Fundamentals

“Shibari,” in Japanese, means simply “to Tie.” In this class A Stitch of Trouble teaches the basics of creating the geometric patterns generally associated with this style of bondage. They want students to come away from this class with a foundation for future ties and an understanding of the risks associated with all rope bondage and how to mitigate them.

The ties taught in this introductory level class are a basic cuff and a few different chest and body harnesses.

Materials: 2-3 pieces of rope, single braid or twisted, natural or synthetic fiber, 25 to 30ft in length

A Discovery Lab/Discussion with Stranger and Gray!

Unfortunately our planned instructor for this time won’t be able to make this ROPECRAFT. But it’s still a good chance to explore ways a smaller person – like Stranger – could suspend a larger person – like Graydancer. This is NOT a how-to suspension class – but it will be a co-led discovery lab where we will try things out, then try other things. You’re welcome to tie along as we CONQUER GRAVITY, or just come and contribute to the exploratory nature of this class.

Patterns in rope are beautiful and are the main things taught to beginners so they have a benchmark to show progress. But patterns can also be time-consuming and tedious to complete leaving both partners bored and frustrated. In this 90 minute class, you’ll learn some tips and techniques for moving your rope fluidly and efficiently. Walk away with several new methods for practicing your new handling skills. And bottoms, your participation, and feedback are vital!

Format: tie-along

Materials: 1 length of rope, 7-8 meters (20-25 feet). (Loaner rope will be available for those who do not have their own on hand.)

Note: Working with a partner you know is ideal for these exercises. The presenters will do our best to pair those students who attend without a tying partner.

Prerequisites:
Tops: Ability to tie a stable single- and double-column tie.
Bottoms: Ability to give verbal and non-verbal feedback.
Level: Beginner/Intermediate
Type: Hands-On

Take your rope bondage to new heights with partial suspension. We will cover the safety and practical basics surrounding suspension including mechanics, hardpoint selection, hardware, and some ties and positions to get you started.

Format: Tie-along

Materials: Participants are encouraged to bring at least four 30-foot lengths of 6mm or 8mm (1/2″ or 3/8″) rope and their imaginations.

Rope bondage is a dangerous activity. While we do everything we can to emphasize safety, the simple fact is that eventually we will all cause harm. Reacting badly to that harm, however, has the potential to cause far more damage than the initial harm ever could. In this discussion class, we will talk about ways to mitigate harm, both before and after the fact. We will discuss the different kinds of harm—physical, mental, emotional, and more—that we are likely to
encounter, how to solicit genuine feedback, and how to make true apologies to those we harm. We will also discuss some of the gaps and pitfalls in our negotiations that can precipitate that can precipitate these harms in the first place.

This is a discussion for everyone, whether you tie, are tied, or both—we all have to deal with harm, and we all have much to learn from one another.

Join as yoga teacher, conscious kink educator, and rope bunny
Shakti Bliss teaches you to use your body and your breath to create
a safe container for the deep emotional experience of a rope scene.
Both tops and bottoms will learn how to take care of their bodies
to arrive authentically in a scene, and specific techniques for
grounding the nervous system before, during, and after a
scene.

Format: discussion, participation

Materials:

“Body awareness is a key component of all of our rope experiences. In this class, we’ll explore the body mechanics of bottoming, learn how to better understand our emotional responses to physical stimuli, and look at ways to more effectively communicate what we are experiencing to our partners. The hands-on portion of this class will include exercises designed to improve your overall awareness and communication. This is an all-levels, all-bodies class where an introspective learning mindset is encouraged. We also recommend bringing something to take notes with and a tying partner to practice with.

Format: Tie-along (partnered preferred)

Materials: An open mind, 1 piece of Natural Fiber Rope, notetaking materials if desired.

Whether you’re looking to tie (or be tied) for the first time, or you’re a veteran rope practitioner with hundreds of bondage scenes under your belt, this class is for you. In this lecture and discussion-based workshop, we will explore ways of using and interpreting language to better negotiate for what we’re really looking for in a rope bondage scene, as well as how to better meet our partners’ needs, wants and desires. We will explore ways to help experienced players feel less like service techs and rope mannequins, and help brand new players get their first taste of rope in a way that honors their consent, and keeps them coming back for more.

Format: lecture and discussion

Hands-on workshop where participants will learn 2 knots, 2 hitches, and 2 ties that will provide a solid foundation. An understanding of safety is assumed. Rope kits are available for purchase ($20/kit) or you may bring your own 1x10ft and 1x30ft lengths to use.

Format: Lecture, Demonstration, Hands-On

Materials: two lengths of rope: 1 x 10 foot, 1 x 30 foot.

Rope bondage is a visual as well as visceral medium. Along with photography, artists have been sketching, painting, and even sculpting rope bondage for decades. This is a class on how to create your very own event, from the organizer and the model’s perspective, including recommended practices for using rope as a tool for modeling, inspiring a supportive, inclusive environment and establishing a sustainable event. The class will end with an actual figure drawing session, so bring your pencils (or whatever you want to sketch with!).

Materials: sketching materials – pencils, paper, etc.

“Ever heard someone say ‘Well, just add more rope!’ when speaking of tying larger people? That’s all well and good, but it matters greatly *where and how* that extra rope is added. Size does not determine what makes a good rope bottom, or what one is able to do in rope! We’ll talk about ways to address differences both on the floor and in the air, as well as extensive discussion on bottoming skills regardless of size.

Format: Theory/tie-along
Materials: Rope (3-10 ~30ft lengths recommended)
Skills needed: Single column tie proficiency (any), active communication, general body awareness

Description coming soon. Supplies needed thus far: one partner.

Often, the rope marketed for use in bondage is soft and silky smooth. While it’s great for sensual play, this rope isn’t very intimidating! In this class, we’ll take a walk on the other side of the tracks – using the raw, rough, scratchy, and harsh rope that your mother warned you about. We’ll compare the pros and cons of different rope types and show how they can transform once-innocent ties into something a little more torturous. Whether you hate the soft stuff, are looking for a way to add some punishment to your bondage, or are just scratching the itch to try something new, you’ll find plenty of new ideas!

People who tie often need to practice their tying more often than a willing partner is available. People who enjoy being in rope, can find it useful a foundational knowledge of how rope is tied and may want to be in rope more often than someone who ties is available. In this class A Stitch of Trouble will teach and break down ties that can be done on oneself that will help improve rope handling, and tie endurance.

Format: unpartnered tie-along

Materials: At least 2 pieces of rope, solid braid or twist, any natural or synthetic fiber, 25 to 30ft in length

In this class, you are invited to bring – either verbally or as a demonstration – your favorite method for coming down from a suspension (either partnered or solo). Facilitated by Graydancer, we will talk and mutually explore the considerations and techniques that make those last few inches count!

Too often, queer and trans bodies don’t fit within the aesthetic expectations laid out by the glossy pages of popular rope manuals. Further, common Shibari and Western ties aren’t always physiologically suitable for queer bodies. This workshop offers queer alternatives for some common ties that work more efficiently on bodies that don’t reside within the gender binary. Discussion surrounding increasing queer advocacy and shattering gender stereotypes in rope will be interwoven throughout.

Format: this class is a tie-along for queer-identified individuals

Materials: 3 or more Hanks of rope of choice

Sex isn’t just in the hips. This creative class is not bound by conventional dildo strap-on
placement. Want to tie a dildo to your boot? Chest? Anywhere you want?! What may start out
as quirky shenanigans can lead to pleasurable explorations of some dildo-tastic possibilities for
queer sex and sex for bodies with different abilities. BYOD (Bring Your Own Dildos!)

Materials: rope of your preference, dildo(s)

Format: tie-along

This year ROPECRAFT invited six artists to be “in residence” at the event with the intent of finding out what inspired them. In this panel they will talk about both their experiences at the event and also answer questions about their particular processes of creating art. What will come out of ROPECRAFT?

Few things in life are as exciting, or as confusing, as entering the BDSM scene. Bottom or Top? Mistress/Master or Slave? Dominant or Submissive? Leather, rubber, vinyl, spandex or latex? Coke or Pepsi?

New bottoms and tops can often find themselves at a loss at play parties, events or at fetish clubs. How do you navigate the deep waters of the BDSM world? How do you get what you want but insure the safety that you need? How do you ride the excitement of all the new experiences but maintain your grip on reality?

This class will help demystify the basics of scene etiquette, negotiation, personal responsibility, and safety (physical, emotional and psychological) that will help you lay the foundation for survival and success in the BDSM scene.