Exciting Weaving Directions

DAVID KAYE GALLERY : Woven Drawings by Nieves Carrasco

January 30 - February 23, 2014

Opening: Saturday, February 1, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.1092 Queen Street West (entrance on Dovercourt)

Nieves says: As an artist, I have experimented with a diversity of techniques: drawing, painting, printing, dyeing, weaving, collage. Every few years though, I am compelled to return to weaving. This ancient technique continues to captivate me. By intersecting warp and weft, a pliable plane emerges, row by row, right in front of me where nothing existed before. It is magic.While the warp has structural constraints, almost any material can be used for the weft, including paper. Having used washi (handmade Japanese paper) in my work over the last few years, I was tempted to bring the universe of drawing into weaving through this material, which has unique textile qualities. My journey starts at the drawing board as I apply line, wash, and print in ink to washi and ends as the final composition is assembled, row by row at the loom. As fine strips of washi are woven, they are held in place by the warp threads. The cloth that emerges is both a textile and a drawing, with the loom repositioning the ink markings into new and unexpected imagery

Ashford Knitters Loom scarf by Jane Richmond

Talk to me about the Knitters loom and how easy it is to set up and finish a project in an evening. They come in three sizes: 12", 20" and 28". Here is link to some very inspiring ideas for knitters loom scarves: http://nls.interweave.com/t/bffbbLGQeQA2FeJ33lCUxaBHkaaaCUxBHk?p=6%40w70B&Z=yVuZxowtqdsZ_xtrkfonXt.Xf&Zj=ofkjnym3gnij_n3huVydhj.hV&q=88l&2=&m=%23

We are still trying to sell student work at the Toronto Weaving School however, stock is dismally low. People are wanting to buy for birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, and Mother's Day is also coming up. We welcome hand woven hand towels, dishtowels (or tea towels), as well as scarves and shawls. 

Knitters Loom scarves by Phyllis Fitzsimmons. 

Phyllis is making scarves with her knitters loom to give to homeless people. If you have scarves, mitts and hats to donate for homeless people (either hand made or commercial) please bring them to the weaving class and we will give them to Julia Pelenyi who volunteers with In from the Cold. 

Rep Weave rug by Wendy Szpindel

Many of us had to put our heads together to understand the draft for this pattern. Wendy whipped this up over the holiday season.Congratulations Wendy. The pattern was taken from Laila Lundell's Rep Weaves Book. 

Rep Weave rug by Christine Shipley. 

Christine took her pattern from the book Custom Woven Interiors by Kelly Marshall.

WEAVING WORKSHOPS JUNE 2014

WOVEN SHIBORI June 2-6 2014 (5 days) $350 Burr House, Richmond Hill, On

Instructor: Kathleen Morris http://www.kathleen-morris.com/

Kathleen Morris is a Toronto-based designer/maker and educator working in the field of textiles. Her work has been exhibited at Prime Gallery, the OCC Gallery, David Kaye Gallery, the Guild Shop, and Craftworks. Her retail line of woven, resist-dye fabrics have been the mainstay of her textile production as have both publicly and privately commissioned works. Her public commissions include projects for Toronto's Metro Hall and Ontario's Expo pavillion. Her private commissions include innumerable film and theatrical assignments. Kathleen is an instructor in the Fibre program at OCAD University, recently completing her Masters, as well as an artist-educator in the Toronto District School Board. Materials must be purchased from the instructor. A 4 shaft or 8 shaft loom is required. Warps will be prepared in the workshop. Contact: Line Dufour tapestryline@sympatico.ca Deadline to reserve: April 30, 2014

CRIMP AND CREATE June 10-12 2014 (3 days) $350 Burr House, Richmond Hill On

Instructor: Diane Totten http://diannetottenhandwovens.com/

This is an on-loom workshop taking fiber in a new direction by creating “crimp cloth.” Using a variation of woven shibori for both warp and weft, learn to create fabric with permanently crimped designs that hold their memory even when washed.  Participants will draft, weave, and crimp their samples in class to discover the endless possibilities. Learn how the fabric can be used for entire garments as well as for permanent pleating to replace knitted ribbing for a sweater or to add a knit look to the collar area of a jacket. Sewing tips for using this amazing cloth will be included.  No dyeing involved.   Skill level: Advanced beginner and beyond. Equipment required:

4 to 8 shaft loom 

Contact: Line Dufour tapestryline@sympatico.ca

Deadline to reserve: April 30, 2014

Want to know how these sumptuous velvets were created? Take this course in Florence at the Fondazione Arte della Seta Lisio. http://www.fondazionelisio.org/

FONDAZIONE ARTE DELA SETA LISIO, Florence Italy June 23-27 2014

Instructor: Eva Basile - Intro to Jacquard Textiles 

Explanations and examples of what damask, double cord damasks, brocaded damasks,  lampas, double cloth, (figured) velvets, brocades, brocatelle, taffeta, satin, samite, diaper and other luxury fabrics, analysis of fabrics, learning the European notation system for drafts, introduction to using manual jacquard looms and sampling existing patterns, Studying the textiles depicted in paintings of the Renaissance found at the Uffizi and other museums and galleries in Florence such as the  Costume museum, and the Museum of Textiles in Prato. 

Lisio has designed and executed fabrics for the Vatican, movies such as the Agony and the Ecstasy with Charles Heston and Rex Harrison, The Taming of the Shrew with Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton and has created designs for Fendi among many other designers such as Versace. They continue to collaborate with universities, musuems and art galleries all over the world in doing research and consultation. The course is $1500.  Students must arrange for and pay for their own transportation. Accommodation is included in the price.  Meals are an additional cost. To register or reserve your spot contact Line Dufour at tapestryline@sympatico.ca. A limit of 6 people will be admitted and the first six people to send a $250 deposit (non refundable) will ensure their participation in this very special opportunity. Some knowledge of weaving is required. Deadline to reserve: May 1 2014