Small Group Weaving Classes – Floor Loom
Learn to Weave on a Four Shaft Loom. This class is offered in three distinct segments. Students can sign up for any session. However, it is strongly suggested that students sign up for all three sessions and complete them in order. Each session builds on the information learned in the prior Session. Typically each class session is 4 hours. Students will be provided with a 4-shaft table loom and all other necessary equipment to be used for the duration of the class, and will wind their warps per the instructions for the project, and put the warp on the loom. Once the loom is warped and students have successfully started each project, students are expected to take the looms home and continue weaving until completion of the project.
Session One. Learn the Weaving Process.
The project for this class is a wool (or similar fiber) scarf woven in plain weave.
In this class, students will learn the following skills:
- Computing your yarn needs for a new project using a worksheet;
- Winding a warp on a warping board;
- Beaming the warp on a 4-shaft table loom (looms and tools are provided for your use for the duration of the class);
- How to use a raddle;
- The proper use of Lease Sticks;
- How to read a weaving draft;
- How to thread the heddles;
- How to sley the reed;
- How to tie on to the front apron rod with even tension;
- How to wind a bobbin for a shuttle;
- How to use a boat shuttle;
- How to weave a pattern;
- How to remove a finished piece from the loom;
- How to wet finish the completed piece.
Session Two: Multiple Patterns from One Threading
The project for this class is 10 “mug rugs” (coasters), each woven in a different pattern on the same threading. The yarn for this project is a cotton yarn that is smaller than the wool yarn used for the prior project.
In this class, students will learn the following additional skills:
- How your choice of yarn affects your yarn calculations;
- Working with a smaller warp yarn in a different fiber;
- How to read a weaving draft including multiple treadling options;
- How to use the loom levers to achieve different patterns;
- How to hemstitch;
- Proper set up and use of floating selvedges;
- The art of weaving different patterns;
- How to remove multiple pieces from the loom;
- How to wet finish the completed work.
Session Three: Overshot or Shadow Weave
The project for this class is a table runner or scarf. Students choose either Overshot or Shadow Weave and compute their own yarn needs. This project will be completed with minimal help from the instructor.
In this class, students will learn the following additional skills:
- Working with a finer cotton yarn (Shadow Weave);
- Working with two sizes of yarn in the same project (Overshot);
- Computing yarn amounts for two different yarns in the same project;
- Reading a weaving draft requiring two yarns;
- Shuttle handling for two shuttles.
Guild or Group Floor Loom Workshops
Weaving and Designing for Shadow Weave. This workshop can be either two or three days. It includes a pre-workshop Zoom meeting where we look at various shadow weave woven samples and drafting Shadow Weave using iWeaveIt software. (Students are welcome to use their own software to execute the designing steps.) Prior to the workshop, students will be provided with a library of WIF files for 4-, 6-, and 8-shaft Shadow Weave drafts, and a video lesson on winding a warp with two yarns. The workshop itself includes:
- Hands-on Warping from Back to Front (3-day workshop)
- A history and detailed explanations of the three methods of Shadow Weave (Atwater, Powell, Parallel Shadow Weave) and the differences between each;
- Color considerations in Shadow Weave;
- Designing for Shadow Weave, including converting existing drafts, multiple tie-up strategies, and use of weaving software. For the best experience, students will bring a device equipped with weaving software;
- Assistance at the looms.
Students use their own looms and weave either a scarf, table runner, or napkins using different treadling options. The suggested yarn for this workshop is 5/2 Cotton or 8/2 wool. A notebook of information will be provided to each student.
Weaving Classes – Rigid Heddle Loom
Learn to Warp and Weave on a Rigid Heddle Loom. This workshop can be a group class (maximum 5 students) or a private class. It can be scheduled all in one day or in two half-day sessions. The project for this class is a wool (or similar yarn) scarf 8” wide and approximately 60” long (not counting the fringe).
No prior experience required.
In this class, students will learn:
- The name of the various parts of a Rigid Heddle loom, and the function of each;
- Yarn choice: What is appropriate for warp and weft;
- How to Direct Warp the loom;
- How to beam the warp and tie on with even tension;
- How to wind a stick shuttle;
- How to weave on the loom, including tips and tricks for neat selvedge edges.
- How to remove the project from the loom.
Weaving Lace on a Rigid Heddle Loom. This is a full day group workshop focused on weaving lacy weave structures on a Rigid Heddle Loom. The finished project for this class is a sampler. Suggested yarn is 3/2 Cotton. In this class, students will learn multiple lace weaves including finger-manipulated lace weaves, lace structures using a pick-up stick, and more. Combinations of lace structures to make larger borders, etc., will also be learned.
Students will arrive with a warped loom and should have some prior experience weaving on a Rigid Heddle Loom.