Stripes

Kate Smith

1 session $12.00 March

In Kate’s research and reproduction of the 18th c. fabric - calimanco - she encoun-tered the ultimate use of colors in striped patterns. In some calimanco designs there are more than 25 shades of different colors going from light to dark creating the most striking overall “ombre” effect. These fabrics were a testament to the skills of the designers, dyers and weavers. In this workshop we will explore the creation of stripes from the standpoint of color, weave structure and warping technique. How the same stripe pattern can look so different when woven in a twill, plain weave or satin weave. Kate will demonstrate how to warp a stripe repeat of 10 to 30 threads using a spool rack and spools. There will be lots of woven samples to look at and three looms set up with striped designs in twill, plain weave and satin weave.

Kate Smith has lived in Vermont since 1974 where she learned to weave in Putney, Vermont in 1977 and then at the Marshfield School of Weaving in 1979. She continued on at the Marshfield School of Weaving until 1992 working with Master-Weaver, Nor-man Kennedy, as apprentice, instructor and assistant director. During that 12 year time period Kate immersed herself in every as-pect of traditional textile production from the raising of the sheep and flax to the spinning, dyeing and weaving of the fabric. In 1992 she started her own business - Eaton Hill Textile Works - which specializes in the reproduction of 18th and 19th c. fabrics using all historic equipment and period dye receipts. Kate now teaches weaving, spinning and dyeing techniques at the newly opened Marshfield School of Weaving and consults with museums on their textile interpretation programs. Her woven work is used by many museum conservation departments and private individuals intent on creating authentic decor.

Elegant Ewe—All About Yarn

Marci Richardson

1 session $12.00 March

This lecture will be an overview of different yarn types, including fiber content, yarn weights, differences in preparation and how this applies to knitting, crochet, spinning and weaving. Various and numerous yarns, fibers, samples and handouts will be supplied. Suitable for all levels. Bring note taking materials. No handout fee.

Marci has been the owner of the Elegant Ewe for 15 years. Her shop specializes in knitting, crochet, spinning and rigid heddle weaving and is located on South Main St in Concord.

A Plethora of Permanent Pleats: Part 1 of 2

Barbara Herbster

2 sessions $24.00 March and May

Many of todays fabrics are not flat. Exciting cloth that is deeply textured is being used on the runway and in our lives for dresses, shirts and skirts. If a plain weave cloth that has texture in the form of permanent pleats or deeply extended diamonds appeals to you, then come find out how to achieve this in your own woven cloth. The class will explore and review weft shibori techniques and the secrets necessary to creating a permanent texture in your cloth. This is a 2 part class with related homework. The homework results will be explored at the second session where we learn from one another. We will reveal our paths to success and relate our tales of woe. Those that have 8 shafts will get more exciting results but if you have fewer shafts and have a curious mind you will still be able to achieve remarkable results.

Demonstration on a 4 shaft table loom. Intermediate and Advanced weavers are wel-come. Please bring note taking supplies. The homework can be done on 20/2 cotton, silk, rayon, tencel, bamboo … A page or two of instruction will be provided for a minimal handout fee, if anything.

Barbara’s now signature “two-part classes with homework” have guild members all over New England gleefully stretching their design and weaving skills.

A Medieval Twill for Today - Gebrochene

Marjie Thompson

1 session $12.00 April

Zigzag lines, no number of shafts needed given, and no tie-up with the draft? Sounds like a real problem for a contemporary weaver but, once you know the tricks, it is a marvelously adaptable weave for today. Gebrochene is a twill and is probably the old-er of the two medieval weaves that are still in use. A one-shuttle weave, it was written for 8 to 24 or more shafts but is adaptable for as few as 4. In this morning’s workshop we will look at the old gebrochene drafts, determine how to read them, how to find the tie-ups in the same draft book, discuss, using the computer and graph paper, how to lessen the required shafts, and design our own drafts. Students need to bring graph paper and a pencil. Laptop computers are welcome!

Marjie is well known for finding “new” ideas in old places and enthusiastically shares her discoveries. She also enjoys seeing how her students interpret the “old” ideas in new fibers and projects. Marjie founded and is the coordinator for “Early Weaving Books & Manuscripts”, which is both the largest and longest running study group of Complex Weavers.

You CAN take it with you - Basic Inkle Weaving 101

Connie Gray

1 session $12.00 April

If you have wondered how to use that funny-looking "pegs-on-a frame" loom called an Inkle loom, here is your chance to learn! Using this portable, versatile loom, you can weave narrow straps, bag handles, belts, sashes, shoe laces, or guitar straps and more! A very handy "weaving-supplies-neckpiece" (chatelaine) can be your project too! From sim-ple stripes to complex patterns, this warp-faced technique is easy to warp & weave in this workshop. Bring your own Inkle loom with heddles, or request to borrow one when you register. Materials list will be sent to registrants. Handout fee $3

Connie is known for her mastery of the inkle loom. She also promotes its portability because she enjoys the company of other small-loom weavers when inkling at sunny beaches.

Weaving and Color Theory

Susan Rockwell

1 session $12.00 April

Weaving is unlike other media in relation to color. The only way to understand color is to become conversant with its language. Knowing the language of color will help us make better choices for color use and give us an understanding of what works and what does not work. In this hands-on class, we will discuss color terminology, color characteristics, color temperatures, systematic and non-systematic color combinations, and guide lines for helping us choose col-ors. We will also put into practice what we have learned by doing exercises using yarn. The goal of the class is to be-come conversant with the language of color and put it into practice. Suitable for all levels. Please bring a roll of two-sided tape. Susan will provide yarn and handouts. Materials fee: $3.00 Class size 15-20.

Susan is a past president of NEWS and the Vermont Weavers Guild. She has been weaving and teaching for almost thirty years. She considers weaving part of her DNA and particularly enjoys weaving multi-layers at the moment. She has won numerous awards including "Best Use of Color."

Basic Drafting

Mary Ann Sanborn

1 session $12.00 May

Drafting is a universal language used by all weavers. It enables a weaver to record and reproduce a particular textile design. There are different forms of weaving notation and various types of drafts. This class will concentrate on thread-by-thread drafts, working through the steps necessary to provide an accurate depiction of a woven cloth. With good drafting skills, a weaver can reproduce cloth from written notation, document original ideas and designs for later use, and guard against errors in drafts printed in books and magazines. If time permits, we will look at one or two computer drafting programs. Suitable for New and Intermediate weavers who want to know how to draft. Please bring: Note paper, graph paper, a few colored pencils and pens, and White Out and/or an eraser. There will be a fee for the handout.

Mary Ann is a longtime member of the NHWG. She has taught classes for our Guild and other area Guilds, as well as at NEWS. She enjoys weaving, though she doesn’t get to do enough of it, and teaches weaving, drafting, color & weave, weave structures, tablet weaving, and Shaker textiles. She lives in Canterbury, NH.

Summer and Winter Weave Structure

Ruth Zecchini

1 session $12.00 May

Summer and winter is a fun, versatile and colorful weave structure. This class will focus on teaching the basics of sum-mer and winter weave structure to beginning weavers who have not worked with the structure before; you will be able to thread a loom and weave a summer and winter article or project. Basics will include information on tied weaves, use of two shuttles, threading of summer and winter, and how to identify a summer and winter piece. The workshop will be a combination of lecture, hands-on and demonstration. Suitable for beginners who have no experience with Summer and Winter weave structure. Please bring graph paper and colored pencils or felt tip pens. Handout fee: $.50

Ruth Zecchini first learned to weave as a part of an occupational therapy program at Tufts University; acquiring her own first loom many years later. She is a long time member of NHWG and past newsletter editor. In 2010 she complet-ed the requirements for Master Weaver at the Hill Institute in Florence, MA. In 2011 she received an award at NEWS for her clerical stole.