Summer Sewing - Friday Afternoons 1-3pm... Click here for details

June 10-14 Are you a budding clothing designer? Spend a week creating 2 outfits that are all your own style! You'll learn the art of Altered Couture — upcycling clothing by transforming it into something fun and new. Each student will create a sundress, mini skirt and fashionable accessories. The Little Bits Workshop is teaming up with The Oak Park Education Foundation to teach kids design and hand-sewing techniques. Students will be given a list of items to either bring from home or shop for at a thrift store—none of the materials should be purchased new. This is about problem-solving and making something inventive and wonderful out of something old. End the week with a walk down the runway!

Camp Runway is open to students from any school, currently in grades 5 - 7; June 10-14, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, at Brooks Middle School, Oak Park.  Register online at opef.org/basecamp.  ONLY 2 OPENINGS LEFT!!

June 19-21 Art Journaling Camp, ages 8+
Is your child a diary-keeper and a doodler? We’ll explore a whole new dimension to journaling that combines collage, thoughts and drawings..fun and messy. Kids will learn bookbinding and the art of the multi-media journal. A journal is a secret place to dream where nobody checks your spelling! We’ll also take our journals outside to do some nature drawing. These hand made journals will be perfect travel companions for rainy vacation days, complete with art supplies.

Inspired by the film and book 1000 Journals, we’ll also create journals that go out into the world like a message in a bottle. We’ll sneak them into, coffee shops, retail stores, park benches etc... with a message to write and pass along to see if they make their way back to the workshop..” $99, sibling discounts

June 24-28 Miles and Smiles of Yarn, ages 8+ FULL
We will teach knitting, crochet and the art of giving. Beginners and experienced alike, will enjoy this camp full of surprises. Kids will learn how to create Amigurumi which is the Japanese art of crocheting stuffed animals and anthropomorphic creatures. We’ll make some to keep and to give as we create a public “Giving Tree” in our community. $175, sibling discounts

July 1-5 Mosaic Madness, ages 8+
On Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday, kids will learn how transform a basic table and mosaic it into a fabulous masterpiece perfect  perfect for their room, front porch or dull corner that needs a splash of color. On Friday, we’ll make a mosaic stepping stone with tile and found objects perfect for the garden. 3 days for $99 or 4 days for $135, sibling discounts

July 8-12 Construct a Cottage & Nature Hikes, ages 6+
Back by popular demand... we’ll be building our signature Little Bits Cottages, complete with a resident needle felted critter. Dishes, furniture, rugs, beds, pillows and of course a fireplace! Kids will learn many fine motor skills such as sewing, crochet & sculpting. We’ll balance the day with nature hikes in Thatcher Woods. Kids will learn to identify poisonous plants, edible plants and any birds or wildlife that we may encounter. $175, sibling discounts

July 15-19 Good Guerilla Art Camp, ages 6+
Three years ago we kicked off Good Guerilla Art Camp by drawing butterflies on the Central Avenue train wall, this year we’re going to finish the wall with words of wisdom. We’ll also make & deliver some kind, sneaky gifts to our friends, neighbors and passersby...expect to see the unexpected. $175, sibling discounts

July 22-26 Camp Runway, 9am-2pm  ages 10+  FULL

Calling All Young Fashionistas!
Instructors Lisa Polderman and Nancy Sidman, experienced seamstress and costume designer, will teach kids— start to finish—how to create an outfit: from choosing fabric & patterns, sewing, fitting and the grand finale, walking the runway. $275 plus materials, sibling discounts

Nancy Sidman holds a Master of Fine Arts in costume design from Northern Illinois University as well as a Bachelor of Science in fashion design.  She has designed costumes for the Lifeline Theatre, the Organic Theater, and DuPage Opera Theatre.  Nancy has also worked extensively as an assistant costume designer and technician at Steppenwolf Theater and Chicago Opera Theater. 
She has taught costuming at Dominican University and sewing for the Berwyn Park District.  Nancy enjoys being with students and sharing the knowledge of sewing in a hands-on setting.

July 29-August 2 CLOSED for VACATION

August 5-9 Camp Runway, 9am-2pm,  ages 10+
Calling All Young Fashionistas!
Instructors Lisa Polderman and Nancy Sidman, experienced seamstress and costume designer, will teach kids— start to finish—how to create an outfit: from choosing fabric & patterns, sewing, fitting and the grand finale, walking the runway. $275 plus materials.

Lisa Polderman taught classes and trained teachers in a supplementary reading program for 13 years before turning her focus to sewing and crafts.  She runs a successful business fashioning custom made clothing and handbags for local women and sells premade items on Etsy.  Lisa is excited to help kids develop the skills, perseverance, attention to detail, and willingness to make mistakes necessary to sewing one's own clothes. 

August 12-16 Camp Sampler, ages 6+
Soap, birdbaths, robots, puppets, homemade games... Each day will be a self-contained project that starts and finishes. This camp is a perfect a la carte summer-ender. Take one day, all five or mix and match as you like.  $175 or $40/day

August 19-21 Camp Mini Sampler & Fairy Village, ages 6+
We’ll make mini everything...books, dishes, chairs, purses, pillows, beds, journals, pencils etc... Take one day or all three. We’ll also build a secret Fairy Village in an undisclosed location... $99, sibling discounts