Taught at Studio Channel Islands Art Center or at your Guild or Conference

SEMINARS OR GUILD PROGRAMS:
Rayon Chenille and Beyond
In this program I talk about the characteristics of rayon chenille and how understanding its structure makes weaving with chenille easier. I give tips for working with it and show and discuss various items I’ve woven with it. I’ll bring samples of my work showing chenille with beads or sequins woven into the fabric as well as samples showing differential shrinkage using chenille and wool or chenille and elastic. Set up — For this seminar I need only a table to place my samples on.

It’s All In Your Perspective
Make Discoveries, Not Mistakes — It happens to everyone. The project we work so hard on turns out totally different from what we envisioned. Don’t despair! We’ll talk about ways to make “mistakes” into springboards for future projects. I’ll show some of my past bloopers that turned into valuable pieces or were responsible for a new direction in my work. Students are encouraged to bring in projects that have gone awry for discussion. Set up — A table to place display and discussion items on.

Weaving Tips and Tricks
In this seminar, I will share many things I’ve learned to make weaving easier and more fun. These are methods I’ve worked out for myself as well as what other weavers have shared with me, so generally everyone is able to pick up at least a few things that they can use. I bring a small loom so I can demonstrate the things I talk about. Set up — a table to place the loom on.

3 – 4 HOUR WORKSHOPS:
Warping Front to Back
Learning to comfortably warp the loom is the foundation of weaving. We will warp a loom from front to back in this demonstration class, going through all the necessary steps to creating a consistent base for your weaving. Set up — we need a loom, warping reel or board and various weaving tools. Maximum number of students 15. Ability level all.

Warping Back to Front
Learning to comfortably warp the loom is the foundation of weaving. We will warp a loom from back to front in this demonstration class, going through all the necessary steps to creating a consistent base for your weaving. Set up— we need a loom, warping reel or board and various weaving tools. Maximum number of students 15. Ability level all.

Tie on a New Warp the Easy Way
For anyone that plans to use the same threading for more than one project, tying on a warp makes the job much easier. Students can learn a relatively simple method for setting up their loom so adding a new warp is very easy and threading errors can be eliminated. As a team, we will warp and thread the loom. Everyone in the class will participate in winding the warp on a reel, front to back warping, and tying on the new warp. Set up — I need a loom, warping reel and various weaving tools. The room needs to have two tables, one for the warping reel and one for the table loom. Maximum/minimum number of students 14 Maximum. Ability level all.

Beginning Kumihimo
Japanese Braiding on a Card — Learn the basics of this Japanese braiding technique. Make colorful braids for use as bracelets, necklaces, eyeglass cords, drapery tiebacks, and other uses of cords. You will be provided with a set of kumihimo cards, instruction booklet, and some yarn to get started. Materials fee - $20.00. Set up — tables to sit at. Maximum 12. Ability level all.

1 DAY WORKSHOPS:
Make “Friends” from your Odds and Ends
Do you have many bits of yarn, thread, lace, beads, fabric scraps and miscellaneous things you can’t bear to part with but don’t know how to use? In this workshop we will use up lots of those supplies to create dolls for decorations, lapel pins, ornaments, gift ties, etc. Let your imagination run wild! Think of the satisfaction in finding a use for all the orphan supplies in your drawers by creating little families of friendly figures. Set up — table for samples and supplies, tables for students to work at Materials fee $8.00. Maximum/minimum number of students 18 maximum. Ability level all. This workshop can also be shortened to a 3-4 hour workshop.

Learn to Use a Rigid Heddle Loom and Use Up Your Stash
This method of weaving is fast and easy to learn. In this class, you will learn to set up the small rigid heddle loom and weave at least one scarf. Once you’ve learned the technique, you can complete a scarf in just a few hours. Think of all the last minute holiday gifts you can make while enjoying your yarns in a new way. This exciting way to make use of fancy and fun yarns is quick and easy, with the same portability as knitting. Set up — tables to sit at. Maximum 12. Ability level all.

2 OR 3 DAY WORKSHOPS:
Beginning Weaving
If you’ve decided to learn to weave, this is the class for you. You will learn the basics of weaving by preparing the warp, warping your loom from front to back, weaving your sampler and finishing the fabric. Learn to weave and receive many weaving tips during the workshop. You will receive a booklet with complete instructions for setting up and weaving your project along with a goody bag of weaving supplies. Set up — Room large enough to accommodate students looms, warping reels and boards, display table. Material fee $25.00. Maximum/minimum number of students 12 maximum.

Weaving a Rayon Chenille Scarf
If you’ve always wanted to weave with chenille but have been afraid to try, now is your chance! Students will learn about challenges of working with rayon chenille and ways to overcome some of the difficulties. Rayon chenille will be provided for the students to use. The class will alternate between lecture and hands-on activity as we discuss the process and then go about weaving our scarves. Set up — Room large enough to accommodate students looms, warping reels and boards, and display table. We will need access to a nearby washer and dryer. (A Laundromat will be fine.) Material fee $50.00 per student. Maximum/minimum number of students 12 maximum. Ability level beginning and beyond weavers, but must have some knowledge/experience with weaving.

Weaving a Chenille Scarf with Puffs
Outstanding effects can be achieved when using both rayon chenille and elastic fibers for differential shrinkage. Combining lecture and hands-on activity, students will learn about the characteristics of rayon chenille, some methods to make weaving with it easier, and how to incorporate stretchy fibers into the weaving to create a puff effect in their scarf. Rayon chenille will be provided for the students to use. The class will alternate between lecture and hands-on activity as we discuss the process and then go about weaving our scarves. Set up — Room large enough to accommodate students looms, warping reels and boards, and display table. We will need access to a nearby washer and dryer. (A Laundromat will be fine.) Material fee $50.00 per student. Maximum/minimum number of students 12 maximum. Ability level beginning and beyond weavers, but must have some knowledge/experience with weaving.

Weave a Color Gamp
Are you unsure how the colors in your warp will mix with the colors in your weft? Participate in this workshop and develop a better understanding of weaving with color. The class will alternate between lecture and hands-on activity as we discuss the process and then go about weaving our color gamps. Set up — Room large enough to accommodate students looms, warping reels and boards, and display table. All weaving fiber will be provided. Material fee $50.00 per student. Maximum/minimum number of students 12 maximum. Ability level, must know how to weave (can be a relatively new weaver).

UPCOMING CLASSES:

April 3 & 17, 2008 — Anacapa Fine Yarns, Ventura, CA
Rigid Heddle Weaving Class

April 12 – 13, 2008 — Southern California Handweavers, Los Angeles, CA
Rayon chenille and Beyond Program
Beginning Weaving Workshop

May 9 – 10, 2008 — Creative Weavers of San Diego, San Diego, CA
It’s All in Your Perspective Program
Make Friends with your Odds and Ends Workshop

May 12, 2008 — Palomar Handweavers, Palomar, CA
Weaving Tips and Tricks Program
Beginning Kumihimo Workshop

May 24 – 25, 2008 — Ventura Co. Handweavers, Oxnard, CA
Weave a Chenille Scarf Workshop

June 26 – 28, 2008 — HGA’s Convergence, Tampa, FL
Tie on a New Warp Seminar
All in Your Perspective Seminar
Rayon Chenille and Beyond Seminar