Two- and Three-Day Workshops

OVERSHOT VARIATIONS

The pattern possibilities in traditional four-shaft overshot are almost endless. This workshop begins with a study of the traditional pattern drafts, identifying the blocks, weaving "as drawn in" and progresses to some of the lesser known treadlings such as Scandinavian manner, petit point, brocade, sunburst, shadow fashion and into treadlings based on other weave structures such as summer and winter, crackle, Bronson lace, twill, monk's belt and many more. Each participant will dress a loom to a different overshot pattern and weave a sampler on that loom. Time will be spent in learning how to create original patterns using codes and what happens when a four-shaft pattern is converted to eight shafts.
Two days; all levels.

BOUNDWEAVE

Boundweave is not a specific pattern threading or weave structure, but rather a method of treadling to create pattern in a sturdy weft-faced fabric on several different threadings. The resulting fabric is suitable for rugs, wall hangings, bags, pillows and some garments. Each student will dress a loom to a different threading and explore the design possibilities of that weave. Using graph paper and colored markers, we will learn to draft out figures and designs which will then be woven at the loom.
Two days; all levels.

TWILLS, TWILLS, TWILLS

The variety of texture and pattern within the twill family of weaves is amazing. In this workshop we will explore 4- and 8-shaft twills by weaving samples on looms prepared by participants. Samples will include plain and not-so-plain twills, color-and-weave effects, boundweave, lacey twills, backed twills, plaited twills and more.
Two days; all levels.

NEW

LINEN: MEETING THE CHALLENGE

Most of us have been told early in our weaving experience that linen is difficult to work with and from then on have avoided it like The Plague. While it is true that linen's unique characteristics make it a bit more challenging than cotton and wool, it is well worth the extra effort to be able to create pieces of heirloom quality. In this class we will learn about the care and handling of this special fiber from dressing the loom through weaving, finishing and caring for the cloth. Each student will dress a loom in class with a prewound warp and have the opportunity to weave a variety of samples using different weights and types of linen yarn and linen blends in several weave structures. Some weaving experience is necessary. Three days; intermediate level, $25 materials fee includes warp, weft and handouts

	ADVENTURES IN DOUBLEWEAVE The process of weaving more than one layer of fabric on the loom simultaneously sounds complex to new weavers and to be able to interchange these layers to create pictures, textures, forms and designs seems almost incomprehensible. In this workshop we will explore a wide variety of doubleweave techniques including two separate layers, tubular, double width, pick-up, quilted cloth, polychrome, interlocking, pique, backed fabrics and more. The mysteries of working with double layers on four- and eight-shaft looms will be solved and many practical applications of these techniques shared. Participants will be assigned a threading draft; looms will be exchanged for sampling. Three days; all levels.
	OVERSHOT VARIATIONS The pattern possibilities in traditional four-shaft overshot are almost endless. This workshop begins with a study of the traditional pattern drafts, identifying the blocks, weaving "as drawn in" and progresses to some of the lesser known treadlings such as Scandinavian manner, petit point, brocade, sunburst, shadow fashion and into treadlings based on other weave structures such as summer and winter, crackle, Bronson lace, twill, monk's belt and many more. Each participant will dress a loom to a different overshot pattern and weave a sampler on that loom. Time will be spent in learning how to create original patterns using codes and what happens when a four-shaft pattern is converted to eight shafts. Two days; all levels.
	LACE WEAVES Canvas, huck, Bronson, Swedish, Spanish are but a few of the names weavers encounter when introduced to lace weaves. In this workshop, you will have the opportunity to weave samples of each of these, plus others, as each participant will dress a four- or eight-shaft loom to a different lace pattern and weave a collection of samples on each loom. In addition to weaving, there will be discussion of application of the patterns to practical use, comparison of the various structures and designing and drafting of your own patterns. Many handwoven examples will be available. Two days; all levels.
	BOUNDWEAVE Boundweave is not a specific pattern threading or weave structure, but rather a method of treadling to create pattern in a sturdy weft-faced fabric on several different threadings. The resulting fabric is suitable for rugs, wall hangings, bags, pillows and some garments. Each student will dress a loom to a different threading and explore the design possibilities of that weave. Using graph paper and colored markers, we will learn to draft out figures and designs which will then be woven at the loom. Two days; all levels.
	SUMMER AND WINTER Summer and winter is a single two-tie unit weave and is one of the first pattern weaves beginning weavers encounter. It is a good introduction to the understanding of block theory which if understood in this weave structure can be easily applied to other unit weaves. This workshop is designed as a round robin in which participants weave samples on different looms to gain an appreciation for and an understanding of the various forms summer and winter weave can take. Two days; all levels.
	*TWILLS, TWILLS, TWILLS* The variety of texture and pattern within the twill family of weaves is amazing. In this workshop we will explore 4- and 8-shaft twills by weaving samples on looms prepared by participants. Samples will include plain and not-so-plain twills, color-and-weave effects, boundweave, lacey twills, backed twills, plaited twills and more. Two days; all levels.
	EIGHT-SHAFT FAVORITES This workshop is designed for the weaver who has recently "graduated" to an 8-shaft loom or is anticipating doing so. Each participant will provide an 8-shaft loom set up with an assigned pattern and will weave samples on each loom. Exploring treadling variations will be stressed to maximize the potential of each structure, to encourage creative exploration and to learn what can be done with 8 shafts that is not possible with 4. Two or three days; intermediate level.
	PLAYING WITH BLOCKS: THE ABC'S OF WEAVING Are you confused by the terms blocks and units as applied to weaving? If so, you are not alone. In this class we will play with blocks to create designs--lots of designs--and learn how to "plug in" different unit weaves to weave our designs in various lace weaves, summer and winter and other tied weaves, supplementary warp, twill blocks and many other weave structures. We will design on graph paper so we understand the process, but we will also see how a computer program can be a useful tool for this creative activity. Profile drafts are the weaver's shorthand and allow a lot of information to be given in a very abbreviated form. By working through some exercises together, we will become familiar with the terminology and notation and know how to make use of drafts and designs that are presented in the literature and how to either modify these for our own use or use them as a jumping off point to create our own original designs. Participants will be assigned a 4- or 8-shaft threading draft; looms will be exchanged for sampling. Two or three days; all levels.
	COLOR-AND-WEAVE Color-and-weave is a pattern effect produced by combining a weave structure with a dark/light color sequence in both warp and weft. The result is different from either the original woven structure or the dark/light sequence itself. In this workshop we explore this principle by weaving samples of many weave structures using a variety of dark/light color sequences. Included are plain weave, twills, huck, summer and winter, doubleweave and more on 4- and 8-shaft looms. Students learn to draft color-and-weave designs on graph paper and will work with numerous books and mongraphs on the subject so that the various drafting notations are understood. Two days; all levels.
	NEW LINEN: MEETING THE CHALLENGE Most of us have been told early in our weaving experience that linen is difficult to work with and from then on have avoided it like The Plague. While it is true that linen's unique characteristics make it a bit more challenging than cotton and wool, it is well worth the extra effort to be able to create pieces of heirloom quality. In this class we will learn about the care and handling of this special fiber from dressing the loom through weaving, finishing and caring for the cloth. Each student will dress a loom in class with a prewound warp and have the opportunity to weave a variety of samples using different weights and types of linen yarn and linen blends in several weave structures. Some weaving experience is necessary. Three days; intermediate level, $25 materials fee includes warp, weft and handouts