Classes

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Beginning Weaving Classes – January and May 2024

This class is for the beginner weaver who has never tried out a loom or a great review for someone who would like a refresher course.

Each student will create a Twill Sampler on a four harness loom.  The sampler when finished will show over 50 different variations of twill patterns in one setup. Using black and white yarn the sampler becomes a valuable study for future reference.

During the class the students will learn to:

1. 1. Measure yarns, calculating how much yarn will be needed for projects, figure out the threads per inch and other formulas.

1. 1. Read a pattern draft and learn to create one.

1. 1. Set up loom, thread the loom and connect the peddles.

1. 1. Learn techniques on how to weave once project is on the loom

1. 1. Finishing techniques once a piece is woven.

Class is open to 5 students. Cost $400.00

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Weaving a Linen Hand Towel- February 2024

This class is great for the person who has had a brief introduction to weaving and needs some help creating a new project.  What could be better then weaving a functional Hand Towel that you can use or gift to a friend.  We will experiment with different woven structures perfect for towels; twill variations such as waffle weave and double weave.

I have chosen linen as the fiber we will be working with because it is the best fiber for towels, it absorbs moisture, dry’s quickly preventing bacteria to develop and defines your pattern better then cotton.  Working with linen is a delight in itself.  After this class you will understand the fiber, from how it responds when weaving to finishing techniques.  To top off this class we have scheduled a trip to our flax farm to see how it grows and is processed.

• • Saturday, Feb 17, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
  • Sunday, Feb 18, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
  • Monday, Feb 19, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
  • Tuesday, Feb 20, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
  • Wednesday, Feb 21, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm

Class is open for 5 students.  COST $450.00.

 

Flax processing workshop at the Chico Flax Farm May 4 2024

Join us for a fun and informative in-person, hands-on workshop on flax. Topics and demonstrations will include:

Planting flax seed—broadcasting techniques versus row planting

Harvesting flax—the right time to harvest for just fiber or fiber plus seed

Bundling flax—preparing the harvested flax for retting

Retting—both dew retting and wet retting explained. We will discuss using a small tank or low-volume sprinklers, and show examples of ready-retted flax.

The hands-on portion of the workshop will include:

Processing retted flax—learn how use a traditional brake, scutch/paddle, and a series of hackles

Creating a strick—a decorative bundle of fiber ready to be converted into sliver for spinning

Students will come home with some seeds for planting in their garden, flax straw ready for processing, handouts on how to make equipment, and more!

The class is limited to 15 students, and will take place at the beautiful Chico Flax farm in Chico. The class will be both outdoors and in the barn classroom, which has plenty of ventilation and folding chairs. New this year is an add on to learn to spin and weave your stricks into linen.  See our list of classes for more info!

Lunch and beverages will be provided

$350.00

 

SPIN FLAX INTO LINEN

May 5, 2024  10 am-3pm

Spinning flax to linen taught by Stephenie Gaustad, an amazing master spinning who has written the book on How to Spin Linen. Students will spin Chico Flax into linen.

 In this class the students will spin the long line flax, for warp, and some of the hackled tow for weft to make the weft notably different. Students will then size the warp, get it on the cardboard loom, spin a weft, to needle weave the textile.

This presentation on the basics of spinning/weaving flax includes

.Making your own distaff . If you have a :corn broom (straw, natural, not plastic) straw bring it even if it is well-worn.

Bring a a wheel with which you are comfortable. Bobbins for the wheel should be lacquered or varnished (sealed against moisture)_ as the flax is spun wet and goes onto the bobbin wet. We will provide spinning wheels should you not have a wheel.

We will be spinning Weft and warp: two different yarns and discussing finishing techniques after spinning your flaxen yarns.

And we will be using cardboard looms so you can finish weaving at home if you don’t finish in class. Those who finish in class can beetle their fabric and their yarn.

We will be in contact with each student before the class to see if you will need a spinning whee; and answer any questions..

Cost $150.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WEAVING A RAG RUG – JUNE 1 2024

It’s hard not to find a relationship to a Rag Rug.  Many of us have them in our collection of weavings telling our family story though the weft or rags within the rug. Rag rugs were a solution to continue the life of a piece of clothing or fabrics rather them throwing them away.  Today more than ever the Rag Rug has more value to us for its use of repurposed materials.  The Rag Rug creates a piece of art for our floor or walls that will last beyond the weaver’s life time. 

In this class we will explore techniques on preparing our rags for weaving, implement weaving techniques that will help create a lasting rug, finishing techniques and tips.  I will also offer helpful design elements to create one of a kind contemporary art rug.

The Rag Rug workshop is limited to 5 all using countermarche looms that I am providing.  Each loom will be set up in a rose path twill pattern using 8/2 cotton to highlight the cut rags each student will have prepared before class.  On each loom I will have 5 different strips of natural colors to play with.  Beginners welcome.

A few weeks before the class we will have a Zoom meeting to meet and discuss the planning for each person’s rag rug. During the meeting I will show ways to prepare your rags and how much you will need for a 24×36 rug.  Students should come prepared to weave their rugs during the one-day workshop at my studio.

Zoom meeting: Sunday May 11 at 4pm.

Loom day in Chico: Saturday June 1 10-3pm

$475.00 includes zoom meeting time, fully warped looms up and naturally dyed color ways to highlight each student’s rags.

 

 

 

Intro to Natural Dyes Workshop – June 2024

This one day workshop to be held at the Flax farm This workshop will go over how to mordant your yarns in both plant and animal fibers.  A variety of plant materials will be prepared to dye yarns.  Seeing the effects of adding modifiers to the dye will be explored. Special this year  everyone in this workshop will explore some of Sandy’s home grown Madder which has been growing for three years in her garden.

• • Saturday June 15, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Class is limited to 12 students.  Cost $150.00