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

Colours and activities to keep you warm these winter months

Carla Duncan painted warp scarf in a 3/1 twill. Dark one side (less warp visible) and brighter on the other where more of the painted warp is visible. Last spring Carla participated in our painted warp workshop and painted this warp with dyes and recently finished weaving it.

Flo Sherbanowski worked with me to design this doubleweave blanket (a total of 90" wide woven on a 45" loom) using MacAuslands 3 ply yarn. The design was modified from the original, so that the vertical (weft) stripes gradate from green to blue, across the field of earth tones.

Jane Richmond's first project: a scarf using a merino boucle yarn with a novelty yarn.

 Alex Avdichuk created this scarf by combining two different space dyed skeins of I think bamboo (perhaps silk). She was intrigued and surprised with the way the two interacted.
For her next project she is designing a tartan. She used a website called www.scotweb.co.uk to help her create the designs for her tartan projects. It's easy to use with a palette of colours and a number of tools to enable you to design a stunning array of plaids, checks and tartans. Alex is the Supervisor of the City of Toronto's Collections and Conservation department. She is a wealth of information on many topics and gladly for us, on fibres.

Part of a double weave sampler woven by Jane Tucker, here showing the Brooks Bouquet, and other leno and hand manipulated techniques. These designs could have application for baby blankets, place matts, and cushion covers.

 

Woven by Bonnie Thorne, this overshot runner in 2/8 cotton and wool in white on white. It's so subtle that it is hard to take a good picture of it.  Sorry it's not better.

This week, I invited Ixchel Suarez to give us a three hour workshop on textural tapestry techniques. We had a good showing with about 9 people participating. Ixchel is a passionate and enthusiastic  tapestry weaver and fibre artist.

Other resources, workshops and call for entry
Chair caning classes are available over the winter months. Click on the link below to view the schedule:
http://www.edgeofyourseat.ca/classes/

Laura de Vrij writes sends a link to a funny video about weaving: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hc0NxKgoUfU&feature=youtu.be

Call for entry for fibre artists and craftspeople:
The Dufferin<http://www.dufferinmuseum.com/> County Museum & Archives<http://www.dufferinmuseum.com/>, (DCMA) is pleased to once again be presenting the exhibition Stitches across Time, in 2014. Continuing the theme of the first Stitches across Time exhibit in 2011, the exhibition will celebrate the tradition and history of textile arts.

The DCMA invites submissions for a national juried exhibition of fibre art works inspired by a new selection of six historical pieces from the museum’s extensive collection of textile artifacts. The Call for Entry is attached and may also be found on the stitches website www.stitchesacrosstime.com<http://www.stitchesacrosstime.com>  or by clinking this direct link Stitches Call for Entry<http://www.stitchesacrosstime.com/index_files/Page677.htm>. Works submitted can include any textile/fibre medium or technique. We welcome both two and three dimensional contemporary works from across Canada for this unique exhibition to be launched in the fall of 2014. Images of the six historical pieces may be found on the Stitches across Time website under Photos for inspiration<http://www.stitchesacrosstime.com/index_files/Page449.htm>.

We would greatly appreciate it if you could please forward this email onto other fibre/textile artists and encourage them to enter the 2014 Stitches across Time National Juried Textile Show.

For further details, be sure to visit our website www.stitchesacrosstime.com<http://www.stitchesacrosstime.com>.  If you have any questions or require additional information, please feel free to contact me. My contact information is listed below.

Ruby

Ruby Qureshi
Events & Marketing Co-ordinator
Dufferin County Museum & Archives
P.O. Box 120, 936029 Airport Rd
Rosemont, ON  L0N 1R0
Tel: 705-435-1881 or Toll Free: 1-877-941-7787 ext. 22
Email: events@dufferinmuseum.com<mailto:events@dufferinmuseum.com>
Website: www.dufferinmuseum.com<https://owa.dufferincounty.on.ca/owa/UrlBlockedError.aspx>

Workshops, courses and tailor your weaving learning

Doubleweave sampler by Wendy Szpindel

 

Monday January 28 2013

10am-1pm

Come for a 3 hour intensive tapestry workshop given by Ixchel Suarez on weaving textures in tapestry. Free to registrants in the class. $20 for non registrants. Bring tapestry yarn and frame loom. If you don't have a frame loom, one may be available for use for the 3 hours.

 

Erin Lewis continues to take weaving classes at the Toronto Weaving School. She is is an emerging Canadian artist working in creative electronics, wearable technology, and sculpture/installation. She is a graduate of OCADU with a BFA in Integrated Media and Wearable Technology. Her work has been shown at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, the Ontario Science Centre, Discovery Channel Canada, Discovery.com, in the Toronto Star newspaper and various physical computing websites. She teaches Wearable Technology in the Department of Continuing Studies at OCADU and at Interaccess Media Arts Centre, and works as a researcher at OCADU's 'Social Body Lab'. She has a particular fondness for data feeds, vegetables, and kittens

Erin Lewis continues to offer her course at the Ontario College of Art and Design University

This studio course introduces students to the creative and artistic potential of soft circuits and wearable media. Using construction techniques such as weaving, knitting and sewing, and technologies such as switches, sensors and conductive materials, students will create interactive garments and accessories that may be used for performance, display or for everyday use. Students will be introduced to basic electronics and sewing techniques. Studio work will be supported by demonstrations, slide presentations, video screenings, and critique. This is a qualifying course towards both the Certificate in Digital Media Skills and the Certificate in Art and Design Studio Skills. Cost: $350 + $50 material fee + HST to register click on the link.

https://continuingstudies.ocad.ca/class_details.jsp?offeringId=188&show_past=false

 

At the Toronto Weaving School, you can advance your  knowledge of weaving, weave structures and equipment. If you need some assistance in determining what you'd like to learn about, speak to the instructor, Line Dufour. Line can provide you with a menu of various approaches, structures and samplers that will further your knowledge and experience in weaving. The course is tailored to your needs and the direction you want to take.

 

The gobelin tapestry loom is almost ready for us to start weaving the tapestry for the international tapestry project entitled Fate, Destiny and Self-determination. So far, there are 70 people worldwide that are participating in creating shapes for the installation and 105 shapes have been sent out. To know more about the project and how you can participate contact Line at tapestryline@sympatico.ca. Countries participating thus far are Peru, Chile, Argentina, Great Britain, Wales, Scotland, France, Italy, Poland, Belgium, Mexico, USA, Canada, Australia. Here is a list of the participants to date:

Participants as of Jan 24/13

1.       Agota Dolinay, Ontario, Canada

2.       Ann Berman, Ontario, Canada

3.       Anne Vagi, Ontario, Canada

4.       Antje Goldflam, Connecticut, USA

5.       Anton Veenstra, Australia

6.       Barbara Heller, BC, Canada

7.       Christence Stubbe-Teglbjoerg, Denmark

8.       Christine Pradel-Yien, France

9.       Christopher Allworth, Nova Scotia, Canada

10.   Chung-Ja Jackson, Ontario, Canada

11.   Ciara Minden, Ontario, Canada

12.   Clare Coyle, Scotland

13.   Debbie Harris, Ontario, Canada

14.   Debbie Herd, Victoria, Australia

15.   Debra Dubois, Arkansas USA

16.   Debra Greer

17.   Donna Wills, Ontario Canada

18.   Dorothy Clews, Australia

19.   Elaine Duncan, BC,

20.   Emmanuelle Holmes, Queensland, USA

21.   Emoke tapisserie, Marseille, France

22.   Ewa Bartosz Mazus, Poland

23.   Fariba Mahmoodian, Ontario, Canada

24.   Francois Seguin, Ontario, Canada

25.   Hilary Slater, Ontario, Canada

26.   Ixchel Suarez, Ontario, Canada

27.   Janet Austin, Rhode Island, USA

28.   Jayne Gaskins,  Florida, USA

29.   Jennifer Stafford, Michigan USA

30.   Joan Griffin, Virginia, USA

31.   Joe Lewis, Ontario Canada

32.   Juana Sleizer, Ontario Canada

33.   Judite Vagners, Ontario, Canada

34.   Judy Dominic, Ohio, USA

35.   Judy Kogan, Chile

36.   Kate Kitchen, Ontario, Canada

37.   Kathe Todd Hooker, Oregon, USA

38.   Kathleen Morris , Ontario, Canada

39.   Katia Wittock, Antwerp, Belgium

40.   Katie Rusell, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland

41.   Krystyna Sadej, Ontario, Canada

42.   Linda Cunningham, Alberta, Canada

43.   Liv Pedersen, Alberta, Canada

44.   Louise Martin, Great Britain

45.   Maite Tanguy, France

46.   Marie Drury, New Zealand

47.   Marie-Thumette Brichard, Belgium

48.   Maximo Laura, Peru

49.   Michael Rohde, USA

50.   Mimma Draga, Ontario, Canada

51.   Miriam Constantino, Argentina

52.   Noella Kyser, Ontario, Canada

53.   Nowak Bernadeta, Poland

54.   Pam Huntley, Australia

55.   Pam Lowe, USA

56.   Patti Harden, MD, USA

57.   Pedro de Jesus Ibarra, Mexico

58.   Pedro Ibarra Hernandes, Mexico

59.   Ria Hartig, Ontario, Canada

60.   Shanna Robinson, Michigan, USA

61.   Sharon Smith ?

62.   Stella Tang, Ontario, Canada

63.   Stephenie Collin, Auckland, New Zealand

64.   Stephnie Cantoni, Australia

65.   Susan Middleton, Ontario, Canada

66.   Susana Penaloza Donoso, Chile

67.   Tommye Scanlin, Georgia, USA

68.   Tricia Goldberg, California, USA

69.   Vera Hazelgrove, Australia

70.   Yamile Roa, Ontario Canada

 

 

 

 

"There is a thread woven through all things"

Francois Seguin handspun this superwash merino and gave it to me. There is no greater gift than the gift of the time it took Francois to spin this yarn for me. Thank you.

Alex Avidichuk's first project after her sampler, a space dyed yarn (bamboo - not sure now) that she bought commercially prepared. For a first project, an accomplishment to be proud of.

 

Simona Comanescu wove this on her own at home without guidance or help from me, using Lopi yarn.  

Barbara Aikman did an excellent job of weaving this waffle weave, also known as honeycomb, in linen.

 

 Joe Lewis writes that he found this resource useful for researching weaving: http://www.cs.arizona.edu/patterns/weaving/articles.html

 

 

Weaving by Kate Kitchen

 

I like Kate's creative approach to combining simple weaving with other materials. Kate wrote this up in regards to the piece:

Fossils

This work connects a number of my interests – passions might be a better description. The wood is the same pine that we used as the siding for our cottage, where my art studio is. It comes from the area and was cut nearby. You can see the marks from the planning. I chose the side that shows the marks from the planing and a knot in the wood.

The print of the fish is from a series of linoprints that were inspired by pictographs from the early artists, who were creating art before there was written language. Being reminded of the work of the first artists is very important to me and supports my work.

And, finally the weaving is inspired by photographs I have taken of fossils in rocks uncovered by glaciers, again near my cottage/studio.

 I used a small Harrisville loom that is more generally used for making potholders. Instead of loops I used linen yarn for the base weaving. I wanted to use yarn that was made from grasses, another reminder of the connection with natural and human history. The epi was 6 so there were large spaces for me to weave in other yarns, using needles, so that the linen yarn is completely covered, a quality that this weaving has in common with tapestries; covered except for the ends that I left exposed. I wanted this unfinished, rough look to be a reminder of the connection with history and with process. And finally, this is the poem I wrote that connects all the aspects of this piece.

 

There is a thread woven through all things

and all time.

Dreams of fish in deep caves.

 

 A blurry picture of new students in the class. Zoe McGrath, Evelyn Tchakarov, and Avril Loreti. Avril was in the booth across from me at the One of a Kind this past November. She is a graphic designer and creates digitally printed household items.

Indigo Dye Workshops 2013
From Vivien Prideaux in the U.K.

Dear Line

In the beautiful old town of Fowey (England) my garden studio, with views over the harbour is a riot of colourful, textured, hand dyed Japanese kimono silks, hand woven hemp, linens, velvets, cottons, rayon and the magical blues of indigo. For 2013 I am offering four, two day, creative indigo workshops and have attached the details for you.
www.vivienprideaux.co.uk

priddypink@macace.co.uk

Looking for a good furniture maker? try this person......

 

http://www.gilbertdemers.com/

Be a part of an International Tapestry Initiative and update on Community Threads tapestries

Susan Middleton, tapestry weaver and natural dyer, helping with the International tapestry project, Fate, Destiny and Self Determination. Everyone is invited to participate. More details if you click on the link below.

 Please click on this link to find out what's been happening to discover what's been going on in tapestry weaving, locally and internationally.

http://tapestryline.blogspot.ca/2013/01/international-tapestry-project.html

 

Valerie Splaine, Jackie Tienussen, Ann Berman, Corrie Parsons at the Community Threads tapestries.