Swept Away: Shaker Style Sweepers

In this two-session class, we'll create fully functional -- and beautifully decorative -- Shaker-style hand-stitched corn brooms. Each broom will be a totally unique piece of art, and a fantastic cleaning tool to boot!

All tools and materials are provided, and the class is geared toward confident beginners. Students who have taken another broom making class previously will find learning the advanced skills needed to tie a full-sized broom easier. Tying a broom is a stress-reducing, full body practice. You'll use both feet to hold tension and both hands to manipulate the cord and wrap the broom tightly.

In the first session of the class, students will learn basic tying skills by making a simple round whisk before applying those new skills to tying their full-sized brooms on their broomsticks. In the second session of the class, we'll practice stitching on our round whisks before graduating to the big brooms. Finally, the brooms will all be trimmed and finished.

You'll leave the second class with a stitched whisk, a full-sized sweeper, and the skills needed to make many more brooms in the future! 

1. Your curiosity and willingness to experiment
2. A face mask

Safety Precautions:

• Class size is very limited due to social distancing requirements.
• Masks are required to be worn over your nose and mouth for the duration of the class.
• We require that all participants be fully vaccinated and boosted.
• If you are not feeling well, if anyone in your household has tested positive in the past week, and/or if you are not vaccinated against COVID-19, please stay home. 

When you sign up for this class, you're agreeing to abide by our safety precautions as well as our registration policy. Please contact us before registering if you have any questions.

Instructor:  

Your instructor is Robert Sheckler of Redmond Philbert Handwork, an enthusiastic learner, teacher, and crafter living and working in the Portland area. Beyond the visceral joy of broom-making, Robert is interested in elevating natural materials over synthetic alternatives and loves to incorporate color into his work, making an everyday object and an everyday activity feel special, vibrant, and even fun.