Spring session weaving classes starting soon

 Tea towels and cloths woven in twill by Lis Baston.

Monday evenings for the spring session I will be offering  shibori, woven shibori, and kasuri/ ikat techniques. Please specifiy what you would like to do although you may not have time to do them all in the time that the course runs. Materials are extra. People can also register on Monday for the regular weaving class and do their own projects.

 Example of kasuri or ikat from Keiko Shintani

Examples of shibori by Judith Fielder

Registration for the weaving classes have begun. If you have not already registered it is time to do so.

Please sign up early as the classes have been filling to maximum and we have had to turn people away. Monday classes start April 8 and Wednesday classes start April 3. Below are the codes for the time slot you would like to sign up for. Go to www.learn4life.ca to sign up or do so in the next class.

Mon 10am-1pm Apr 08 8wks $170($102senior)      56820

Mon 1:30-4:30pm Apr 08 8wks $170($102sr)         56819

Mon 6-9pm Apr 08 8wks $170($102sr)                   57043

Wed 10am-1pm Apr 03 8wks $170($102sr)            56818

Wed 1:30-4:30pm Apr 03 8wks $170($102sr)         58755

Wed 6-9pm Apr 03 8wks $170($102sr)                   57044
 

Allison modelling one my handwoven doubleweave capes. She looked so beautiful and vibrant I had to take a snap! She is a great role model for us all and talented as well.

A very successful completion of the double weave sampler by Carla Duncan. On the left, you can see that she created her own 'pick up' designs.

 Summer and winter placemats by Jane Tucker using mop cotton in the weft.

 Some historical artifacts and an old weaving book that Laura de Vrij picked up at a flea market.

 More scarves woven on a knitters loom by Laura de Vrij. She use a variegated yarn in the weft which gave her this gradating effect. It can also be used to great effect in the warp. With the scarf on the left, Laura hand stitched the motif onto the scarf as well as at the edge of the scarf shown below.

Birthe Jorgensen picked up this beautifully woven silk from Laos.

 

Birthe also informed me that people can take textile design and fabric arts (as well as many kinds of crafts or handwork (haandarbejde) courses in Denmark during the summer months. The school is called Skals.

It is one of many  Danish Folk High Schools offering courses in cultural and historical craft practices and is available to  adults in the summer : www.danishfolkhighschools.com/ .  Korte Kurser (short courses) are offered in the summer at Skals. Birthe says  that the school's website isn't in English yet, "but everyone under 90 speaks excellent English" .  Here is a google translation of the one week course in June:

Summer course - with Skals embroidery, re-design of textiles for the home and body, jewelry, embroidery and weaving.

Summer Course in Skals is like a vacation where you will be filled with inspiration and peace. With talented teachers and other students immerses you in new techniques while you develop yourself and your craft. Jewelry, design, embroidery, weaving are examples of what is offered.

Additional activities include lectures, field trips, visits to studios/workshops,  exhibitions, and craft fairs.  For more go to www.skals.nu

 

 

Canadian weaving history

I would like to thank a Ellen Allas and Marion Kirkwood for their donations to our draw and weaving class. Monies collected from the draw go to paying for equipment, assorted items for weaving and reparations. One of the items donated was Mary Black's New Key to Weaving. This publication has some interesting Canadian history attached to it. Mary Ellouise Black, the author, was born September 18, 1895 and was an occupational therapist who trained at McGill University in Montreal. She went on to become a teacher, master weaver and writer, contributed to a renaissance in weaving in Nova Scotia in the 1940s and 1950s. She helped to establish the Guild of Canadian Weavers in 1947, The Key to Weaving was first published in 1945 and has since had 3 editions and numerous printings, and retitled in its subsequent printings as The New Key to Weaving. Half a century later, it remains a well respected source of information for the hand weaver. Ms Black died in Wolfville, Nova Scotia on February 11, 1988, at age 92. Other items in the draw are: a swift, knitting books, weaving magazines, yarn and more. Make sure you buy your ticket next time you are in: they are $2 each or 3 for $5.

Jane A. Evans, Weavers  magazine, Winter 1997

 It's time to register for the Spring weaving classes. The TDSB will start taking online and telephone registrations come February 19. You can also register with me in the class but please do not leave it to the last minute as the last two sessions we have had to turn people away  because we were at maximum. In the coming weeks I will include a link to the courses with their codes.
Come the Spring session, I will be offering painted warp lessons as used in an 'art' manner if you ask for it. Presently, it is only available in the spring session.

Examples of woven shibori from the book Woven Shibori by Catherine Ellis

I am also offering painted warp, woven shibori and shibori technqiues  Mondays 10am to 1pm and 6pm to 9pm  only. These techniques are best used for garments and fashion accessories. Please rsvp with me at tapestryline@sympatico.ca.

Examples of shibori created by Judith Fielder.

Mimma Draga found this incredible rafia woven bag at a Goodwill. She was intrigued with the pattern it was woven in. I showed her how to figure that out. She discovered that this was a 16 shaft pattern. She tried to edit the pattern but the best she could do was make it a 10shaft pattern. If you want to learn how to figure out how you can do a pattern that you've seen let me know.

Baby Alpaca lap blanket woven and felted by Gert Rogers.

The international tapestry project continues with energy and enthusiasm. The gobelin loom is now ready for people to weave on. Colours and the cartoon have been prepared in advance. Please feel free to come and weave on it Mondays and Wednesdays from 10am to 9pm excluding holidays. We will document everyone creating the tapestry. If you do not want your picture taken please let me know. We will also have an official launch of the project sometime in March and hope to have some special guests join us. To see the Tapestry blog and the progress of the project go to http://tapestryline.blogspot.ca/2013/02/shapes-are-arriving.html.

Keeping Warm and having Fun!

Darlene Haywood shadow weave in bamboo and soy rayon. Pattern taken from Handwoven magazine Jan/Feb 2012, originally a baby blanket in the magazine. Corrections to the pattern are available for download from the Handwoven site or I may have an edited version available on hand (if I can find it!)

Some of this fabric will go to creating bags for crystals which her daughter, a yoga teacher, sells. The rest will be a shawl. It has an incredible 'hand'...soft & luxurious.

 

Laura de Vrij's first knitters loom project, a scarf in Baby Llama, mohair, silk and lambswool blend,  for her husband inspired by the colours in their favorite persian rug, shown below.

Laura writes: "I'm loving the new knitters loom! Best impulse buy ever!
I finished a scarf for Dale last night, and he's beyond delighted with it. I plan on doing a little hand embroidery to the piece as well. "

 Other Knitter's Loom projects

Kathy Fletcher - Noro Silk Garden scarf.

 

Karen Bota created this mohair and boucle scarf.

A home made electric bobbin winder by Louise Granahan

Louise Granahan writes: " I set up the hand drill to wind my bobbins and it works great! I used a 1.5' 1x2 and attached it to the drill using plumbing straps. I then clamp the drill onto my bench. I used a 6mm mandril (a knitting needle) with a bit of duct tape to grab the bobbin." If you want to see it live, come to the weaving class Monday February 11 2013 at 6pm.

 We've been having a problem with the heat at the Toronto Weaving School and to keep my students warm, I provided them with doubleweave capes I had woven. Debbie Harris took the picture. Just to let you know, heat is back in full force. Thank you to the powers that be! :)

Last summer we did a kasuri/ikat workshop with Keiko Shintani. She's let us know that she has an upcoming exhibit with 3 other artists at 365 Sackville Street, Toronto. 416 960 6157. February 16 & 17, 1-6pm. She mentioned in her email that she adores this group called Fun and she's been listening to their music for the past year while working on her weaving: www.ournameisfun.com. Keiko says FUN. was nominated for a Grammy Award and they will be performing in it, when it is aired on CBC this coming Sunday.


Cabin Fever?
Linda Needles notified me of this textile tour: "There are still some places on our small group tour in Tuscany designed specially for spinners, dyers and weavers with a love of food." To know more go to:  http://www.sapori-e-saperi.com/tours-a-courses/55-tastes-a-textiles

Katherine Paganelli, Communications Manager

Sapori & Saperi Adventures Ltd

Burlington Weavers and Spinners
Auction taking place - for more info go to http://www.paperlesspost.com/events/3440288-04378bd3/replies/68406031-678ebeca?preconfirmed_token=30682708-b8005d5d#paper/front/0