Workshops: Led by international, national, and regional fiber artists
Indigo with Dagmar Klos
Indigo is an ancient dye that has been used by many cultures throughout the world. There is much lore and ritual surrounding indigo. It is a dye that never ceases to amaze. It's like magic - white yarn or cloth comes out of the indigo vat greenish-yellow, but quickly turns blue as it reacts with the oxygen in the air. Join us as we explore the exciting and sometimes elusive world of indigo.1082 Friday, August 12: 10am - 4pm
Level: Multi
Tuition before July 12: $119/$99 members | Tuition after July 12: $134/$114 members
Materials Fee: $15 | Dye Lab Fee: $15
Discharge Dyeing with Dagmar Klos
Discharge is the removal of some or all of the color from fiber. This process is most commonly used on fabrics, but can also be used on yarn. All discharge agents will be discusssed along with safety issues. Participants will create samples using both immersion and direct application techniques. Useful applications of these techniques will be presented (this is and excellent technique for shibori). This workshop is for those who want to see what color lurks beneath - its not always white.1083 Saturday, August 13: 10am - 4pm
Level: Multi
Tuition before July 13: $119/$99 members | Tuition after July 13: $134/$114 members
Materials Fee: $15 | Dye Lab Fee: $15
Dagmar Klos is a dye master, fiber enthusiast (weaver, knitter, spinner), and teacher. After receiving the Handweavers Guild of America's Certificate of Excellence in Dyeing, she wrote The Dyer's Companion published by Interweave Press. For over 10 years, she was copublisher and coeditor of the Turkey Red Journal, a newsletter dedicated to natural dyes. She lives in Chicago, and currently teaches at the Fine Line Creative Art Center in St. Charles, Illinois.
The 3-D's of 3-D: Deflection, Differential Shrinkage and Doubleweave with Ruby Leslie
Head off the beaten track, where it's delightful, it deliberate, it's deflected. Subtle to amazing transformations can occur in woven cloth when you understand how to control the variables of fiber, yarn grist, weave structures and finishing techniques. Explore a variety of weave structures producing ruffles, ridges, waffles, crinkles, 'innies' and 'outies' while weaving on pre-warped looms (with pre-wound warp chains provided by Ruby). Depending upon the size of the class and timing, participants will weave two samples at each loom --- one will receive appropriate finishing treatment, the other will remain in its unfinished off-the-loom-state, to document the before and after effect.1084 Friday, Saturday & Sunday, September 9, 10 & 11: 9am - 4pm
Level: Advanced Beginning to Advanced
Tuition before August 9: $357/$297 members - No Late Registrations. Please sign up by August 9th. The visiting artist needs to send a questionnaire to participants and is providing all the warps for the workshop.
Materials Fee: $65
Ruby Leslie maintains a full-time weaving and teaching studio in northern Vermont, where she designs her own line of handwovens as Ruby Charuby Weavings . Boundless enthusiasm for sampling and experimenting, especially with color and its interaction with structure, has guided Ruby’s creative endeavors from the beginning of her weaving career more than 20 years ago. Handwoven magazine’s invitation to become a contributing member of their “Color Forecast” series, creating swatches on a regular basis, was the impetus for Ruby to streamline her design process. This fueled her desire to share her insights about how to successfully integrate color, structure and yarn in weaving without having to dye yarn or rely on recipes. She has taught above the arctic circle in northern Norway, as well as at Convergence and regional conferences and guilds throughout the US. She is one of six designers invited to participate in the Handweavers Guild of America’s second Design Fashion Challenge to take place at Convergence 2010 in Albuquerque, NM.
Beaded Fringes, Edges and Closures with Laura Viada
A lovely beaded fringe or edge can turn an ordinary scarf, shawl or garment into a dramatic, unique piece - and can turn an already wonderful piece into a real showstopper. Beaded fringes and edges can also be used very effectively to embellish home decor and accessories. In this workshop, students will learn various techniques for making beaded fringes and edges and will make a sample of each technique for future reference. Students will also learn how to make a laced-edge closure for garments, an embellished butoon, and a beaded toggle closure for garments or jewelry. Information on bead selection and color choice will also be provided.1085 Thursday & Friday, October 13 & 14: 9am - 4pm
Level: Multi
Tuition before September 13: $238/$198 members | Tuition after September 13: $253/$213 members
Materials Fee: $35
Exploring Thick'n Thin - Structure and Color Theory with Laura Viada
Thick'n Thin, sometimes known as Diversified Plain Weave, is a wonderful and versatile weave structure. It presents a wealth of design possibilities and produces a fabric that is perfect for absolutely any use. Students will learn how to work with this structure in planning projects and creating drafts and weave a thick'n thin sampler. They will learn how to weave this structure with good technique, and will explore the effect of different yarn and color choices on the final product. Students will also learn how to use clasped weft, polychrome, and pick-up techniques, and will learn how to make a smooth color gradation. Instructor will provide a variety of weft yarns for experimentation, lecture on color theory and optical mixing.1086 Saturday & Sunday, October 15 & 16: 9am - 4pm
Level: Intermediate
Tuition before September 15: $238/$198 members | Tuition after September 15: $253/$213 members
Materials Fee: $15
Laura Viada has been a handweaver and fiber artist since 1996. Her work is focused on geometric form and color theory, and she dyes most of her own yarns. Laura’s work has been exhibited nationally and has won a number of awards. She also teaches color theory and advanced weaving classes at the national level. Laura lives, weaves, and dyes in Houston, Texas, with three parrots, and an English springer spaniel.