Back to teaching - safely
Summer campers painting fabrics outdoors.
2020 has been a very odd and dark year to many. It has been sad not being able to visit my family and friends in Finland this summer but I’m grateful that both my Finnish and American families are safe. I also feel very lucky that I have been able to work in my studio sewing masks and working on my own art of weaving and applique stitching. I also had time to develop new ideas for classes and workshops and make plans and preparations on how to work safely with the COVID-19 restrictions in place.
Block printing design.
This year I taught my first summer day camps for kids here in California. I usually teach all the classes and workshops alone, and it was truly wonderful to have a colleague Pia to work with during the two week-long camps. She is an experienced sewing teacher and the owner of Marin Sewing Lab offering inspiring sewing classes for kids and adults in her studio in San Rafael. The request for teaching summer camps came from parents in the neighborhood and I was ready and willing to start planning and figuring out arrangements for safe learning at my studio, on the patios and in the gardens around my home. We created a progressive and advanced program with goals to create an understanding of the process, from designing to a finished product. We included techniques like dyeing and printing combined with sewing and weaving.
The classes were held outdoors, everyone was wearing face coverings, the working stations were set 6 feet apart, the kids were provided personal tool kits and sanitizers were used in between. With 2 teachers we were able to restrict the amount of children to 4 per teacher. The camps were so much fun for the kids and us teachers! The energy and creativity of kids was fantastic!
Fabrics printed with plants.
Pia and I continue working together teaching a Scandinavian Fiber Art after school program this fall, where we keep working within the same guidelines that we found useful during the summer camps. I’m also excited to teach another after school class in creative weaving this fall. We will be learning about natural and sustainable materials and dyes, plenty of new weaving skills and to use yarns and recycled fibers as an expression for creativity.
Safety is a priority to all activities in my studio and I’m so glad that I have a big garden and outdoor spaces to work in. During the time, when most classes are taught on line it may feel difficult to start a hands on project with a list of materials and equipment that the work requires. There is no lack of instructions and classes on line, though. Learning to make fiber arts and crafts is empowering and a great way to relax and be creative. Getting involved in making is fun and rewarding in all ages. Hope you have a possibility to join a group weather on line or in person, share ideas and make art. And please, stay safe!
Learning to weave on the patio.