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Lectures Workshops Demos

Following is a is of Courses/Lectures given successfully and repeatable for any group interested in the subject material. Individual instruction also available.

NEW for 2005-2006 - Private Weaving Instruction in My Studio

Individual instruction - start where you are. Basic weaving skills - several types of loom available for practice. 2 countermarche floor looms (one vertical, one horizontal), drawloom and several smaller looms. Large fiber library. Schedule to suit your time available. I teach the basics, leaving you to work with the design.

Location: Studio and shop at 35 N. Main, Fond du Lac, WI 54935

Reasonably priced hotel/motels nearby.

Pricing based on length of instruction desired.

Send email or phone for more information.

Tel: 920-929-9503

Contact Address: info@woolgatherers.com

WEAVING ON COUNTERMARCHE LOOMS

Countermarche looms are not covered well in many weaving texts, yet offer a wonderful weaving experience. By stretching the warp in two directions - up AND down - at the same time, the shed floor is held under tension, making it easier to pass the shuttle without skips and eliminate the need for a shuttle race. The warp is never subjected to uneven stretching as every shed stretches every thread the same way. Treadling is easier than one can imagine. The weaver is merely tipping a balance, not lifting heavy shaft frames. For anyone with sensitive or painful ankle, knee or hip issues countermarche looms offer a way to accomplish projects wtihout stressing the body. Fabric density is more variable on a countermarche loom - from fine and gauzy, to heavy and dense, far denser than rising shed looms allow. This is particularly advantageous when weaving with linen which likes to be sett closely. And TENSION can be much firmer on a countermarche loom than on a rising shed jack loom - without any issues of floating shafts. The reputation for being difficult to tie up is not entirely deserved - since Texsolv cord is available, the tieup issues have been addressed.

If you have ever wondered what the difference is between jack/table looms and a traditional countermarche, here is your chance to test drive our Öxabäck LILLA floor model. Learn how the loom is dressed and how it behaves in operation. The LILLA is a vertical countermarche loom. Between the shop/studio and my home studio, I can demonstrate vertical countermarche, horizontal countermarche with two sets of lams at two levels, two sets of lams at one level, and two sets of lams - one attached to the shafts.

Half day $50

Full day $100

DAMASK - WITH OR WITHOUT A DRAWLOOM

Damask - once only for the noble, legendary in its ornate designs is fascinating fabric.

Presentation covers definition, history and examples of damask fabric. Hands-on 3-shaft and 8-shaft damask demonstration. Drafting practice for looms with 6 and more shafts. Design considerations for fabric without selvage to selvage patterning.

Full Day Workshop

$75 in studio

$250 for groups

DRAWLOOM - WHAT IS IT? WHAT CAN IT DO FOR ME? WOULD I WANT ONE?

Visual/lecture presentation covering the history of the drawloom, various types of drawlooms, examples of fabric produced, design issues involved, construction of a drawloom.

Presentation seeks to inform contemporary handweavers about the ancient drawloom as yet another tool to produce complex cloth.

Groups $150

BEGINNING SPINNING

I offer a series of evenings, spaced a week apart - usually 6.

Course proceeds from raw fleece to simple garment using drop spindle (wheel can be used if available).

Basic information regarding washing and preparation of fiber, basic spinning techniques, types of yarn, suggestions for suitable knit and crochet patterns for use with beginners handspun, limited exposure to other fibers - flax, cotton, silk, hair fiber.

Handout, bibliography, book collection available throughout course.

Plenty of time for practicing in private between sessions.

Private instruction in studio - 6 visits $100

Groups - 6 evenings $600

Following listings:

Lecture $150

Workshop $250

ADD TO YOUR FIBER WITH FLAX

Either lecture ca. 2 hours or workshop one or two days.

Transparencies and woven examples of fabrics incorporating linen with tips on how best to use linen yarn in fabric. Samples of linen yarn in various qualities, list of suppliers, etc.

Handout expands on transparencies. As lecture, looms warped as example - as workshop, participants use cotton or linen warp with linen weft.

TRADITIONAL TOWELS EMBELLISHED WITH SOUMAK

Workshop one or two days.

How to make towels similar to the one shown with the cold mangel.

In addition to techniques for embellishing linens, many how-to's for weaving traditional linen patterns with linen and cotton yarns.

After one workshop, first prize towels at Wisconsin State Fair for several years used this technique - done by several weavers.

Handouts, warping suggestions, demonstration equipment.

THE ROLE OF FLAX AND LINEN IN PRE-INDUSTRIAL MIDDLE EUROPE

Slide presentation with spinning/weaving demonstration.

Details how flax/linen played a major role in the lives of peasants and nobles alike.

Could also serve as introduction to workshop on processing/spinning flax into linen thread.

NEED SOME FIBER EXCITEMENT FOR YOUR EVENT???

SALES BOOTH WITH DEMONSTRATION

Have sellers permit for Wisconsin and can do a booth for your event - demonstrations available:

Linen Spinning

Linen Weaving

Linen Processing

Wool Spinning

Inkle Weaving

Sale items include wool, cotton, and linen items - small wearables and home textiles.

Last Updated 02-May-2007