Four Shafts Aren't Complex? Au Contraire! *Note: This seminar is online only! Robyn Spady will be presenting her seminar Four Shafts Aren't Complex? Au Contraire! It is appropriate for new weavers as long as they have the basics of weaving and how to read a draft. It also includes things, like double-faced weaves and double diagonal twills, that would likely interest more experienced weavers. Here is an outline of what Robyn will cover:
Turning a draft to reduce the number of shafts
Reducing pattern lines
Combining twill and basket weave
Ribbed weave on a straight draw threading
Diversified plain weave
Integrated plain weave
Bumberet
M's & O's/turned M's & O's
Deflected weft weaves
Swivel
Overshot-patterned double weave
Double-faced weft twill
Double-faced warp twill
Double-faced interlocking twill
Parallel threadings
One color
Two colors
Four colors
Date: Saturday, February 8, 2025 Time: 1:00 - 4:00 PM Location: Zoom (Link will be sent out the week of the seminar)
Ice Dyeing Brenda Schilling from Alton, IL hosted a workshop on ice dyeing at Jubilee Farm on October 8th, 2024.
Annie MacHale returned for two more workshops in June 2024!
Baltic Weaving Description: Baltic-style pickup is a simple technique to learn but has vast possibilities for creating exciting patterns on a woven band. We will look at examples to learn the many variations which are possible using the Baltic-style pickup technique, explore simple pickup patterns as well as pick and drop patterns, learn to read and create charts for the designs. Students will set up their looms and weave a sampler of patterns. Annie has stated that this type of weaving requires a heavier yarn than the 3/2, 5/2 or carpet warp. The Omega Sinfonia is a good yarn and if she knows, she can order this at $6.00 per skein.
3-Color Pickup on the Inkle Loom Description: 3-Color Pickup is a more complex version of Baltic pickup. We will look at examples, discuss variations, learn to read and create charts for the designs. Students will set up their looms and weave a sampler of patterns. Annie did say that this type of weaving does require a thicker yarn than the 3/2, 5/2 or carpet warp that was used in her previous classes. She prefers the Omega Sinfonia yarn, and she can order your yarn for that day at $6.00 per skein (to be paid to Annie). Nancy Crampton presented a workshop on Weaving Bands on a Shaft Loom in September 2023.
Description: Love weaving weft-faced bands? Use your table or floor loom to weave bands more quickly and easily. Translate many cardweaving patterns to four-shaft point-twill threadings and adapt krokbragd patterns to weave bands. Participants will bring an unthreaded four-shaft floor or table loom and small amounts of 3/2 perl cotton in various colors. During the workshop wind a warp and weave highly patterned weft-face bands. Participants will design their own patterns, wind the warp and weave a band. Discussion will include hints for successful threading and beaming closely sett yarns and making good color choices.
Annie McHale Presented two workshops for us in July 2023:
Color & Design, Set up & Weave Description: We will look at hundreds of examples and discuss what makes a good design, discuss color theory, look at yarn choices, experiment with color selection tools, make an off-loom preview, chart patterns on paper or with an online tool. Students will then use the patterns that they create to set up the looms. We will discuss tips and tricks for ease of warping, how to produce even bands with straight selvedges, how to finish a band and a bit of problem-solving.
Horizontal Bar Background Pickup on the Inkle Loom Description: The horizontal bar background pickup technique is commonly used in cultures of the Central and South American countries as well as Native Americans of the Navajo and Pueblo tribes. We will look at examples to learn the many variations which are possible using the horizontal bar pickup technique, explore simple pickup patterns as well as pick and drop patterns using one or both colors. Learn to read and create charts for the designs. Students will set up their looms and weave a sampler of patterns. As time allows and depending on student aptitude and interest we will also learn how to weave letters using the same warp.
We had a wonderful time learning from Annie and are very grateful she could come to Springfield! Below you can look at some of the bands woven by participants: