MIXED MEDIUM
THE ARTS AROUND
EASTERN OREGON
13
SEPTEMBER 8�15, 2021
Flora School shares pioneer skills — in cyberspace
Go! staff
FLORA — The Flora School Edu-
cation Center’s mission to share
pioneer skills and recover lost
arts hasn’t diminished despite
not being able to host in-person
classes, demonstrations and
celebrations due to the
COVID-19 pandemic.
While it might seem incongru-
ous to learn pioneer skills via
21st century technology, the
Flora School is off ering classes
online, bringing together the best
of the present and of the best of
the past.
The next two in the online se-
ries will focus on fi ber arts. This
fall, there will be a weaving class
and a sewing class, both taught
by Vanessa Thew Thompson
from Flora’s North End Crossing
Barn & Bed, a pioneer bed and
breakfast and vacation home
This online workshop will run
from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. If more time
is needed, Thew Thompson will
arrange another online gather-
ing to fi nish projects. The class
is designed for high school age
and older.
SEWING: FRENCH BURRITO
PILLOWCASE
www.fl oraschool.org
rental (learn more at www.north-
endcrossing.com).
WEAVING: THE 3 RS —
RECYCLING, REUSING,
REPURPOSING
Saturday, Sept. 18
As the title implies, par-
ticipants will learn to weave after
making a loom out of used items
(picture frames, sticks, dowels,
2x4s, plastic lids and containers,
etc.) and gathering what they
have to make yarn (such as cloth-
ing, T-shirts, Mother Nature’s
gatherings, an unraveled sweater,
leftover yarn). Some looms, de-
pending on which one you make,
become part of the fi nished
project, while other looms you
can use over and over again.
Saturday, Oct. 9
In this sewing class, Thew
Thompson will help participants
get to know their sewing machines
(electric, treadle or crank) while
making a “French burrito” pillow-
case.
Sewing this simple pillowcase,
although a bit more involved than
the pioneers might have done, is
an easy way to learn your machine
(electric, treadle or crank), how to
measure and how to sew a straight
line. Thew Thompson will show
examples of optional embellish-
ments such as adding patchwork
or lace to the pillowcase, which the
participants can do after the class.
The workshop is open to adults
and children, from sixth grade and
up — basically, anyone who can
thread their machine and sew a bit
(or who has an adult to help). The
class runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Contact Thew Thompson at
541-828-7010 or northendcross-
ing@tds.net for more details on
either class. To sign up, email fsec.
education@gmail.com. Students
will receive information on how to
access the virtual class as well as
what materials are needed.
Class fees are by donation
after taking the class.
For more information on the
Flora School Education Center,
classes, volunteering, teach-
ing, work parties and events,
go to www.fl oraschool.org or
the center’s social media, email
fl oraschool@tds.net or call 541-
828-7010.
DP HOME ENTERTAINMENT
137 E. Main Street, John Day 541-575-1637
Sept. 11th
Live Jazz
at
Churchill
with
Rob Scheps
Doors at 6pm
Tickets & Info at
www.ChurchillBaker.com
Custom frame shop dedicated to
great customer service, design, and
quality products.
Royal Artisan
1912 Main St.
Baker City, OR 97814
541.465.4547
katephill843@gmail.com
120 E Main St.
John Day
541-575-0629
Lenspharmacy.com