The fiber studio is used for fiber arts workshops, including stitching, sewing, natural dye, traditional dye techniques, weaving, basketry, and papermaking workshops.

The fiber studio is located in the back section of the red brick farmhouse, the first building on the left when driving onto the Snow Farm property. The building dates back to 1735 and is thought to be the oldest standing home in Williamsburg. A brick addition dating to 1865 houses the Snow Farm Administrative offices.

The fiber studio is divided into several different work spaces. The main room is L-shaped, with a large conference-style table on one side and a smaller Batik Dying table on the other. The secondary room, which houses a bathroom, a double-bowl utility sink, large work table and a washer-dryer unit, is called the dye room. Between the dye room and a screened-in porch is an area known as the breezeway, an unheated walk-through used mostly for storage. The screened-in porch has a large work table and clotheslines. Outdoor space around the studio includes an open-air porch, a clothesline for drying, and several grassy areas for various types of work. Workshops in the fiber studio have a maximum of 10 students.

Browse the gallery below to explore the Fiber & Basket studio and view a floor plan.

Equipment & Supplies

The following equipment is available in the farmhouse studio: one large propane burner, two electric single burners, four electric double burners, four butane burners, four hot plates, four Janome brand sewing machines, six ironing boards and irons, one paper pulping machine and drying system, blenders, blow dryers, and silk screens in various sizes.

This studio has heating and each indoor room has a window air conditioning unit. All studios are supplied with hand sanitizer, KN95 masks, nitrile gloves and anti-bacterial wipes.

Open Studio Guidelines

During the workshop period, the farmhouse studio remains open 24/7. Instructors will outline safety guidelines for students who are staying to work, including any tools that should not be used without the instructor present. We suggest bringing a cell phone to the studio in case an emergency arises and you need to contact the on-site coordinator. As is true in all Snow Farm studios, the consumption of drugs or alcohol is not allowed, nor shall students work with studio equipment when under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The last person in any studio is responsible for turning off indoor lights and closing the doors for the night.

Student Gallery