felting, you'll be on your way to creating your own one-of-a-kind pieces!  Cost is $40 and includes materials and instructional booklet.

Saturday, December 1st; 2:00pm-4:00pm

About the Artist:

Anne is a mulit-media artist.  She works in various areas of the fiber arts as well as in watercolor painting and calligraphy.  She began needle felting in 2004 at the International Quilt Market, learning to flat felt on scraps of wool fabric.  Over time, she progressed to 3-D sculptural work.  Anne began writing needle felting instruction booklets in 2009, celebrating the four seasons. A fifth booklet is in the works about a Maine sea gull named Lawrence.

Wet Felted Vessels with Bristol Ivy

Ever wanted to take your fiber into three dimensions? We'll combine wool, soap, water, a resist, and some elbow grease to create a one-of-a-kind wet-felted bowl or vase.  No experience needed.  Cost is $30 and includes materials to make two vessels.

Saturday, December 8th; 2:00pm-3:30pm

About the Artist:

We're excited to have Bristol Ivy back in the shop.  A former PFG employee, Bristol is pursuing her career as a knitting designer. Her patterns have been published with Quince & Co., Brooklyn Tweed's Wool People, and Twist Collective. When not spending every waking moment designing, she works behind the scenes for Brooklyn Tweed and dabbles extensively in weaving, spinning, dyeing, needle felting, and wet felting.  Brisol lives in Portland.

 




2011

Portland Fiber Gallery & Weaving Studio
229 Congress Street
Portland, ME 04101

 

Fiber Arts Supplies, Classes, Gifts, and More!

Home Accessories / Eclectic Wearables / Learn Weaving, Knitting, Spinning, Feltmaking and more / Spinning and Weaving Supplies

Woven Jackets and more

Our Mission: To develop and support fiber artists by providing materials, education, and inspiration.

 We are dedicated to the appreciation of fine fiber arts. We carry a unique array of fine wearables and accessories for the home, made by our teachers and students, who come to us from all over Maine and New England. Come see us today to find the perfect one-of-a-kind gift for that special someone in your life.

Or, if you prefer to make your own gifts, we have an extensive offering of fiber related classes and workshops. We offer weaving, knitting, spinning, needle felting, wet felting, natural dyeing, fabric painting, shibori dyeing and more.  Our spinning and felting classes are held at our 229 Congress Street location, and our dyeing and weaving classes are held at our studio at 68 Washington Avenue, just around the corner.

We feature a broad range of products from the following companies:
 
  • Silk City™
  • Jagger Bros™
  • Harrisville Designs
  • Louet Wheels & Looms
  • Ashford Looms & Wheels
  • Ashland Bay
  • Unicorn Books & Crafts
  • Skacel Yarns
  • Kraemer Yarns
  • Black Sheep Designs
  • Grafton Fibers
  • LeClerc
  • Interweave Press
  • Henry's Attic
  • Schacht Spindle Company

 

Our Products Include:
 
  • Chenille Scarves
  • Beaded and woven accessories
  • Blankets
  • Ponchos
  • Shawls
  • Silk Scarves
  • One of a Kind Jackets
  • Hats
  • Bags and Purses
  • Cards
  • We also have Gift Certificates!

 

Visit  Portland Fiber Gallery & Weaving Studio today to see our unique selection of handmade gifts, clothing, and home decor items;vibrantly colored and hand crafted  natural fibers: rayon chenille, cotton, wool, and silk. These unique items are handcrafted by local artisans using time honored spinning, weaving, and knitting techniques.

 

Learn to Knit, Weave, Felt, and Spin!
Portland Fiber Gallery & Weaving Studio provides instruction in weaving, felting, spinning, and dyeing, as well as a variety of fiber related crafts. Classes are available for adults and children ages 9 and up. Our workshops are taught by local artists who teach one day classes on their fiber art speciality. Contact us today to find out more about our upcoming classes and discover just how much fun fiber arts can be!

We also do custom work. We can create a truly one of a kind scarf, wrap, tallit or other garment. We work closely with you to make sure every detail is to your liking.

Here are just a few items for sale in the shop. If you are looking for a particular weaving or spinning tool or piece of equipment, call or e-mail us. We just might have it and our prices are excellent.

1) A great selection of  spinning wheels from Ashford, Louet and Schacht. Call for more info or better yet come in and try one.

2) We've currently got more looms than space. There are a range of widths, harness capacity. See the equipment page for details or call us with questions.

3) Many cones of weaving yarns in cotton, rayon, cotton/linen and wool. Samples available on request.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Winter 2011 Classes at Portland Fiber Gallery


Pre-registration is required to sign up for a class or workshop. Call us with credit card info or mail/drop off cash/check. Class fees are non-refundable unless a class is cancelled due to insufficient enrollment.

Contact us at: 229 Congress St., Portland , ME.  Phone: 207-780-1345.  Email: info@portlandfibergallery.com

 

Spinning Classes

 

Drop Spindle ClassLow tech but very portable.

January 22nd and 29th, 2:00-3:30pm 

Cost $65 includes spindle, fiber, and a copy of Spin It.

Wheel Spinning

Tuesday Evening Classes5:30-7:30

Cost: $120 includes fiber and 6 hours of classes

*Spinning Wheel Rental:  $20/month.

Call to set up a start date for this class and specify you interest in either the Introduction to Spinning Class or Intermediate Spinning Class.

Introduction to Spinning   This class will give you an introduction to handling fibers and take you through making plied yarn.

Intermediate Spinning This class will work with different fibers, from silk hankies, to bamboo, and talk about how you might approach each one.  We'll also talk about Navajo-plying, cabling, and different techniques for producing the yarn you want. 

*Renting a spinning wheel enables you to take it home between class meetings to practice.  We want you to try several wheels to find the right one for you.  If you decide to buy a wheel, we will credit your rental fees.

Weaving Classes

Tri-Loom Weaving   Tri-loom weaving is done on a triangular wooden frame and uses a continuous strand of yarn.  There is no warp to set up.  The warp and weft are created simultaneously.  In this class, you will create a 3' shawl/scarf.  You may choose to bring your own yarn or use ours.  If you do bring your own, bring between 150-200 yards of DK/sport weight to aran weight yarn.

January 26th and February 2nd, 5:30-7:30pm.

Cost $70.

Weaving on a Rigid Heddle Loom  Weave a scarf on a small folding rigid heddle loom. Take your loom home for the interim to complete your weaving and we will show you how to finish off your project in the second class.  We will have yarn to purchase for warping.  You can bring yarn from your stash for the weft.

Cost: $100, includes two weeks rental of your loom.

Call to set up a time for this 2 session workshop.

Introduce Me to Weaving   Try your hand at 4-Harness weaving.  We’ll do the hard part and put the warp on for you.  You’ll try out color and pattern variations based on a tabby threading. This class meets for four sessions.

Wednesday – 5:30-8:00 OR Thursdays 2:30-5:00

Cost $120 and includes materials. 

Beginning 4 Harness Weaving   Learn to warp a loom and produce a scarf or table runner using color and pattern variations with a 4 harness loom and a tabby threading. This class meets for 6 sessions.

Wednesday 5:30-8:00 OR Thursday 2:30-5:00

Call to set up a start date for this 6 week class.

Cost $235 and includes materials. 

 

Felting Classes

 

Felted Soaps

Wet felt wool onto a bar of soap to create your own loofa with built in suds!

December 18th, 2-3:30

Cost $25, includes materials to make 2 bars

Needle Felted Fairies Create a whimsical fairy or two and find out just how fun needle felting can be!

January 14th, 2-4

Cost $35, includes materials.

Needle Felted Veggies Come learn the very addictive craft of needle felting!  No experience is necessary. 

February 12th, 2-4. 

Cost $35, includes materials.

Nuno Felting
Learn to make a delicate and beautiful wool and silk scarf with this interesting twist on wet-felting. 

February 19th, 12-5. 

Cost $80, includes materials.

 

Dyeing Classes

Dyeing by the Seat of Your PantsCome to a dye class where your own ideas of color and fun rule.  Learn the basics of proper handling and safety and then we’ll toss the measuring cups out the window and improvise to make one of a kind dyed yarn or fiber.  Bring an apron and a sense of adventure.  Bring your own animal fiber or silk materials, or purchase fiber or yarn from us!

January 28th, 1-5pm

Cost $85


Summer Programs For Kids 8 & Up

The time is almost here for our Summer Workshops for Kids ages 8-up! Our first session starts July 12-23 for 2 weeks from 9-3pm for $400. It will be a great time to collect plants for dyeing along the Eastern Prom, set out jars of wool and Koolaid, learn to weave, spin and felt, and make new friends.

The rest of our sessions are as follows:
July 26-30 1 week 9-3pm for $225
August 2-13 for 2 weeks 9-3pm for $400
and August 16-20 for 1 week from 9-3pm for $225.
 
The 1 week sessions will be sampler sessions with plenty of time to create a variety of projects from each discipline. The 2 week sessions will allow for deeper exploration of each discipline.
 
Extended care is available for an additional fee if needed until 5pm.
 
To sign up please give us a call or pop in and reserve your spot. We ask for a $50 non refundable deposit per session and ask for full payment 1 week prior to the session you've signed up for.
207-780-1345

 



 

2004


Portland Fiber Gallery & Weaving Studio
463 Stevens Avenue
Portland, ME 04103-2635

 

Special Events, Classes and Workshops

WEAVING 

Floor Loom 
6 Thursdays, January 15-Feb, 27, Any 2 hours between 12:30-4:30 pm 
6 Wednesdays, March 17-April 21, 6-8 pm 
$125 includes materials for one project 

Tapestry 
3 Saturdays, February 7, 14 and 28. 9am to noon
$75 plus $15 for materials, $15 rental fee for loom.

Inkle Loom
4 Thursdays, March 11-April 1, 3:30-5pm 
$55 plus $5 for materials 

SPINNING
Intro to Spinning 
4 Tuesdays, January 20-February 10, 6-8pm
For ages 12 and up
$70 plus $5 for materials, wheel rental $5/month

KNITTING
Basic Knitting
4 Tuesdays, January 20-February 10, 6:30-8pm
$65

Fair Isle Knitting 
Wednesdays February 25-March 17, 6:30-8pm
$55 plus $5 for materials

WORKSHOPS
Dying Wool and Silk Saturday, January 31, 9am to 3pm
$45 for wokshop, Materials list upon registration

Felting
Saturday, February 7 OR Saturday, March 6
2 part workshop. 2 kinds of felting
8:30-noon, needle felting 
1-5pm, nuno felting 
$40 plus $10 for materials, supplies list upon registration 


Call us at 207-780-1345 for more information, to register or 
to be added to the mailing list.

 



PortlandFiberGallery.com