The Seattle Weavers' Guild offers wonderful workshops taught by the acclaimed artists visiting our guild. Workshops will be held at Magnuson Park in the Sand Point Activity center (The 'brig'). Class hours are generally 9am – 4pm. SWG provides coffee and tea; participants are encouraged to bring a sack lunch.
A deposit is required to register for the workshop, payable to SWG. While deposits are non-refundable, if you are unable to attend the workshop, your deposit can be transferred to a replacement by contacting: first, those on the waiting list, then friends within the Seattle Weavers’ Guild, and finally, other weavers in the area. The cost for each workshop is determined by dividing the actual cost of the workshop by the number of participants, and will not be finalized until the day of the workshop.
Contact workshops@seattleweaversguild.com to register for the workshops. Registration will be filled on a first come, first served basis.
Workshops will be opened to non-guild members if there is space available. If you are not a member you may request information about as-available registration.
2012 Workshops
February 25–26
Treadling Variations: New Fabrics from Traditional Structures
Instructor: Susan Wilson
Website: http://www.susanwilsonhandweaving.com
Workshop Dates: February 25–26 (2 days, Saturday & Sunday)
Loom requirement: 4 shafts
Skill level: Advanced beginning (ability to warp a loom from a draft) to intermediate
Traditional weave structures can be given a new look by changing treadlings. In this workshop learn how familiar pattern weaves can be dramatically altered by treadling in the manner of other weaves, e.g. Bronson lace, and by using special treadling methods, e.g. polychrome, boundweave, swivel. Students will choose one weave structure (overshot, summer and winter, or crackle) with which to explore many treadlings on their own looms. Complete instructions for weaving samplers of all three structures will be provided.
March 24–25
Ikat weaving
Instructor: Linda Hartshorn
Website: http://lindahartshorn.com
Workshop Dates: March 24–25 (2 days, Saturday & Sunday)
Loom requirement: None
Skill level: Must know how to wind a warp and dress a loom
Create a lovely scarf inspired by the fabrics of Guatemala! We’ll use the color wheel, mathematical formulas, yarn wrapping, and a few other design tricks to create a striped ikat warp. Wind shiny colorful cottons on the warping board, tie and dye the ikat sections with procion dyes. Learn an easy way to shift the warp on the loom to create designs. Weave the warp at home in your choice of twill or plain weave.
April 27–29
No Dogs Allowed – Clothing with an Emphasis on Fit and Finish
Instructor: Linda Kubik
Website: http://www.lindakubik.com
Workshop Dates: April 27–29 (3 days, Friday, Saturday & Sunday)
Loom requirement: None
Skill level: Intermediate sewing experience
Handmade fabric (dyed, woven, embellished, etc.) is a delight in and of itself. But why not take it to the next level by turning it into a stunning three-dimensional garment? Using Linda’s Elements patterns, each participant will envision and construct a garment, while sampling, learning new construction techniques, and exploring creative problem solving. The class will explore different methods (flat pattern, draping, etc.) to achieve fit and finish. Discover which fabrics are suitable for what techniques to maintain the beauty and integrity of handmade fabric. Each participant will map out their own construction plan for a final garment including finishing details, while maintaining sensitivity to the fabric and overall design. Have fun. There are no mistakes – only creative opportunities.
Linda is a designer and sewing educator who also weaves. She has taught weavers to sew since 1991. She has provided countless sewers the opportunity and joy of sewing handwoven fabric. Linda wrote Sewing Something Special and has 13 designs in her Elements pattern line.
May 22–23
Beginning Four-color Doubleweave
Instructor: Su Butler
Website: http://www.subudesigns.com
Workshop Dates: May 22–23 (2 days, Tuesday & Wednesday)
Loom requirement: Table or dobby looms with 8 or more shafts
Skill level: Students must be able to prepare the loom and have some concept of regular Doubleweave. Intermediate - Advanced
Learn the basic principles of weaving parallel threadings and treadlings utilizing color rotations that allow four colors to appear on the surface of the cloth! Useable color theory, actual woven samples and lecture will enable students to weave a sampler in class, and looms will have enough warp prepared to weave a full sized scarf when sampler is completed. Student will arrive to workshop with a loom pre-dressed to teacher specifications and all weft materials required to weave to spec.
Mini-Workshops
Mini-Workshops are informal teaching opportunities offered by Seattle Weavers' Guild members on a volunteer basis. It is one way that our membership shares information with each other. You must be a member of the Seattle Weavers' Guild to attend a Mini-Workshop.