Multi Media Loom Weaving

 Tuesday July 29th 9 - 4:30 & Wednesday July 30th 9 - 12 $165  
  Kat Allison      


Student Level: All
Type of Workshop: Process with good chance of completing a piece.
Prerequisite:None

       
     

This is a 9 hour workshop.

We look at the beauty of traditional weaving and we see it was a long and arduous process performed on contraptions that look like large medieval torture machines and required a lifetime of dedicated practice to perfect. While we really admire the artisans of history we have absolutely no intention of working that hard, not when we could be playing hard instead.

Take one part ancient history and 100 parts modern multi-media fun and you have the looms that Cindy French and Kat Allison have spent the last 10 years experimenting with and perfecting. They created looms that cost much less, leaving weavers with cash to spend on the really cool stuff like fibers and yarn. They've shortened and stabilized the warps, made the processes much, much faster and included some giddy joy. Weaving on this loom encompasses the kinds of multimedia techniques that have revolutionized what we see as art, and makes it possible to create beautiful, sophisticated textiles that can stand alone, become functional objects, jewelry or components to use in larger pieces. There will be many samples that you can inspect and hold and scrutinize. We'll have examples of finished pieces mounted to create wall art, and nifty purses that actually function. There will be plenty of loom created jewelry, too.

We'll work through the whole process, from the easy warping system to learning some weaving techniques and continuing with processes that are so very not traditional. You will learn to use unconventional things on the loom---like collage, felting, air dry clay, pieced fabric, embroidery and beading. You will even learn to make your own looms in whatever size you want. Our smallest looms weave a 3"x3" panel and the biggest loom we've made (so far, anyway) is 5' wide and 6' tall. Our goal in designing the loom was to make the whole loom with one trip to the home center and one trip to the fabric store.

Traditional weaving also required a great deal of time in the finishing process---all those threads that had to be sewn in or tied into fringe. When you remove a piece from this loom, it is finished on all 4 sides. I'll have a finished piece of weaving still on the loom with me---just so you can see how to take it off the loom.

Be you new to the art world or a sophisticated lover of art process, we have something new to show you.

    Teacher will supply for use in workshop:
  • hand-cut stamps and blocks
  • felting pads and needles
  • crochet hooks
  • sewing needles and threads
  • awls
  • irons
  • water containers
Kit fee of $130 payable to Instructor at class time includes:
  • expandable copper loom
  • copper loom stand
  • stretchers and couplers for stands and looms
  • 140 page bound handout
  • needles in several sizes
  • hand made batten
  • hand dyed yarns in various fibers
  • beater fork
  • 800 yard spool rug warp
  • no-squirm
  • warp holders
  • cotter pins
  • zip-ties
  • copper wire
  • hand made papers
  • hand dyed fabrics
  • one-of-a-kind printed and paste papers
  • botanical elements
  • air dry clay
  • wool roving
  • acrylic paints
  • glues
  • gel medium
  • metal leafing
  • leaf sizing and sealer
  • sheet metal in copper, brass and aluminum
  • alcohol inks
  • beads


    Students should bring:.
  • Sharp scissors
  • chain nose pliers
  • paint brush--whatever type you prefer
  • We'll be punching a lot of holes in paper and metal, so if you already have a sewing awl and metal hole punch, bring them so you won't have to share.

    • Place an advance order for your supplies & tools and pick it up when you arrive at AU:
    Mixed Media: The Occasional Artist - Email your order to: theoccasionalartist@cox.net or call 623-847-2215
    Jewelry: The Urban Beader - Order at theurbanbeader.com, then send email to sales@theurbanbeader.com stating that this is a pre-order for Art Unraveled. Once the email is received the shipping will be reimbursed.

    Questions? Email Kat at copperleaf111@gmail.com
    Website: copperloom.com