SEMINARS/
GUILD PROGRAMS
GUILD PROGRAMS
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SEMINARS/
GUILD PROGRAMS |
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THE BRONSON WEAVES: SPOT, LACE AND II There
are three weave structures that have Bronson in their names: Spot Bronson,
Bronson Lace and Bronson II. We will look at all three so we know the
differences but will concentrate on Spot Bronson and Bronson Lace with
application to four- and eight-shaft looms. Working with profile drafts,
we will design different block arrangements and learn how to treadle to
get the spots and lacey areas to appear where we want them. By understanding
the weave structure, we will be able to design our own cloth and to weave
with weft floats or warp floats or both. Bronson Lace pick-up will also
be taught and demonstrated with limited opportunity for hands-on weaving.
The instructor will provide a loom for demonstrating and weaving Bronson
Lace pick-up, many handwoven examples, and handouts. Students will need
to bring 8- or 10-squares-to-the-inch graph paper, pencil and eraser.
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A BOUNTY OF KITCHEN LINENS It's
always easy to justify a project that can be used, and the kitchen provides
opportunity for many useful linens: mats, napkins, towels, aprons, mug
rugs, tea cozies, hot pads, etc. This lecture is designed mainly as inspiration
and will begin with sources of ideas, appropriate fibers (concentrating
on cotton and linen but including grasses, fabric and metallics). We will
discuss what to look for in selecting appropriate patterns; several drafts
will be shared that the instructor has found to be especially versatile.
We will look at different finishing treatments: binding, hems, fringes
and decorative additions. Several ideas for exchange projects will be
shared. The instructor will bring an extensive collection of kitchen textiles
to serve as examples and inspiration. |
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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. Through samplers and finished
projects we will see the variety of possibilities and learn to draft figures
on graph paper. Students will need 4-squares-to-the-inch graph paper and
crayons, colored pencils or markers. |
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DOUBLEWEAVE Weaving more than
one layer of fabric on the loom simultaneously and interchanging these
layers to create pictures, textures, forms and designs seems almost
mind-boggling to those who have not tried it. Through finished items
and slides we will show the wide variety of doubleweave techniques available
to those with four- and eight-shaft looms, including two separate layers,
tubular, double width, pick-up, quilted cloth, polychrome, interlocking,
pique, backed fabrics and more. |
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A B C'S OF WEAVING: DESIGNING AND WEAVING WITH BLOCKS Blocks are rectangular
areas of pattern which occur against a background. This class will begin
with the basics of block theory and design through a series of exercises
to enhance understanding. It will progress to interpreting profile drafts,
generating block drawdowns, and finally, applying this to specific weave
structures. By the completion of the class students will be able to
generate their own design suitable to their chosen weave structure,
know how to thread their loom, tie up the treadles and weave the cloth.
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COLOR-AND-WEAVE EFFECTS Color-and-weave
is the term used to describe the way in which patterns occur when one
combination of light and dark threads in the warp cross the same or
a different combination of light and dark threads in the weft. We will
learn how to draft out color-and-weave designs on graph paper and look
at some of the more common patterns of log cabin, the Scottish District
Checks and shadow weave. We will work with numerous books and monographs
on the subject so that we understand the various drafting notations
used. The instructor will provide a wide variety of handwoven examples.
Students need to bring 8- or 10-squares-to-the-inch graph paper and
fine markers or colored pencils. |
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PROJECT PLANNING This class is designed
for the beginning weaver who is overwhelmed by the decisions involved
in planning a weaving project from scratch. We will cover yarn selection,
determining sett, warp layout, yarn calculations, interpreting drafts
and their suitability for the intended project, and any other aspect
of planning and carrying out a weaving project that the students bring
up. Students may come with an idea of a project they would like help
planning, a yarn they would like to use, or we will generate hypothetical
projects and go through the planning steps for those. |
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MAKING THE MOST OUT OF ONE WARP When you go to all
the effort to wind a warp and thread your loom, it's hardly worth it
if the weaving is completed in just a couple of hours. This class will
offer ideas for planning warps that are versatile enough to be woven
into several different projects. Examples: a baker's dozen towels, no
two alike but woven with one threading and tie-up; three tops, same
warp but different wefts, finished in different styles; a co-ordinated
outfit, skirt, stole and blouse. The instructor will provide handouts
of several favorite drafts that have proven particularly versatile and
a number of woven examples. |
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TWO-BLOCK DOUBLEWEAVE Two-block
doubleweave is easy to thread and treadle on both 4- and 8-shaft looms,
and the design possibilities are surprisingly varied. This class will
focus on the use of this weave structure specifically in the design of
warm, colorful fashion scarves, but the principles are applicable to many
other projects as well. We will discuss designing with two blocks, proportions,
color and contrast, with specifics for how to set up the loom and tie-up
for different effects: checkerboard, polychrome or windowpane. Students
will need to bring 4-squares-to-the-inch graph paper and colored markers
or pencils for designing. The instructor will provide numerous samples
and finished scarves to show color and design possibilities.
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NEW THE VALUE OF SAMPLING, SAMPLERS AND GAMPS Although most weavers know they should sample before starting a project, it is a step many weavers avoid. Weaving samplers and gamps can be more fun than weaving yards of cloth for the actual project! Look at different ways to approach sampling and the valuable lessons than can be learned in the process. The instructor will bring samples, samplers and gamps-many that are useful finished items in their own right. Level: Beginner, Intermediate |
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NEW DESIGNING STRIPES Stripes in weaving can be very simple or quite complex; they can be achieved by changes in color, texture or structure, all of which will be included in this class. There are several guidelines to help us with proportions and tools to use in designing our own original patterns. We will do some "hands-on" to gain some experience in working with these techniques and tools. Level: Beginner, Intermediate |