“A Little Something Extra: Supplementary Warps and Wefts”
(three day in-person workshop)
TO REGISTER:
This workshop will open to Guild Members at noon February 7, 2026 via the link below (or visit the Workshop Registration page in the Member Area):
https://www.seattleweaversguild.com/workshop-registration
The registration page requires your Member Area password - please confirm access before attempting to register;
email website@seattleweaversguild.com if you need assitance.
Dates:
Day 1: May 29, 2026 (Friday) 9:00am - 4:30pm
Day 2: May 30, 2026 (Saturday) 9:00am - 4:30pm
Day 3: May 31, 2026 (Sunday) 9:00am - 4:30pm
Class Description:
Enhance your handwoven textiles with the addition of supplementary warp or weft yarns (or both!). Supplementary warp and weft fabrics are compound structures, which means they have a foundation weave structure (often plain weave) plus additional pattern threads in the warp or weft. Explore the possibilities for decorative warp stripe motifs, weft pattern embellishments, deflected surface interest, eyelash and other pile weaves, and simple passementerie decorations. Workshop Participants will learn technical tips and tricks for achieving optimal pattern and design effects. The Round Robin workshop offers weavers an opportunity to try a variety of weave structures, and leave with an assortment of weave samples to use for future projects.
This is a round robin.
Skill Level:
Students should be able to read a weave draft, make a warp and dress their loom with the warp independently. This workshop is recommended for experienced beginners, intermediate and advanced weavers.
Materials required:
Workshop participants will need a floor or table loom, 8 shafts preferred but there are 4 shaft weaves too. Drafts with instructions will be sent to participants, and the looms need to be warped/dressed prior to the workshop.
Students will need at least 2 shuttles (it depends on their weave structure), good scissors, yarns for their assigned weave structure (that will be shared by other weavers in the round robin), weights of their choice (empty water bottles are good for this as they can be filled with water to the weight required), heddle hook, pins, masking tape and assorted yarns to experiment with. A notebook for taking notes during the workshop is optional but recommended.
Registration:
SWG Members: noon on February 7th, 2026.
Non-members: noon on March 7th, 2026.
Class size:
Max 16
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:
About Ellen:
Ellen Hess is a fiber artist and textile designer who has been weaving for over 40 years. She has served as in-house textile designer for both domestic and European textile firms. Ellen has served as the Textile/Structure program coordinator for Peters Valley Craft Education Center. She is an adjunct professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City and has taught at the Newark Museum (N.J.), the Brookfield Craft Center, Peters Valley Craft Education Center, and national and regional fiber conferences such as Convergence, MAFA (MidAtlantic Fiber Association), and Stitches East. Ellen teaches, lectures and leads workshops around the Northeast. She has written articles for Handwoven Magazine, and her textile woks are in galleries, shops, collections and museums in the U.S. a Canada.