Weavers of Orlando have 3 different 3 day workshops planned for 2019.

We sponsor 3 workshops a year, 2 of the workshops are usually with nationally known instructors, and members get first chance to take these workshops. 

The cost of the workshops are estimated prior to the workshop and a deposit is required when signing up to take a workshop with Weavers of Orlando. 

The exact cost of the workshop is determined by the cost of travel for the instructor, teaching fees along with room rental and any other expenses encountered for the workshop. These costs are then divided among the participants in the workshop.  Some of the instructors also require a materials fee that is separate fee from the cost of the workshop. 

If you are interested in joining us at one of the following workshops or would like more details please contact our workshop chair Nancy R  at workshops@weaversoforlando.org

The well stocked workshop basket This file contains a very good list of things you should bring with you to every workshop Please take the time to click on the link, read & print the list for future reference.

2019 Workshops

If you are interested in joining us at one of the following 2019 workshops or would like more details please contact our workshop chair Nancy R

February 15, 16, and 17 Program and Workshop by Jennifer Moore

Double Rainbow 2 1/2 day workshop- 2 Layers, 4 (or 8) Shafts, 6 Colors – Infinite Possibilities

This is perhaps the ultimate color sampler! You will begin by winding a warp and setting up your loom according to Jennifer’s system for working with multiple colors in a rotational sequence and bringing it to the workshop. A basic two-layered structure will enable us to mix and match our colors, creating an amazing array of color mixtures. As you weave and your warp colors move past each other you will experience a visual feast of iridescence and moire patterns. We will also experiment with single-layered structures such as warp rep and warp-faced twills and the effects that they create on this versatile warp. This sampler will provide a remarkable education in color theory and how optical mixtures work in weaving, as well as a great source of inspiration for future weaving projects.

Level: Intermediate. No prior experience in doubleweave is necessary, but students must know how to warp a loom

Students will bring a 4- or 8-shaft loom warped according to instructions.

From the first time that Jennifer Moore sat down at a loom, she was drawn to the orderly universe of colored threads and the rhythmic repetition in the process of weaving. Because of her background in piano and pipe organ, she felt an immediate affinity with this new stringed instrument whose patterns flowed from her hands in the form of color and design rather than sound.

After experimenting with various structures for several years, she found her home in the ancient technique of doubleweave pick-up. In doubleweave two layers of cloth are woven simultaneously, one above the other on the loom. Through the exacting process of hand pick-up, she exchanges threads between the two layers, building original designs onto the underlying grid. By blending numerous colors together in both my warp and weft and playing one layer against the other, she is able to create a nearly limitless range of subtle color gradations. Over the years she has developed new methods of setting up and weaving doubleweave that she feels make it more accessible and easier to weave. She travels extensively to teach these techniques and has recently written the book The Weaver’s Studio: Doubleweave, published by Interweave Press.

June 15, 16, and 17, 2019 (Saturday, Sunday, and Monday)

Summer and winter workshop and program by Berna Lowenstein

Summer and Winter is an ancient weave structure that consists of a plain weave ground cloth in cotton or linen, and a thicker pattern weft traditionally in wool.  The fabric is reversible and with the colors completely reversed on the backside.   Summer and Winter was traditionally used for coverlets, with the dark colored side being used in Winter time and the light colored used in Summer time.   But S&W fabric can be used for everything from fine scarves to rugs.

This summer and winter workshop will be using a 4-shaft draft.  Everyone gets the same draft. Most people will be happier weaving this technique on a floor loom, but table looms are acceptable. Participants will work at their own looms at their own pace.

The yarns required will be 10/2 pearl cotton for the warp and tabby weft in a light color, like white, natural, or a pastel. Pattern wefts can be 2 strands of a contrasting 10/2 cotton, or sock wool, or embroidery floss, or rayon boucle’. We can have some fun trying out different pattern wefts.

Level: This is the perfect workshop for new weavers who know how to warp a loom and weave plain weave and twill already. (It could possibly even be a good workshop for our child members if they know how to weave on a 4-shaft loom.)

Bio:

Berna Lowenstein is a nationally known weaver, who has been weaving 30 years.   She has won many awards at the Florida Tropical Weavers Guild conference, and she has been published in Handwoven and Weavers magazines and book.   She’s been president of Weavers Of Orlando twice, and taught several workshops and study groups.

October 18, 19, 20 Friday, Saturday, and Sunday

The Art of Transparency workshop and program by Laura Viada

Transparencies are fun to weave and present a wealth of opportunities for expression and design.  A close relative of the tapestry, the distinguishing characteristic of the transparency is the contrast between opaque areas of pattern inlay and the sheer background cloth.  Transparency techniques can be used to create expressive art pieces, or for dramatic functional items such as window coverings, table linens, and wearables.

This workshop introduces students to basic transparency weaving techniques, and to all the possibilities transparency offers.

• On day one, we will explore the basics — yarns, sett, weaving techniques, creating shapes, etc.

• On day two, we will explore design sources and methods and students will create an original cartoon.

• On day three students may continue experimenting with yarns and techniques and/or begin weaving from the cartoon designed on day two.

Level:  All levels, must be able to warp your own loom

Bio:

LAURA VIADA is a handweaver and fiber artist who creates works of art in natural fibers – primarily, linen, silk, and wool.   Her guiding philosophy is that humans have an intimate relationship with the objects that surround us – the things we see, wear, use, and share with friends and family — and that the human spirit thrives when these things are beautiful and sensual.   In addition to art pieces, such as wall hangings, window coverings, and room dividers, Laura creates textiles designed to add a touch of luxury and mindfulness to our daily routines.   For Laura, a beautiful, handcrafted kitchen towel turns a daily chore into a ritual, a handwoven bath towel adds a touch of luxury to daily grooming, and a handwoven napkin makes even the simplest meal into a special occasion.

Laura grew up in Houston, Texas.  While taking a pause from demanding career in law, she learned to weave and fell in love with the world of fiber.  For the past 20 years, Laura has been an active member of Houston’s art community.  Her work has been exhibited nationally and has won numerous awards, and she spent 9 months in 2008 as an Artist-in-Residence at the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft.  Laura lives in Houston and maintains a studio at the Art Square Studios complex near Downtown Houston. Her work can also be seen at Archway Gallery in Houston, Texas.