** 2 Part Workshop**
Part 1: Saturday, August 31, 2024
12:30pm-4:30pm
Part 2: Saturday, September 7, 2024
9am-3pm
Learn to make a Shaker-inspired broom right here at Shaker Village! There’s no better place in the world to learn the craft of broom making.
Level – Intermediate: In order to complete this class successfully, students should have some previous experience of broom making. The Cobwebber or Besom classes are ideal prerequisites, though a whisk broom class or self study are also sufficient.
In this class, we’ll create fully functional–and beautifully decorative–stitched and woven corn brooms. Students will choose their own broomstick, natural or dyed broomcorn, and colorful cord for stitching and weaving. Each broom will be a totally unique piece of art–and a fantastic cleaning tool to boot!
In the first session, students will focus on tying their brooms. We’ll review the tips and techniques that will allow you to tie broomcorn onto a stick and create a beautiful and long-lasting broom. You’ll learn what’s really going on inside of a stitched broom–the inner workings that create the beautiful sloping ‘shoulders’ of the traditional American broom. Students will need to take their broom home between class sessions so that it can dry completely before stitching and weaving.
In the second session of the class, we’ll stitch our brooms and then learn to weave the decorative cap with basket reed. Finally, the brooms will all be trimmed and finished. After tying, stitching, and weaving your brooms, you will have learned the three foundational skills of a successful broom maker!
Tying a broom is a stress-reducing, full-body practice — and a great workout. You’ll use both feet to hold tension and both hands to manipulate the cord and wrap the broom tightly. Tying onto a stick requires a certain amount of strength and dexterity. You’ll feel this in your arms and shoulders when you pull the cord tight, and then tighter!
Your instructor is Robert Sheckler of Redmond Philbert Handwork, an enthusiastic learner, teacher, and crafter living and working in the Portland area. Beyond the visceral joy of broom-making, Robert is interested in elevating natural materials over synthetic alternatives and loves to incorporate color into his work, making an everyday object and an everyday activity feel special, vibrant, and even fun.
Minimum: 4
Maximum: 8
