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Beginning Weaving I
This six-week class is an introduction to floor loom weaving for
those with little or no weaving experience. Students learn to prepare
the loom for weaving, weave a small sampler of weave structures
using a variety of materials and color, and create a final finished
item. All weaving equipment and materials provided.
Schedule: Check the calendar
section for scheduled course offerings and fees. Desert Weaving
Workshop will also consider course requests.
Beginning Weaving II
This six-week class takes the student through the entire process
of weaving from reading a pattern draft, to choosing appropriate
materials, to winding a warp and dressing a loom, to finally weaving
and finishing a final piece. All weaving equipment and materials
provided.
Schedule: Check the calendar
section for scheduled course offerings and fees. Desert Weaving
Workshop will also consider course requests.
Tapestry I
This five-week class is an introduction to tapestry weaving. Participants
work on a small portable frame loom and learn traditional and non-traditional
tapestry techniques to create a sampler using naturally dyed wools.
Students then design and weave a small tapestry.
Schedule: Check the calendar
section for scheduled course offerings and fees. Desert Weaving
Workshop will also consider course requests.
Tapestry II
During this five-week class, students further develop their own
personal and expressive style. Weaving with a cartoon/sketch and
weaving intuitively are explored. The class will cover texture,
color and the unique creative process of tapestry.
Experience: Tapestry I level of skill.
Schedule: Check the calendar
section for scheduled course offerings and fees. Desert Weaving
Workshop will also consider course requests.
Tablet Weaving and Backstrap Weaving
Both Tablet and Backstrap Weaving are the most primitive weaving
systems and use a simple loom that can be easily rolled up and transported.
Tablet Weaving uses a system of cards to create narrow woven bands
for belts or straps. The Backstrap loom allows the weaver to make
wider cloth or tapestry. Both weaving systems create tension by
tying one end of the warp to a stationary object like a tree, while
the other end is tied with a strap around the weaver’s back.
Though the looms are simple, there is no limit to the complexity
of the pattern.
Schedule: Check the calendar
section for scheduled course offerings and fees. Desert Weaving
Workshop will also consider course requests.
Felt
Felt is a non-woven fabric. Felt is made by subjecting wool to temperature
changes, soap and friction. The fibers of the wool interlace and
can create an extremely firm, strong yet flexible fabric. Felt can
be made flat or formed into 3D shapes. It can be used functionally
or made into works of art.
Schedule: Check the calendar
section for scheduled course offerings and fees. Desert Weaving
Workshop will also consider course requests.
Natural Dyeing
Before synthetic chemicals were used to dye yarns limitless color
possibilities, color came from the natural world. Barks, leaves,
soil, roots, berries, nuts, vegetables, fruits, flowers, even bugs
and shellfish, can have latent color hidden within which when exposed
to heat, water, or chemical processes result in soft to brilliant
color. Students learn to dye wool yarn, silk scarves and cotton
t-shirts using natural materials to discover color unlike hues created
by the synthetic dyes.
Schedule: Check the calendar
section for scheduled course offerings and fees. Desert Weaving
Workshop will also consider course requests.
Fiber Arts Camp
This weeklong camp
introduces children to weaving, spinning, felting and dyeing. Children
have a chance to weave on a large floor loom, make a narrow woven
band or bracelet using a system of cards, and use a frame loom
to weave a personal tapestry using naturally dyed wool yarns. They
also experiment with natural dyes to see what color is hidden in
plants. They learn more about wool and early technology by spinning
on a drop spindle, treadling a spinning wheel, and by making wool
felt. Stories about weaving and spinning from around the world
are also shared. Lunch is included as often it is related to the
theme of the day.
Schedule: Check the calendar
section for scheduled course offerings and fees. Desert Weaving
Workshop will also consider course requests.
Other Children's
Classes
We occassionally offer children's weaving classes. Please
check the calendar section for
scheduled events. Requests for courses are also welcomed.
A variety of weekend workshops are available for all skill levels.
Weekend Workshops include lunch. Below are examples of weekend workshops.
Check the schedule for upcoming weekend
workshops, prices and times, OR, print
our class schedule for details about weekend workshops.
Weekend Workshops:
Once or twice a year we bring to Tucson a nationally known artist
to present a specialized workshop. Workshops to date are:
- James Koehler: “Tapestry Techniques”
- Nancy Hoskins: “Coptic Tapestry Techniques”
Check the calendar section
for future workshops.
First Wednesday of every month
10-1:00 pm
Location varies (Call or email our store for details)
This group meets once a month for three hours. We share current
work or ideas, have ongoing project ideas, review tapestry techniques
and keep up to date on tapestry related events. Supporting each
other in the creative process is also important to the group. Come
join us for a cup of coffee and tapestry conversation. Meetings
are held at different locations. Call or email to find out about
the next location.
The weaving and dye studio are available for short or long term
rent. Rental can include looms, supplies and use of dye facility.
Or, rent floor space to set up a loom and share resources, knowledge
and inspiration. Contact us for more information.
Free Events
Open Houses are free events, sometimes for specific groups of people.
We invite the public to see demonstrations of weaving and natural
dyeing and share some food and drink. |
