Join Louise for two five-hour sessions to learn the wonderful weaving process of Tapestry, an ancient textile technique. During the workshop, students will learn the basic fundamentals of tapestry weaving.
Session 1:
- Introduction to the loom and weaving equipment
- How to warp a loom, suitable yarn for warp and weft and their relationship, sett, bubbling and tension
- Project: Warp the loom and weave a sampler
- Learn about “weaving the floor”, pick and pick, horizontal stripes, meet and separate, weft join/ interlock and vertical dovetail, square, rectangle, shape - angle, circle, triangle, soumak and your initials.
- Finishing a tapestry, top and bottom
Bring inspiration pictures for the second class
Session 2:
- Review Session 1 project and questions
- Other topics covered : Design inspiration / what to weave? Color and value (gray scale)
- Project: Design and warp a loom to weave a mug rug and draw the cartoon
- Finishing a tapestry: Bottom and top edges/hems, lazy lines or cutbacks, mounting and framing.
- Photos of work
Dates: Saturday, September 14 & 21, 2024
Time: 10 AM – 3 PM
Tuition: $210.00 includes use of loom, all materials, and handouts
$200 if paying by check. Email Beth to register
Looms are available for purchase
Minimum 4 students, Maximum 6 students
Tapestry Weaving Workshop With Louise Abbott
Click here to view Workshop Refund Policy
SInce the early 1970s, I have been involved with textiles in a business as well as creative capacity. I love the textile process and am excited by the idea of creating a woven piece for functional use that is also aesthetically pleasing. Technical development is important to me and I have taken numerous workshops and classes. I developed my knowledge and skills as a Contract Weaver in the late 70s and in early 80s while maintaining a studio in the Artist Cooperative, The Brush Art Gallery, in downtown Lowell, MA. In the late eighties and early nineties, I had the opportunity to work in the yarn development divisions of two major Textile Industry Manufactures.
I weave in my home studio and have exhibit space in the Arts League of Lowell Gallery, Lowell, MA. The exotic sensuality of fiber and color continue to inspire me to create my own designs for rugs, tapestries, afghans, ponchos and other items. I find excitement in the melding of process, design and fiber, and draw much of my inspiration from nature and my travels.
the past thirty years, my focus has been with Tapestry, a powerful art form dating back many centuries, and an eloquent means of expression. The materials used, the weaving process, and interpretation of the design give the tapestry life. Weaving is very labor intensive and offers me the opportunity to slow down and be deliberate in this accelerated paced world.