TAC offers classes, workshops, maker meetups, and other programs in a wide variety of textile and fiber arts. See what we have coming up below. If you have a class or program request, please contact us.
Peruse all of TAC’s upcoming class listings below, or search by one of the following categories…
Needle & Thread: Sewing, Quilting, Hand Stitching, Mending
Yarn Arts: Knitting, Crochet, Weaving
Wet Work: Wet Felting, Dyeing, Printing, Paper Making
Everything Else!: Creativity, Book Arts, Stone Wrapping, Felt Arts
Cross Back Apron
Cross Back Apron
Saturday, November 22, 1-5pm
Class level: Beginner
Age requirements: 12+ and older (under 16 must sign up with an adult)
Teaching artist: Sarah Best
Class fee: $75
This cross back apron design is functional and beautiful, as well as beginner friendly and fun to make. Consider this piece as a perfect addition to holiday baking and crafting, or to give as a holiday gift! A variety of fabrics can be used, from linen to canvas to denim. Mixing colors and patterns for pockets and trims is fun and encouraged! Participants will leave the workshop with a finished cross back apron and a pattern to take home for future making. This is an excellent beginner sewing project and would be a great class for an adult and youth to take together!
Required Supplies:
Fabric: Medium weight, woven (ex. linen, cotton, canvas or denim) 1 1/2 yds @ 52" wide, pre-washed
Optional: 1/2 yd contrast fabric for pockets and binding, pre-washed
Thread: All-purpose sewing thread, color your choice
Sewing Machine: TAC does have a few machines if needed. Please let us know when you register if you would like to use a TAC machine.
Provided Supplies
Cutting supplies
Clips/ Pins
Irons and ironing boards
Pencils
REGISTER
Bio:
Sarah is a lifelong apparel designer with focus on knitwear and textile design. After graduation from UNC Chapel Hill, she took a retail job with Nordstrom which proved to be a great introduction to the business side of fashion. Her passion to sew and knit as a young girl led her to pursue the more creative side of the retail industry and head back to school for an Apparel Design degree, with a Textile Arts minor, at VCU in Richmond VA. Her career has included working for Armani Exchange and Ralph Lauren in NYC, then Lands’ End in Wisconsin. She is currently working as a contract designer, expanding her creative interests across interiors and textile arts.
Web: Sarah Best
Pin Loom Weaving
Pin Loom Weaving
This class is full. Please email us to be added to the waitlist.
Tuesdays, December 2 and 9 from 6-8pm
Class level: Beginner
Age requirements: 16+
Teaching artist: Jane Grogan
Class fee: $95
If you are ready to weave without spending hours winding warp threads and making a big equipment investment, then pin loom weaving is for you! Pin looms have been around since the 1930’s and interest is once again at peak levels. Over the years, the standard 4” pin loom has been known as a Weave-It, Jiffy Loom, Weavette, Zoom Loom and Multi Loom. Once you learn the warping pattern of the pins, weaving is fast and fun. It is easy to experiment with color, texture and pattern weaving. And, the pin loom is perfectly sized to fit in every fiber person’s project bag!
Week One:
Introduction to warping and weaving on a pin loom.
Class project will be to weave two 4” squares to create a sachet bag.
Yarn and lavender for the project will be supplied by instructor.
Week Two:
Project ideas for pin loom weaving will be presented.
Projects will include weaving patterns into the square, making flower pins, clothing, accessories and more!
What to Bring:
scissors
pencil & paper.
Note: Looms will be available for class use and optional purchase ($45) from instructor
REGISTER
Bio:
Jane Grogan lives in Madison and is obsessed with a variety of fiber crafts. Jane learned to crochet over 40 years ago when yarn shops were scarce and “how-to” books were almost non-existent. After learning to crochet she expanded her interests to include knitting, spinning, and weaving. After years of working on her own projects, Jane decided to share her love of fiber crafts and started teaching more than 10 years ago. Jane has taught a variety of fiber classes for yarn shops, festivals, and community programs, including with the Wisconsin Craft Market (now closed), Madison Knitters’ Guild, Oregon (WI) School District, Black Sheep Gathering (Eugene, OR), Spry Whimsy Yarn Shop (Stoughton), and Midwest Fiber Folk Art Festival (IL), among other places.
Monthly Mini: Gnomes!
Monthly Mini: Gnomes!
Thursday, December 4, from 6:30-8:30pm
Class level: Beginner friendly; all levels welcome!
Age requirements: 16+
Teaching artist: Kaitlin Esche-Lyon (@quarterlifeleap)
Class fee: $50
Who doesn’t love a cute gnome! These gnomes can be made festive or in your favorite color. Gnomes will be roughly 6-7" tall, with a 2” square base.
What to bring:
All supplies and tools are included. Bring your own sewing machine and fabric, only if you want to!
Optional: Sewing machine (bring your own or use one of TAC’s studio machines)
Optional: Fabric scraps of any size!
What to Expect:
Step-by-step guidance: Learn the basics of sewing as you’re guided through a fun new skill-building project.
Beginner-friendly: No prior experience? No problem! We’ll cover all the essentials, including how to use a sewing machine and simple sewing techniques.
Creative customization: Choose from a variety of fabrics and personalize your project to match your style.
Relaxed atmosphere: Enjoy an informal and encouraging environment—perfect for sharing laughs and creativity with friends.
Leave with a finished project: Walk away with a beautiful handmade item and the confidence to tackle more sewing projects in the future! Step-by-step guidance: Learn the basics of sewing as you’re guided through a quick and easy fabric basket project.
You’ll Love It:
Short and sweet—great for busy schedules!
A perfect outing for friends, date nights, or solo creativity.
Build skills while making something you’ll use and love.
REGISTER
Bio:
Kaitlin Esche-Lyon is a skilled quilter and textile artist known for her vibrant designs and innovative approach to the art of quilting. Blending traditional techniques with modern flair, Kaitlin’s work features bold colors, dynamic patterns, and thoughtful textures. Passionate about sharing her craft, she teaches workshops for quilters of all skill levels, fostering creativity and community. Inspired by nature, travel, and architecture, her pieces tell unique stories and have been featured in exhibitions and cherished as heirlooms. Kaitlin’s dedication to artistry and teaching continues to spread joy and community in the quilting world.
Website: www.quarterlifeleap.com
Social: @quarterlifeleap
Fun Felt Holiday Ornaments
Fun Felt Holiday Ornaments
Saturday, December 6, 1-3pm
Class level: All levels welcome, but some basic sewing skills will be helpful. Younger students may need more help from their adult.
Age requirements: Open to all ages 8+ (Kids under 13 should enroll with an adult)
Teaching artist: Rain Foster
Class fee: $25
Make small stuffed felt holiday ornaments! Participants will learn embroidery stitches, couching, appliqué and blanket stitch, knotting, and beading. There are literally countless fun, easy techniques you can use to make beautiful decorations for the season!
Finished ornaments are perfect for cozy holiday decorating and gift giving. And, the class is perfect to do with a family member or friend to create shared memories.
Participants will learn a variety of techniques through this fun, small project that hold endless possibilities for future exploration.
All materials and tools will be provided. Just bring yourself!
REGISTER
Bio:
Rain Foster received her BFA from The Center for Creative Studies, Detroit, Michigan in 1973, with a major in Ceramics, and minors in Weaving and Watercolor. As an artist, Rain is inspired by the gifts of Nature: earth, air, fire, water, fabric shards and cast offs, bits of trees and plants, various natural fibers, and discarded detritus. From these materials, Rain conceives and creates sacred “Spirit Dolls.” Each doll is an expression of herself in the context of a specific moment. Some are political statements, some personal. All come from her heart. She also experiments with 2D forms of embroidery and other types of stitching. She believes that stitching is not only a form of creativity, but also meditation. She enjoys the companionship of working with all forms of thread and fiber in group settings, sharing inspiration and accomplishments.
Finish It!
Finish It!
Saturday, December 6, 1-4pm
Class level: All skill levels welcome, but should have basic quilting experience and a completed quilt top to bring to class
Age requirements: 16+
Teaching artist: Kaitlin Esche-Lyon (@quarterlifeleap)
Class fee: $65
This workshop will walk you through finishing your quilts. We’ll talk about batting choices, best practices for piecing your backing fabric, squaring up your quilt, basting techniques, machine & hand quilting options, and a couple ways to bind your quilt.
Students are encouraged to bring a finished quilt top for discussion. Participants will be provided a small practice quilt and extra fabric for binding.
Required Supplies
Sewing machine
Rotary cutter
Pins
Sewing clips
Seam Ripper
Pencil, Fabric Pen, and/or Hera Marker
Provided Supplies
TAC’s studio cutting mats, rulers, irons, and ironing boards will be available for use.
REGISTER
Teaching Artist Bio:
Kaitlin Esche-Lyon is a skilled quilter and textile artist known for her vibrant designs and innovative approach to the art of quilting. Blending traditional techniques with modern flair, Kaitlin’s work features bold colors, dynamic patterns, and thoughtful textures. Passionate about sharing her craft, she teaches workshops for quilters of all skill levels, fostering creativity and community. Inspired by nature, travel, and architecture, her pieces tell unique stories and have been featured in exhibitions and cherished as heirlooms. Kaitlin’s dedication to artistry and teaching continues to spread joy and community in the quilting world.
Website: www.quarterlifeleap.com
Social: @quarterlifeleap
Holiday Card Making
Holiday Card Making
Tuesday, December 9, 5:30-8:30pm
Class level: All!
Age requirements: 16+
Teaching artist: Sachi Komai
Class fee: $20
Send out one-of-a-kind cards this year for New Years, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Festivus!
Decorate four folded note cards and envelopes for the holidays by hand using rubber stamps, paper punches, decorative edge scissors, washi tape, sequins, glitter, ribbon, shipping tags, paper doilies, and vintage ephemera such as Golden books, sheet music, wrapping paper, maps, and more.
Sachi Komai from Anthology will bring all the supplies. Just bring yourself!
REGISTER
Teaching Artist Bio:
Sachi Komai has been the co-owner of Anthology, a paper and gift shop in the heart of downtown Madison, with her sister for the past 17 years. She has an MFA from UW-Madison and has taught workshops in card making, book making, lettering and embroidery.
Website: anthologymadison.com
Needle Felted Winter Friends
Needle Felted Winter Friends
This workshop is full. Please email us to be added to the waitlist and/or join us for Michelle’s 2D ornament workshop on Decmeber 13.
Wednesday, December 10, 6-8pm
Class level: All levels welcome!
Age requirements: 14+
Teaching artist: Michelle Martin
Class fee: $40
Learn to needle felt while making a cute winter friend! We will use wool roving and felting needles to create three dimensional creatures. These can be made to stand on their own or simply add a ribbon to make into a winter ornament. We will cover the mechanics of of a felting needle and a brief history. Then, we will learn how to take clean and carded wool roving and sculpt it into our desired shape. By the end of class you’ll have a cute friend or ornament.
All materials will be provided by the instructor, wool, felting needle, and a small foam pad. Come ready to play and create!
REGISTER
Bio:
Michelle Martin (she/they) is an informally taught fiber artist living in Madison. They have dabbled in all things fiber art since being handed a drop spindle while in college. These days, they crochet, weave, wet felt, and spin, But their main crative love is needle felting. They love the process of felting and the freedom and creativity it offers. As a teacher, Michelle LOVES to encourage people to play, have fun, and get lost in the process. Helping students let go of “perfect” and that inner voice that says "I'm not artistic" is an absolute joy.
PJ Pants Party!
PJ Pants Party!
Saturday, December 13 from 9am-3pm
Class level: For students who have taken Sewing One or have previous sewing experience
Age requirements: 16+
Teaching artist: Sarah Best
Class fee: $90
Come sew fun pajama pants for you and your family! This class is a great opportunity to outfit your loved ones for Christmas morning or for gifting!
Choose your fabric ahead of the class - we suggested a woven cotton or flannel (not knits or anything with stretch). Then, we will sew them up based on the sizes you need and add some fun trim for the drawcord!
NOTE: Please fill out this questionnaire after registering to help prepare ahead.
A detailed supply list is below.
REGISTER
Teaching Artist Bio:
Sarah is a longtime apparel designer with focus on knitwear and textile design. After graduation from UNC Chapel Hill, she took a retail job with Nordstrom which proved to be a great introduction with the business side of fashion. Her passion to sew and knit as a young girl led her to pursue the more creative side of the retail industry and head back to school for an Apparel Design degree, with a Textile Arts minor, at VCU in Richmond VA. Her career has included working for Armani Exchange and Ralph Lauren in NYC, then Lands’ End in Wisconsin. She has designed and developed men’s and women’s clothing, ranging from basic knits to swimwear, sleepwear, and heritage sweaters. She is currently working as an educator and contract designer, expanding her creative interests across interiors and textile arts.
Website: Sarah Best
Required Supplies
3 yards fabric for each pant
Thread to match (2 spools)
Fabric scissors
Basic sewing supplies including pins, seam ripper, etc. (TAC’s studio has all of these items, so you can borrow anything you might during the class)
Sewing machine in good working order with a new needle (If you’d like to borrow one of TAC’s studio machines during the class, let us know using the survey link above)
Provided Supplies
Pattern
Drawstring Trim
2D Felted Winter Ornaments
2D Felted Winter Ornaments
Saturday, December 13, 10am-12pm
Class level: All levels welcome!
Age requirements: 12+ (under 16 should register with an adult)
Teaching artist: Michelle Martin
Class fee: $40
Learn to needle felt cute ornaments using cookie cutters as the template! We will learn about the mechanics of the felting needle and how to use it safely. Then, we will lay out wool roving inside the cookie cutter and felt away. We will finish our ornaments off by adding details with more wool (which is sort of like painting, but with wool). Participants can also embroider or sew beads onto their ornaments.
All materials provided by the instructor, including wool, felting needle, foam mat, ribbon, and cookie cutters.
REGISTER
Bio:
Michelle Martin (she/they) is an informally taught fiber artist living in Madison. They have dabbled in all things fiber art since being handed a drop spindle while in college. These days, they crochet, weave, wet felt, and spin, But their main crative love is needle felting. They love the process of felting and the freedom and creativity it offers. As a teacher, Michelle LOVES to encourage people to play, have fun, and get lost in the process. Helping students let go of “perfect” and that inner voice that says "I'm not artistic" is an absolute joy.
Holiday Gift Tags
Holiday Gift Tags
Saturday, December 13, 1-3pm
Class level: All are welcome!
Age requirements: 16+
Teaching artist: Roann Mathias
Class fee: $25
Get ready for the holidays with this beginner-friendly class. Create gift tags for teachers, family and friends. Class includes a brief overview of hand-lettering and pre-printed phrases to copy or trace over. You will learn simple watercolor techniques to paint a string of lights and some mistletoe.
What to Bring:
Scissors
All other materials will be provided by the instructor.
REGISTER
Teaching Artist Bio:
Roann Mathias is an artist and educator who is experienced in a variety of media including abstract painting, photography, watercolor, and lettering. All of these varied interests can be seen in her art. Her work has been published in Somerset Studio Magazine, Letter Arts Review and Cloth Paper Scissors magazine. She taught calligraphy and mixed media workshops for several years throughout the US and Canada. After receiving her MFA in 2015, she became an adjunct professor at Memphis College of Art and Southwest Tennessee Community College. Originally from New Orleans, the colorful architecture and plant life instilled in her a love of color and nature. Travels around the US and Europe inspired her love of nature and the landscape.
Website: roannmathias.com
Social: @roannmathias
Fast Construction by Hand and Machine
Fast Construction by Hand and Machine
Friday, January 30 through Sunday, February 1, 10am-4pm all three days
Class level: All experience levels welcome. Should have basic hand- and machine-sewing comfort.
Age requirements: 18+
Teaching artist: Heidi Parkes
Class fee: $600
Sometimes it’s fun to go fast! We will sew with intuition and convenience front of mind in this class focused on the exploration of shape, color, and visual movement. We’ll start with machine piecing to efficiently discover the personalities of our fabrics and will then transition into hand appliqué and piecing to complete our medium-sized quilt tops. On our last day, Heidi will share a bit about hand quilting, hand binding, and signing your work.
Your class fee includes on-demand recorded videos of each stitch, which you will view ahead of time and begin sewing before class meets. You will then attend in-person to view Heidi's quilts up close for inspiration, ask questions, see demonstrations, and address technical challenges as you sew your quilt top. A PDF with links to the pre-class instruction videos will be sent to registrants 4 weeks in advance of the class.
It will be possible to complete an entire quilt top by the end of class! A minimalist design can be completed within class, while a maximalist look can be achieved with additional sewing in the coming weeks or months. Large-scale appliqué, negative space, and incorporating the work sewn before class will allow for a beautiful abstract composition. A quilt top can be a lovely textile all on its own, but it can also be fun to quilt it! You're welcome to quilt in any style on your own after class, and students will receive a coupon code if they would like to take Heidi's on-demand Improv Hand Quilting class.
Required Supplies:
PLEASE SEE THIS PDF FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF REQUIRED AND OPTIONAL SUPPLIES.
REGISTER*
(*Note: All registrants will receive a PDF with links to the pre-class instruction videos 4 weeks in advance of the class. The value of these online instruction materials is $50, therefore any workshop cancellations made less than 4 weeks in advance of the class will incur a $50 cancellation fee in addition to TAC’s standard $10 cancellation fee.)
If you are traveling to Madison for this workshop and need lodging recommendations, please contact us.
Teaching Artist Bio:
Before Heidi Parkes was born in Chicago, IL in 1982, her grandmother organized a collaborative family quilt to commemorate her birth. Now based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, her quilting and mending celebrate the hand, and her works tug at memories and shared experience. Engaging in the worlds of art, quilts, mending, and social media, Heidi is an advocate for the domestic realms, slow stitching, and mindfulness; find her on Instagram and YouTube. She was the 2024 Pfister Hotel Artist in Residence, and is a 2005 graduate from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Heidi will be exhibiting at The Great Wisconsin Quilt Show in Madison this September. Soft Magic was her recent exhibition at the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts & Fiber Arts. Her quilts have received awards at Quilt National and QuiltCon, she has exhibited internationally in France and South Korea, and she has taught in Italy and Japan.
Website: heidiparkes.com
Social: @heidi.parkes