Cotton Spinners Workshop Calendar of Events
Cotton Bloom
Anne who came from two hours away said she “smiled all the way home”.
New Zealand April 2024
Joan’s first love has always been cotton, a fiber rich in history and technique. Yet in recent years, hemp has emerged as an equally important focus—both as a remarkable spinning fiber and as a plant with powerful environmental benefits. Hemp’s ability to restore soil, grow with minimal inputs, and produce strong, versatile fiber makes it a vital part of the future of sustainable textiles.
This growing importance has shaped Joan’s teaching calendar. She is honored to have shared her knowledge of hemp spinning with more than 160 students in Australia, where she taught hands-on classes and presented in-depth lectures exploring hemp’s agricultural, historical, and modern applications. These experiences reinforced the global interest in hemp and its role in responsible fiber production.
The Calendar page reflects this evolving journey. Here you’ll find upcoming workshops, lectures, demonstrations, and fiber-focused events that explore both traditional cotton spinning and the expanding world of hemp fiber. Each offering is designed to deepen skills, broaden understanding, and connect spinners with the larger story behind the fibers they love.
Check back often as new events are added throughout the year. Whether you are seeking hands-on instruction, historical insight, or a deeper understanding of sustainable fibers, Joan’s calendar offers opportunities to learn, connect, and be inspired.
Private and Group Spinning & Weaving Classes
Double G Alpacas
DoubleGAlpacasAZ.com
BISBEE FIBER ART GUILD Bisbee, Arizona
WORKSHOPS AROUND ARIZONA
Hemp Field
Charkha
Anne Walker spent a day polishing her cotton spinning skills with Joan. Anne learned how to spin cotton from Joan’s You Tubes and videos on Taproot Video
Solar Dyeing
“Recently I had the privilege of spending the day with Joan Ruane. Her lesson was such an inspiration to me, and her mastery of cotton and hemp impressive. Getting right down to business was a comfortable thing, some of my favorite work we did included an introduction to solar dying, getting to know a Charkha, and of course improving my long draw. The time flew by, and when the day ended, I left Joan’s company with a strengthened love for the craft. “
Anne Walker
WANT TO LEARN OR IMPROVE ON YOUR
SPINNING & WEAVING SKILLS
Joan is offering private and small classes in weaving & spinning. You can contact Joan by E-mailing Joan at spincotton@yahoo.com for more details.
Beginning classes in Four Harness, Inkle & Rigid Heddle weaving classes. $30.00 per hour with equipment available and yarns. $120 for 6 hr. day
Spinning instruction available at all levels including both plant and animal fibers.
Also, you can text for more information 520-335-4113
Look below for classes at surrounding Guilds and Shops
There are a lot of great fiber art classes offered throughout the state of ARIZONA. Go to www.azfed.org for information on classes in Northern, Central and Southern Arizona.
If your guild or shop is located in ARIZONA and want to be listed in my web site, please e-mail me details and I will be happy to include you as Arizona fiber artists must work together.
6544 E. Tanque Verde Tucson, AZ
Grandma’s Spinning Wheel is located on 6544 E. Tanque Verde, and they have a beautiful yarn and fiber shop plus teach knitting, beginning spinning and rigid heddle class. Navajo weaving workshop are sometimes available during the winter months. Check them out!!
www.grandmasspinningwheel.com
Valley Fiber Art Guild ~ www.valleyfiberartguild.org
Susan Thompson FELTING
TUCSON HANDWEAVERS AND SPINNERS GUILD WORKSHOPS Go to their website
