Learn with Us

When the weather permits, the Tavern Blacksmith Guild meets in Dan’s Forge, behind the Northern Neck Heritage Arts Center.  Whether you have already taken one of their classes or just want to check out the guild and their current projects, please register here and we will contact you.

Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays. 9 AM to 1 PM. Weather permitting. No charge.

Please consider becoming a Member of NNHAC and joining the Blacksmith’s Guild

Are you already a knitter? Or, has it been a while since you picked up your knitting needles and you need a little encouragement? Well, the new Tavern Knitter’s group is the right place for you. Maybe you have a pattern that is making you pull out your hair. Some of our experienced knitters will be glad to help. Even if you have never knitted a stitch or you prefer to crochet, please come join us for an informal and welcoming time with others who simply love all things yarn related. If you want to learn to knit, we’ll help you find the right materials and the right techniques to start you on your journey. 

There is no fee to join but we do ask that you register so we can notify you when there’s a special topic or discussion coming up or if we must cancel the meeting. The Tavern Knitters Group meets in the tavern building which is not normally open on Mondays but we know the secret password! Come to the front door and we will give you special access to a quiet place of creativity, camaraderie and encouragement!

Mondays, 9-11 AM, no charge

Please consider becoming a Member of NNHAC

The Tavern Spinners & Weavers Guild is a lively group of women and men who share a love of weaving, spinning and other fiber crafts. In our on-site studio, we have at least 7 looms which we use to create a continual supply of dish towels, as well as other handwoven items. Each week, our studio is open for members and to the public who would like to learn the process of weaving.

If you would like to visit our studio and learn about weaving, please register and someone from our guild will contact you. 

Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. 10 AM – 2 PM. No charge.

Please consider becoming a Member of NNHAC and joining the Spinners and Weavers Guild

Join a member of the Spinners and Weavers Guild to learn how to spin. A group comes together to sit and spin and share knowledge of fibers and the process of spinning. We move inside the Tavern building when the weather is uncooperative. 

If you would like to join us to spin on the porch or have questions, please register and someone from our guild will contact you. 

2nd Friday of each month. 10 AM – noon. No charge.

Please consider becoming a Member of NNHAC and joining the Spinners and Weavers Guild

Friday, October 23, 2026 – 9 am to 1 pm

Due to popular demand, Vicki Cornish is offering her Coiled Pine Needle basket class for beginners again.  If you have ever wondered what else you can do with all the pine needles that fall in abundance in your yard, this class will give you a creative and beautiful way to use up some of those needles! Come learn the ancient craft of turning pine needles into beautiful and functional coiled baskets. We will learn how to gather, prepare, and start a small basket or trivet using pine needles gathered locally on the Northern Neck.

These colorful and beautiful pine-needle baskets make great gifts or add them to your own treasured home décor.  Whether for yourself or as a gift, these handmade beauties will hold pride of place in any room.  Students will learn how to begin a pine-needle coil as well as how to shape their basket, add decorative stitching and finish off the basket edge.  All materials will be provided to get you started on your way to this relaxing and rewarding art form.  Materials provided include pine needles, different color waxed threads, centerpieces, straws/gauges and sewing needles.

The beauty of Vicki’s work speaks for itself.  She has taught several classes with us and is excited to continue sharing her love of Coiled Pine-Needle baskets.  Her classes tend to fill quickly so if you have tried to get in a previous class, sign up soon.  Vicki is a skilled teacher who will guide you through the basket making process in this fun class.  We hope you will come to learn the basics of this beautiful craft then create your own unique works of art.

·      The maximum number of students for the class will be 8.

·      There is a $10 materials fee, to be paid to the instructor on the day of class.

·      The Class will be held in the Tavern Meeting Building, directly behind the Tavern

Saturday, November 7, 2026 – 9 am to 4 pm

Learn the basic skills of blacksmithing to create your own metal projects. You will learn tapering, tempering and hardening of mild steel and make a punch or chisel to use in another project you will complete. All supplies are included in the price of $135.00 per student.

The class size limited to 8 students and students must be 16 or older. The class will be held in Dan’s Forge located behind the Tavern Building.

Tuesday, November 10, 2026 – 9 am to 4pm

Needle-Turn Appliqué Workshop for Beginners with Rita Verroca: Come join us for a fun-filled day of needle-turn appliqué, perfect for beginners or anyone wanting to learn and practice the basics! Our project will be a beautiful Pennsylvania Dutch Tulip, and along the way you’ll learn all the essential techniques you need to begin your appliqué journey with confidence.

During the class, you will learn how to:

• Mark your background fabric and prepare your appliqué pieces for stitching

• Master the basic needle-turn appliqué stitch

• Stitch a smooth and graceful stem

• Create leaves with beautiful, rounded edges

• Stitch sharp points on leaves

• Navigate inverted valleys and inverted V’s

• Learn and practice the basic techniques that make needle-turn appliqué so enjoyable

No previous appliqué experience is necessary – just bring your enthusiasm and a willingness to learn! Come stitch, learn, discover, and enjoy a relaxed afternoon of creativity and friendship. You’ll leave with new skills, new confidence, and the beginnings of a lovely Pennsylvania Dutch Tulip!

Supply Lists – supplied by student:

Fabric: you can either purchase your own fabric, using the following list, or you can buy the Kit as mentioned in the Supply Fee below.

• One piece of 12″ plain or printed cotton fabric or any other background fabric

• Fabrics in various colors for the tulip and leaves

• Fabrics of your choice for the pieced border

Equipment and/or supplies:

• Applique needles or ‘sharps’ size 10 and/or 11

• Threads to match fabric (good applique threads are DMC, Auriful and Mettler 60 wt.

• Small applique scissors

• Sharp paper scissors to cut laminated patterns and pencil for marking the pieced border pattern

• Thimble

• Silk glass pins

• Personal sewing lamp

• Double-sided tape or glue stick

• Clover water soluble marker to mark background fabric or marking pen of your choice

• Clover eraser pen

This 1-day class will be held in the Meeting Building behind the Tavern Building. There is a supply fee of $15 for the pattern or $35 for Pattern and the Kit of fabrics. For the lunch break, students are welcome to bring their own and have lunch on the Tavern grounds or in the Meeting Building.

Friday, February 26, 2027 – 1 to 4 pm

Join us for this basic introduction to Oxford Punch needle rug hooking. It is simple for beginners and fun to do.  We will create this little sheep using hand-dyed Checkmate Karakul wool rug yarn and a size #10 Regular Oxford punch needle. This small ornament provides the Oxford Punch Needle skills to make any size rug.  This class is limited to 20 students for personalized instruction.

Frames and Oxford Punch Needle (#10) will be available for class use and purchase.  Finishing options will be demonstrated. The kit provided by instructor includes pattern on monk cloth, rug yarn, whipping needle, wooden sheep with bell, and wire with colored buttons to hang the ornament.

**Students will need to bring a pair of embroidery scissors.

Instructor Kathy Donovan raises heritage Karakul sheep for their long, coarse rug fiber. The yarn is spun, and she dyes the colors by hand.  She became a Certified Oxford Company Punch Needle Rug Hooking Instructor in 2014 to teach Oxford Punch Needle. Teaching is her passion, and she introduces students to endless creative rug- hooking and punch-needle opportunities. Email Kathy and find her on the web at:
Kathy@checkmatefarm.com
Checkmate Farm www.checkmatefarm.com
Facebook Checkmate Farm
Instagram checkmate_farm

Saturday, February 27, 2027 – 9 am to 12:30 pm

Are you interested in trying punch-needle rug hooking with a combination of wool rug yarn and wool strips? If so, now is your chance to learn from Kathy Donovan, a Certified Oxford Company Punch Needle Rug Hooking Instructor. In this four-hour class, you will create a festive curly-lamb mat that will be ready to display by the end of the session.  This workshop will focus on the basics of punch needle rug hooking with a Size #10 Regular Oxford Punch Needle. You will use a mix of wool rug yarn and Size 7 cut wool strips to create your mat. Both materials will be punched! No prior experience is necessary; you can arrive with no knowledge and leave with a handcrafted mat and the skills to create larger rugs in the future.

The kit includes hand-dyed 100% wool rug yarn, wool strips, a design on 15″ x 15″ cotton monk’s cloth, and a small wood tray for display. Additional background color options will be available on the day of the class.  Frames and Oxford needles will be available for students to use during class, or you may bring your own.

Instructor Kathy Donovan raises heritage Karakul sheep for their long, coarse rug fiber. The yarn is spun, and she dyes the colors by hand. She became certified in 2014 to teach Oxford Punch Needle. Teaching is her passion, and she introduces students to endless creative rug-hooking and punch-needle opportunities.

What students will learn:

·      What is needed for punch needle

·      Tips for starting punch needle

·      Tips for punching with wool strips

·      Correcting Mat (Snip, Clip, Poke)

·      Finishing Project

**Students Must Bring a pair of embroidery scissors with a point.

The class will be limited to 15 students for individualized instruction. No experience is necessary for this class. Good for beginners!