For those interested in learning a new hobby, sharpening existing skills or meeting others with similar interests, a wide range of classes are available throughout the greater Washington area. Here is a representative list of classes, workshops and seminars offered in a variety of fields; for information on other possibilities, check with local school systems' adult- and continuing-education departments, community colleges, public gardens, museums and county agricultural extension offices. Of course, don't forget to consult The Washington Post Home section's weekly Datebook calendar (see page 2).
Antiques & Furniture
Tackle upholstery basics by making a storage ottoman in a two-part class at Lucketts Community Center, 42361 Lucketts Rd., Leesburg; Sept. 21 and 28; 7-9 p.m. Fee: $10 plus $65 for kit; registration required. 540-338-9760.
"Learn Your Antiques" is the title of a four-session class at Anne Arundel Community College's Arnold campus. On Mondays, Oct. 4 to 25, from 7 to 9 p.m., learn about periods, types and styles, materials, judging a piece's condition and elements creating value. Sessions will focus specifically on furniture, glass, jewelry and ephemera, respectively (attend one or all). 101 College Parkway, Arnold, Md. Fee: $25 per session; registration (code: WMN 335) required. 410-777-2325. www.aacc.edu.
"Basics of Refinishing and Repair" will be detailed during a three-session class in Arnold, Md. On Saturdays, Oct. 9 to 23, from 9 a.m. to noon, a professional furniture restorer demonstrates surface preparation, finish options, materials and techniques, while demonstrating and discussing common repair problems. Learn what to know about refinishing before starting a project. Students may bring pieces for advice. 101 College Parkway, Arnold, Md. Fee: $110 plus $15 supplies/lab fee; registration (INT 370) required. 410-777-2325. www.aacc.edu.
Learn "Cane Furniture Repair" during an Oct. 9 (10 a.m. to 1 p.m.) class. A hands-on course covers tools, materials and step-by-step installation to repair cane chair seats and backs using inexpensive pre-woven cane. 101 College Parkway, Arnold, Md. Fee: $53 plus $18 supplies fee; registration (code: WMN 349) required. 410-777-2325. www.aacc.edu.
"One-Stroke Furniture Decorating" turns your mundane item or flea market find into a decorator gem. Other materials are available from the instructor in this Fairfax County Adult and Community Education class. Marshall High School, 7731 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church; Oct. 30, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Fee: $35 plus $15 for supplies; registration required. 703-227-2261.
Arts & Crafts
Make decoupage boxes at the Arcola Community Center using colorful paper to create decorative storage. Arcola Community Center, 24244 Gum Spring Rd., Sterling; Sept. 9, 5:30 p.m. Fee: $15; registration required. 703-327-3111.
Try framing, matting and more during a six-week workshop: Learn mounting, matting, glazing and framing from a certified framer during lectures, demonstrations and hands-on workshops to enable you to frame and mat nearly anything. Classes meet weekly, Sept. 16 through Oct. 21, from 7 to 9 p.m. NoVa CC Manassas campus, 6901 Sudley Rd., Manassas. Fee: $120 includes supplies. 703-257-6630. www.nvcc.edu/manassas/continuing.
Plait a basket in two Saturday classes for ages 16 and older. You'll make a large plaited square basket that resembles an oversize laundry basket. Sterling Annex Community Center, 1115 W. Church Road, Sterling. Sept. 18 and 25, 9:15 a.m-1 p.m. Fee: $56 plus $24 for supplies. 703-430-6673.
Create handmade books progressing from a single-section journal to traditional sewn and stab-bound projects in a six-part workshop sponsored by Fairfax County Adult and Community Education. Fairfax High School, 3500 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax; Tuesdays, beginning Sept. 21, 7-9:30 p.m. Fee: $120 plus $30 for basic materials; registration required. 703-227-2261.
Try your hand at pot and bead pottery, completing 5-7 projects perfect for gift giving, in a six-week course for ages 18 and older. Sterling Annex Community Center, 1115 W. Church Road, Sterling. Sept. 21-Oct. 26, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Fee: $75. 703-430-6673.
Learnglass cutting basics and decoration with frit and stringers in "Hot Glass -- Introduction to Glass Fusion." Two projects will be completed. Sept. 22, 7- 9 p.m.; or Wednesday, Oct. 20, 7- 9 p.m. Clay Cafe, Falls Church (101 N. Maple Ave.; 703-534-7600), Chantilly (13894 Metrotech Dr.; 703-817-1051) or Lorton (8971 Ox Rd., suite 190; 703-690-7666). Fee: $65; reservations and $25 nonrefundable deposit required. www.claywire.com.
Improve your calligraphy in a class sponsored by Fairfax County Adult and Community Education. In six Friday classes, "Calligraphy Creations" provides opportunities to try various papers, pens, inks and watercolors to make classic projects including cards, illuminated poems and quotations. Pimmit Center, 7510 Lisle Ave., Falls Church; Sept. 24-Oct. 29, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Fee: $175, some materials provided; registration required. 703-227-2261.
Make "pipe" dreams come true using clay slip and an air pen. Learn to pipe designs onto a platter, and in a second session paint the piece so it can be glazed and fired by Clay Cafe staff. Sept. 27 and Oct. 4, 7-9 p.m.; or Oct. 25 and Nov. 8, 7-9 p.m. Falls Church (101 N. Maple Ave.; 703-534-7600), Chantilly (13894 Metrotech Dr.; 703-817-1051) or Lorton (8971 Ox Rd., suite 190; 703-690-7666). Fee: $55, reservations and pre-payment required. www.claywire.com.
Find the horn of plenty as you create a twined basket, your own cornucopia, in a class for ages 16 and older. Sterling Annex Community Center, 1115 W. Church Road, Sterling. Oct. 2, 9:15 a.m-1:15 p.m. Fee: $28 plus $11 for supplies. 703-430-6673.
Decorate a vase to make a personalized piece. Arcola Community Center, 24244 Gum Spring Rd., Sterling; Oct. 5, 5:30 p.m. Fee: $15; registration required. 703-327-3111.
Create a mosaic memory mirror, a one-of-a-kind family heirloom. No experience is necessary for this two-part class combining mosaics, pottery painting and digital technology. An information packet will be sent upon registration. Oct. 5 and 19, 7-9 p.m. Clay Cafe, Falls Church (101 N. Maple Ave.; 703-534-7600), Chantilly (13894 Metrotech Dr.; 703-817-1051) or Lorton (8971 Ox Rd., suite 190; 703-690-7666). Fee: $95; reservations and $25 nonrefundable deposit required. www.claywire.com.
"Combining Weave Structures in One Cloth" will be taught in a three-day class at Springwater Fiber Workshop. Bring your warped loom and learn to make cloth with areas woven differently. Each weaver will envision and produce a stack of sample fabrics. 808 North Fairfax St., Alexandria. Oct. 5-7, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Fee: $245. 703-549-3634. www.springwaterfiber.org.
Learn to use a lucet during an Oct. 12 class. From 7 to 9:30 p.m., find out how to use a long-established tool for producing a non-elastic cord for lacing corsets, bodices, shoes, bags and piping for trim on garments. Modern uses include jewelry making and one-of-a-kind shoelaces. 808 North Fairfax St., Alexandria. Fee $35 plus $17 materials fee. 703-549-3634. www.springwaterfiber.org.
Harvest a mountain apple basket with a double-round base and continuous-weave sides. Bring your advanced skills to this two-part class for ages 16 and older. Sterling Annex Community Center, 1115 W. Church Road, Sterling. Oct. 16 and 23, 9:15 a.m.-1:15 p.m. Fee: $56 plus $24 for supplies. 703-430-6673.
Herbal soapmaking from scratch will be taught during an Oct. 16 workshop at First Class. From 10 a.m. to noon, an introductory demonstration affords hands-on experience with the necessary raw ingredients, safety precautions, super-enriching methods, ingredient sources, use of herbs, colorants, spices, and recipes and scenting techniques. Take newly made soap home afterward. 1726 20th St. NW. Fee: $35 includes handout and materials; registration required. 202-797-5102. www.takeaclass.org.
Make a tussie-mussie, a small, bouquet that every fashionable Victorian lady carried, and create a large arrangement of flowers and grasses, in a class on Victorian floral design sponsored by Fairfax County Adult and Community Education. South Lakes High School, 11400 South Lakes Dr., Reston; Oct. 26, 7-10 p.m. Fee: $99, includes all materials. 703-227-2274. www.fcps.edu/adult.htm.
Make a double Williamsburg basket on Nov. 6 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., learning how to plait the basket, weave around an oak handle and add color with dye. NoVa CC Manassas campus, 6901 Sudley Rd., Manassas. Fee: $85 includes supplies. 703-257-6630. www.nvcc.edu/manassas/continuing.
