Made primarily of sailcloth, a sailor’s ditty bag was crafted using all the techniques essential to the art of Sailmaking. Join Mike Bartles, co-owner of M&H Bartles, Sailmakers, to explore the fundamental hand-work that once drove the world’s commerce across the globe as you create your very own canvas ditty bag. Learn how to stich, sew and splice with an experienced sailmaker, catching a glimpse of the trade as it was practiced throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.

Mike Bartles learned the fundamentals of sailmaking during his time at Mystic Seaport Museum and went on to lead the maintenance of the museum’s sails. In 2013, Mike joined the crew of Nathaniel Wilson’s sail loft where he had the opportunity to work on a suit of sails for the Charles W. Morgan restoration. Mike opened his own sail loft, M&H Bartles, Sailmaking, in 2018 in Boothbay Harbor.

Workshop will be held in Maine Maritime Museum’s Boatshop. Capacity is limited to 12 participants. Masks are required.