The Sailor’s Ditty Bag – July 11 and July 18, 2026

Sailors have been splicing rope and stitching canvas for five centuries because these skills are irreplaceable. Once you learn them, you have them for life, and you’ll find they apply far beyond crewing tall ships or voyaging to the poles. The same hand-sewing and rope work techniques used on square-riggers translate directly to the modern high-performance materials used in expedition gear today.

Build a traditional sailor’s ditty bag from scratch. A ditty bag is a cylindrical canvas bag historically used by sailors to carry their tools and personal kit. The project is a time-tested way to learn the full set of foundational sailmaking and rope work techniques in a single, functional object.

About the Instructor: Charles Buchwald

Note that this is a 2-day class, taking place Saturday, July 11 and Saturday, July 18, 10:30 am – 1:30 pm each day.

Instructor will provide the following:

All project materials, including fabric, scissors, fids, awls, seam rubbers, sailmaker’s hooks, and sewing palms.

Students are asked to bring:

sailor’s sewing palm (optional)

Since your class runs over the lunch hour, you may want to consider bringing a lunch or snack. Click HERE to learn about local eating opportunities available before or after your class.

Skill Level 

Beginner-friendly; some familiarity with hand sewing, knots and/or splicing is helpful but not required.

Age Requirement 

Students ages 16 and older are welcome to attend this class. Students ages 16 and 17 may attend without a parent/guardian in attendance as long as MMFS is provided with written parental permission by email to info@marinemillsfolkschool.org.

Location Details 

Marine Mills Folk School

550 Pine St.

Marine on St. Croix, MN 55047

Cost Details

Tuition: $130

Materials Fee: $50

Total Cost: $180

NOTE: Be aware we may cancel class if a minimum number of registrations is not reached. We work to balance teachers’ need to plan for a class with students’ busy schedules — not an easy task. Please register as early as possible! If interested, you can find our cancellation policy HERE.