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• Book Club

  • Start
    Monday, September 23, 2024
  •  
  • End
    Monday, August 25, 2025
  •  
  • Schedule
    12 sessions
  • Location
    ACAC

  Register

  

  Book Club
  We meet on the  fourth Monday of each month from 7 - 9 pm. 

  Location: Meetings by Zoom

  For more information contact: 
  Jill Johnson 
  Email:  jill.adele1@gmail.com
  Phone: 519-871-5455

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• Create Fabulous, Whimsical Fabric Landscapes

  • When
    Saturday, September 27, 2025
  •  
    1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
  • Location
    160 D Main Street, Ailsa Craig, ON., N0M 1Ao
  • Spaces left
    0

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  Mini Landscapes

  Looking for something fun to do with all those little scraps of fabric left over from your various projects? This class is just the ticket!  We start with a base fabric which is provided and then layer on different pieces to create the landscape you have in your mind. It could be real or imaginary.  After pieces are arranged they will be handstitched into place using some basic embroidery stitches.  Students can then embellish their scenes with as much or as little as they wish.  There are no end of possibilities using beads, stitching, yarn or perhaps sentimental charms that bring meaning to this highly personal art form.  Students will be shown a variety of ways to finish, frame or mount your little landscape. They make charming decor items, pictures, cards or fabric accents.

  Students are to bring:

  Fabric scraps

  Embroidery floss, 

  Needles for stitching,

  Pins or a glue stick,

  Other materials that you would like to use in embellishments.

  Wilma Kirmse, your instructor, is a member of the Canadian Embroidery guild and a former public school teacher. Her classes are warm, supportive environments for meeting new friends and exploring your creativity.  Wilma will bring a bin of scraps that will be available for you to pick through in case you need that little something extra to finish your piece.  

  Time: Saturday September 27, 2025    1:00 - 4:00 PM

  Cost of Class: Members $25            Non Members: $30*

  *Why not join the Ailsa Craig Arts Centre and in so doing, you will save on this and future classes, be eligible to volunteer and join any of the wonderful member groups such as Watercolour Painting (Monday AM, Knitting, Creative Writing, Book Clubs or start your own).  Mainly, you will become apart of a community of people who enjoy creating and you will be supporting a small rural arts centre whose goal is to promote community.  We thank you for your support!  Senior Members $40/annum,  Adult (under 65) $45//annum, Family $55/annum, Junior $10/annum 

  
  

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• Sampler Quilt 2 with Jane Walker

  • Start
    Wednesday, October 01, 2025
  •  
  • End
    Wednesday, November 26, 2025
  •  
  • Schedule
    8 sessions
  • Location
    ACAC 160 D Main Street, Ailsa Craig, ON., N0M 1A0
  • Spaces left
    4

  Register

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Learn to use your skills that you mastered in Beginner Quilt Class. This class builds on those skills with new techniques. You will learn 9 patch piecing, machine applique, paper piecing, log cabin, curved piecing,  pinwheel stars & borders and more. You will end up with a lap-sized quilt.

  The classes will be on Wednesday afternoons from 1:00 - 4:00 There will be 8 classes . To be successful I don’t want you to rush you so we maybe will be looking at a drop-in class as well.

  Students will buy the pattern from me and will need all the necessary quilting supplies (sewing machine with manual, rotary cutting equipment, pins, needles – both hand and machine, neutral threads to match your fabrics, template plastic, fabric markers and scissors.)

  Fabrics – You could make yours scrappy from fabrics you already have in your stash, or a “planned” scrappy where you would choose a main colour and then choose your smaller pieces to go with the main colour.

  Fabric requirements:

  50 cm of each for medium and light borders

  60 cm of a matching dark colour for border and binding

  Fat quarters of 3 or more light and medium fabrics

  Small amounts (15 cm) of 5 more ligjhts and darks fabrics

  1.35 m for backing fabric  &  40” x 54” of batting

  Jane Walker is a well known quilter and teacher in the North Middlesex area. Past students have praised her classes for their clarity and professionalism.  Jane has offered to go on a road trip to Stratford should students wish help in selecting fabrics.  

  Registration for this class is limited to 5 students to ensure maximum attention is given.

  Students are to bring a sewing machine in good working order and its manual.

  thread, scissors,

  a rotary cutter and mat (the centre does have a mat if a student needs to borrow one)

  A clear quilting ruler for cutting.

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• Create a Cozy Quilted Jacket with Sandra Thomas

  • Start
    Friday, October 17, 2025
  •  
  • End
    Friday, October 31, 2025
  •  
  • Schedule
    2 sessions
  • Location
    ACAC 160D Main St., Ailsa Craig, ON., N0M 1A0
  • Spaces left
    3

  Register

  

  NOELLE’S JACKET 

  We guarantee you will enjoy creating this stylish jacket with Sandra Thomas, an experienced quilting teacher.  This unique garment features no-match patchwork, drop shoulder styling with a stand-up collar and deep roomy pockets and a variety of sleeve finishes.  You can sew the entire jacket on your machine.  You’ll want to wear it all the time once you hear all the compliments that will come your way.  The jacket is comfortable, warm and can be dressed up or worn with jeans. Imagine how wonderful you will feel, knowing you are creating a uniquely you, quality jacket in a world of "fast fashion".

  An an overview, this class features easy assembly of the 5 pattern pieces in sizes 6 through 24.  This is a two day workshop.  During the first class students will lay out, stitch and prepare for and start quilting our first “lap quilt”; then you will prepare the two others at home and wash them and bring to the second class where we will cut out and stitch and fit the jacket.

  Supply list - This project is the ultimate stash buster!

  The pattern is available for $20 payable in cash at the first class

  22 fat quarters (each about 18 X 22”) or, assorted scraps to equal about 5 ½ yards of 100% cotton fabrics

  4 ¼ yards 44/45” wide lining - cotton (great as there is no slippage when quilting and will last longer)

  4 ¼ yards 44/45” wide 100% cotton flannel or thin cotton batting (Warm & Natural) or one you are comfortable using that is washable

  5 – 1” diameter buttons

  Thread 100% cotton for piecing that blends well with the fabrics chosen

  Rayon embroidery or  cotton thread for quilting.

  Machine needles: 80/12 for piecing, quilting or embroidery for quilting with rayon or cotton threads.

  Walking foot for your machine (with a guide extension if possible). 

  Sewing machine, cleaned and oiled, instruction manual, extension cord if possible.

  Instructions ask that you do not preshrink your fabrics, I will leave that decision  to you because I shrink all of my fabrics as I  want to know if a fabric runs and you will be washing and drying your quilted lap-quilts before cutting once anyways.

  Tape measure, seam ripper, straight pins, safety pins for pin basting  (approx. 250),  cutting shears, small scissors to use as sewing machine to cut threads, masking tape to use as a guide when quilting

  Please cut the patchwork fabrics using a rotary cutter, mat and ruler into 5 ½” wide strips.  Then, cut the 5 ½” wide strips into assorted  2 ¾”, 4 ½”, 5 ½”, 7 ½” and 9” lengths before class if possible.  Please bring rotary cutter, mat & rulers to class.

  Students are asked to bring a lunch and a beverage. There is a Cloverleaf store across the street where sandwiches and small salads are usually available.

  Class Cost for Members:  $75.00 + $20 pattern fee.

  Non Members: $85.00 + $20 Pattern fee.*

  Dates: October 17 and October 31st 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

  
  

  
  

  * Why not become a member of the Ailsa Craig Arts Centre? We'd love to have you and you will be able to take classes at a discount, while participating in the many wonderful groups the centre hosts.  Groups such as creative writing, water colour painting, card making, knitting or start one of your own!  Memberships have been kept low so everyone can join in and help us keep this lovely little centre running.

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• Felting a Highland Coo with Natashja Spenler

  • When
    Saturday, October 25, 2025
  •  
    10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
  • Location
    The ACAC Is located at 160 D Main Street, Ailsa Craig, ON
  • Spaces left
    10

  Register

  
  

  Who doesn't love an adorable Highland Coo?

  The ACAC invites you to join Natashja Spenler on October 25th to create one of these adorable creatures.  This class is suitable for all levels of felting expertise.

  Natashja is well known throughout South Western Ontario for her whimsical creations and approachable teaching style.  We have enjoyed having her teach at the ACAC numerous times and classes always sell out quickly.

  Included in the class fee is a complete kit of all materials. This includes all the merino fibre, hand formed and waxed horns and hooves, a leather strap with small cow bell.  

  Cost: Members $80

  Non Members $90

  A waitlist will be enabled when the class sells out but only registrants who leave their phone number will be contacted. 

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• Learn Granny Squares!

  • When
    Wednesday, October 29, 2025
  •  
    6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location
    ACAC 160 D Main Street, Ailsa Craig, ON., N0M 1A0
  • Spaces left
    8

  Register

  

  Granny Squares are so much fun! Whether you are combining them for a bright, cottagey afgan or a cute summer top, there are so many applications for this fun crochet pattern.

  If students are looking for specific colour combinations, then they should bring their own wool in a worsted weight, otherwise, the ACAC will supply sample yarn and crochet hooks for the evening.

  This class is being taught by Wilma Kirmse and Rebecca Bender and we look forward to a fun and creative evening.

  When: October 29, 2025

  6:30 PM- 9:00 pm

  Members: $30

  Non Members $40

  Registration limit: 10

  
  

  Refunds are available up to 2 weeks before the start of the class.

  A waiting list will be established but only those leaving phone #'s will be contacted should a spot open up.

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• Make your own cosy, Shearling Mittens

  • When
    Saturday, November 08, 2025
  •  
    10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
  • Location
    Ailsa Craig Arts Centre, 160 D Main Street, Ailsa Craig, ON
  • Spaces left
    7

  Register

  

  The ACAC is pleased to welcome back Kasper Skinner; our master of leather. This time, Kasper is going to teach us how to create gorgeous shearling mittens. These can last a lifetime and keep your hands dry and warm during harsh Canadian winters.

  Kasper's easy style and deep experience allows him to welcome all levels of leather workers- from complete novices to experienced folk. All will enjoy a day of crafting a luxury item that would make a wonderful gift or a keepsake for yourself.

  Cost for the class is Members $60 and non Members $70

  There is a kit fee of $40 as top quality shearling leather is pricey. Kit fee is paid on day of class directly to Kasper.

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