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Designer Divas is a wearable art group. Members and guest speakers share their passion and knowledge for creating one-of-a-kind art-to-wear, special garments through fabric choices, couture sewing techniques, and embellishments. Meeting is located in Local Cloths classroom the third Monday of the month with exception of December. Members gather at 10am. Brief business meeting at 10:30, followed by scheduled presentation/demo and show and tell. People interested in our group are encouraged to come and see what we are about. First meeting is free. Annual Dues are $20
The Design Divas are a private group that rent the Local Cloth Studio for their meetings. You can rent our studio space for personal use or to host your own class!
CLICK HERE to learn more about Studio Rentals
Members! Join us for coffee or tea, conversation, and quiet handiwork. Suggestions: knitting, crocheting, hand sewing, sock darning, embroidery or any other portable project you have going lending itself to a get together. Let’s exchange ideas and chit-chat! The Handwork Circle will now be in person on the first and third Thursday of every month and on Zoom for the remaining Thursdays of the month from 1 - 3pm.
Bring. Yourselves, a mug, and your ongoing work. Also optional: bring a piece of your finished work to show others what your interests are.
Hosted by Susette Shiver and Ceil Jensen
Sign up at least 2 days in advance to receive registration information ahead of time.
Join guest artist Mike Durkin in a community mending and quilting project. FREE to attend! Please RSVP so we know how many to expect.
Four sessions will be offered - participants are welcome to come to as many as they would like.
Let us mend together. Mike will conduct story-sharing sessions centering around mending, while we mend our clothing or supplies. Participants will gather with torn clothes and items and Mike will teach and help mend those clothing. We will also talk about other areas in our life we need to mend, relationships, habits, and other important issues the participant is engaged in. The focus will be on occupying time, the mending, will be hand-sewn. This action which will take lots of time will help the individual working on focusing, grounding, and being present. Participants can come to a single workshop, or throughout the 4 workshops.
We will explore the concept of mending and repair as we think about 1 year since Hurricane Helene. We then will use this information to make a collaborative quilt. Inspired by the story-sharing sewing circles of the women in Gee’s Bend, AL, we will create our own mending quilt. Participants will hand-sew their own designed squares to be part of the larger quilt. This will culminate in a sharing session where we will unveil the quilt as well as participants will share stories around their squares.
In preparation for the workshops, participants should bring any items they are looking to mend. This could be a sweater, a purse, a blanket, a sock, or anything else! This project has been conducted all over the country and the contribution of fabric and materials to the fiber bank aids in this. If possible, participants can bring materials or fabric to be incorporated and donated to the fiber bank.
Oh Sew Asheville, an Apparel Sewing Interest Group meets monthly and is an opportunity for garment sewing enthusiast to share projects, tips, techniques, fitting help, and camaraderie. The Interest Group will have rotating activities such as actual sewing where individuals can decide whether to bring a machine or hand-sew their own project, “sew-a-longs” where everyone makes the same item with support from the group, field trips to local or regional fabric shops, sewing book exchanges, pattern exchanges, and fabric exchanges. Individual members or special subject matter experts may conduct mini tutorials for the group involving fitting, embellishing, pattern drafting, upcycling; alterations, dyeing fabric, etc.
You are welcome to bring a snack for yourself or to share. The Apparel Sewing Interest Group meets on the third Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. It is free for Local Cloth members (and $5 for non-members).
Hosted by Mary Euler and Mary Earle-Sigler
Please join us for our first meeting of the Natural Dye Study Group. We will talk about our plan for the year. This is an important meeting if plan to be part of the group so do try to make it. If you are interested in joining the group but can't make this meeting please contact one of us (Joyce at joycetromba@gmail.com or Denise at denisearcuri@msn.com) This will be an informational meeting only; no hands on activities.
The Spinning Study Group's purpose is to share the joy of handspinning. We welcome anyone from the professional spinner to those who are just beginning - all share a love of learning.
Supplies: Participants must bring their own spinning wheels and fiber. Some fiber may be available to share but is not guaranteed at each meeting.
Skill level: This is not a group for beginners to learn how to spin. All skill levels are welcome, but some basic knowledge of spinning is required.
This is a free event for members, but please sign up so we know how many to expect.
Host: Judi Jetson
Knitters! Crocheters! Needlefelters! Let's get together with your needles or hooks and make stuff. This is not a class- you should know something about your chosen craft but my suspicion is that you will learn something along the way. Knitters, needlefelters and crocheters are just like that. We do have some experienced folks in our group so you can count on getting some advice too. Materials supplied by participants: Please bring whatever project/s you are working on, any FO's for show and tell as well as yarn acquisitions and new project ideas. Skill level: This is not a beginner's class. You should have some knowledge of your craft, but all skill levels are welcome! This is a free event for members but please sign up so we know how many to expect.
Knitters! Crocheters! Needlefelters! Let's get together with your needles or hooks and make stuff. This is not a class- you should know something about your chosen craft but my suspicion is that you will learn something along the way. Knitters, needlefelters and crocheters are just like that. We do have some experienced folks in our group so you can count on getting some advice too.
Materials supplied by participants: Please bring whatever project/s you are working on, any FO's for show and tell as well as yarn acquisitions and new project ideas.
Skill level: This is not a beginner's class. You should have some knowledge of your craft, but all skill levels are welcome!
This is a free event for members but please sign up so we know how many to expect.
Hosted by Eileen Berchem
Have you been wanting to join us for the monthly Dye Lab but not sure where to start? Join me for the introduction to Acid Dye class and we'll get started! Acid dyes work on protein fibers such as wool, alpaca and mohair and have a great range of colors. We'll work with wool roving and try several ways of dyeing the protein fibers such as steaming, low immersion and gradients.
Members: $50
Non members: $50 (rate discounted for Everyone's a Member in September!)
Instructor: Beth Sellars (Read Beth's bio)
Materials fee: $25 cash or card (to be collected day of workshop)
Materials supplied by teacher: All supplies provided
Materials students could bring: Need to wear closed toe shoes--no sandals
Learn about our cancellation & COVID policies here: Workshop Policies
After a long day at work, how about a little creative time with friends mid-week? This is not a class - you should know how to stitch, crochet, knit, or practice your favorite fiber craft but we suspect you will learn something along the way. We have experienced fiber enthusiasts in our group, so you can count on getting and giving some advice. Materials supplied by participants: Please bring whatever project/s you are working on, items for show and tell as well as yarn or fiber-y acquisitions and new project ideas. Bring your own supper or snack. Skill level: All skill levels are welcome, but some basic knowledge of fiber arts is encouraged. This is a free event for members, but please sign up so we know how many to expect. Cohosts: Judi Jetson & Mary Euler
After a long day at work, how about a little creative time with friends mid-week? This is not a class - you should know how to stitch, crochet, knit, or practice your favorite fiber craft but we suspect you will learn something along the way. We have experienced fiber enthusiasts in our group, so you can count on getting and giving some advice.
Materials supplied by participants: Please bring whatever project/s you are working on, items for show and tell as well as yarn or fiber-y acquisitions and new project ideas. Bring your own supper or snack.
Skill level: All skill levels are welcome, but some basic knowledge of fiber arts is encouraged.
Cohosts: Judi Jetson & Mary Euler
Hosted by Susette Shiver
Sign up at least 2 days in advance to receive your Zoom log-in information ahead of time.
Learn how to combine roving wool and fibers on silk gauze scarf and go home with a personally designed fashion accessory. Wear it as a scarf or add it to a Bag or existing article of clothing. Become a fashion designer in just one day. Imagine that!
This class will be hosted off-site at the home of the instructor. Directions to the home will be provided after registration.
Skill Level: Beginner
Instructor: Camille Daunno (Read Camille's bio)
Non-members: $50 (discounted to member rate for Everyone's a Member in September!)
Materials Fee: $15 cash or venmo (collected at time of workshop)
Materials Provided by instructor: Roving wool( assorted colors), Bubble wrap, sushi mats, pads to work on, Silk scarf, Water containers, soap, spray bottles, Netting
Student should bring: A large towel
This introductory class provides an overview of Sashiko, the Japanese stitching and mending practice, and guides beginners in gaining basic skills and knowledge to apply this practice to both functional and decorative goods. This class is a prerequisite to the other classes in the series. Participants will learn to stitch a basic Sashiko geometric pattern, making a coaster or patch by class end.
Non members: $50 (discounted for Everyone's a Member in September!)
Instructor: Gail Clement (Read Gail's bio)
Materials fee: $35
Materials supplied by teacher: Supply kit containing Sashiko needle 2-pack, Palm thimble, Finger Cots , Coron naturally-dyed thick Sashiko thread on bobbin (24 m approx) , Yokota medium Sashiko thread (40 m), Daruma 20/4 thin Sashiko thread(40 m), 3 Fabric samples (Sarashi cotton; Kaufman Essex cotton/linen blend; thrifted linen 1 Lined water soluble transfer, Preprinted Washout Fabric
Materials students should bring: Embroidery snips and straight edge
This immersive 3.5-hour lecture and hands-on workshop introduces fiber artists to the rich cultural traditions and contemporary applications of *Sashiko* (a decorative reinforcement stitching technique) and *Boro* (the art of patchwork mending). We'll begin with a visual lecture exploring the historical context of these Japanese practices, examining their origins in rural necessity, their evolution into aesthetic expression, and their recent resurgence within the slow fashion and sustainability movements. Participants will gain an understanding of the symbolic meaning, regional variation, and technical structure behind traditional Sashiko patterns, while also engaging in a discussion about how visible mending serves as both a practical and political act in textile work today.
Following the lecture, artists will shift into a guided hands-on session, where they’ll practice basic Sashiko stitching techniques, experiment with layered Boro-style patchwork, and explore methods for creatively repairing or embellishing worn textiles. Each participant will work on a personal project—either mending a pre-loved garment or creating a new sample—using provided materials or their own fabric scraps. The small class size allows for personalized instruction, critical dialogue, and experimentation with how these techniques can be integrated into each artist’s broader fiber practice. No prior experience with Sashiko is necessary, though basic hand stitching familiarity is helpful.
Materials fee: $30 cash or venmo (to be collected day of event)
Materials supplied by teacher: Japanese fabric swatches, sashiko threads, sashiko needles, stencils, marking pens, adhesive stitching transfers
Materials students could bring: Embroidery snips, straight edge, pin cushion and pins, cotton or linen item to be mended (optional)
Local Cloth Dye Lab is open from 1-4 for working on your own acid-dye projects. This is for advanced beginners and beyond. You must have attended a dye lab introduction session or have done some dyeing with acid dyes in the past. Bring your own pre-soaked protein fiber* - wool, mohair, alpaca or silk. Local Cloth has most of what you'll need for dyeing, although some personal items that you should bring are rubber gloves, mask, dish tub and specific dyes that you want to use. There are also donated dyes available for use. We use a variety of techniques and equipment - low water immersion, steaming, crockpot dyeing, etc. There is an experienced host - Beth Sellars should you need consultation in getting the result you want. Space is limited so please register!
*Acid dyes do not work on cotton, linen, bamboo or any plant fiber. We only work with Protein (animal) fibers during this Dye Lab.
Level: Advanced Beginners to Expert
Host: Beth Sellars bio
In this 2 day class you will learn how to warp a tapestry loom. Basic techniques will be taught which include weaving geometric and curved shapes and how to shade and blend colors on the loom. We will talk about tapestry terminology and the tools, equipment and yarns used in tapestry weaving. You will be weaving from the back of the loom in traditional Aubusson technique. We will also talk about designing a tapestry, making a cartoon, and how to mount and present the finished piece.. You should leave the class with the basic tools you need to further explore the wonderful medium of tapestry.
Level: Beginner
Instructor: Betty Hilton-Nash (Read Betty's bio)
Members: $200
Non members: $240
Materials fee: $20 cash, check, or venmo (to be collected day of class)
Materials provided by instructor: Instructor will supply, warp, weft, printed instructional handout, looms are available at Local Cloth. If you have your own loom that you want to use, please get in touch with Betty first.
Materials students should bring: Scissors, ruler, a tapestry beater (a heavy kitchen fork will work) and a small stand or hand mirror if you have one, the instructor will have a few.
Learn about our cancellation & COVID policy here: Workshop Policies
Learn this fun technique and your imagination will do the rest. The possibilities , design and application will create gorgeous patterns, from just a few colors and single design to overlays and multiple patterns. Print note carts, make an Art print ready to hang, or print your own quilt squares or pieces of fabric to sew. You can print journal covers or just have fun experimenting.
Non-members: $60
Materials Fee: $10 cash or venmo (collected at time of workshop)
Materials Provided by instructor: Acrylic paint, silcone mats to work on, paper for test prints, Brayers, stencils, fabric squares 3 Gelli plates to share
Student should bring: Gelli plate, extra fabric squares, stencil of choice, apron, lunch for a break
MENDING MATTERS:
A space for helping us each be accountable to our ever growing piles of holey items in need of mending; a space to get advice and inspiration and technique sharing on ways to mend items of all kinds; a space to also share with one another insights gleaned from our mending. Mending Matters sessions will be facilitated by Elizabeth Schell, but with all gathered teaching and learning from one another. Some tools and materials will be available to pull from at each session to help with your mending. Elizabeth Schell is co-owner of Purl's Yarn Emporium, and a life-long sewer, mender, maker and re-maker. You may notice two sections of this group--a morning sections on the first Monday of the month and an evening section on the second Tuesday of the month. You are welcome to come to either or both as fits with your schedule!
A space for helping us each be accountable to our ever growing piles of holey items in need of mending; a space to get advice and inspiration and technique sharing on ways to mend items of all kinds; a space to also share with one another insights gleaned from our mending.
Mending Matters sessions will be facilitated by Elizabeth Schell, but with all gathered teaching and learning from one another. Some tools and materials will be available to pull from at each session to help with your mending. Elizabeth Schell is co-owner of Purl's Yarn Emporium, and a life-long sewer, mender, maker and re-maker.
You may notice two sections of this group--a morning sections on the first Monday of the month and an evening section on the second Tuesday of the month. You are welcome to come to either or both as fits with your schedule!
Guild members work in several different mediums creating art dolls – clay, fiber, cloth, etc. Skill levels are beginner to professional. Guild membership is not required for registration to this interest group.
No supplies are necessary. Participants are encouraged to learn from one another & encouraged to continue their individual journey crafting and appreciating the art of the doll. Attendees are also encouraged to bring their work for sharing with the group.
While step by step instruction for creating a piece of figurative art is not offered at meetings, all skill levels are welcome to share in discussions of work that is presented for Show & Tell. Future workshops and demonstrations will be available for learning purposes.
Non members: $60
Building on basic skills gained in “Introduction to Sashiko, a Japanese Stitching Practice”, we will explore the Moyozashi Sashiko style based on continuous line patterns. This workshop introduces the history and development of Moyozashi, surveys traditional patterns using this style, and applies this stitching practice on pre-printed fabric. Participants will also have the opportunity to design their own Moyozashi pattern and at least start stitching a coaster or patch. Participants with equivalent Sashiko skills covered in “Introduction to Sashiko, a Japanese Stitching Practice” must purchase the materials kit accompanying that introductory workshop. Participants who have completed in “Introduction to Sashiko, a Japanese Stitching Practice“ need to purchase the add-on supplies specific to Moyozashi ($15).
Materials fee: $15 (to be collected day of workshop)
Materials supplied by teacher: Moyozashi add-on supply kit
Materials students could bring: Embroidery scissors and ruler
Come celebrate the work done during The Mending Quilt Community Project! Our guest artist and facilitator of this project, Mike Durkin, will provide a brief talk on the project, and allow time for participants to share their experiences. Then, you can enjoy the displays of the quilts created during this experience.
Refreshments will be provided.
FREE to attend! Please RSVP so we know how many to expect.
Instructor: Joyce Tromba (Read Joyce's bio)
Members: $35
Non members: $45
Materials fee: $0
Materials provided by instructor: Handout
Materials students should bring: Notebook
Build up a firm foundation for one of three distinct gourd and pumpkin shapes: A squat, mini-pumpkin, a tall gourd, and a round squash on which to needle felt fine details. Learn why eyes are the most important for guiding an expression, and how different eye and pupil positions tell different stories. Needle a variety of noses to fit both the gourd shape and the overall expression. Add a wide grin, a pouting lip, and a devious smirk to round out these extreme facial expressions. Then and add more details to enhance the eyes with shading and bloodshot details.
Level: Beginner/Intermediate (should have some basic needle felting experience, skill focus will be on needle felting facial expressions)
Instructor: Claudia Lemacks (Read Claudia's bio)
Non-Members: $60
Materials fee: $12 cash or card (collected at time of workshop)
Materials provided by instructor: Foam felting pad, needles, core wool and colored wool (as you choose)
Students should bring: If you have a felting pad you like you can bring it, Bring a snack for yourself or to share. Short break for snack or lunch.
Vendors who have received their acceptance announcement can use this listing to pay their booth fees for 2025 SHCG.
Check your email for the registration code.
Please purchase the $5 application fee to finalize your application.
To fill out the application form, click HERE.
Join us at the annual Southern Highland Craft Guild Fair! Local Cloth will host a booth with local fiber arts vendors and offer fiber arts education opportunities.
Applications to vend in the Local Cloth booth now closed. Applicants should expect to hear about acceptance by the end of July.
You can book our studio space for a private event!
CLICK HERE to request a Private Event at Local Cloth.
Open to all tapestry weavers, or tapestry weaver wannabes. We meet on the 3rd Tuesday of the month.
Supplies: Please bring a project you are working on, a finished piece to share with the group, any questions you may have about materials, techniques, etc. We are looking for a good discussion and sharing of ideas about tapestry.
Skill level: This is not an introductory class so will be no instruction, but by sharing ideas and experiences we will all learn from each other.
Led by: Betty Hilton-Nash
The Mountain Art Quilters are a private group that rent the Local Cloth studio. You can rent our studio space for personal use or to host your own class! CLICK HERE to learn more about Studio Rentals
The Mountain Art Quilters are a private group that rent the Local Cloth studio.
You can rent our studio space for personal use or to host your own class!
Vendors who have received their acceptance announcement can use this listing to pay their booth fees for 2025 SAFF.
Join us at the annual Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair at the WNC Agricultural Center! Local Cloth will host a vendor booth and make & take opportunities.
Applications for vendors open July 7th-August 29th.
Materials fee: $35 cash or venmo (to be collected day of workshop)
We will learn about felting over a wire armature, attaching the wings, beak and eyes. you will leave with a life size Chickadee to perch in your home.
Level: Beginner/Intermediate (should have some basic needle felting experience)
Materials provided by instructor: Foam felting pad, needles, core wool and various colors, clay beak and glass eyes
Students should bring: If you have a felting pad that you like you may bring it, also you may want to bring a snack for yourself or to share. We will have a short break for snack or lunch.
Take a deep dive into Natural Dyeing on cellulose and protein fibers. Learn to successfully use natural dyes to produce clear, long lasting colors on a variety of fibers. You will learn the important steps of fiber preparation: scouring and mordanting that is so important in achieving good results with natural dyes. We will the extract our dyes from the raw plant materials, dye the fibers and finally explore post dye modification and over dyeing which extends the range of hues from our primary colors. We will make 12 different dye baths to get a rainbow of colors.
This series requires some knowledge of the chemistry of natural dyeing. If you are a beginner please take the Introduction to Natural Dyeing offered the week before this class.
We will provide all the materials, dyes, adjuncts and equipment as well as a detailed handout.
Level: Informed Beginners (see above)
Instructors: Joyce Tromba & Denise Arcuri (Read Joyce & Denise's bios)
Members: $300
Non members: $360
Materials fee: $50-60 dollars, we will calculate the exact amount at the end of the series.
Materials provided by instructor: Cotton and silk fabric, wool yarn, plants, extracts, equipment, mordants, modifiers, detailed instructions
Materials students should bring: Dye plants (optional). Please contact instructors if you have questions about what to bring.
Level: Intermediate (Students should know how to spin yarn on a spinning wheel. Beginners are welcome, but some skill is needed.)
Instructor: Silver Davin (Read Silver's bio)
Materials fee: $40 cash, credit card, venmo, or paypal (to be paid on day of workshop)
Materials supplied by teacher: 3+ oz crazy art batt and a spool of core yarn. There will be many different colorways to choose from.
Materials students could bring: You'll need to bring your spinning wheel. Please bring a jumbo flier if you have one; the bigger your wheel's orifice, the better!
This class will have you designing a bowl or vase using the silk paper technique. It’s not paper at all but silk fibers, silk hankies and roving wool. You can add twigs, leaves and other fibers to create something that is organically your own design and interpretation of the project.
Skill Level: All
Materials Fee: $15 (collected at time of workshop)
Materials Provided by instructor: Roving wool( natural colors,white,grey), Silk fibers and silk hankies, Birch twigs, leaves, Bowl form, Netting, glue, Water containers, soap, spray bottles
Delve deeper into the art of standing wool! Standing wool was popular before the Industrial Revolution as a thrifty way to use up extra scraps and create rugs for the home. However, this technique fell out of use during the advent of machine-made products because the slow, handmade process is impossible to recreate using automation or machinery. Standing wool rugs are also called quilled wool rugs or quillies. This technique can be used to create rugs, trivets, coasters, and of course, wall art!
You will learn:
You should already know:
You can review the basic techniques here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6xfvckuZ7tay6E1oArJ0f6MhEUaQRkXV&si=f7oOiwM2myn5mjww
Level: Intermediate
Instructor: Amy Reader (Read Amy's bio)
Materials fee: $25
Materials supplied by teacher: All supplies provided: strips of felt, embroidery floss, and needle to keep. Scissors to share.
Materials students could bring: N/a
Mixed Media Batik Design on Fabric
Get ready for a full day of pure fun and creativity. Learn new techniques and challenge the Artist in you. No experience necessary. If you’ve ever wanted to be a designer or just expand the skills you already have this this class is for you. In this full day workshop you will learn how to design and paint fabric using melted crayons and dyes. You will begin with using fabric dyes and overlaying your design with wax (melted crayons) then dyeing it again. The patterns and colors are gorgeous and you will have an amazing hand designed piece of wearable art or fabric for your own personal use. I will provide the special brushes needed for using this wax technique as well as a heat gun to melt the crayons. When your piece is dry, you simply iron off the wax, rinse the dyes and you’re done. Create as many as time permits.
Members: $100
Non-members: $120
Materials Fee: $20 cash or venmo (collected at time of workshop)
Materials Provided by instructor: Silk dyes, fabric markers, paper to create a practice design, crayons for melting, silk scarf, cut pieces of fabric, gloves, specialty brushes, paper to iron out wax, pencils, scissors, water containers, mixing trays and resources to create a design.
Student should bring: A heat gun if you have one (don’t buy one), iron, lunch for the break, apron as the dyes will stain your clothes, rubber gloves (I have disposable ones)
Drawing and Designing Patterns for Handwork
In this class you will learn how to draw simple line drawings to create patterns for embroidery, florals, quilting or any handwork. You will learn a skill which can be transferred to fabric, then stitched to create a one if a kind design. I will teach you how to draw, understand perspective, contour and design principles so your work will become a beautiful finished piece of Art. You will leave with a file filled with creative designs for future use. Please bring in a small embroidery hoop, needle and thread, and small scissors to practice some designs in class. You can also bring in a piece of clothing to embellish. Remember…it all starts with a good drawing. Challenge the designer in you and have some fun while learning a new skill.
Materials Provided by instructor: Pencils, erasers, practice paper, drawing paper, fabric squares, embroidery thread, resource to sketch from, transfer paper, fabric markers.
Student should bring: Embroidery hoop, sewing scissors, needle and thread (your choice) a piece of clothing to work on if you want to, snack or something to eat for the break
Various colored yarns can be woven into handmade clay frames. Each frame has its own unique design. Participants will be taught how to weave a simple plain weave {over / under technique} inside the clay frame. The finished product is a wall hanging. With the distinctive one-of-a-kind design frame, participants can handpick from various balls of yarn to create the 9”x8” wall hanging. No weaving experience is necessary.
Instructor: Marilyn Haas-Haseman (Read Marilyn's bio)
Non members: $120
Materials fee: $35 cash or check (to be paid day of workshop)
Materials Provided: Clay frame kits. Kit includes frame, yarn, needle
Materials students should bring: Scissors. Optional is any special THIN yarn you would like but not necessary
Address:
408 Depot Street, #100 | Asheville, NC 28801
828.774.5134 | Info@localcloth.org
Copyright © 2012-2025 by Local Cloth, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Artists' work and images are property of the individual artists.
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