Workshops

May 18,19, 20 and 21, 2023 (Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday)
“Color, Design and Weave on an Inkle Loom”  will be presented by Annie McHale website here.
This workshop is comprised of 3 different one-day workshops, exploring inkle weaving techniques, from beginning to advanced.  The cost for each day is $82 which includes a $20 materials fee for the yarns provided by the instructor.  You may sign up for for one, two or all three classes.  Annie’s advice is to only sign up for the third day if you have experience with band techniques as it is a swiftly moving class.  Once you are signed up, an equipment/materials list will be provided.  An inkle loom will need to be secured by the participant. Registration for all classes will open on Saturday April 1^st at noon            .

Annie’s book, In Celebration of Plain Weave: Color and Design Inspiration for Inkle Weavers, published in March, 2019. ISBN: 978-0-692-19600-7  Preview here.
Annie’s book, Three Color Pick Up for Inkle Weavers, published in 2021, more info here
Both of Annie MacHale’s books may be viewed in the guild library reserve section at the barn.

Day One Workshop:  Color, Design and Weave on an Inkle Loom, Thursday May 18  OR  Friday May 19, (9:30am to 4:00pm)
This class is designed for beginning weavers with no experience with inkle looms and is limited to 10 students.

The goal of this workshop is to provide students with color and design theory for woven bands, then design a band, set it up and weave it on an inkle loom.  We will look examples and discuss what makes a good design, discuss color theory, look at yarn choices, experiment with color selection tools, chart patterns on paper or with an online design tool.  Students will then use the patterns that they create to set up their looms. We will discuss tips and tricks for ease of warping, how to produce even bands with straight selvedges, how to finish a band and a do bit of problem-solving.   This workshop is based on Annie’s book, In Celebration of Plain Weave: Color and Design Inspiration for Inkle Weavers, see above.

Day Two Workshop: Baltic Pickup on the Inkle Loom, Saturday May 20, (9:30am to 4:00pm).
This class is designed for experienced inkle weavers and is limited to 10 students.  Students must know how to warp an inkle loom on their own and be comfortable weaving plain weave on an inkle loom.

The goal is to introduce students to the many variations which can be woven on the Baltic pickup threading, warp and weave a sampler, learn to read two types of charts. and create charts using the “Pattern Editor”.  Open a new door to designing patterns for use on the inkle loom. Baltic-style pickup is a simple technique to learn, but has vast possibilities for creating complex patterns on a woven band. We will look at examples to learn the many variations which are possible using the Baltic-style pickup technique, and explore simple pickup patterns as well as pick and drop patterns and learn to use charted designs. Using the charts, students will set up their looms and weave a sampler of patterns.

Day Three Workshop: 3-Color Pickup on the Inkle Loom, Sunday May 21, (9:30am to 4:00pm)
This class is for experienced inkle weavers only and is limited to 10 students.  Students must be familiar with Baltic pickup on the inkle loom (see description for Day 2)

The goal of this workshop is to introduce students to the unique Baltic-style patterning technique which is known as 3-Color Pickup, set up looms, learn to use charts and weave.
Weavers who have already been doing Baltic-style pickup work will be amazed at how easy it is to add more color and complexity to your pattern motifs and create fantastic new ones.  3-Color Pickup is an older technique for which pattern books have not been readily available…until now. To weave this variation, it’s essential that you have a working knowledge of regular Baltic pickup.   We will look at samples and discuss what makes this different from the typical Baltic patterns. Students will get an understanding of the difference between asymmetrical and symmetrical threadings as well as tips for choosing colors to make the patterns pop. We will also look at charts and learn how to follow them and to create charts of our own.   Students will then warp their looms and practice weaving various motifs using pattern charts supplied by the instructor.

There are 10 spots for each day of this workshop The fee for each day is $82 ($164 for two days, $246 for all three days). This includes the instructor materials fees.  Registration opens April 1, 2023 at 12 pm.  The PayPal button (soon to be seen below) will be activated at that time.

If you have any questions or need an inkle loom, contact Patricia Martin