TESTIMONIAL FROM 5 WEAVERS FROM UK – “THREE TECHNIQUES FOR TEXTURE” GROUP WORKSHOP, MAY 2019

“Our 4-day workshop at the ‘Loom Room’ was a wonderful opportunity to explore new textural weave ideas with Stacey, a textile artist renowned for her original work inspired by geology and nature. Set in the beautiful Gascony countryside, Stacey’s welcoming home and garden – together with husband Graham, friendly bilingual dog (Bailey), two cats (Merlin and Coriander), three cockerels and five hens (all named) – encouraged us to relax and enjoy the whole experience.

The loom room itself adjoins the house and is an inspiring place to work, surrounded by yarn, a comprehensive weaving library and a vast selection of samples to handle and examine. Five of us shared this space, working each day on a different loom to explore 3 different weave structures – woven shibori, stitched double cloth and overshot – all chosen to exploit the structural potential of using yarns with different properties. We each received a well-structured workshop booklet, which complemented the comprehensive pre-workshop information we had received. Following tailored presentations each morning from Stacey, we were able to work at our own pace, with Stacey always on hand for guidance and to answer queries. Clear instructions were given, but we were also encouraged to experiment and develop our own ideas. It was particularly helpful to cut off and wet finish our samples each day to reveal the textural effect of the weave structures, and in so doing we learnt a lot from each other, which informed our next day’s work.

After 2 days intensive weaving, we were treated to a half-day break, visiting a local market, glass artisan, and coffee in a nearby bastide town. Refreshed, we returned to the looms for 2 further half days weaving. We were most grateful to Graham for keeping us fed and watered, in particular his well-timed ‘apero’ call at the end of each day with wine and nibbles in the back garden, followed by a delicious supper and a chance to unwind and share stories.

As a group, we would highly recommend the Textural Weaving Workshop. Plenty of new ideas to challenge and stimulate and to encourage us to look at familiar weave structures anew. Four of us stayed in Stacey and Graham’s very comfortable rooms; the fifth stayed with her husband in a neighbour’s gite, whilst still sharing the evening meal. The Gascony region is full of lovely places to visit, and renowned food and wine – a wonderful place to combine a holiday with a stimulating learning experience in a welcoming, relaxed environment.”

Ali, Jane, Jill, Janice, Lucy