Programs| Handweavers Guild of CT

Completed Programs 2022 - 2023

March 18, 2023 – STATE MEETING

Open: Arranging a Perfect Marriage: How Fibers and Dyes Interact, Elaine Larsen, PHD, Skidmore College

Fiber artists can use many different fibers in their work to achieve the look and function they desire. Dyeing those fibers gives artists additional options, but the many different types of dyes and dye process can be confusing! This presentation will go over the composition and structure of different fibers (both manufactured and natural) and how different types of dyes (both synthetic and natural) interact with those fibers, to help fiber artists understand their options for creating their desired results. No knowledge of chemistry necessary!

Elaine Larsen has been teaching at Skidmore College for 18 years, raising sheep for 22 years, and knitting for almost 50 years. She developed a course on science in the fiber arts and can’t believe she gets paid to teach it. She dabbles in many aspects of fiber arts, including natural and synthetic dyeing, and enjoys learning new things.

Guest Mini : Split-shed Weaving: Demonstration and Practice session, Deborah Silver

Wondering if split-shed weaving is right for you? Get a bit of hands-on experience as you learn how to weave curved imagery, blend weft colors to create shading, and weave “on opposites”. Learn how to use a cartoon on cloth that advances with the warp stays flat and never wrinkles. Deborah Silver will demonstrate these split-shed weaving techniques and all students will be able to practice these methods.

Materials: $5

Class size: 12

Mini #1: Construction Techniques with Handwoven Fabrics, Mary Ruth Shields

This mini workshop will present a demonstration on using handwoven fabrics in various ways. It will cover cutting, seaming, hemming, combining handwoven and other fabrics, a pocket style, and some closure alternatives. Handouts with information on all the techniques will be provided.

No materials fee.

Learn the art of needle felting to create flat and sculptural pieces that can be used to embellish hats, scarves, and articles of clothing. You can also create jewelry, decorative objects and whimsical figures. Let your creativity shine using simple tools and roving. You will complete one or more samples and go home with your own basic needle felting kit.

Materials fee: $7

Class size: 14

Afternoon Program: The Technique of Split-Shed Weaving, Deborah Silver

Split-shed weaving allows you to blend weft colors to produce shading. You can create curvy designs with continuous wefts in multiple structures on only four shafts. Deborah Silver will discuss the split-shed weaving process, including how to form a split shed on different loom types and how to follow split-shed drafts. She will present a variety of four-shaft pattern combinations that can be achieved using a split shed, as well as a method for creating a cartoon on cloth that will not wrinkle when beating. Deborah will also discuss her woven art and her creative process. She will bring a portfolio of split-shed pattern samples for attendees to peruse.

March 15-17, 2023 - Maxi Workshop

Split-Shed Weaving, Deborah Silver

Break out of blocks with split-shed weaving. Weave curves and blend colors using continuous wefts on a 4-shaft loom with no special equipment. In this workshop, students will create multiple combinations of weave structures using only four shafts and a straight threading. Only tie-ups and treadling are changed between samples. Most of these combinations would normally require a minimum of eight shafts. Students will experiment with combinations of twills, tied weaves, double weave, Han damask, taqueté and more. Woven samples include continuous, complementary, and supplementary wefts, as well as wefts which combine to produce shading for pictorial weaving. (This is the same color-blending process Deborah Silver uses to create her art.) Students will also learn to make a cartoon on cloth that will advance with the warp and will not wrinkle when beating.

Although students will not be able to complete all the samples in class, they will leave with the ability to complete them at home with all of the drafts and instructions. Floor looms are preferable, with jack looms allowing the easiest treadling. Direct tie-up and table looms may also be used. (The process on table looms is slightly slower.) Looms will need to be pre-warped with 8/4 carpet warp (instructions sent prior to workshop).

Class size: 16

Fee: $250 + $15 handout/materials fee.

Open: Bauhaus Interpretations with the Hartford Artisans Tara Patrina, Studio Designer, Hartford Artisans Weaving Center

JANUARY 21, 2023 - STATE MEETING

Every year Hartford Artisans Weaving Center embarks on a studio-wide themed project. In 2022 they have taken on the challenge of embracing and interpreting the styles and processes of the Bauhaus art movement, in particular the women’s weaving department. HAWC Studio Designer Tara Patrina will show examples and discuss elements that the artisans tackled and how they made each piece their own.

Mini #1: Rust Dyeing, Susan Jackson

In this dye workshop we will use old rusty items to dye cotton, linen or wool fabrics or small yarn skeins. The dyed fabric will be their own works of art or can be used for future weaving projects. This is an easy, non-toxic way of dyeing with found objects that create interesting and appealing designs. We will be layering, wrapping, folding and experimenting with different ways of applying our fabrics to the rusty items and vice versa. Please do not bring anything larger than your container will hold.

Participants should bring a glass or plastic container (with lid) approximately 6”w x12”d x4” h. Bring cotton fabric to rust dye (approximately one yard- must fit in container with rust objects). Any rusty objects you have that will fit into the container with your fabric (nails, washers, metal scraps, barbecue grill pieces, metal sheets).

Materials fee: $10 for handouts, supplies.

Class size: 12.

Mini #2: One Warp-Many Weaving Options, Hanna Roehrs

This mini workshop will focus on creating many different projects on one warp. It is important to choose the right warp and yarn for a specific project. You will learn how to start that process. I will give you ideas of how to choose yarns and colors. We will also see how one setup can create different weave structures. Patterns (4 and 8 shaft) will be included in the handouts.

Materials fee: $5

Class size: 12

Mini #3: Sew a Small Zipper Clutch with your Handwoven Fabric, Lois Matson

Use your handwoven fabric to sew a small, lined clutch that closes with a zipper. Quick construction puts the lining and clutch fabric together in only a few steps. They are great for last minute gifts. If you don’t have a machine to bring, come to class with your supplies and learn my technique to finish your project at home.

Materials: Two pieces of handwoven fabric, backed with a light iron-on interfacing, each approximately 8 inches by 10 inches. Same size cotton fabric for lining. Thread, sewing machine and scissors. A zipper the same width as your fabric. Optional: Two pieces of lining fabric or contrasting color measuring 3 inches by 1 ½ inch.
Decorative button or lace.

Materials fee: $3 to cover handouts

Class size: 10

November 5, 2022 - STATE MEETING

Open: Block Weaves: The Key to Designing Your Own Weaving Drafts, Jill Staublitz

Understanding block weaves is fundamental to designing your own weaving drafts, yet the concept of block weaves and profile drafts remains a mystery to so many weavers. This program is designed to make that connection for you and excite you to design your own weaving. Even if you use existing drafts, understanding block weaves and profile drafts will enable you to weave your favorite block patterns in other block structures

Mini #1: Celebrating Wear with Visible Mending, Sophia DeJesus-Sabella

Darning is the sewing technique of repairing cloth by weaving new cloth over holes using needle and thread alone. Holes mended with this technique usually blend into the cloth around them, however with a visible mending approach we celebrate the life of the cloth and call attention to the mend. I learned this technique from Mark Newport at Haystack Mountain School of Crafts and have done over 100 mends since. This workshop will focus on the basics of darning with an emphasis on reinforcing and extending the life of the cloth. We will use our weaver’s brains to explore color and pattern within our darns to create intuitive, functional works of art. Bring a favorite garment that needs repair, along with embroidery floss, an embroidery hoop, needles, and scissors. I will have some hoops, needles, and floss for those who don’t have any.

Class size: 12.

Mini #2: Be Your Own Notecard Designer, Marsha Lodge

Save yourself a trip to the card store! Your notecards can celebrate any occasion- holidays, birthdays, weddings. We will machine or handsew, add buttons, lace, ribbons. I’ll bring the cardstock and envelopes; you bring the ideas. Students should bring sewing machines, handsewing needles, thread, scissors, handwoven or cotton scraps, buttons, lace, ribbon, and an extension cord.

Materials fee: $3

Class size: 10

Mini #3: Potholders: Basic and Beyond, Shelley Neels

Potholders are colorful, easy to make, and make a great gift either alone, or to accompany your handwoven dishtowel. Come learn some tips and tricks and make a potholder to take home. This class will cover basic potholder making but will also include how to make a “twill potholder”. This is a simple weaving technique that makes a pattern similar to a twill. Bring a potholder loom if you have one, some looms will be available to use. Note: No Pro size potholder loops will be available. Please bring standard size potholder loom; crochet hook (about size J or K – large enough to grab a potholder loop); potholder weaving hook; knitting needles longer than 6 inches. If there is time, you are welcome to make more potholders.

Materials fee: $3 to cover handouts and cotton loops.

Class size: 8

Afternoon Program: Archie Brennan, Tapestry as Modern Art, Brenda Osborn

This program will cover Archie Brennan’s adventurous life and his charismatic personality while showing images of his work and some of his adventures. Brenda will also discuss the journey she took with Archie to gather the information that led to her book

Mini # 2: Ratings, Dorrie Hunt and Fran Curran

September 17, 2022 - STATE MEETING

Open: My Weaving Journey, Elizabeth Springett

Travel with me as I recount my many years in the textile industry. Starting with college at Southeastern Massachusetts University in the late 80’s to today, a journey that brings me through production weaving for Randall Darwall into buying and development trips to Europe and Asia then back home to my happy place at WovenSeas Weaving Studio in Warren, RI

Guest Mini: Traditional Warping with Multiple Ends, Justin Squizzero

Winding warps with a single warp end at a time was virtually unknown in Western Europe and America before 1900. In this workshop we’ll look at historical images from the 14th-21st centuries depicting a method of warping using multiple ends that creates a 1x1 lease on one end and a lease for beaming with a raddle at the other. Students will have the opportunity to try the technique using 19th century equipment, and those who wish to bring their own winding equipment and yarn may wind a small warp to take home.

Materials: Participants who wish to wind their own small warps should bring a notebook, a small warping board or mill, two reeds of any size (they don’t need to match), warp ties of their choice, scissors, and four cones of yarn for the warp.

Materials fee: $5.
Class size: 12

Mini #1: Card Weaving, Bev Lewis

Come learn this ancient technique for weaving belts and strips. Card weaving is a backstrap technique that does not require a loom but still uses four sheds. We will explore the possibilities with a four-punch card system which will be pre-warped for you, allowing you to start weaving in the first few minutes. This is a great technique to introduce young people to the joy of weaving. For those interested in joining, HGC will host a Card Weaving Study Group this year. This workshop will teach you the techniques needed to get started in the study group for additional sharing and learning.

Materials fee: $10 for cards and yarn.
Class size: 12.

Ratings is a program offered by the Guild to help members expand their weaving knowledge and skills. We invite everyone interested in finding out more about Ratings to attend this mini workshop. Ratings follow a sequence of requirements. All weavers start with the Apprentice level and can then move onto Journeyman and finally may decide to challenge themselves with the Master Weaver level. In this mini we will discuss how to get started, explain all the requirements for each level and talk about the support available to help you on your way. Bring your questions.

Afternoon Program: Fancy Weaving in the 21st Century, Justin Squizzero

This presentation kicks off with a brief overview of how I came to handweaving and then details the history of my Jacquard equipment, how the loom works, and the entire process of recreating a coverlet woven in 1830.