Beginner 4-Harness Loom Weaving
This class is designed for beginner level weaving on a 4 harness loom. It is taught one-on-one and is a 3 class workshop, with each class spaced at least a week apart or more, based on the student's progress. You will learn hands on and will take home a 4 harness table loom to complete samplers and design projects. The first class will be an all day session, with the next two classes being around 4 hours each.
WHAT TO BRING Bring a notebook, pen or pencil and a ring binder. You will need to bring 8 ounces of a light colored worsted weight yarn, and 8 ounces of a dark colored worsted weight yarn. The yarns should have good contrast between them, and should be of identical size. A good inexpensive yarn for this first project is Encore Worsted by Plymouth (5st/inch).
You will work on a small table loom, which will go home with you for your homework. However, if you already have a loom, please bring it!
COST $155.00
CLASS 1
Learn the various parts of the loom
Loom types, shedding mechanisms
Tools of the trade
Weaving terminology
Types of weaving - fabrics, wearables, rugs, decor and more
Fiber theory - drape, strength, hand, selection, grist/size, etc (ongoing at all classes)
Reading drafts and draw-downs, weave structures
How to wind a warp
Basic front to back warping, tensioning
Sampler for homework: Plain weave, rib weave, basket weave, various twills
Understanding balanced weave, weft-faced and warp-faced weaves
CLASS 2
Choosing yarns and setts, making substitutions, using handspun, warp and weft
Reed substitution and sley order
Let's work on technique: selvedges, tension and draw-in, changing yarns, changing colors
Removing from loom: fringes, hem stitch
The importance of wet finishing
Beginning project design: You will be given a project to design
Other warping techniques to explore
Sampler to weave at home: broken twills, point twills, double weaves
CLASS 3
This class will concentrate on what the individual student needs to conquer. I teach this class
one-on-one for this reason alone, as everyone has their own learning curve and may
need to focus on different things.
Weaving tips (Never use a short cut that will compromise the quality of your weaving!!!!)
How to FIX ERRORS, and make corrections at various stages of the process
Interruption techniques
Working with fuzzy fibers and calming sticky sheds
More finishing techniques, on and off the loom - wet finishing and blocking
I will give several beginning projects to take home that introduce various weave structures