Eli Whitney Museum

These classes are offered as multiple week programs in the evening.

Thursday nights, 6:30 – 9:30 pm:
Oct/25;
Nov/1, 8, 15, 29

The best way to learn basic carpentry techniques and skills is to actually build something you want.

In this 5 week, 3 hour/session class, you will product a full size Adirondack Chair while learning about the tools and techniques it takes to do it. There will be discussions on designing, patterns and finishing. You will leave with a chair ready to paint at home.

Instructor: Mike Dunn
Fee: $260 (includes all materials to build basic chair)
This class does not include painting
Thursday nights, 6:30 – 9:30 pm:
Oct/25; Nov/1, 8, 15, 29

Thursday nights, 6:30 – 9:30 pm:
Nov 8, 15, 27th (one Tue night)

One of the most enjoyable ways to improve your sewing skills is to actually make something you'd like to give as a gift .

Easy enough for a kid to do in a summer class, but certainly complicated enough for an adult to make for a child or grandchild. In this 3 week, 3 hour/session class, you will create a fabric book to tell your story about family, pets, friends or a fantasy. Incorporate appliqué, embroidery, notions and your favorite found objects.

Instructor: Martha Burns
Fee: $225 (includes all materials.)
Knowledge of basic sewing on a sewing machine is required.
Thursday, 6:30 – 9:30 pm:
Nov 8, 15, 27 (one Tues night)

*Martha Burns is a designer (architectural, interior and textile), artist, knitter, gardener, cook, and teacher. One of the skills she loves to teach is sewing.

Thursday nights, 6:30 – 9:30pm.
Jan 3,10,17,24,31;
Feb 7,14,21,28;
Mar 14

Building your own 14' Skin on Frame Kayak is an enjoyable and rewarding way to own a lightweight yet capable boat. We supply the parts with pre-cut frames, stringers, artificial sinews, dacron skin and cockpit combing. And take you through all the steps to build it. There will be demonstrations and discussions covering finishing options and techniques. The structure of this 30 hour class can be shaped by the make-up of the group if they want to adjust dates and timing.

If you are interested in more information or photos, go to this link, http://www.eliwhitney.org/workshop/projects/skin-frame-kayak-0, or stop by Mike's shop to see one in person.

This design was adapted from Kudzu Craft Skin Boats. For a video demonstrating the strength of this amazing craft, go to http://kudzucraft.kudzupatch.com/video/toughboat.php. Or see our kids kayaks on their blog http://www.kudzupatch.com/blog/.

Instructor: Mike Dunn
Fee: $1250 (includes all materials.)
Thursday nights: Jan 3,10,17,24,31; Feb 7,14,21,28; Mar 14

Short workshops to get a taste of new technology or make a holiday gift.

Thursday night, November 8th, 7:00 – 8:30 pm

3D printing is the hottest new accessible technology out there. So is it something that you can do too? Come in and try programs that are available to you online to begin to learn how to draw for the 3D printer. And then see our printer make what you can draw.

Instructors: Buck Bailey, Nathan Coste
Fee: $20
Group limit: 12
Thursday night, November 8th 7:00 – 8:30 pm

With refreshments

Friday night, November 16th, 7:00 – 8:30 pm

Designed at the MIT MediaLab, Scratch is a free programming language that allows kids to create your own interactive stories, animations, games, music, and art – and share their creations on the web. And we can't offer enough classes.

So how do you keep up? You won't entirely in two hours here, but you will at least understand enough to tackle it on your own at home (and then your kids can help you!)

Our instructors will bring their special expertise to introduce this program to you.

Instructor: Buck Bailey
Fee: $20
Group limit: 12
Thursday night, November 15th 7:00 – 8:30 pm
With refreshments.

Sunday, December 2nd, 1 – 5 pm

What nicer way to spend a Sunday afternoon in November than making a quilted holiday stocking for yourself or as a gift?

From 1 – 5pm, Martha Burns* will take you from fabric to finished.

Basic sewing required…learn to piece fabrics, basic machine quilting, embroidery stitches and embellish your stocking with our favorite buttons, beads and bobbles.

Instructor: Martha Burns
Fee: $75 (Fabrics supplied. Bring your own special buttons, beads and bobbles.)
Sunday, December 2nd 1 – 5pm

*Martha Burns is a designer (architectural, interior and textile), artist, knitter, gardener, cook, and teacher. One of the skills she loves to teach is sewing.