New England Weavers' Seminar
July 28 - August 1, 2027
Westfield State University
Westfield MA
P-3: Flax & Hemp to Linen
Instructor: Andrea Myklebust
2 days
Friday, July 30, 2027, 8:30 am -
Saturday, July 31, 2027, 4:30 pm
$320
In this hands-on workshop, we will explore all of the steps involved in growing, processing, and spinning flax and hemp for weaving. On day one, we will discuss fiber flax and hemp seed selection, current licensing requirements for growing hemp, and how to grow, harvest, and ret these plants for fiber use. We will have retted straw on hand to process straw with brakes, scutching knives and hackles, and participants will have plenty of time to try their hand at using these traditional tools to process bast fibers. On day two, we will learn how to dress a distaff for spinning long line fibers, and will spend the day spinning both line and tow, as well as learning how to finish our handspun yarns in the scouring process. Spinners are welcome to bring their own wheel, spindle, and distaff if they have them. No prior spinning experience required.
R-2: Weave with Words - On-Loom Manipulation
Instructor: Scott Norris
2 1/2 days
Friday, July 30, 2027, 8:30 am -
Sunday, August 1, 2027,11:30 am
$400
Like cloth, written language can be found everywhere. Yet the intrinsic quality of words – their ability to transcend basic “information sharing” to express ideas and convey sentiment – gives them considerable power as decorations in cloth. With the goal to inspire weavers to expand their repertoire of decorative approaches, this workshop will provide step-by-step instruction in using inlay to weave letters and words in cloth, often combined with additional decorations such as flowers, butterflies, etc. The workshop is a foundation for weavers to explore their fascination with calligraphy, poetry, printing, folklore, history, storytelling, or other literary or book arts.
The focus of the workshop will be hands-on weaving by the participants, each working individually at their loom to learn the techniques used to lay-in words into cloth. The workshop will include an in-depth presentation of the inlay technique as used to weave words into cloth; practice in designing and drafting inlay patterns using letters and words; and numerous woven examples for participants to examine. Students will receive detailed handouts to use when exploring this technique independently in the future. Alternately, participants can use Scott’s book, "Weave with Words: Using Inlay to Create Text in Woven Cloth," Schiffer Craft, 2026.