Beginning Weaving
Coming up!
April 8, 9, & 10
Join Mary Anderson with your loom and leave
with it warped and your project started
Learn how to warp and dress a floor loom. Participants will finish at least one small project. Included will be:
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- the process of planning a weaving project and making a warp for a 4 -shaft
loom: learning how to calculate yardage needed; how to determine the “sett” of the
cloth; which yarns to use for different projects; how to use a warping board
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- the process of “dressing” a 4-shaft loom: how to set up a 4-shaft loom using the “back-
to-front system”, including the use of lease sticks and raddle; then proceed to thread
heddles; sley the reed and tie the warp onto the front apron rod
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- the process of weaving cloth on a 4-harness floor loom: learning how to weave plain
weave and twill, wind bobbins, pirns and quills; throw a shuttle; proper tensioning; use
of floating selvages; weave a header; and finishing techniques
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This retreat is for beginning weavers using a floor, table and/or rigid heddle loom. Looms, equipment, and materials provided or feel free to bring your own loom if it is in complete working order and ready to go. You will warp the loom at the retreat.
Schedule
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Friday , Date TBD
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2:00 – 4:00 Check In
Two Sisters Co-owner Tamra Higgins will meet you at our retreat
house at 110 Main St., Jeffersonville, Vermont
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4:00 – 6:00 Meet Instructor Claire Milne and get started!
Session I: Weaving: background on types of weave; equipment; yarns;
design resources.
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6:00 – 7:15 Walk to The Village Tavern or 158 Main for dinner. We will make
reservations for the group, but each person is responsible for payment
for your meal. Let us know if you will not join the group for dinner.
Other options are to eat in (take out or cook your own as there is a full
kitchen in the house) or eat elsewhere.
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7:30 – 9:00 Session II: The Loom: the parts and how they function in the weaving
process. (Note: two looms will be set up for students to practice
weaving if they wish).
Saturday, Date TBD
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Looms, Equipment, and Materials provided or feel free to bring your own loom if it is in complete working order and ready to go. You will warp the loom at the retreat.
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Upon rising until 9:00 – Continental breakfast. Full kitchen is available if participants would like to bring something to make.
9:00 – Noon (with breaks when needed)
Session III: Warp It: making the warp using a warping board.
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12:00 – 1:00 Lunch – make your own, walk/drive to local grocer or restaurant; a
list of options will be provided
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1:00 – 5:00 (with breaks when needed)
Session IV: Dress It: threading heddles, reed, and tying on.
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5:00 – 6:00 Down Time/Free Time
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6:00 – 7:15 Dinner reservations made for you at Martell’s or dinner on your own
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7:30 - 9:00 Session V: Weave It: winding bobbins; typing up treadles; throwing
the shuttle (Note: students will have time on their own to "weave-
away" as long into the night as they like).
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Sunday , Date TBD
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Upon rising until 9:00 – Continental breakfast. Full kitchen is available if participants would like to bring something to make.
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9:00 – Noon (with breaks when needed)
Session VI: Finish It: taking project off the loom and finishing with
fringe or hem.
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12:00 – 1:00 Lunch – make your own, walk/drive to local grocer or restaurant; a
list of options will be provided. (Group will decide how time will be
allocated between lunch and continuing to work)
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1:00 – 3:00 (with breaks when needed)
Session VII: Troubleshoot It: how to fix a broken warp thread;
threading errors.
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