Students and teachers have covered a trio of subjects in the past couple of weeks – quilting, weaving and knitting. A lot of learning and creating has taken place under the guidance of instructors Ellen Graf and Jackie Barry (quilting), Susan Frame (weaving) and Shawn Simmons (knitting). In the Quilt Design: Independent Study class, quilters of all levels brought ideas or quilts in process, ready to take the next step in designing. Ellen and Jackie taught best practice techniques along the way and shared their knowledge and experience in “bringing all the pieces together”. Susan welcomed a new group to her second Beginning Weaving on a Floor Loom class in a two week time span. The students in Susan’s first […]
We’ll start at the beginning
We’ll start at the beginning…with the Open Quilt Studio and a day with picture-perfect weather to hang quilt tops on the fence below the barn. These started with individual blocks and finished as “blockbusters”! As always, every day adds more to each quilt, or an entirely new one takes its place. Next…Batik with Anne Landre! This is a great introduction to the art of batik, incorporating design, dyeing, waxing and finishing the fabrics and garments created in class. Then…we went from Batik to the Batik Alumni Studio. This is a full week of batik artistry and dedication for those who have taken one (or more) classes in the subject at Sievers. After that … Beginning Weaving on a Floor Loom […]
2026 Sievers Preview
February 1st will be here soon! That day, all of our 2026 classes will be open for registration and the class descriptions, along with complete information, will be available on our website. Featured on the cover of the 2026 brochure/flyer is a Boundweave Rug, woven in Lynn Stracka Schuster’s class by Joan Sumkin. Most of our instructors are returning in 2026 and some have returned after a year or more including Jackie Barry (Quilting), Karen Robison (she’s returning after many years to teach “Paper & Book Camp”) and Connie Westbrook (Weaving). Retiring from teaching at Sievers is Nancy Adams. Nancy first came to Sievers as a student in 1986, took 22 more classes and became an assistant instructor with Louise […]
Needle and heddle
Using needle or heddle, plant-given cotton or sheep-given wool, students in the Open Quilt Studio and in Deb Jones’ Rigid Heddle Weaving class found many ways to put it all together this past week! “Caution…entering Quilt Zone – Highly Contagious” reads a sign in the window of the Walter Studio that has appeared for several years during the Open Quilt Studio time in July. It’s true, the quilters spread their passion for quilting to everyone who enters! If you catch the quilting bug, not to worry, you’ll have a lifetime of enjoyment, filled with friends and fabrics. In the Rigid Heddle Weaving class, beginners got a start by weaving a scarf and then went on to additional projects. Intermediate rigid […]
Ancient and modern
It seems that most, if not all fiber arts have a touch of both the ancient and modern. When trying to think of a theme for this post, I remembered Mary Jo Scandin’s class title from several years ago, “Batik: Ancient and Modern”. Those words seemed fitting for our latest classes. We begin with Temari, the decorative, embroidered balls that were brought to Japan around the 7th century, first serving as simple toys, then as an art and craft of the aristocracy. Today, the stitching and designs are more intricate and Temari are associated with good luck and friendship. They are one of those impracticably beautiful things that can only be made by hand. Sievers initially offered a class in […]
May we begin?
Starting the first class at the end of May had the grounds in full bloom with our resident crabapple, apple and plum trees. In 1979, the first year Sievers offered classes, June 25 was the start date. Looking back, it wasn’t until 1985 when we had a May start and the earliest first day of class was May 5, 1995. Gosh, this year, it was 27 degrees one morning that week! In 2025, almost one-third of our total classes are scheduled from late May through June. The first three of those were an Open Quilt Studio, Beginning Weaving on a Floor Loom with Susan Frame and Cartonnage: Pagoda Box with Nancy Akerly. Take a walk through the studios with us! […]
Still ringing true
In the 1982 Sievers class brochure, Walter Schutz wrote, “All who attend carry home with them not only the techniques of their chosen fiber art but also rich memories and lasting friendships.” Here we are, 42 years later and those words continue to ring true. It’s generally the case that several small groups of friends come together for our Open Quilt Studios. With a retreat atmosphere and the freedom to sew and quilt (or knit, explore and shop) when you want, there’s a unique balance of productivity and “permission” during the week. There were new pieces in the works every day and once in awhile, quilt blocks or a top make a repeat appearance. We could see them over and […]
Making the most of June-Part 2
Continuing on with our June classes, we’ll see more from Ellen Graf’s “Your Latest, Greatest Quilt” class and the Batik Alumni Studio with Mary Jo Scandin, along with some terrific weaving done in the “Introduction to Overshot” class with Nancy Adams. Here’s where we left off, starting with the busy hum of sewing machines, creating big, beautiful designs from small pieces. Like most quilters, these ladies were an organized group! Stacks of pre-cut pieces or pre-made blocks from home were labeled carefully and kept in order, ready for precise placement. Ellen helps each student bring their ideas and vision together, making their “latest, greatest quilt” extra special. Batik alumni gather with Mary Jo (who is ever-creative and always evolving), to […]
