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Workshop: Tapestry II- Shading & Blending Techniques (2 or 3 days)
A Workshop with Nancy Harvey © 2000
P. O. Box 1540 Colfax, CA 95713-1540
Phone(530) 346-6184
Fax (530) 346-8887
e-mail: info@nancyharvey.com

GENERAL INFORMATION

DESCRIPTION: Once you know how to weave basic tapestry shapes you'll definitely want to learn how to blend colors, create shades of colors and work out color schemes for your tapestries. That's exactly what we'll do. We'll begin with a review of technical tips, and then explore hatching, hachure and floating bar techniques. These techniques are used to make subtle color transitions from one color area to the next. After practicing various techniques each student will work our their own color scheme and weave a small tapestry using a design shell provided by the instructor. In the 3-day version students will also explore blending techniques using multiple strands of weft as they plan and weave color samples and learn how to mark their cartoon. The purpose of this 3-day version is to make sure you learn the entire planning process involved when using multiple strands of weft. Each student will have time to begin weaving their project during class. However, it is anticipated that most students will complete their tapestry at home after the conclusion of the workshop.

STUDENT INFORMATION:

In order to spend as much time as possible weaving, each student should come to class with their loom warped.

Looms: All loom must have some sort of a shedding device and a tension adjustment system is helpful. (No nail-frame looms, please.) Small floor looms or table looms will work just fine. If you have a tapestry frame loom, make sure that it has some sort of a shedding device, so that you can change sheds easily and quickly. A standard rigid heddle loom is not recommended for this workshop. NOTE: If you are using a borrowed loom, please make sure that you know how to use it and that it is warped correctly and ready to use before coming to the workshop. Time is not allowed during the workshop to solve loom problems. Please make sure you are familiar with the operation of your loom.

Warp: Warp your loom for a width of 11 inches and long enough to weave 20 inches. Set the warp at 6 epi using either a 3/2 mercerized cotton, a 12/6 seine twine, or 8 epi with an 8/4 carpet warp. If you are using a table or floor loom, (instead of some sort of a tapestry loom) thread the loom 1, 2, 3, 4, for plain weave. Use a double warp at each selvedge. Thread it through the same harness so these 2 "edge threads" will work together (not a floating selvedge).

Weft: Select wool weaving yarns, either a singles or plied that are all the same size. Yarns with approximately 125-150 yards per 3.5 oz skein will work best if you warp at 6 epi. Select a slightly finer weft if you warp at 8 epi. In the 3-day version we will also be blending wefts (working with more than one color of yarn in a bundle). For this portion of the course you will need something like a patternayen needlepoint yarn (40 yds/sk...about 5 different colors or shades of the same color). You may also use this yarn during the first 2 days, just bring a few more colors.

OTHER MATERIALS: In addition to the normal workshop items...a notebook, pencil and scissors, please bring 2 T-pins, some heading material to space the warp (I use plastic bags cut into 2 inch strips); a tapestry packing fork or comb (a kitchen fork or hair comb will work), 2 colored felt pens, or pencils. If you have a copy of my book, "Tapestry Weaving - A Comprehensive Study Guide" bring it along...I'll be happy to autograph it for you. My book and videos will also be available for purchase during the workshop.

PREREQUISITES:

This workshop assumes that you have woven several pieces in tapestry technique AND that you understand slit technique, weft directions and how to insert colors between existing colors and still keep neighboring wefts traveling in opposite directions. (Refer to pages 88-92 in my book "Tapestry Weaving A Comprehensive Study Guide", if you are not familiar with weft direction.)

FACILITY/CLASSROOM NEEDS:

One 8' table for instructor materials. A chalk board, chalk & eraser, slide projector, screen & carousel. Classroom should be able to be darkened for slide projection. Enough chairs and adequate table top work space for all students (an 8' table for each 2 students).

I look forward to a fun-filled informative workshop. If you have any questions prior to the workshop, please feel free to contact me.
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