Stitching Makes Time
The scene was just as I had hoped—a snowy winter morning, candles lit, calming music playing, and a room of students quietly focused on sewing. Initially, I wasn’t sure how many locals would sign up for a class in the winter. With unpredictable weather, travel is tricky. Would they want to hunker down at home or would they feel stir crazy and look for something to do with others?
Also hand sewing is pretty old fashioned. The cool people I know who are into sewing all have fancy machines. Who has the time or the patience to stitch with a needle anymore? We have so much to do—scrolling our instagram feeds, watching our netflix series and answering multiplying emails. We feel so busy, yet we also feel like we haven’t gotten anything done. I am convinced that the digital world we live in eats up our time (and our peace of mind) without us even noticing.
Yet 14 of us over three sessions did make time to take this class. We worked on a simple apron and had something useful to show for the time we spent.
Students brought all kinds of charming fabrics for their aprons. Some were vintage, some thrifted, some high quality luscious linen. We learned the basic stitches and dove into concentrated sewing and gathering, with friendly chatting mixed in. When we needed a break, we enjoyed hot cider and homemade GF Ginger Snaps—check out the recipe below!
Many students decided to finish their project at home. Some returned for another Saturday as a way to carve out some quiet time for themselves. Several were ready for a second project and came back with more fabric and ideas for a tunic (aka shirt) or a petticoat (aka skirt). An experienced student brought fabric for making boys britches with a button up front. How cute are these?
Breeches from Rural Pennsylvania Clothing
I have always loved historical clothing. As a handweaver I especially appreciate using fabric carefully and minimizing waste. These historical folk clothing patterns have incorporated this thrift by necessity. I also love that these garments were all made by hand stitching. There is something empowering about setting out to make a garment and slowly completing it to the wearable stage. I didn’t need to oil my machine, figure out why it skipped stitches or blast through a mistake and then spend a long time picking out the thread. I can tension each stitch by feel. Slow hand sewing is like the tortoise who wins the race.
Another wonderful thing about the class is that LeeAra is there to guide you. Sometimes it just takes a little encouragement to get a project going. I brought fabric from my stash that I had intended to turn into clothing years ago. Within a couple hours I had a clear plan for making a garment with the help of LeeAra’s knowledge, experience, and support.
LeeAra brings her library of historical sewing pattern books for browsing as well as garments she has made for herself and her family. She can help you with a shirt, skirt, or start you on a more ambitious project like pants or stays. If you have an interest in making simple clothing, this is a great place to get started.
There are three remaining Hand Sewing sessions in February, sign-up here.
LeeAra in her hand sewn rustic tunic and petticoat.
Cover your tuition with a CBAC Grant
Ashland and Bayfield County residents can apply for grants to cover tuition through the Chequamegon Bay Arts Council here. Work Study opportunities are also available through Woodspirit School, scroll down for details.
Work Study Opportunities
If you live nearby, have some free time and can do a variety of manual labor jobs, we are offering limited work-study opportunities for spots in select classes. Contact us here for more information.
Woodspirit School
Gluten Free Ginger Snaps
triple batch recipe
4 sticks melted butter
2 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup maple syrup
3-4 inches chunk of fresh ginger chopped fine
3 eggs
3 tablespoons ground ginger powder
3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground clove/ground allspice mix
1/2 teaspoon cayenne powder
1 cup buckwheat flour (sift out any chaff)
4 cups rolled oats ground finely in food processor
3/4 teaspoon salt
4 teaspoons baking soda
Combine first five ingredients, letting fresh ginger steep in warm butter. Mix remaining dry ingredients together and combine with wet ingredients. Chill at least 2 hours. Divide batter in 3 or more parts, roll into 2 inch diameter cylinders, wrap in parchment paper and put in freezeer for baking off later. Or place ~1-2 tablespoon size circles on a parchment lined baking pan, space generously with no more than 13 per pan because they spread thin while they bake and may touch. Bake for 13-15 minutes at 350 degrees. Move to a wire rack to cool. They will keep crispy in a cloth lined basket.
Adapted from Martine’s “The Best Ginger Snaps” Recipe, 2026