Please contact me to discuss a presentation, workshop, or class with your group or institution. Presentations on textile history or stitching workshops can be presented online. Weaving techniques are best in-person.

ONLINE OR IN-PERSON PRESENTATIONS

Flamme Textiles of Europe

Inspiration from the ikats from the Silk Road found their way into European textile centers by the end of the 17th century. Learn how these designs were interpreted and developed and how some of them thrive even today. Presentations on history or with warp or weft ikat workshops (see below)

Sashiko Ori

Sashiko Ori is based on the hitomezashi style of Japanese sashiko stitching. This weave structure is basically a supplementary warp and weft and basic possibilities have been mined in weaving traditions from Peru, Japan and Europe. Learn about the history and structure of this weave and how to take design work a step further. Online or in-person presentations or in-person workshops (see below).

Woolens and Waulkings, Tartans and Tweed

For centuries, plaid twills have been a cultural marker for Celtic people, the earliest examples of wool tweed dating from the second millennium BCE. This presentation will talk about those early examples, the migration to the later Celtic lands in the British Isles and the state of the tweed and tartan in Scotland after the industrial evolution and more recently. Oh, and sheep. And how did all that tartan stuff start? And what is a waulking?  Online or in-person presentation. Or in-person workshop (see below).

An Introduction to Sashiko Stitching

With a kit of materials sent by the instructor, students will learn the history and basics of of moyouzashi and hitomezashi sashiko stitching. Kogin can also be covered. Online or in-person presentation.

HANDS-ON WORKSHOPS

Weft Kasuri

Japanese ikat traditions produce patterns of great beauty and subtlety. Learn three methods of weft ikat based on Japanese techniques and learn a little bit about the indigo dyed weft ikats of 18th c.France. This workshop requires dye facilities and can be done in a three day format or longer.

Shifted Warp Ikat

Shifted warp patterns are made when simple block tied warp ikat patterns are transformed as they are beamed onto the loom. Learn about the procedures of handling a warp dyed ikat pattern and how these patterns were combined with solids and stripes. Use of the Japanese shifting box and frames will be explored and students will beam on a warp using a technique from Mallorca. This workshop requires dye facilities and can be done in a three day format or longer.

Sakiori and Zanshi

Based on the recycling traditions of Japanese textiles, sakiori uses finely cut silk or cotton rags to make cloth for clothing, decorative work, household textiles- but not rugs! Learn ways to manage long strips of rags, exploit design possibilities of stripes or pattern on the rags, and control the density of rag fabric. Zanshi uses leftover threads for weaving and is an excellent way to use up some of your stash.

Sashiko Ori

Sashiko Ori is based on the hitomezashi style of Japanese sashiko stitching. This weave structure is basically a supplementary warp and weft and basic possibilities have been mined in weaving traditions from Peru, Japan and Europe. Learn about the history and structure of this weave and how to take design work a step further. Three to five day workshops with warps suppliied by the instructor..

Professional Techniques for Handweavers

You don’t have to weave full time to utilize efficient methods for warping, beaming, threading and weaving. Learn tricks of the the trade from Scottish and Japanese professional weavers to warp with multiple threads, beam without tangles, learning efficient threading and treadling, keep track of it all, and eliminate snarls- yours and your weaving’s.

Woolens, Waulkings, Tartans and Tweeds

A number of workshops are available working with wool. Weaving Tartan, which is a final exam in craftsmanship and Weaving a Blanket can help de-stash your wool pile. Color and Weave Effects in Twills and Tweeds you will learn a Japanese and a Scottish way to wind warps with multiple threads controlling colors for a heathered rainbow of designs.

Please contact me and I’ll be glad to work with your school or guild with any of these to develop a workshop right for your organization.