Free-Style Weaving: Joyful Alchemy

Free-Style Weaving: Joyful Alchemy

With Lianna Gilman

Thursdays, October 5, 12, 19 and 26

10 am to 12 noon

Requested donation:  $40 for the four session class. (If you are unable to pay $40, please pay what you can.) Your donations ensure the future of Create Space. (Please see below for ways to donate)

Covid considerations: the room has good ventilation and we run a high-powered air purifier.  If you feel more comfortable wearing a mask, please bring one.

Anyone can have a good time with free-style weaving.  It’s a great introduction for people who are completely new to weaving and it’s a whole new dimension for people who have experience with traditional weaving.  This approach is easy and quick to learn.  Nothing has to line up straight or look perfect, and there are no patterns or rules to follow.  These sessions are all about playing with color and texture.  However your piece comes out, it will be just right – that’s the magic of free-style weaving.

Over the 4 sessions, we’ll cover the basics of how to warp a simple cardboard or frame loom, weave, tie off, and attach a hanging rod, plus some additional techniques for playing with both warp and weft.  We’ll also explore weaving on 3-dimensional objects like wire baskets, Y-shaped or curved sticks, picture frames, musical instruments, egg cartons, etc.  Everyone is encouraged to follow their own curiosity and share their innovations in the spirit of learning from each other.

Some people might finish a weaving during a single class, others might want more time – either way is okay.  At the end of each session, you can take home your loom and a bag of materials to work with on your own.

Basic materials will be provided:

- Cardboard looms in a variety of sizes

- Exuberant assortment of yarn, fabric, roving, ribbon, wire, bubble-wrap, mesh produce bags, and more

Participants, please bring these additional materials:

- A fork or comb with well-spaced tines/teeth

- Any of the above materials from home that you particularly want to use, plus anything else that sparks your interest – e.g., trim, buttons, beads, paper, raffia, charms, shoelaces, toothbrushes, old favorite clothing that’s no longer wearable, recycled materials, etc.  If you’re bringing driftwood, seed pods, or other natural materials, please give them 3-4 days in the freezer ahead of time, to kill any insects, eggs, or larvae.

- Optional: Dowel, driftwood, bamboo or anything else that will serve as a hanging rod

- Optional: A jumbo-eye weaving, netting or craft needle, or a stick shuttle, if you happen to already have one

Extra benefit:  Free-style weaving on these cardboard looms is a great activity for sharing with friends, children, and grandchildren.  With a pre-warped loom and a bag of weavables, you can easily make up a kit that travels well and provides lots of opportunity for creative play.

Lianna Gilman is a free-style weaver and fiber artist with an adventurous mixed-media spirit.  She creates one-of-a-kind wearable art, wall-hangings, table-runners, home decor, vessels, and whimsical whatnots.  Visit www.heartsong-weaving.com for more about her work.

Ways to Pay: 

1. Pay $40 at the Createspacelangley.org website. Look for the donate button near the top of the website.

2. Make a check out to Partners for Youth Empowerment and place in the donation jar in your classroom

3. Make a cash donation in the donation jar in your classroom