Permaculture Intensive — Homesteading for the 21st Century A Two-Day, Hands-On Learning Experience

Learn life changing skills in self-sufficiency and community resilience in this specially designed two day, hands-on course. Explore food systems and permanent agriculture including perennial agriculture, poly-culture orchards, edible forest gardens, composting and season extension. Examine energy systems and conservation of energy, solar thermal and photovoltaic system along with cogeneration. Learn about water systems and integrated issues including conservation, catchment, storage, rain gardens and grey water system. Understand natural building concepts including natural and alternative materials. Cover transportation systems and potential solutions, as well as waste systems and composting related activities. Finally, learn about putting it all together where you live including methods of community integration and organizing for sustainable communities.

Portions of this intensive are conducted outside — Please wear comfortable work clothes and appropriate weather gear.

Permaculture: An Introduction Sustainable Community Solutions

Permaculture is a design methodology for making the sustainable transition to an energy and resource conscious future. Permaculture design goes beyond "green" concepts by utilizing an integrated, umbrella approach to community design decisions. It seeks to create environmentally and economically viable communities by focusing on energy, economic, agricultural and transportation challenges and ways to transition to sustainably designed systems. Learn the fundamental concepts of permaculture design. Examine energy, food, water and waste strategies and how these relate to the larger community. Gain hands-on tools you need to begin considering the concepts of permaculture design in all that you do and in your community.

Primitive Rug Hooking 2

Prerequisite(s): Primitive Rug Hooking 1 or equivalent knowledge.

Continuing from where part 1 left off, learn more advanced techniques like: how to create patterns, color planning, problem solving and creative finishing techniques. Create a more advanced project to keep and bring your questions and projects for advice.

Bring a pair of scissors and a rug hooking frame or quilting hoop that is at least 14" in diameter and 1" wide.

Sewing Fundamentals Level 1

If you've always wanted to learn to sew, this class will fit you perfectly. Learn how to operate a sewing machine, select fabric and patterns, take measurements, cut fabric, and read sewing instructions. Stretch your creative muscles and learn a skill that will last you a lifetime.

You must bring a sewing machine, sewing shears, pins and a pin cushion, a quilter's chalk pencil, a measuring tape, and a seam ripper. It's also recommended that you bring a 6" gauge and small sewing scissors. Students will create a resource folder of sewing samples to be used for future reference. This class is required for those seeking the Sewing Professional Certificate. The required book, "The New Complete Guide to Sewing: Step-by-Step Techniques for Making Clothes and Home Accessories (Reader's Digest)", ISBN 9781606522080, is available at the WCC Bookstore. Section 1, no class 2/27; section 2, no class 4/3.
This class qualifies for 1.80 Continuing Education Units or Hours of Training provided by Washtenaw Community College.
For more information, visit Sewing Professional Certificate.

Sewing Fundamentals Level 2

Prerequisite(s): "Sewing Fundamentals Level 1" or equivalent experience.

Build on the basic skills introduced in Sewing Fundamentals 1. Whether for hobby or professional sewing, explore the finer points of garment construction including sewing machine adjustments, sewing machine feet and purposes, hand and machine needles, threads, garment shaping techniques, closures, collars, sleeves, facings, pockets, seams and finishing techniques.

You must bring a sewing machine (and the manual, if you have it), sewing shears, pins and a pin cushion, a quilter's chalk pencil, a measuring tape, and a seam ripper. It's also recommended that you bring a 6" gauge and small sewing scissors. Students will create a resource folder of sewing samples to be used for future reference. This class is required for those seeking the Sewing Professional Certificate. The required book, "The New Complete Guide to Sewing: Step-by-Step Techniques for Making Clothes and Home Accessories (Reader's Digest)", ISBN 9781606522080, is available at the WCC Bookstore. Section 1, no class 2/28; section 2, no class 4/2.
This class qualifies for 1.80 Continuing Education Units or Hours of Training provided by Washtenaw Community College.
For more information, visit Sewing Professional Certificate.

Sewing Window Treatments: Topping It Off Valances, Swags, Jabots and Cornices

Prerequisite(s): "Sewing Fundamentals Level 1" or equivalent experience with hand and machine sewing. Experience using a hammer, saw and staple gun is highly recommended.

Some windows are simply not finished until you top them off. Explore the tools, equipment, and preparation necessary to produce professional-quality valances, swags, and jabots. Maybe a cornice is the right choice for your look. Give it a try under the watchful guidance of a seasoned expert.

You must bring a 25" one-by-six inch board, a working sewing machine, sewing shears, needle and thread (basic sewing notions) and 1 yard of cotton fabric to the first class meeting, where you will construct a valance. Tools and supplies for the balance of class meetings will be confirmed at the first class meeting. This class is an elective for those seeking the Sewing Professional Certificate.
This class qualifies for 1.00 Continuing Education Units or Hours of Training provided by Washtenaw Community College.
For more information, visit Sewing Professional Certificate.

Sewing: Alterations, Mending and Repairs

Prerequisite(s): Sewing Fundamentals Level 1 or equivalent experience.

Does it pain you to throw away great clothing because it doesn't fit like it used to, or got damaged? Do you pass up great bargains at clothing stores and thrift shops because they need hemming or repair? Promote sustainability starting with your own wardrobe. People throw away thousands of dollars worth of quality apparel that could be repaired or reworked into beautiful, wearable clothes. In this very hands-on class, you'll learn professional-level mending and alteration skills so that you can take in, let out, shorten, lengthen and repair garments.

You must bring a sewing machine (and the manual, if you have it), sewing shears, pins and a pin cushion, a quilter's chalk pencil, a measuring tape, and a seam ripper. It's also recommended that you bring a 6" gauge and small sewing scissors. Students will create a resource folder of sewing samples to be used for future reference. This class is required for those seeking the Sewing Professional Certificate. The required book, "The New Complete Guide to Sewing: Step-by-Step Techniques for Making Clothes and Home Accessories (Reader's Digest)", ISBN 9781606522080, is available at the WCC Bookstore. No class 4/5.
This class qualifies for 1.80 Continuing Education Units or Hours of Training provided by Washtenaw Community College.
For more information, visit Sewing Professional Certificate.

Sewing: Designing with Patterns The Sum is Greater Than the Parts

Prerequisite(s): "Sewing: Patterns That Fit" formerly "Sewing: Tailoring for the Perfect Fit".

Want to make your own unique designs come to life? Learn how to combine commercial patterns and tweak them to create a custom garment. Get expert guidance on pattern selection, unity of the overall design, and hands-on experience in pattern alteration. Sew your own one-of-kind garment and leave with the confidence to create more.

In addition to all tools required for Sewing Fundamentals 1 & 2 and "Sewing: Tailoring the Perfect Fit," you will need to bring an assortment of safety pins (1", 1.5" and 2"), sewing needles (hand and machine), 18"x 2" clear (see through) ruler with printed grid, 24" or 36" ruler, pencil and eraser, sewers' marking pens and pencils — disappearing markers (blue and purple), white pencil or "nail-whitening" pencil, tailor's chalk (wax, clay, or chalk wheel); point turner, calculator, glue stick, highlighter pen, binder and notebook paper. All students will purchase a Fitting/Sloper Pattern after the first meeting of class. Additional tools and supplies may be required as class progresses and projects are developed. Optional but useful tools to own: pinking shears, designated paper scissors, Designers' Curve Ruler, beeswax cake (for hand sewing) or "Thread Heaven" thread conditioner, thimble, "Sticky Pad" thimbles, push-pin thumbtacks, and a pencil sharpener. This is an elective course for the Sewing Professionals Certificate. The required book, "The New Complete Guide to Sewing (Reader's Digest)," ISBN 9781606522080, is available at the WCC Bookstore. No class 4/2.
This class qualifies for 1.80 Continuing Education Units or Hours of Training provided by Washtenaw Community College.
For more information, visit Sewing Professional Certificate.

Special Projects in Pottery

Prerequisite(s): None.

Enjoy a morning working in clay and make something exciting to take home. Take one or both of these creative offerings. Each class meets 2 times, once for the clay creation and the second for the glazing. Projects can be picked up 2 weeks after the last class.

Section 1 Project: Design and create your very own ceramic mug. Using clay slabs and paper templates to form mugs with handles, you can add texture and pattern to the clay with stamps and other materials that will be provided. In the second class students will learn about glaze, choose colors and glaze their mugs. Finished pieces are dishwasher and food safe and will make a wonderful drinking vessel for yourself or a friend.
Section 2 Project: Create a container for yourself or a friend to hold flowers all year round. Make vase forms using clay slabs. A variety of hand built shapes can be created with different shaped slabs, embellished with stamps and fabric texture and enhanced with handles. In the second class learn about glaze, choose colors and glaze the vase.

Upholstery Basics

Prerequisite(s): Bring a chair to the first class session that you can work on at home between sessions.

New upholstery can boldly transform an older piece of furniture. Develop the skills to assess the quality of different upholstered pieces, and learn the basics to upholster a piece of furniture.

Class is held at 3127 Baker Road, Dexter 48130.