“Weave a Twill Gamp with Color-and-Weave Effects”
(two day in-person workshop)
TO REGISTER:
SWG Members: noon on December 5, 2026.
Non-members: noon on January 2, 2027.
Please email the Workshops Chair with questions.
Dates:
Day 1: March 20, 2027 (Saturday) 9:00am - 5:00pm
Day 2: March 21, 2027 (Sunday) 9:00am - 5:00pm
Class Description:
Combining a twill threading and treadling with a specific contrasting color order in warp and weft yields a rich collection of patterns unachievable by color order or interlacement alone. This workshop combines color-and-weave effects with a twill gamp to explore how one color order impacts the look of three different twill threadings when woven three ways: (1) as-drawn-in, (2) with color-order variations in the weft, and (3) with different tie-ups and/or treadling orders. All participants will thread three-twill gamps, either for four or eight shafts. Twill patterns and color orders will vary to provide variety in the classroom. Over two days, we'll experiment with three gamps, making changes in color order, tie-up and/or treadling as we go. Weavers will come away with a collection of twill patterns with varied color-and-weave effects to inspire future work. Lectures will focus on definitions and applications, design tips, and variations on the technique.
This is not a round robin.
Skill Level:
Advanced beginner-intermediate. Student should be able to read a draft, dress a loom, and follow a specific color order for winding and threading (2 colors). Familiarity with twill is helpful but not required.
Materials required:
Pre-warped 4 or 8 shaft loom-at least 12” weaving width
2-3 shuttles & several bobbins
Bobbin winder (can be shared)
Usual weaving tools & supplies (hooks, T-pins, scissors, measuring tape, tapestry needle, etc)
Graph paper & a few contrasting colored pencils
5/2 pearl cotton in two contrasting colors or values
Yarn specifics and drafts will be provided in advance
Tags to ID samples: I like cutting up old Tyvek mailing envelopes and using a laundry safe marker so they hold up for wet finishing. But any tag will work for workshop.
The following will be supplied:
All handouts will be emailed to participants as digital files a week prior to workshop. I'll advise about which ones should be printed vs. saved for reference.
Registration:
SWG Members: noon on December 5, 2026.
Non-members: noon on January 2, 2027.
Class size:
Max 15 students.
Cost:
$100 Deposit
Estimated final cost $295, based on 12 students enrolled, $220 based on maximum enrollment. In addition, there is a material fee of $25. The final cost will depend on the number of students enrolled. $100 deposit due at time of registration. Final payment is due during the workshop.
Location:
ArtWorks
201 2nd Ave S.
Edmonds, WA 98020-8458
(GOOGLE MAP)
About Karen:
In 2006, I was asked to teach a beginning class. I thought it was simply my way to pay my weaving education forward. Turns out, I loved it almost as much as weaving. Since then, my teaching practice has expanded in subject complexity, geographic range and technological adaptation. I have taught for guilds around the U.S., in addition to several regional conferences and HGA’s Convergence. When travel was limited by the pandemic, I learned how to teach what I know online. Even though traveling to teach has resumed, I continue to present workshops and seminars online for guilds and conferences.
My journalism training was not wasted. Rather, it has expanded opportunities to share what I have learned with other weavers. I write for and about weavers for weaving and fiber magazines, and a book is in the works.