Schedule

This class will review winding a warp on a warping board and dressing the loom from back to front and front to back. Students will be provided with a short narrow warp so that they can dress their loom in their preferred method. There will be a review of tying onto the front tie-on rod, closing up spaces, preparing the beginning (and end) of the cloth for hemstitching and/or fringe. Students will have an opportunity to practice hemstitching. Other topics will include how to begin and end weft yarns, achieve good edges, manage shuttles in multi-shuttle structures, and use floating selvedges. Reading basic drafts and profile drafts will be covered. Other useful information (such as how to properly repair broken warp ends) will be included, if time permits. This class is not for the total beginner.

This will be a hands-on, round-robin style workshop. Participants will learn about profile drafts and have an opportunity to study and compare six different structures using the same profile draft. The structures are Bronson Lace, Log Cabin (i.e., a color-and-weave plain weave), M’s and O’s, Monk’s Belt, Rep Weave, and Summer and Winter. Participants will also learn how to manage multiple shuttles and how to achieve nice, smooth selvedges. Each person will bring a 4-shaft floor loom that is dressed according to instructions provided by the instructor in advance of the conference. The instructor will bring an extra loom to ease the stress that some weavers experience with round-robin style workshops.

This will be a hands-on exploration of several useful finishing techniques. Handwoven cloth will be provided. Participants will learn three different methods of sewing hems by hand ─ one that hides the thread, one that creates eyelets, and one that produces well-aligned topstitching. Participants will practice making half Damascus and Damascus edges; large triangle braids; twisted fringe using Mabel Ross’s twisted fringe ratios for two and three-ply braids; and securing braids with whipping and half hitches.