Events Calender
Past events
Jul 8
Sashiko Stitching short - course
Curious about sashiko? Learn the basics of sashiko stitching in this short course. What is sashiko and how do we stitch it? What is special about the needles and thread and how do you choose what is best for your project? Start a 6 x 6 inch sashiko patch with one of three traditional Japanese patterns and bring home a sashiko needle and thread to complete your project at home. Materials: $5 – included set of needles, pre-printed 6x6 inch cotton fabric with wash-away pattern in one of 3 colo
Jun 26
Visible Mending with Japanese Sashiko Stitching
Renee will introduce the simple running stitch used in sashiko to create beautiful patterns that both strengthen and repair fabric. While sashiko shares some similarities with Western mending, the stitching technique, thread, and needles are quite different.
Jun 15 - Jun 29
Patchwork & Sashiko: Make a Japanese Drawstring Pouch
Do you have a growing collection of fabric scraps that are too beautiful to throw away? This three-session workshop is the perfect way to learn how to put them to use — turning your favorite fabrics into something beautiful you can give as a gift or use everyday. You'll create your own komebukuro — a traditional Japanese drawstring pouch, historically used to carry rice, beans, or seeds to shrines and temples — using a patchwork design that you compose as you go.
Apr 25
Spring Makers Market at the Innovation Center at Saratoga, Inc.
You’re invited to connect with the community and share creativity! The Innovation Center at Saratoga is hosting its first annual Spring Makers Market on Saturday, April 25th @ 10am-4pm. I will be there selling my kanzashi and my kimono fabric jewelry. Just curious about tsumami zaiku? Stop by and learn more about it! I will be bringing my supplies so you can see how it is created.
Mar 7 - Mar 29
Thacher State Park 2026 Annual Nature Art Show
See beautiful nature-themed artwork in a variety of mediums! Work by over 100 artists will be on display from March 7 to 29 in the Helderberg Room. A public opening reception will be held on March 7 from 1PM – 3PM; enjoy refreshments and meet the artists! This is a free event, drop-ins welcome, no registration is required. All ages. Accessible program. Located in visitor center
Oct 2 - Nov 16
From Far East
Japanese craft traditions have been a strong inspiration for us at the studio. As we've met more regional makers learning and practicing these traditions, we wanted to celebrate them, and share their work with you. In Japan today, many of these ancient disciplines are fading away in favor of western approaches to making. It's more important than ever to preserve these cultural treasures by passing them down to future generations, as they have been for a very long
Sep 12 - Sep 14
Bennington Vt Quiltfest
September 13 – 14, 2025 Saturday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm Sunday 10:00 am – 3:00 pm Take a lovely drive to Bennington and enjoy the quilts at the Bennington Quiltfest. I will be there with lots of sashiko supplies, Japanese fabrics and panels!
Aug 25
Fresh Leaf Indigo Dyeing Techniques
Come and help us harvest Japanese indigo fresh from the Studio’s garden and experiment with ways to create lovely organic blue washes on fabrics, as well as potent dark green patterns using just the leaves from the indigo plant and stencils.
Aug 19
indigo dyed sashiko threads
Renee Johnson makes and sells botanically-dyed indigo sashiko thread to artists and hobbyists around the world. In this workshop, Renee will share her process for producing these beautiful naturally-derived colors, and you'll take home 4 skeins of thread for your own projects!
Aug 16
Intro to shibori dyeing with indigo
For this three hour workshop, you will start with learning a “water ripple” folding technique on a 24” bandanna. Once you get that cloth soaking in the indigo, you will then get to practice more intricate folding and stitching techniques on a 28” hand towel to create a “wood grain” pattern and several other variations. Renee will have many examples of the types of patterns and other prepared material scraps so you can keep experimenting if time allows!
Mar 30
Hand Mending Workshop
Don't toss those favorite jeans or that extra comfy flannel shirt with the hole in the elbow... bring them into the Studio and get tips and tricks for patching them right up! Renee Johnson will lead this informal and creative session focused on techniques for creating lasting repairs on clothing and fabrics. Bring in one or a few items that need mending and take advantage of focused time in the Studio to get it done!
Mar 4 - Mar 25
Beginner Sashiko
In this series of four, 1-hour evening lessons, Renee will guide you through creating a design “sampler”. You will learn how to prepare fabric, create a pattern on the fabric, choose needles and thread, proper stitching technique and different ways to finish your sampler. Each week Renee will introduce a new technique, help you get started, and then… you have the week to take your time and practice on your sampler fabric.
Sep 28
Fresh Leaf Indigo
Come and help us harvest Japanese indigo fresh from the Studio’s garden and experiment with ways to create lovely organic blue washes on fabrics, as well as potent dark green patterns using just the leaves from the indigo plant and stencils.
Sep 14 - Sep 15
Bennington Quilt Fest
2024 Special Exhibit: The Quilts of Serena Mattison Vendors, Raffles, Quilt Raffle, Challenge exhibit, raffles $10 Admission
Sep 10
Fresh Leaf Indigo
Come and help us harvest Japanese indigo fresh from the Studio’s garden and experiment with ways to create lovely organic blue washes on fabrics, as well as potent dark green patterns using just the leaves from the indigo plant and stencils.
Sep 6 - Sep 8
Fall Festival of Quiltfest
The theme is "Something Old and Something New" Vendors, sewing demonstrations, 1930's Challenge, Raffle Totes, Vintage to modern quilts, whole cloth quilt raffle.
Aug 3
Shibori Dyeing Workship
For this three hour workshop, you will start with learning a “water ripple” folding technique on a 24” bandana. Once you get that cloth soaking in the indigo, you will then get to practice more intricate folding and stitching techniques on a 28” hand towel to create a “wood grain” pattern and several other variations. Renee will have many examples of the types of patterns and other prepared material scraps so you can keep experimenting if time allows! Throughout the class, you will be dipping y
Jun 8
Shibori dyeing workshop
For this three hour workshop, you will start with learning a “water ripple” folding technique on a 24” bandanna. Once you get that cloth soaking in the indigo, you will then get to practice more intricate folding and stitching techniques on a 28” hand towel to create a “wood grain” pattern and several other variations. Renee will have many examples of the types of patterns and other prepared material scraps so you can keep experimenting if time allows!
May 17 - May 19
Quiltfest
I am very excited to be at Quiltfest this year! This show is full of vendors and amazing quilts! You don't have to be a quilter to enjoy this show. If you enjoy this show if you enjoy any sort of fiber art! To find my booth: take a left after you enter. It is against the wall.
Nov 15
Open Studio Night at Main Street Studio
Join us at the Main Street Studio and work on your current project! This is our last open studio of 2023!! I will be working on some sashiko again as dyeing some more items in my newly made GIANT indigo VAT!