Jump to: Dyeing | Basket Making | Weaving | Spinning
Important Note
We have been overwhelmed by the enthusiasm for this conference. All classes are now full.
No registration is necessary for the wait list. To be wait listed for a class, or for any other registration-related concerns, please email the conference registrar at cnch2015registrar@gmail.com.
Dyeing Classes
Serendipity In a Cup
From the soft, muted watercolor effects of Monet to the bright, brilliant color contrast of Van Gogh, to clear and crisp edged images as in Matisse, this workshop will provide methods and techniques for applying permanent, colorfast dyes to the handwoven cloth. With a “no limits” design approach in color application to both warp and weft available only to handweavers, we will explore various techniques of precise imagery as well as the freedom of serendipitous “gay abandon.”
Through class discussion, instructor-provided samples, slides and hands-on experimentation, students will learn to use basic color theory in their design considerations as they relate to color interplay in weave structure and preparation for surface design elements before, during and after weaving. Learning about compatible dyes as they apply to silk and protein fibers, mixing color “primaries” to achieve their chosen “palette”, applying and setting the dyes in class, students will ultimately finish their own uniquely “painted” handwoven masterpiece. We will design, dye and finish warp and weft for two silk scarves – one in precise imagery, the other in a more painterly, water color effect. All accomplished with colors in a “cup”.
No boiling pots. No cumbersome buckets. No chemicals added to the dye liquids. Easily obtainable and common inexpensive tools/materials will be used. (Time permitting, we will explore the possibilities of surface design techniques unique to handwoven cloth as they relate to what is learned in this class. Instructor will provide samples.)
Each student will be provided silk warp and weft yarns for two separate projects in class; all dyes used in class, detailed handouts with instructions, resource references, and bibliography of suggested reading included. 15 students maximum.
Materials fee: $70.00.
The Wonders of Natural Dyeing
A comprehensive, hands-on introduction into the fascinating world of natural dyes, so get your gloves on and let’s go! We’ll start with flowers, leaves, roots and bark plus one feisty bug and an indigo vat; and with the help of exhaust baths, post baths, and over-dyeing, we’ll dye a rainbow of at least 12 gorgeous colors. Included in the class is a handbook of detailed instructions complete with photos and additional samples.
Note: This class will be held off-site – a seven minute walk will allow the students to enjoy the local scenery and a shuttle will be available for those who would prefer not to walk.
Materials fee: $50.00 for all mordants, dyes, yarns & comprehensive handbook of instructions and samples.
Basket Making Classes
The Ins and Outs of All Things, Expanding Thoughts of Random Weaving
Students will encounter both 2D & 3D applications of random weaving, stitching and mark making from a vast variety of materials collected both from nature and domestic cast offs. Wire, cardboard, rubber tubing mixed with rocks, various barks among others creating personal sculptures, totems and amulets that invoke stories of time and place. “The best way to understand and foster creativity is to break things down and mix things up.” All materials are provided. Students are required to bring the following basic tools: Awl, scissors, a heavier basket making cutter such as a “Bonsai cutter,” needle nose pliers, *also pliers with a wire cutting element would be helpful. (Other things students may want of their own are odds and ends of scraps of all types, other embellishment options such as beads, etc.)
Materials fee: $40.00 for supplies.
Wavy Willow
The basket is in plain weave going back and forth to produce hills and valleys, and three strand twining in between. We will use a variety of colorful materials- willows, dogwood, maple, ivy, rushes, reed and anything else people might want to bring and add in. The size can be from about 3 feet tall to much smaller depending on the hand strength of the weaver. We will do a basic round base but more advanced weavers can try the oval base. Students will need a sharp pocket knife, a pair of garden clippers (the bypass type), and a large awl (like a scratch awl or bodkin). Also some clamps or twist ties can be helpful.
Materials fee: $40.00 for supplies, optional pre-woven base available at additional cost.
Weaving Classes
3-End Block Weave
An exploration of three end block weaves, the same structure Jason uses to weave all his rugs. Starting with simple two color designs and moving on to designing within the blocks and the introduction of a third color. Techniques such as clasped wefts and dovetailing will be looked at to further increase the design scope of this structure. 2/1 double faced twill will also be covered in this class. Special emphasis will be placed on Shaft Switching, every one being able to adapt their looms in class to try out this exciting technique. Each participant will bring a loom.
Materials fee: $2.00
Egyptian Tablet Weaving Duo
One new technique (relatively speaking), and one very old. The first was a consequence of misnaming – Egyptian Diagonals were never done by Egyptians, but are still very fun to weave and were first woven and named by Mary Atwater. Complex patterns are easily woven and produced in no time. Egyptian Diamonds were woven by Egyptians over 1000 years ago. Coptic bands with distinctive diamond patterns have been discovered and examined. Learn how to weave this distinctive pattern, and create your own new patterns.
Materials fee: $15.00 for 20 cards, shuttle, handout.
Explore an Underappreciated Structure: Diversified Plain Weave
Diversified Plain Weave is an often overlooked weave structure that deserves more exploration. In this round-robin workshop weavers will learn the wonderful qualities and possibilities of this weave through lecture and hands-on practice. Each participant will bring a loom, pre-threaded to a design provided by the instructor. Students will leave the class with an annotated workbook, set of samples and the skills to go on to design their own uniquely “Diversified” textiles.
Materials fee: $30.00 for comprehensive workbook. Optional $10.00 for CD of all workshop drafts plus bonus drafts.
It’s In the Warp: Color and Design In Rep
Two different colored warps (a pattern colorway and a background colorway) combine with thick and thin weft to form the elements for exploring block design in warp-faced rep. Participants will receive patterns in advance of the workshop for 4 and 8 shaft looms. They will warp and thread the loom prior to the workshop, and then learn the basics of tying onto the front beam and how to weave using two shuttles with different weight wefts. Discussions will focus on profile drafting, use of color, movement of blocks in independent and linked fashion, skeleton tie-ups, different threading systems, and design considerations for 4 and 8 shaft looms. Weavers will work exclusively on their own loom (4 or 8 shaft) to understand the weave structure of rep.
Materials fee: $1.50 for color wrap materials.
The Next Step: Inkle Weaving Advanced Techniques
For those who are looking for the next step with this simple two shaft loom, explore these more challenging techniques for greater versatility in design. Learn 1/1 name draft pick up, runic pick up, standard 5 or 7 thread pick up, and supplemental warp and weft techniques. Also Paired Pebble Pick up and Turned Krokbragd as time permits. Rental looms will be available.
Materials fee: $10.00 heddle cord, pickup stick, full color handout and supplementary warps. Loom rental: $10.00, can be applied to loom purchase ($68.00).
Exploring the Eight Shaft Loom
At last! You have an eight shaft loom. Now it is time to see what it can do for you. This on-loom workshop is designed to put the loom through its paces and show you what the two of you can accomplish together.
We will explore the structures you have read about and studied. You see how one versatile threading allows you to produce a variety of coordinated fabrics on one warp. Our study is systematic and thorough. Each participant must have an eight shaft loom. (More than eight are welcome, too!)
Materials fee: None.
Basic Beginner’s Weaving Class
This class is designed for beginners who want to learn basic start-to-finish weaving on a loom. Students will learn terminology, warping techniques, pattern interpretation, trouble-shooting, and short cuts. Students will learn to warp a loom, weave one or more patterns, and experiment with different treadle tie-ups and threads.
Materials fee: $30.00 for threads, other supplies, and printed material.
Spinning Classes
The Secret Garden: Rare and Precious Fibers
In the modern textile world, millions of tons of synthetics, reconstructed cellulosics, unending genetically altered cotton and chemically treated super wash wool flood our throwaway textile world. But Mother Nature has a little backwater, or perhaps more truly a secret garden of rare and precious fibers. Rare fibers, fibers that can’t be produced in amounts large enough to meet the demands of mainstream production and mass markets but are perfect for artisan fiber processers and handspinners.
In this workshop, we’ll look at some of these fibers, gems of the handspinner’s world. We’ll learn about the animals and plants that produce these fibers, the cultures that sustain them and how they can be used to create fabric, either knitted, woven or felted. We’ll spin several rare silks, qiviuk, bison, pygora, super fine alpacas, yak, a variety of cashmeres and any other lovely treasures that come my way.
Bring your wheel and all its parts, even the ones you don’t use. Bring a ball winder and a swift, if you have them, a niddy noddy, handcards — cotton ones if you have them. Combs if you have them. Bring along any fibers you have questions about.
Materials fee: $40.00
Drafting and Plying with a Purpose
“Drafting” refers to the way the spinner manipulates or draws out fiber as twist enters it to create yarn. Different drafting methods produce very different yarns even from the same fiber and different fibers may require different techniques.
In this 3 day workshop we’ll work on drafting techniques that spinners of all skill levels will appreciate including diameter control, understanding twist and staple length, drafting for different types of yarn and fibers and the importance of finishing yarns. We’ll make singles that will be the building blocks for many plied variations. Then we’ll move into plying techniques to make a number of different yarn constructions (spiral, cables, crepes, coils, soft core and boucle.)
Materials fee: $50.00 for all fibers plus handout.