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Workshop: Tapestry Weaving - A Comprehensive Study (4 - 5 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: In this workshop students will learn about tools, materials and equipment, the structure of the weave, warp and weft considerations and technical tips that will make the process easy and successful. There are many choices in tapestry weaving, and you will be exposed to weaving with the wefts in the same direction, and the opposite direction, and you will learn how to insert colors between existing colors and still maintain correct weft directions, You'll learn how to weave a variety of shapes including horizontal curving shapes, vertical curves, and a circle. Then we'll explore hatching, hachures, outlining, and vertical shading techniques. Suggestions on gathering design ideas will be presented along with an in depth analysis and review of many tapestries (via slides) so that you can visualize how various techniques look when incorporated into a particular design. Each student will weave a small design which incorporates as many of these techniques as you choose to do. Various design shells will be provided by the instructor and you will work out color, technique and shading decisions, mark the cartoon, and weave the piece. Feel free to bring designs ideas of your own for discussion (and anything else you would like to share). Finishing techniques will conclude 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 8 inches and long enough to weave 24 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. Bring about 1/2 skein of at least 3 different colors. In the 5-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).

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 is open to EVERYONE... Tapestry is a hand-manipulated weave where the weft completely covers the warp to create a pictorial image. Anyone with an interest in weaving is welcome. No previous weaving experience required. If you are using a borrowed loom, please make sure you know how to use it.

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).

If you have photos or samples that relate to tapestry weaving, I invite you to bring them to class for "sharing". 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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