Skip to main content Skip to footer
Instructors

Mary Ellen Ashcroft

Grand Marais, MN
North House Folk School photo of instructor, Mary Ellen Ashcroft

Mary Ellen has been sewing since she was seven, and even bravely made her daughter’s wedding dress! She has been teaching for years: English literature and writing at a couple of small colleges, and more recently in Cook County, several writing and literature courses. She guides canoe and hiking trips, leads retreats, has published a number of books and has recently retired from being vicar at Spirit of the Wilderness Episcopal Church. She has lived near Grand Marais for eighteen years and considers her highest calling to be enjoying the North Woods and lakes with her 7 grandchildren.

Current Courses Offered by Mary Ellen Ashcroft

Teaser image for Sewing a Simple Garment: Introduction to Sewing

Sewing a Simple Garment: Introduction to Sewing

Many of us have moved beyond cheap fashion: we want our own original fabric and pattern. We want to…
Fri, Jan 23rd, 2026  –  Sun, Jan 25th, 2026
Day 1: 3-6pm; Day 2: 9am-5pm; Day 3: 9am-noon
Instructor: Mary Ellen Ashcroft
Teaser image for Sewing: Next Steps

Sewing: Next Steps

Moving beyond the most basic sewing skills (such as pattern layout and sewing simple seams).…
Fri, Jun 26th, 2026  –  Sun, Jun 28th, 2026
Day 1: 2-5pm; Day 2: 9am-5pm; Day 3: 9am-noon
Instructor: Mary Ellen Ashcroft

Past Courses Offered by Mary Ellen Ashcroft

Creative Fabric Reuse: Woolen Anorak

Creative Sewing

Rags to Riches: Re-using Fabric to Create Unique Garments

Remaking Sweaters into Warm, Colorful Garments

Sewing a Simple Garment

Latest Update: View recent changes →