Learn to Weave- Classes in 2025

You can see the full weaving course here

Workshops at Epping, Sydney.

Learn to weave... the very basics

Starts February 2025

Times:

Face to Face classes:

Wed mornings and Wed nights at Brush Farm House. These will be with the Hand Weavers and Spinners Guild of NSW, beginning

Wed 5 February 2025 for 6 weeks - attend one session per week-either the morning or the night session

Zoom class Tuesday nights: beginning Tues 4th Feb 2025 for 7 weeks

These are beginning weaving classes, for people with no previous experience of weaving. Classes allow you to learn new techniques and then improve your technique in the following weeks.

These lessons will cover:

Project 1. Weaving a plain weave scarf

Explanation of

how to calculate the right number of threads
how to wind a warp
how to put the warp on the loom
good weaving techniques
several finishing techniques
use of 4 ply wool eg 4ply luxury from Bendigo Woollen Mills-good colour range!!

Project 2 A Twill sampler

These lessons

explains all the basics on how to get the beat right,
how to find the last pick when you loose your place in your sequence,
how to see a mistake
how to unweave quickly
how to read a draft,
how to interpret useful books and most important,
how to design interesting patterns for the next projects

Project 3 Use the information gained to weave a project of your own in plain weave or twill.

You need a 4 shaft loom ( not rigid heddle or frame loom) to complete these lessons Email weavewithliz@hotmail.com to obtain an equipment list, so that you know how to prepare, and which yarns to purchase.

8 shaft Twills May- June 2025

1) there are zoom sessions

28 May Wed night 2-3hrs 6.30- 710, then 7.30-8.10pm

2) there is a face to face session

9am-12pm Sunday June 1 to check threading strips and develop liftings

3) there is a 2 day workshop June 7-8 2025 at Brush Farm House

9.15 for a 9.30 start till 4.30pm each day

Participants need to come to all 3 sessions

8 Shaft Twills

Make the jump!! move from 4 shaft weaves to 8 shaft twills. Learn how to design threadings and liftings for 8 shafts.

Work on your own loom on an 8 shaft twill gamp ( a collection of different threadings)

Develop new patterns and improve your technique.

Loom Controlled Lace - Huck Lace- June 2025

1) there are zoom sessions June 4 Wed night 6.30- 7.10pm, then 7.30-8.10pm

2) there is a 2 day workshop June 14-15 at Brush Farm House

9.15 for a 9.30 start till 4.30pm each day

Participants need to come to both sessions

Huck Lace Workshop

Discussions on

Theory of Multiple Huck Lace.
Designing a threading
How to design a pattern.
Working with an open sett
Theory on other lace weave structures

Develop designs on graph paper and in Fiberworks.
Develop a method to make your own patterns and interpret patterns from references
Make designs as spots of lace, lace areas, textured areas and blocks of lace.
Work on your own 8 shaft loom and laptop
Scarves by Denise Stevens

Crackle workshop 4 shafts - June 2025

1) there are zoom sessions June 11 Wed night 6.30- 7.10pm, then 7.30-8.10pm

2) there is a 2 day workshop June 21-22 at Brush Farm House

9.15 for a 9.30 start till 4.30pm each day

Participants need to come to both sessions

Crackle weave can be used for fabric, cushions, upholstery, scarves, bags and rugs, all dependent on the sett and the yarn used. It has lots of variation, above is crackle woven in an overshot style.

Crackle as bound weave

Working with Weaving Software

No date set yet!!

Have fun designing! Learn how to use Fiberworks!

this workshop begins with the basics and gradually builds on your skills.

Bring your laptop, power cord and plug in mouse.

This is a “come, think and play” workshop!
We start at the beginning, putting in a 4 shaft threading and you will be amazed by what you can design in 2 days of playing with drafts and the program. .
It’s a wonderful tool for exploring the potential of weaving.

For all weavers using 4 shafts or more...

Plan your next weaving using weaving software to test colours,
find the longest float,
print out a threading and a lifting in a size that is easy to see,
check the balance and structure of your design.
Record all the details in the notes sections.

Start as a beginner, and become skilled! Change your colour combinations to see what works well, and match the colours of your stash!

Time: 2 days

Number of students: 8

Skill level: For all experienced 4 shaft weavers, 8 shafts and more.

Beginner level for weaving software

Equipment: You need a laptop with a demo Silver version of Fiberworks loaded, but preferably a full validated copy of the Silver version of Fiberworks.
Bring a plug-in/wireless mouse- much less tiring on the fingers than working on the mouse pad!!

Drawdown from Fiberworks

Email weavewithliz@hotmail.com so that I know that you are interested and answer any questions you may have.

October 25-26 2025

Workshop for the Queensland Spinners and Weavers

November 8-9 2025

Workshop for the Kyneton Spinners and Weavers, Victoria

Workshop Thursdays

This is a new zoom experience, to enable weavers from afar, to participate in workshops.

The plan is

To send a suitable threading 2-3 weeks before the workshop, with enough information on yarns and suitable sett to let you prepare the warp
2 days before the workshop, I send all the notes
On the Wednesday, I do a longer theory session first and then we begin to weave.
We then zoom as needed, ie on the hour, for half an hour, and then you weave in between.
If you have problems you communicate with photos and emails.
You weave each section guided by images in your notes and discussion.

I think it will work. The other zoom classes have been very rewarding and I am hoping that this workshop Wednesday concept will work well too!

Cost 1 day $ Tutor Liz Calnan

Time: 1 day workshop Number of students: 8 places available

Skill level: Able to wind a warp and thread a loom

Threading and list of suitable yarns supplied by email after workshop payment.

Possible workshops

M's and O's

This 4 shaft weave can be woven in many ways and can be used for linen, place mats, cushions, scarves and garment fabric with different yarns and setts. Although it is mostly 2 blocks on 4 shafts, it can be 3 blocks on 4 shafts, and can be extended to 8 shafts. Try a variety of liftings on your threading. Look at a traditional weave in a new way..