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Learn traditional twining techniques in Platteville with expert instructor Susan Minor—make a jute bag, keep your handheld loom, and walk away with both a new skill and a locally made keepsake. Small groups and natural fibers make this a tactile, cultural experience ideal for travelers and fiber enthusiasts.
Learn traditional twining techniques in Platteville with expert instructor Susan Minor—make a jute bag, keep your handheld loom, and walk away with both a new skill and a locally made keepsake. Small groups and natural fibers make this a tactile, cultural experience ideal for travelers and fiber enthusiasts.
Book with The Mining & Rollo Jamison Museums
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Operated by The Mining & Rollo Jamison Museums · Platteville, Wisconsin
Bag Making Class in Platteville, Wisconsin offers a hands-on dive into twining, an ancient weaving technique once practiced by native peoples before European contact. In a bright workshop in Platteville, participants learn to make a jute bag from milkweed, hemp, and nettle fibers under the instruction of Susan Minor, a lifelong crafter and educator. The class lasts about 2.5–3 hours and combines history, material study, and practical skill so visitors leave with a finished handheld loom and a custom-made bag. The scene is intimate: a workbench laid with skeins of natural jute, colored twine options, and a simple handheld loom. The key features are the twining method itself, the handheld loom, and the fibers—milkweed pith, hemp cordage, and nettle strands—that give each piece a tactile, rustic quality. This is not a generic craft workshop; it explicitly teaches twinning as used by native women who made bags and garments for carrying, washing corn, and harvesting. That cultural thread anchors the session, making it as much a lesson in regional material culture as a creative outlet. You’ll begin with a demonstration from Susan, then practice basic cordage and progress to coiling and twining your bag around the loom. Expect to customize your piece with color, an optional strap, and finishing techniques that ensure the bag is functional. The class’s value is in its small scale and direct instruction: limited spots and a handheld loom to keep make this both a souvenir and a skill set you can take elsewhere. Platteville sits amid rolling southwestern Wisconsin farmland; the local flora used in the workshop—milkweed and nettles—reflects the region’s prairie and edge habitats, tying the craft to place. Whether you’re a curious traveler, a fiber artist, or a family wanting an active cultural moment off the trail, this session is an entry point to traditional fiber arts. Practical notes: register online in advance because group size is limited; wear comfortable clothes that can handle fibers and glue; plan for a 2.5–3 hour block in your itinerary. The class complements outdoor activities in the area—bring the bag to carry snacks after a day of hiking nearby. By combining hands-on instruction, historical context, and natural fibers, this Bag Making Class is an authentic, tactile way to connect with regional craft traditions while in Platteville. Materials are responsibly sourced and primarily plant-based, so the finished bag will soften and season with use; instructors discuss fiber properties so you can reproduce techniques at home. Students often trade tips, patterns, and color ideas, making the class social as well as instructional. It’s an excellent rainy-day option for families and couples, and perfect for travelers who want a tangible, locally rooted souvenir that reflects southwestern Wisconsin’s simple, resourceful craft heritage.
easy.
2.5–3 hours.
No special fitness required—this is a seated, low-impact craft workshop.
Yes — each participant leaves with a handheld loom used during the session so you can continue practice at home.
Children can participate if they have patience for close handwork; younger kids may need adult assistance—check the booking page for any age recommendations.
The class uses plant-based fibers such as jute, milkweed, hemp, and nettle; instructors discuss properties and responsible sourcing during the session.
No prior experience required—Susan provides demonstrations and step-by-step guidance for beginners.
Register online using the referral link provided; cancellation policies are listed on the booking page and may vary by event.
Meeting point details are provided at booking; if not listed, contact the organizer via the reservation link to confirm logistics.
Twining was a weaving art used by native peoples prior to European contact; women used cordage from milkweed, hemp, and nettle to make bags and garments.
The workshop emphasizes plant-based fibers and low-waste techniques; learning traditional crafts supports cultural continuity and local artisans while reducing reliance on mass-produced goods.
The Mining & Rollo Jamison Museums in Platteville, Wisconsin, preserve and interpret the region’s mining and cultural history. The campus centers on the historic 1845 Bevans Lead‑Zinc Mine and Hoist House and features indoor exhibits, outdoor artifacts, and a vintage 1931 Whitcomb mine train used for public rides. The museums offer guided mine tours, private guided mine tours, group tours, school field trip programs aligned with Wisconsin educator standards, and seasonal public events such as Heritage Day, Mine Day, a Haunted Mine Tour, and the Miners Ball fundraiser. Visitors can purchase museum admission that includes a guided underground mine tour and a scenic train ride across the museum campus. Special experiences include themed fundraisers like Mini Golf at the Museum and tailored educational programs for classrooms. The museums emphasize hands‑on demonstrations, live music at festivals, and interpretive walks such as the Land, Place, and Life: A Driftless Walking Tour that explores local landscape, history, and culture along a trout stream. The Mining & Rollo Jamison Museums partner with the Friends of the Museums and community volunteers to host events and preserve artifacts. Reservations are required for private guided mine tours and group train rides. Programming is designed for families, school groups, and visitors interested in industrial heritage, geology, and regional culture. The museums provide accessible visitor information about hours, tickets, and special events on their official channels. Docent-led talks and artifact displays connect mining techniques, immigrant labor history, and regional geology for an educational, engaging visitor experience with exhibits on-site.
Book with The Mining & Rollo Jamison Museums