Explore the history behind broom-making & learn to make your own brooms using sorghum, broom-corn and pine needles. Purchase tickets here. 

Participants will learn the craft of making brooms from natural plant fibers while exploring the cultural history behind this everyday tool. We’ll begin with an introduction to the primary plant used in traditional broommaking, sorghum, including how it’s grown, harvested, and prepared for use. I’ll share the difference between sweet and non-sweet sorghum, how each is used, and why broomcorn (a non-sweet variety) became the preferred fiber for broommaking. We’ll also explore broom-making traditions from cultures within and outside of the United States, highlighting the cultural significance of brooms as objects of labor, ritual, and protection.

Participants will take part in preparing the material themselves by combing the seeds from the sorghum hurl. Participants will learn to weave an Appalachian-style turkey wing broom using pine needles. Then build on those foundational techniques by creating a hawk tail broom, also using pine needles. After completing these two practice brooms, participants may choose to refine their technique by making an additional pine needle mini broom or advance to creating their final project: a traditional broomcorn (sorghum) whisk broom.

By the end of the workshop, participants will leave with 2-3 completed pine needle mini brooms, one finished broomcorn whisk broom, and the knowledge and confidence to continue exploring the traditional craft of broommaking. Additional broomcorn for future projects will be available for purchase at the end of class.

Purchase tickets here.