Introduction to Weaving

Welcome to weaving! An introduction to weaving, students will explore the essentials of weaving on a floor loom. Reviewing basic weaving skills, this workshop will discuss how the loom works, how to make choices for our yarns, dress the loom (threading, winding on threads properly with good tension) and weave our fabric using bobbin and flat shuttles. This workshop is designed for a fun time to explore weaving with a professional weaver while creating your own designer fabric.

Students will work with pre-wound warps (if you have a special request for the yarns and colors you’d like to use please contact the instructor as early as possible), thread the yarns on the looms (dress the loom) using a versatile pattern and weave structure to explore vibrant patters and color plays.

Skills listed in the above class are needed to advance toward Beginning Weaving workshops

Beginning Weaving

Two and four-harness weaving is explored, and with a few weave structures, a variety of yarn textures and sizes, many wonderful fabrics can be woven. In this workshop, we begin with a sampler to see weave structures, explore pattern, color and weave effects and how yarn changes as it becomes fabric.

After a discussion of sample procedure, students will draft a threading pattern, choose yarns for the sampler, wind the threads, dress their loom, consider the tie up and begin weaving (documentation of the sample patterns is strongly encouraged for future references).

The weave structures that are presented in this workshop give a lot of information for planning successful subsequent weavings.

Weaving Project

Twill Variations

Twills are versatile weaves to explore, with lovely patterns, soft draping fabrics or dense rugs and dynamic color play. Twills are the basic weave structure for denim jeans, traditional overshot and have patterns with the names “rosepath”, “crackle” and “shadow weave”. In this workshop we discuss weaving history, how to read drafts/recipes and create our own, explore a variety of twills, choose yarns that are best for this project, set up a floor loom and create fabric. Samples are encouraged.

Double Weave

Take basic weaving on a new journey! In this fun workshop, learn how to design and weave double-width cloth, cloth tubes, and double layers where the colors can change within the body of cloth. With double weave, fabric can be wider, have more dimensions, deflect and defy being flat!

Double weave is easily woven on multiple and four-harness looms, with pick-up weaves on rigid heddle looms. We will work on a sampler and a small project.

Block Printing on Fabrics

Printmaking develops images using positive and negative space, color, pattern and design. So many objects can be used to make these marks and patterns can be repeats, spontaneous, overlapping and many creative expressions.

In this workshop, we create designs on blocks using a variety of materials to add shape and texture. We review classic repeat patterns and positioning for images and then print with permanent fabric pigments on fabrics for samples and then on specific projects.

Residencies in Schools

Residencies are usually for 3-5 days working with the same students building on the projects we determine. My usual agenda for a residency includes meeting with teachers and other school participants to determine the details of our project, the spaces we will use, determine the number of students and what will fit the school schedule. Unless the school has specific supplies to be used, I bring all supplies and materials to be used. I always invite schools and students to bring items as a lot of the projects include re-purposing items and can include local business donations.

Online projects with classes are available. Remote projects and programs are always under development for small groups and classrooms. Below are popular residency programs, with all allowing for individualization.

Community Tapestry is flexible, designed to include weaving, dyeing, current classroom skills and construction for fifth grade & up working along with the artist. The project can include extensions that support studies in history, math & science concepts. Participants will create a group composition either by weaving on individual pieces that are assembled for the finished piece or by weaving on a large frame loom (needs a smaller group). Before beginning, students will explore their tools: materials, structure, design concepts and develop our project execution plans. Pre-workshop conference with teachers is important. Several examples will be available for inspiration.

Workshop: Find It, Weave It (5-12)

Using a variety of materials, students will weave on free-form looms to create individual pieces. Structure, material and design are discussed as a group. Students are invited to gather found materials to use in weaving.

Workshop: Printing on Fabric (4-12)

Participants can create a group composition by printing on individual pieces that are assembled for the finished piece or by printing on individual pieces of fabric. Past projects have included flags, small story quilts, sculptural fabric installations and small individual compositions. Students will explore materials, structure, pattern, positive and negative space, contrast, design concepts and composition. We discuss mathematical concepts, color, light, scale and use non-toxic printing paintts. Several examples will be available for inspiration. Pre-workshop development with teachers is important.