For instance

i) taking an existing threading pattern and playing around with weft plan variations and different weft yarns in order to design new weaves
ii) using profile drafting to create new threading patterns
iii) using proportions, symmetry, asymmetry, Fibonacci series, etc to create specific design results
iv) playing a variation on Ann Sutton's design game where you take cards which give you certain instructions or parameters, and working out how you can design something from your hand of cards

This workshop can be an afternoon (limited to discussions and a little practical paper work). It can also be a whole day or a weekend where we can try different ideas out on paper. It can also be a weekend where everyone turns up with their looms previously warped according to instructions, and after trying out ideas on paper, all participants can experiment on their own looms. Longer workshops would enable participants to try ideas out on other looms.

Equipment
Squared paper, pencils (some coloured), notepad, yarns, scissors, glue.
For longer workshops, all the above, plus table looms, weft yarns, shuttles, threading hook, sleying hook

Contact me to discuss your requirements and dates.

Are you a mixed group? Weavers, spinners, dyers, felters, embroiderers, knitters? Would you like to develop design skills? Develop a deeper sense of colour? Engage with texture in your work?

Whatever your group, my three workshops, Texture, Colour and Design Days are just right for you ....More Information

Most of these workshops are all about stimulating your mind and creativity to be able to find inspiration from many different sources and to bring those into your work. It is an ongoing process and as such, you will not necessarily have a finished product to take away with you at the end, except for your notes and anything you have been doing during the workshop. My aim is to open your mind to different ways of looking and thinking so that you are able to develop your work in ways that are useful and inspiring to you.

If there are a lot of people doing the workshop, I usually do a talk/demonstration, then split people into groups to explore certain aspects so that I can go round each group and help, if needed. After a certain time period (roughly an hour), people can move into a different group to do a different thing, or stay with the activity they are doing - entirely up to them as an individual. That way, everyone is catered for without anyone feeling that they are being herded!

If there are relatively few people (depending on space), then we can explore one aspect at a time.

Texture Days    Texture can be a tricky thing to try to put into our work whatever our medium.... More Information

 

In weaving, texture can be created through the selection of textured yarns, or the interplay of different yarns, or the choice of weave structure, or the results of differential shrinkage during finishing, or indeed through a combination of any of them.

In textile surface design, texture can be applied in various ways - combining different textured fabrics, incorporating felting fibres onto fabric and using other media to combine with the fabric to create texture, in embroidery techniques, applique, quilting, etc...

In general mixed media art, texture can be created through the application of as many different media as your household and garden and beach can find! Paper, sand, gravel, cat litter, sugar, tea, yarns, cling film, plasters, silver foil, shells, wood of all sorts, sandpaper, toothpicks, etc .... the list is endless. And there are the ways in which these things are applied, or removed - scratching, painting, layering, tearing, piercing, burning, rubbing, scoring, stippling, rolling, etc.....

This workshop is designed to encourage you to think laterally when it comes to creating texture and to inspire you to use texture as a design inspiration whatever your medium.

Colour Days    Colour workshops focus specifically on colour, its properties, colour studies with yarn, fibres and fabrics, crayons and paints.... More Information

Design Days    In 'Design Days' we look at different approaches to designing, from step-by-step logical thinking to totally imaginative and whacky .... More Information

These topics can be taught singly in 1/2 a day or 1 day workshops, and extended to 2 or 3 days workshops. Accompanying booklets are available to extend your knowledge. If you are brave enough to go for a 3-day workshop, we can cover all the subjects, focussing on one each day!

 

Imagery in Cloth

Are you wanting to be more pictorial in your work?

My Imagery in Cloth workshop is a follow-on to the Pictorially Speaking lecture, exploring various ways you could engage with creating your own imagery in cloth. .... More Information

We look at using weaving techniques, stitching techniques (audience input essential!), dyeing and felting techniques, begining with your own source material and developing individual ways to bring out your interpretation. 2-day workshop.