FIELD TRIP: Textile Center offers felting class for youngsters

Introduce the kiddos to yarn at the Textile Center off University in Minneapolis.

Our homeschool group headed there one day in March for storytime, an art project and a tour. I was quite impressed with the art work in the building, and of course, we wanted everything in the gift shop, being the yarn lovers we are!

Our field trip began with a story... "Wilbur" by Leslie Helakoski, the tale of a crazy sheep that doesn't quite fit in.

Then the kiddos selected fistfuls of fiber and dipped smaller amounts of it in soapy water. They worked the fiber in their hands until...

They had made felted balls!

Next the kids used a needle and thread to sew them together an fashion key chains.

The Weaver's Guild of Minnesota occupies a few rooms in the Textile Center.

The Textile Center's mission is to honor textile traditions, promote excellence and innovation, and inspire widespread participation in fiber art. Admission is free and open to the public. A variety of classes are offered regularly. Explore basketmaking, weaving, beading, crochet, felting, knitting, needlework, embroidery, quilting and sewing.

Since its founding in 1940 by six women, including Hilma Berglund, the Weavers Guild of Minnesota has established itself as a nationally-recognized resource for the arts of weaving, spinning, and dyeing. The Guild offers classes and events year round, serving nearly 700 new and experienced fiber artists each year. It was the catalyst in the formation of the Textile Center, where the Guild currently maintains classroom, retail, and library space.

The artwork on display was simply amazing. What a person can do with lace and dirt...

 The Inside Out Outside In: Domestic Commitments exhibit is by by Sandra Menefee Taylor, and was viewed March 10 – April 30, 2016. The current exhibit, "A Common Thread," is open through Feb. 25.

This "lace" was formed by shaking dirt through a piece of lace to see the lacy pattern on the ground. Breathtakingly beautiful, isn't it?

Because we were so close, we checked out the "Witches Tower" in Prospect Park. What lively play it sparked!