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Course Details:
Cost: $10 materials fee
Time: 1pm - 5pm
Age Requirements: 18+
Join Sue Flanders for an introduction to Skinnfell, the Norwegian folk art of sewing and embellishing a tanned sheepskin into an ornament stitched and printed with wooden block stamps. Sue recently returned from taking an advanced class in Skinnfell techniques at the Rauland Academy in the Telemark region of Norway.
Students will enjoy this traditional Norwegian Folk craft while making a miniature Mitten ornament. The students will learn how to cut sheepskin, block print with textile paint and whip stitch the most adorable miniature mitten.
This project is appropriate for all skill levels. Please note that to complete this project, students need some hand strength and flexibility, as sewing leather is more difficult than cloth. A $10 materials fee covers tanned sheepskin for ornament, leather cutter's needle, thread, ornament pattern, use of wood blocks and textile paint, and other necessary supplies.
Students should bring a good pair of scissors for cutting sheepskin, a leather thimble (if you have one) and jewelry pliers, if possible, as these are helpful for sewing leather. Students should also be aware that the textile paint used is permanent, and cannot be washed off clothing. Although the application process is not messy, there is always a chance of getting some on clothing, so dress accordingly.
Meet Your Instructor
Sue Flanders
(she/her)
Sue Flanders first touched clay her senior year, 1981, at the College of St. Benedict, in St. Joseph, Minn. Under the watchful eye of Sr. Dennis Frandrup, she learned technical throwing skills. Frandrup wouldn’t allow students to keep any pots in the first month; she would slice each “masterpiece" to expose imperfections and lead her students to understand the goals of pot construction.
Sue maintains a studio in Mora, Minnesota and is currently working with white stoneware and firing her pots to cone 6 in one of her two electric kilns. “I get great satisfaction from working every step in the ceramic process”, says Sue.. Her studio name is “Kilns of Flanders”, where she shares the studio with her potter husband, Chuck.
She also enjoys teaching workshops in East Central Minnesota at Sapsuckers Farms, Annandale Art and Textile Center, American Swedish Institute and Avon Hills Folk School.
Booking Information and Policies:
What happens after I book?:
After you book, we will send you a confirmation email from Squarespace. A few days before camp, we will send you an email with more details about our meeting locations and some housekeeping items.