AprilinAlfred2015

April in Alfred: A Rug Braiding Retreat 2015

This year’s event in Alfred ME is April 24,25, and 26 of 2015. Learn how to rug braid  or work on a project you bring with you.  There will be 2 expert instructors to help you while you enjoy the venue of a former Shaker Village.  Please see the attached “Announcement” of this event.

New England Braids 2014

2013 New England Braids Attendees

Please join us as New England Braids celebrates its 7th year of rug braiding classes with a 3 day event on October 17, 18, and 19th of 2014 at St. Basils Conference Center in Methuen, MA is the venue for this eagerly anticipated event each year. Classes run all weekend but many come just for the camaraderie of being with other rug braiders and to exchange ideas. This weekend of workshops is open to all levels, including those who have never tried rug braiding. For more information please download the following documents

2014Teachersand Classes

Registration2014NEBraids

2014NEBraidsAnnouncement

Not your Grandmother’s braided rug anymore!  Many new techniques and creative color patterns are available to the students at this weekend.

Learn how to braid a handbag with a zigzag  pattern in it. Experience making a braided heart mat, pinwheel rug, Christmas wreath,  all butted rectangle rug, or add a braid to a hooked piece! As always, there are classes for beginners which helps those  who want to learn rug braiding  start the right way.

This is the 7th year this event is being held to promote and preserve the art of Rug Braiding, bringing together those interested in learning to braid, as well as enhancing the knowledge of those already familiar with this historic craft.

This event is one of the best attended in the country. Last year 50 people from 9 different states enjoyed this beautiful weekend on the serene campus of St. Basils. Delicious meals, comfortable sleeping quarters and class rooms are all under one roof. Currently, it is the largest gathering of Rug Braiders in the country.

New England Braids teaches the basic techniques in making a traditional braided rug from planning to completion. Participants will be guided step-by-step through the process of making a braided rug from strips of wool fabric. Learn about types of materials, tools, and how to figure quantity of materials needed.

New England Braids at Methuen, MA will be held at St. Basil’s Conference Center, 30 East Street, Methuen, Massachusetts 01844, October 17, 18, and 19 of 2014,  This weekend is open to all levels of rug braiding abilities, including those with no experience. A fee of $250 includes: 2 nights lodging, dorm style, 6 meals, 3 days of Rug Braiding classes (no materials included).

For more information please call Carol Broadbent at 603-332-9038 or email carolbraids@gmail.com.

 

New England Braids – Classes October 18-20, 2013

Please join us as New England Braids celebrates its 6th year of rug braiding classes with a 3 day event on October 18, 19, and 20, 2013. St. Basils Conference Center in Methuen, MA is the venue for this eagerly anticipated event each year. Classes run all weekend but many come just for the camaraderie of being with other rug braiders and to exchange ideas. This weekend of workshops is open to all levels, including those who have never tried rug braiding.

Not your grandmother’s braided rug anymore. Learn how to braid a rug with a pattern in it. Experience making a braided basket! Learn how to start and end a braided rug using different methods. Many classes including beginners. Many new techniques and creative color patterns are available to the students at this weekend.

This is the 6th year this event is being held to promote and preserve the art of Rug Braiding, bringing together those interested in learning to braid, as well as enhancing the knowledge of those already familiar with this historic craft.

This event is one of the best attended in the country. Last year 50 people from 9 different states enjoyed this beautiful weekend on the serene campus of St. Basils. Delicious meals, comfortable sleeping quarters and class rooms are all under one roof. Currently, it is the largest gathering of Rug Braiders in the country.

New England Braids teaches the basic techniques in making a traditional braided rug from planning to completion. Participants will be guided step-by-step through the process of making a braided rug from strips of wool fabric. Learn about types of materials, tools, and how to figure quantity of materials needed.

New England Braids at Methuen, MA will be held at St. Basil’s Conference Center, 30 East Street, Methuen, Massachusetts 01844, October 18-20, 2013. This weekend is open to all levels of rug braiding abilities, including those with no experience. A fee of $250 includes: 2 nights lodging, dorm style, 6 meals, 3 days of Rug Braiding classes (no materials included). You can save $25 by sending your check prior to July 31, simply send your check for $225. As of August 1st the price of $250 will apply.

For more information please call Carol Broadbent at 603-332-9038 or email carolbraids@gmail.com.

Click for a slideshow of New England Braids 2012

April in Alfred 2013 – A Rug Braiding Retreat

Notre Dame Spiritual Center, Alfred, ME

New: Photos from this year’s Rug Braiding Retreat:

https://picasaweb.google.com/carolbraids/AprilInAlfred2013?authuser=0&feat=directlink

 

 

Create a family heirloom and enjoy the calm surroundings of a former Shaker Village in spring! April in Alfred is a special rug braiding retreat to be held at Notre Dame Spiritual Center from Friday, April 12 through Sunday, April 14, 2013.

Join us for our 5th annual quiet, relaxing weekend at a former Shaker Village (which has its own bakery on site). Bring your braiding project to work on or start a new one. Pam Rowan and Bobbi Mahler, our expert rug braiding teachers, will be on hand to help you.  Loretta Zvarick will have wool and rug braiding supplies to sell again this year. Barbara Carlson will be opening the Shaker Museum for us, which is just a short walk down the road. And Pam Rowan will offer a “field trip” to her shop in Berwick, Me.

A fee of $225 Includes: 2 nights lodging, dorm style, 6 delicious home cooked meals starting Friday evening and ending Sunday noon, plus help with your project.

Again, this year we will be in the “Big House” which means that we will have a very large main room to braid in. AND the building has room for up to 50 people.

***Your place is secured by receipt of a $25 non-refundable check***
The remaining $200 is due by March 30^th.

Cancellation fee is $25. For more information please call Carol Broadbent at 603-332-9038 or email carolbraids@gmail.com.

April 12-14, 2013
Fee: $225. Cancellation fee: $25
Extra Night: $35
Arrival time: noon on Friday (no lunch included Friday)
Departure time: 3-4 pm Sunday

Contact:
Carol Broadbent
38 Dewey Street
Rochester NH 03867-1205
603-332-9038
carolbraids@gmail.com

Please feel free to email me with questions!

Rug Braiding Weekends Announced for 2013

Be sure to put our rug braiding weekends on your calendar for 2013.

April in Alfred: A Rug Braiding Retreat in Alfred, ME will be held April 12,13,14, 2013

New England Braids in Methuen, MA will be held October 18, 19, 20, 2013

For more information please contact:
Carol Broadbent
carolbraids@gmail.com
603-332-9038

Click for a slideshow of New England Braids 2012

New England Braids – Classes October 19-21, 2012

Please join us as New England Braids celebrates its 5th year of rug braiding classes with a 3 day event on October 19, 20 ,and 21, 2012.  St. Basils Conference Center in Methuen, MA is the venue for this eagerly anticipated event each year. Classes run all weekend but many come just for the camaraderie of being with other rug braiders and to exchange ideas. This weekend of workshops is open to all levels, including those who have never tried rug braiding.

Many bring their braided rugs to display for everyone to see. This year we encourage participants to bring Christmas articles that they have braided throughout the year to share.

Although a braid seems like such a simple thing at first, the braided rug design options are endless — fabrics, textures, colors, patterns, rug shapes, number of braiding strands, and more. New England Braids’ weekend of classes offers an opportunity to immerse oneself in a traditional art, meet new people, relax, and improve skills. Attendees who are new to the craft usually start by making a small oval mat and then graduate to a larger project. Experienced braiders may choose to master advanced projects such as special shapes and corners. Everyone benefits from observing the skills of others as they learn the craft.

This event is one of the best attended in the country. Last year 65 people from 15 different states enjoyed this beautiful weekend on the serene campus of St. Basils. Delicious meals, comfortable sleeping quarters and class rooms are all under one roof. Currently, it is the largest gathering of Rug Braiders in the country.

New England Braids teaches the basic techniques in making a traditional braided rug from planning to completion. Participants will be guided step-by-step through the process of making a braided rug from strips of wool fabric. Learn about types of materials, tools, and how to figure quantity of materials needed. This year’s retreat will include the following classes: Beginners, Butting Your Rug, Braiding with Denim, Butted Rectangle Rug, Spiral Rug, Braided Velvet Ornaments, Hooking a Shape, and Braided Turtles.

New England Braids at Methuen, MA will be held at St. Basil’s Conference Center, 30 East Street, Methuen, Massachusetts 01844, October 19-21, 2012. This weekend is open to all levels of rug braiding abilities, including those with no experience. A fee of $250 includes: 2 nights lodging, dorm style, 6 meals, 3 days of Rug Braiding classes. For more information please call Carol Broadbent at 603-332-9038 or email carolbraids@gmail.com.

Click for a slideshow of New England Braids 2011