2008-2009 AM Workshop Descriptions |
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Morning workshops meet from 10 AM until noon. They provide an opportunity to broaden one’s understanding of various aspects of weaving and related areas. We hope that these workshops will provide inspiration and understanding for exploring and developing new areas of interest. Single-session workshopsUnusual Threads Study Group 1 Session: September 10, 2008 Having chosen to more deeply explore Bamboo thread, the final meeting of Unusual Threads study will meet to share tales of their latest exploration into this relatively new fiber. Members will bring findings and samples to share with the group.
Warping Front to Back and Tying On 1 Session: September 10, 2008 In this course we will warp a loom using the front to back method and then tie a new warp on without having to go through the reed and heddles again. The benefits of this method and when to use it will be discussed.
A Closer Look at the Guild’s Collection of Mid-20th
Century Samples and a Start on the Guild Show Project for NEWS 1 Session: October 8, 2008 The Guild is undertaking a re-do of some of the samples in our collection from the mid-20th century to use as the topic of our guild show for NEWS 2009 in July. The plan is to use currently available yarns and colors to change these "dated" samples into useable contemporary textiles. Included are fabrics designated by their weavers in the 1960’s as upholstery, clothing, and drapery fabrics. All but two of the samples are woven on four shafts. Come see the original sample pages, pick a pattern to weave for the guild show, and join in the brainstorming about how to contemporize the collection.
Origami Stars and Folded Boxes 1 Session: October 8, 2008 Need inexpensive ornaments for your tree? A pretty little box for that special present? Karin will show you how to make them.. Bring scissors, pencil and ruler and a $1.00 fee for materials and handouts.
Traditional Textiles in Cusco, Peru: Slides and Show
and Tell from a Tour with Nilda Calanaupa Alvarez 1 Session: October 8, 2008 J ody and Norma will present slides from their two week tour with Nilda Calanaupa Alvarez through six of the nine villages that are part of the Center for Traditional Textiles in Cusco (CTTC). The tour included two days in Lima, 11 days in Cusco and the Sacred Valley, and 1 and ½ days in Machu Picchu. You will see close-ups of weavers at work, the different weaving styles and clothing of each of the villages, the brilliant colors, breathtaking geography, and open-faced people that make Peru a special destination. There will be examples of weaving (and knitted hats) to look at and touch.
Kasuri 1 Session: November 12, 2008 Kasuri is the Japanese term for the intricate process of creating delicate resist patterns in both warp and weft yarns. The patterns, many of which carry specific cultural meanings, are the result of careful planning, selective and precise binding of warp and weft bundles, and the subsequent dyeing and weaving of the cloth. Beginning with a brief slide show and lecture, Charlotte will compare the related resist dyeing practices of other cultures to Japanese kasuri and then conduct a practice session of hands-on kasuri binding. Handout fee $3.00 and reimbursement for program copying costs.
Developing Your Color Sense 1 Session: February 11, 2009 Here is your chance to expand your use of color. Sharon will give a short lecture followed by several simple, hands-on color exercises and color challenges. The participants will learn interesting ways to work with color. This workshop will train your eyes and mind to use color creatively in weaving.
Fibonacci Fudge 1 Session: March 11, 2009 Leonardo Fibonnaci, a 13th century Italian mathematician, left a sequence of numbers which has helped weavers and designers create successful stripe proportions. But what happens if the number of warp ends for a project doesn’t fit neatly into the Fibonacci number sequence? Learn how a rep weaver discovered a way to make Fibonnaci Fudge. Weavers will practice the mathematics by creating several warp stripe "wrappings". Weavers will learn a method of notation which will help them transfer the striping proportion to either their warping boards or sectional warp beams.
Sewing with Handwoven Fabrics 1 Session: April 8, 2009 This will start with a lecture type and slide presentation to briefly address the design process for garment construction. Guidelines on cloth preparation, pattern fit, and layout will then be discussed. The class will end with sharing sewing tips and finishing techniques. The purpose of this lecture is to encourage weavers to confidently cut and sew handwovens to create beautiful, one of a kind garments. There may be a small handout fee (approx: $2 per person).
Making Selvages Better 1 Session: April 8, 2009 Don’t go over the edge worrying about your selvages. Learn the many factors which help create better selvages on handwovens and how the textile industry, professional weavers and experienced weavers deal with selvages. The instructor will bring a warped loom to demonstrate different selvage applications. Bring note-taking materials. You may bring a shuttle with a filled bobbin if you wish.
Two-session workshopsSurface Weaves 2 Sessions: September 10, 2008 and November 12, 2008 Using those special yarns to best advantage can be a challenge. Surface weaves in which they show mostly on one surface is one answer. Two sessions will explore how different weavers have accepted this challenge from ancient times to the present. This will consist of a computer aided presentation with a chance to see (and feel) the actual samples as well. Each participant will receive a CD containing the whole presentation to aid in the "homework" which will be to weave samples for the entire class of your own personal solution. The concept is simple and the results limited only by your imagination. The first session will concentrate on four shaft weaves and the second session on discussing your results and on multi-shaft examples presented by the teacher. Feel free to bring any examples you may have to share with the class. Handout fee is $2.50.
Loom Weaving with Plants, 2 Sessions: November 12, 2008 and February 11, 2009 Weaving with plants is an ancient craft. This class describes how to harvest, prepare, and weave using common garden plants as weft materials. Although plant stems and leaves are most often used for off-loom weaving, learn how you can create beautiful, naturally interesting textiles right on your loom! Students will bring a loom to the first session, warped with cotton, per directions to be sent out ahead. 4H table or floor looms are fine. Students can then weave with daffodil stems provided by Patricia, or using their own collection of leaves or stems. In the second session, Patricia will demonstrate how to make eyeglass or business card cases using this cloth, and provide students with materials for sewing their cloth at home. If desired, students can bring in their sewing machines and work in class along with the demonstration. Materials fee: $14 if using stems from the instructor, else $4.
Ruffles, Crinkles and Wrinkles 2 Sessions: November 12, 2008 and March 11, 2009 Many of the commercially-loomed fabrics we see used in today’s clothing, especially in specialty shops, use processes to change the surface of the fabric. Permanent pleats, crinkles, wrinkles and ruffles are seen everywhere. Learn more information about how to alter the flat woven surface of your handweaving. Weave structure, combination of materials and finishing will be considered as elements in altering your handwoven cloth. Join others interested in trying one of the suggested techniques for the March class. Share discoveries, finished products and information with fellow handweavers as we progress from flat to textured surfaces.
Garbage Warps, a.k.a. "Cleaning Out Your Yarn
Closet" 2 Sessions: March 11, 2009 and April 8, 2009 We all have partial cones of yarn left over from previous projects, taking up valuable space in our yarn closets. Bring those yarns and let’s plan a project to use them up with a goal of not having to purchase any more yarn to complete the weaving. In session one we’ll weigh the yarn, determine how many yards are available, and them discuss options such as stripes, plaids, 4 and 8 shaft drafts, combining textures, colors and yarns, planned warps and random warps. Samples will be shown. Students will then design a project at home, which will be reviewed and finalized during session two. Students will leave session two ready to wind the warp and begin weaving. If you attended this class in May 2008, you may want to sign up just for the second session.
Three-session workshopsLace Weaves 3 Sessions: February 11, 2009, March 11, 2009, April 8, 2009 Have you ever thought how many of the weave structures we now take for granted may have started out as mistakes? The lace weaves are prime candidates. Considered this way, it is a short step to figuring out how to put these pretty, lacy holes where you want them. In the first session, we will start with 3 basic structures on four shafts: Huck, Swedish Lace and Atwater-Bronson lace. The second session will cover lace on more than four shafts, a logical introduction to multiple shaft weaves in general. The third and last session will be about combining weaves and about producing lace on other threadings. Assignments will be made between classes so that participants can exchange samples for their notebooks. (note: for those with only four shafts, it is permissible to take only the first session. However, this is a good way to learn about multi-shaft weaving, threading and tie-ups and about block weaves.) This class will use digital projections and each participant will receive a copy of the disk to study at home to help with the homework which will consist of samples to be distributed to the whole class. Two sets of samples need to be made one after the first class and one after the second. $5 handout fee to cover all three classes. |
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Please bring note taking materials to all classes. A materials list will be mailed out to students. registration form (in
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