Hand Crafted: Exploring Textiles During and After the American Revolution

July 4, 2026, will mark the 250^th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and in anticipation of this milestone, HCPL is excited to announce a new program series supported, in part, by the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission (VA250). Using textiles as a lens to explore America’s history both past and present, we invite you to join us for demonstrations, hands-on learning, and presentations from local groups, artists, and historians. Read on for more details about our upcoming Hand Crafted program series.  

• Hand Crafted: A History of American Samplers
  • Thursday, April 10, 3-4PM at Glen Allen
  • Dawn Burnett of Preservation Virginia and Patrick Henry's Scotchtown presents an overview of the history of American samplers with special attention given to 18th century works. This event includes a hands-on demonstration of the basic steps of stitching and an explanation of historic function and design.

• Hand Crafted: Indigo and Natural Dyeing, Historic and Modern Sustainability
  • Saturday, April 12, 10AM – 2:30PM at Varina
  • Artist and Designer Haylie Zapantis presents traditional dyeing techniques using indigo and discusses her current work in sustainable textile practices. Registered participants will have the opportunity to dye a provided item using demonstrated techniques, all are welcome to come and observe. Registration required.

• Hand Crafted: Clotho’s Handspinners Guild
  • Saturday, April 12, 10AM – 2:30PM at Varina
  • Clotho's Handspinners Guild members will be onsite to demonstrate the art and craft of wool production including carding, spinning, and weaving. Drop in and experience several opportunities for hands-on learning. 

• Hand Crafted: Learning to Cross Stitch Then and Now
  • Monday, April 14, 6:30 – 8PM at Twin Hickory
  • Wednesday, April 16, 2 – 3:30PM at Fairfield
  • Historian Lisa Denton gives a brief overview of the history of counted cross stitch, then leads hands-on practice of the fundamental techniques of modern cross stitch. All instruction and supplies are included. Registered participants will leave with a stitching project of their own. Program held in partnership with Recreation and Parks, History Division. Registration required.

• Hand Crafted: Whole Cloth Quilting
  • Thursday, April 17, 2 – 3:30PM at Libbie Mill
  • Tuesday, April 22, 6 – 7:30PM at Tuckahoe
  • Whole cloth quilting and embellishment techniques prevalent in eighteenth-century America will be explored, and registered participants will leave with their own example of a handsewn quilt block using reproduction fabrics. All instruction and supplies will be provided. Registration required.

• Hand Crafted: A Revolution in Quilting
  • Saturday, April 19, 11AM – 12PM at Varina
  • Alicia Thomas, Executive Director of the Virginia Quilt Museum, will discuss how quilting has changed, and, in some ways, stayed the same over the course of the past 250 years, focusing on how it has always been an art form that allowed women to express their opinions. Quilts will be present from the museum education collection including an unfinished quilt top from 1874 and the Virginia Quilt made in 1991 to commemorate Virginia history. 

• Hand Crafted: Discover Basic Patch Quilting
  • PART I: Thursday, April 24, 5 – 8PM at Varina
  • PART II: Thursday, May 1, 5 – 8PM at Varina
  • The square patch quilt block is one of the oldest and most popular quilt blocks, great for beginners and experienced quilters alike. In this two-part class, we will discover the versatility and creative potential of working with nine simple squares of fabric. Part 2 of this class will be on May 1. Plan to attend both sessions to get the most out of your experience. Registration required. You will only need to register once for the April 24 session. All instruction and supplies will be provided. 

• Hand Crafted: 18^th Century Virginia Needlework
  • Saturday, April 26, 11AM – 12PM at Varina
  • Kim Ivey, Textile Historian and recently retired Senior Curator of Textiles and Historic Interiors at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, presents a look at 18th century needlework focusing on examples of American schoolgirl samplers from Virginia.

• Hand Crafted: The Art of Weaving
  • Tuesday, April 29, 6 – 7:30PM at Sandston
  • Friday, May 2, 2 – 3:30PM at Gayton
  • The role of fabric production in eighteenth-century America and basic weaving concepts and techniques will be covered. Then, using lap looms, registered participants will produce an example of a handwoven textile. All instruction and supplies will be provided. Registration required.