Intro to Rigid Heddle Weaving - Worcester Center for Crafts (4/12-14)

This 3-day course is designed to give students a thorough grounding in hand weaving on a rigid heddle loom. We will cover direct warping, foundational weaving skills such a plain weave and tapestry, and will complete an infinity scarf and a tapestry during this class. The student will learn to weave and make decisions which lead to successful weaving projects, and develop their own distinctive voice as a weaver. All looms and materials will be provided, and no experience is necessary. experience is necessary. Day 1-Weave a handwoven infinity scarf on a pre-warped rigid heddle loom using colors and textures of your choosing. No previous experience is required, and you will complete a wearable finished infinity scarf by the end of the day. Day 2-Warp and dress a rigid heddle loom through the direct warping method. We will cover the importance of making correct yarn choices, and type and composition of yarns, calculating yarn requirements for projects "sett" analyses and fabric finishing techniques. Various tapestry techniques will be covered in order to design a small tapestry for the following day. Day 3 - Warping and weaving tapestry wall hanging. The possibilities for creativity are endless with tapestry. Students will warp the loom for tapestry and use multiple tapestry joining techniques to create an individual design for a small tapestry wall hanging. Both traditional and non-traditional yarns will be made available for individual self-expression.