A National Historic Landmark and Rhode Island icon, Slater Mill has established the Community Guild Studios (CGS), a fiber arts center for the people of Rhode Island and Southeastern New England – something our community lacked despite our state’s long and rich history of textile design and manufacturing. This major initiative is unique in the country in that it links the birthplace of textile manufacturing with our growing community of talented, professional craftspeople as well as members of the general public who enjoy fiber arts as a pastime or creative outlet.
Classes and workshops make great gifts for birthdays, anniversaries, holidays and just because. For a gift certificate email Bernadette Vaughan at .
Chair Caning
Instructor: Steve Emma
Feb. 10, 17 & March 3, 10, 17, 24
Students will learn basic skills to complete caning a chair of their own during the workshop.
Materials: Student must bring his/her own chair; a scissor or snips to trim or cut the cane, a small water pail or bucket to soak the cane, an ice pick, preferably thin and sharp, an old large towel, several snap clothespins to hold cane while soaking and a water spray bottle to wet the cane.
Materials fee: $15 due on first night.
Class meets 6:30-8:30PM
Fee: $90.00 for six 2-hour classes
Weaving Studio
Instructor: Jan Doyle
Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23& March 2, 9, 16, 23
Weaving Studio is an on-going class for all levels, whether a beginner or experienced weaver, and seeks to advance each student’s skills and techniques. Topics range from reading a weaving draft and the finishing and care of handwoven fabrics, to planning and completing a project on one of the mill’s floor looms.
Class meets: 6:30-8:30PM Class
Fee: $120 for eight 2-hour classes
Learn to Knit/Knitting Clinic
Feb. 9, 16, 23
This class is for the beginning as well as those who have progressed and are ready to be challenged. The class is designed to advance the student’s quilting skills and techniques by completing a project of the student’s choice Class meets 6:30-8:30PM
Fee: $45.00 for three 2-hour classes
Quilt Club
Jan. 5 & Feb. 2 (ongoing classes)
Dates to continue Quilt Club beyond March will be arranged by instructors and students. Students who join the Studio Quilting Club will learn and build basic quilt making skills using current methods, and become a member of a vibrant community of student crafters at Slater Mill. The club is ideal for beginner quilters, but all are welcome.
The club will meet on the first Tuesday of the month from October through March from 6:30-8:30pm. Students will make one block each month with skill focus on patchwork piecing by sewing machine. A total of 6 different blocks will be made and assembled into a sampler quilt that finishes at approx. 48”x60” (other arrangements could vary size of finished quilt).
Prerequisites: All students must possess basic sewing skills which have been used within the last 2-3 years. Also students must provide their own class supplies and sewing machines. All machines must be in good working condition and students must be able to operate them.
Class meets first Tuesday of the month, 6:30-8:30PM
Fee: $15 per each 2-hour session
Learn to Quilt
Jan. 5 & Feb. 2 (ongoing classes)
This class is for the student who has progressed through the beginner stage. The class is designed to advance the student’s quilting skills and techniques by completing a project of the student’s choice
Class meets 6:30-8:30PM
Fee: $90.00 for six 2-hour classes
Beginning Spinning
Instructor: Beth Fitzpatrick
Feb 9,16,23, March 2,9,16
Learn the basics of spinning your own yarn. Includes basic wheel maintenance, overview of short and long drafting, plying, using a middy-noddy and spinning from the fold.
Fee: $90.00 for 6 two-hour classes; $20.00 materials fee to be paid to instructor on the first night of class.
Students may rent a spinning wheel from Slater Mill. The fee to rent a spinning wheel for the class is $100. $70.00 will be refunded to the student at the end of the class if the wheel is returned in good condition.
The Jencks Education Center will be open from 10-5 for Community Guild Studios members to work on their projects. Workshop Days are the last Saturday of the month except July and August. If it is a holiday weekend Workshop Days are the weekend prior. In addition, special classes and programs will be offered for a fee.
Color Theory for Fiber Artists with Jan Doyle
Workshop meets 12-3PM
Fee: $25.00
Drop Spindle with David Westcott
Workshop meets 12-3PM
Fee: $25.00
Tips for Weavers with Jan Doyle
Workshop meets 12-3PM
Fee: $25.00
Finishing Techniques with Cirilia Rose
Workshop meets 12-3PM
Fee: $45.00
Embroidery & Surface Design
Workshop meets 12-3PM
Fee: $35.00
These are meetings of the Guilds housed at Slater Mill open to all.
Community Guild Studios Meeting (Formerly Pan Guild)
These meetings offer members an opportunity to come together and share their projects and ideas.
February 17, 6:30-9PM
Slater Mill Knitting/Crochet Guild
January 27, 6:30-9PM
March 3, 6:30-9PM
Weaver’s Guild of Rhode Island
February 5, 10AM-2PM
Japanese Kimonos with Susan Sklarek
Industrial Revolution Quilt Guild
February 10, 6:30-9PM
Girl Scout Program
Feb. 16 & April 20
Make-A-Thon
June 18, 5PM
Teen Apprenticeship Program
Presentation and Celebration
Wednesday, January 20, 1010, 2PM
For more information about classes, workshops, meetings, membership, events and programs please contact:
Janice Kissinger Director, Community Guild Studios at
Bernadette Vaughan Coordinator, Community Guild Studios, at
.