Please contact me to discuss a presentation, workshop, or class with your group or institution. Presentations on textile history or stitching workshops can be presented online. Weaving techniques are best in-person.

RECENT EXPLORATIONS

Flamme Textiles of Europe

Inspiration from the ikats from the Silk Road found their way into European textile centers by the end of the 17th century. Learn how these designs were interpreted and developed and how some of them thrive even today. Presentations on history or with warp or weft ikat workshops (see below)

Sashiko Ori

Sashiko Ori is based on the hitomezashi style of Japanese sashiko stitching. This weave structure is basically a supplementary warp and weft and basic possibilities have been mined in weaving traditions from Peru, Japan and Europe. Learn about the history and structure of this weave and how to take design work a step further. Presentations or Workshops

CONTINUING EXPLORATION

Weft Kasuri

Japanese ikat traditions produce patterns of great beauty and subtlety. Learn three methods of weft ikat based on Japanese techniques and learn a little bit about the indigo dyed weft ikats of 18th France.

Shifted Warp Kasuri

Shifted warp patterns are made when simple block tied ikat patterns are transformed as they are beamed onto the loom. Learn about the procedures of handling a warp dyed ikat pattern and how these patterns were combined with solids stripes. A look at shifted warps in Mallorca, which has another approach, will also be incorporated into this workshop.

Sakiori and Zanshi

Based on the recycling traditions of Japanese textiles, sakiori uses finely cut silk or cotton rags to make cloth for clothing, decorative work, household textiles- but not rugs! Learn ways to manage long strips of rags, exploit design possibilities of stripes or pattern on the rags, and control the density of rag fabric. Zanshi uses leftover threads for weaving and is an excellent way to use up some of your stash.

Professional Techniques for Handweavers

You don’t have to weave full time to utilize efficient methods for warping, beaming, threading and weaving. Learn tricks of the the trade from Scottish and Japanese professional weavers to warp with multiple threads, beam without tangles, learning efficient threading and treadling, keep track of it all, and eliminate snarls- yours and your weaving’s.

Woolens, Waulkings, Tartans and Tweeds

A number of workshops are available working with wool. Weaving Tartan, which is a final exam in craftsmanship, Weaving a Blanket to de-stash your wool pile or weaving wool fabric for tweeds. Please contact me and I’ll be glad to work with you on this.