lifelong learning Learn the Craft of Needlework Locally By Jorge de Villasante and Katherine Gotthardt
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f you’ve ever found yourself interested in trying needlework but felt like you needed support and guidance to fashion beautiful creations, you’re in luck. Prince William offers a variety of options for potential crafters. Check out these three talented teachers who provide instruction, both virtually and in person, and offer encouragement and support on your journey to creativity.
Cloth, Paper, String Craft Studio
Julie Brewer is the owner of Cloth, Paper, String Craft Studio designed specifically to provide a space where crafters meet other crafters, learn new creative hobbies and successfully complete fun projects. Though the studio started as an inperson setting, Brewer now offers virtual workshops where students can learn quilting, sewing, paper crafting and knitting from anywhere in the world. “I learned how to sew and knit as a child, so have always had creative hobbies, but as an adult, I came to appreciate other
benefits of spending time crafting. It is a great way to relieve stress, connect with other people, and to keep learning new things,” Brewer said. Brewer has dabbled in all types of needlework but sewing and knitting are the ones on which she spends the most time. In addition to sewing and knitting, Brewer enjoys quilting. “Quilting was my go-to through much of last year. It’s a lot like putting a puzzle together, and it brought some order to a very chaotic time. But I love knitting the best. It’s very meditative and calming, and the yarns are so soft. Either one, the end product is a wonderful, useful item to keep or gift,” she said. Brewer’s needlework teaching style starts at step one. “I share about the history, the tools, the supplies, and step by step, we go through the basic techniques. The workshops focus on a specific project that people can complete and have a successful first project!” she said. Brewer opened her home studio during the 2013 government shutdown. She says opening a studio had been on her mind for a while, and that crisis gave her the push she needed to get it going. The mission of the studio is to provide a space for women to connect, create and inspire each other and their community with their handmade items. For those interested in taking part in Brewer’s classes and activities, view the studio calendar at clothpaperstring. com or request a private workshop by emailing her at clothpaperstringcrafts@gmail.com.
Needles in the Haymarket
Linda Shields is the event coordinator of Needles in the Haymarket whose mission is to keep the fiber and needlecrafts alive and growing in the modern world. Shields’ needlework includes knitting, crocheting and cross-stitching, but other instructors do needlepoint, spinning, tatting, and needle felting. “We offer beginning knitting and crochet to get the fundamentals down, then an array of classes that build from there. For knitting, some of the classes include building blocks (a new technique is learned in each block; then the blocks are put together for an afghan), learn to knit socks, brioche knitting, and what we call an ‘Oops Class’ where students learn how to identify and fix things that may have not been intended,” said Shields.
Learn how to quilt at Cloth, Paper, String Craft Studio.
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December 2021 prince william living
Popular classes include Learn to Knit or Learn to Crochet. “We love to welcome new students into the fold and set them
