Modular Origami: Jack-o-Lantern

Wednesday, October 29, 4-5:30pm

Class level: All levels welcome

Age requirements: Ages 8-14

Registration fee: $35

Teaching artist: Owen Forer

Join artist Owen Forer for a one day modular origami workshop at TAC, for ages 8-14. Participants will be taught how to fold “Golden Venture” origami, and then create a small jack-o-lantern using the technique. Instruction will be provided on making this specific seasonal craft, but the technique is simple and participants will have a chance to play around with the lego-like paper pieces. All skill levels welcome.

Note: All supplies are included.

REGISTER

Teaching Artist Bio:

Owen Forer (they/she) is an visual artist and writer. Owen received a BA in Art and Art History from Southern Illinois University - Carbondale and Master of Fine Arts from University of Wisconsin-Madison. Currently, their practice focuses on soft sculpture and costume as tools for storytelling. Owen has taught many fiber art classes for youth, and especially loves teaching young people modular origami, sewing, and weaving.

Stitch Club!

Wednesday, November 12, 5:30-7:30pm

Level: All levels welcome

Age requirements: Ages 12+

Registration fee: $10* (There is a small fee for this program to pay our teaching artists and for associated supplies. Scholarships are available to make this offering FREE - email us for information.)

Teaching artists: Sarah Best, Matt Lyga

This Month's Focus: Book Weaving with Matt Lyga

Stitch Club (formerly Youth Maker Meetup) returns to the Textile Arts Center this fall! Middle schoolers and high schoolers meet up at TAC to stitch.

Bring your own project to work on, or learn a new skill. This month’s focus is Book Weaving with Matt Lyga.

• Did you know you can use a hard-cover book as a loom for weaving? Participants will wrap thread around a book and weave through the threads to make a simple tapestry weaving. This method is great for learning a bit about weaving, and allows everyone to jump in!

• If you want to bring another project to work on, supplies available to use at TAC include sewing machines, thread, scissors, cutting mats, irons, ironing boards, and access to our Little Free Scrap Library.

Registration is required.

REGISTER

About Matt Lyga: Matt is Textile and Fashion Design Major at University of Wisconsin-Madison (graduating in 2026) focusing in creative knitwear and textile development. Matt has a wealth of experience teaching youth, and brought his textile and education skills to TAC in summer 2025 serving as a teaching assistant for TAC’s summer camps, including quilting, crochet, felting, and sewing.

About Sarah Best: Sarah is a lifelong apparel designer with a focus on knitwear and textile design. Her passion to sew and knit as a young girl led her to pursue 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 New York City, and at Lands’ End in Wisconsin. She currently works as a contract designer and educator, expanding her creative interests across interiors and textile arts.

Beginning Crochet for Youth

Saturday, November 15, 1-3pm

Class level: All levels welcome

Age requirements: Ages 10+

Registration fee: $40

Teaching artist: Rachel Schindler (@rlschind)

This beginning crochet class will provide students with a basic introduction to the tools and foundational stitches of crochet. Participants will make a crocheted cotton washcloth or coaster - a perfect project for learning basic crochet stitches and gaining skill while creating a useful item. The workshop will cover: -The supplies needed for crochet -How to read crochet patterns -Creating a foundation chain with the chain stitch -Single Crochet stitch -Finishing off your project.

These foundational crochet techniques are ones that can then be applied to other patterns and projects you want to try!

Note: All supplies are included. But if students wish to bring their own crochet hook, size G, H, or I is recommended.

REGISTER

Bio:

Rachel’s craft practice began with learning crochet when she was young and the craft continues to be one she turns to when seeking to make meaningful handmade projects to share as gifts. In addition to crochet, her work focuses on quilting, hand-stitching, and embroidery using repurposed materials and natural fibers. She enjoys exploring the way that fabric and textiles hold memory and meaning, and how both the act of making and the end result can be sources of reflection and comfort.

Social: @rlschind

Tapestry Weaving for Kids!

Thursday, November 20, 4-5:30pm

Class level: All levels welcome

Age requirements: Ages 8-14

Registration fee: $35

Teaching artist: Owen Forer

Artist Owen Forer will teach a one day workshop on tapestry weaving for ages 8-14. Participants will use small frame looms and receive instruction in essential skills like stringing their warp, using different varieties and textures of yarn, and how to finish pieces and remove them from the loom. Participants will finish the workshop with a woven tapestry to hang on their wall. All skill levels welcome, though instruction is designed for beginners. 

Note: All supplies are included.

REGISTER

Teaching Artist Bio:

Owen Forer (they/she) is an visual artist and writer. Owen received a BA in Art and Art History from Southern Illinois University - Carbondale and Master of Fine Arts from University of Wisconsin-Madison. Currently, their practice focuses on soft sculpture and costume as tools for storytelling. Owen has taught many fiber art classes for youth, and especially loves teaching young people modular origami, sewing, and weaving.

Stitch Club!

Wednesday, December 10, 5:30-7:30pm

Level: All levels welcome

Age requirements: Ages 12+

Registration fee: $10* (There is a small fee for this program to pay our teaching artists and for associated supplies. Scholarships are available to make this offering FREE - email us for information.)

Teaching artists: Sarah Best, Matt Lyga

This Month's Focus: Sew a Tote Bag with Sarah Best

Stitch Club (formerly Youth Maker Meetup) returns to the Textile Arts Center this fall! Middle schoolers and high schoolers meet up at TAC to stitch.

Bring your own project to work on, or learn a new skill. This month’s focus is on sewing a reusable tote bag with Sarah Best.

• Sarah will show participants how to sew a simple reusable tote bag. Bring your own fabric and/or sewing machine if you’d like, but you can also just bring yourself - TAC will have all the supplies, tools, and sewing machines necessary.

• If you want to bring another project to work on, supplies available to use at TAC include sewing machines, thread, scissors, cutting mats, irons, ironing boards, and access to our Little Free Scrap Library.

Registration is required.

REGISTER

About Sarah Best: Sarah is a lifelong apparel designer with a focus on knitwear and textile design. Her passion to sew and knit as a young girl led her to pursue 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 New York City, and at Lands’ End in Wisconsin. She currently works as a contract designer and educator, expanding her creative interests across interiors and textile arts.

About Matt Lyga: Matt is Textile and Fashion Design Major at University of Wisconsin-Madison (graduating in 2026) focusing in creative knitwear and textile development. Matt has a wealth of experience teaching youth, and brought his textile and education skills to TAC in summer 2025 serving as a teaching assistant for TAC’s summer camps, including quilting, crochet, felting, and sewing.