Discovered in 1842, cyanotype is a slow-reacting, economical photographic printing formulation that produces a cyan-blue print used for art as monochrome imagery. The chemistry can be applied to paper, fabric and prepared surfaces to create photographic images. An affordable and easy to use process, this technique continues today to be popular with artists in a variety of mediums such as art quilts, embroidery, photography, book arts and printmaking. Join Nashville based artist David Heustess to learn how to use the chemistry to create prints using natural and man made objects, design negatives and explore the different effects and materials that can be used to create wonderful works of art in blue.

In this one day, hands-on workshop, participants will get an introduction to the warp-weighted loom, the ancient loom of Europe.  We will have multiple looms set up for students to try, and we will discuss the history of the loom, and how the loom differs from modern handlooms. With hands-on examples, we will learn about the different ways in which warps and heddles are made, how weights are selected and used in the weaving process, and the accessory tools involved in weaving on a warp-weighted loom. This one-day workshop will offer participants an opportunity to get their hands on these unusual (and handsome!) looms, and to learn a bit about how they are built and used. We will look at examples of textiles woven on the WWL, and learn about the history of this very early technology. While a single day workshop is NOT enough time for a participant to weave a project of their own, we hope it will be enough time to whet your appetite for more of this very, VERY old-school weaving.

Pin looms are quick, portable, and fun tools for creating woven fabric, but did you know they're also powerful tools for exploring color and texture? In this workshop, Alanna Wilcox will show you how to create four unique swatches on a single pin loom while exploring color interactions, yarn texture, and fabric structure. You'll discover how a simple pin loom can help you test ideas before committing to a larger weaving, knitting, crochet, or spinning project. Along the way, you'll explore how different fibers, yarn structures, and color combinations influence the finished fabric and learn practical ways to use pin looms as a design tool in your own creative practice. If you've never woven before, don't worry. Alanna will guide you through the process step by step and help you build confidence as you create your swatches. If you're already an experienced weaver, you'll learn how pin loom swatches can help you evaluate color placement, compare yarns, test project ideas, and make more informed design decisions. You'll leave with four finished swatches, a better understanding of color and texture in woven fabric, and new ideas for incorporating pin looms into future projects.

This style of basket is called a Mokok, which is a Northeast Woodland Native American style container made of bark and stitched with spruce roots. This White Pine bark basket is easier to make than Ash Bark. They don't require so much hand strength, they smell delicious, handle like leather when wet, and dry like wood. The bottom is rectangular. The top is round or oval. They were originally used to harvest and store food and accoutrements. In this class you'll learn to sew with spruce roots, which you'll prepare. If the roots are thick enough you'll split them. An inner and outer rim is made by splitting a Red Osier Dogwood stick that is bent gradually. Different stitching patterns will be suggested. All materials are sustainably and locally harvested by the instructor.

The Mandala Community Weaving, created and designed by artist Sarah Haskell, is a visual symbol of community. Each Mandala Community Weaving grows from the spirit of the group that creates it. From the colors of the weaving, to the representations of people, the completed Mandala Community Weaving is a true reflection and celebration of each community.  In this workshop, Sarah will take participants through the steps involved in creating a Mandala Community Weaving from building the loom, to the weaving, creating the clothespin people and to assembling the completed project. Participants will learn tips on how to organize, promote and offer this project to their own community. A PDF of instructions will be available. Our workshop will conclude with a completed weaving that celebrates the diversity and unity of the participants. Our Mandala Community Weaving will be offered to a local charity/nonprofit as a gift. 

Using commercial or handwoven material, students will practice several techniques for securing edges and creating seams. By the end of the workshop, each person will have created a booklet or binder that contains
instructions and information related to the different techniques along with the samples. If time permits students will undertake a small project.

Welcome to weaving with cards! Using simple tools, we’ll start weaving a band that can be used as a lanyard, lace, or bracelet. We will begin with a discussion on how to read tablet weaving drafts. Then we will proceed to setting up the cards, weaving the band, and end with a discussion of finishing techniques. Along the way, we will focus on avoiding common pitfalls and sharing tips and tricks for weaving perfect bands. For those interested in learning how to tablet weave.

The technique of spinning rice paper into thread known as Kami-ito was developed in Japan during the 11th century.  In this workshop we will learn how to take a sheet of paper and spin it into thread using a drop spindle and/or a wheel. With our newly spun paper thread, we will create a small weaving, celebrating new skills and honoring ancient techniques. We will explore the wide variety of papers (including coffee filters!) that can be used for creating Kami-ito, as well as some contemporary applications of dyed, knitted, woven or crocheted Kami-ito thread. Sarah will share the history and lore behind this fascinating art of paper thread as well as some of the ways she uses this thread in her art and community art projects. Samples of handspun threads as well as pieces of fabric and art created with his amazingly durable thread will be available for inspiration.

The draft is the primary format weavers have used to record patterns for centuries, and weavers of this era are blessed with a host of resources and computer-based tools to help manage that aspect of design. This can leave us feeling that drafts are mysterious, magical things. When we rely on modern tools, we may develop only a superficial sense of how and why a draft creates a certain pattern. With deeper understanding, we can be more adventurous about making adjustments or combining elements of multiple drafts to create a personalized design. This class is geared towards weavers who can follow a draft but lack confidence modifying one for their own purposes. We will review all the parts of a draft and what they do, create drawdowns by hand, and discuss why certain threadings, tie-ups, and treadlings work well together. We'll do a deeper dive into a few favorite weave structures to discover what their drafts tell us about how they work. This is a pencil-and-paper workshop where you will be put to work creating, predicting, and puzzling out the connections between the draft and the cloth.

Come learn a tablet weaving technique from Indonesia! Bands created on the island of Sulawesi in Indonesia have beautiful patternwork and color interactions. Similar in structure to a double-faced weave, but similar in pattern to diagonal weaves, this technique will definitely keep your interest. We will cover how to weave these patterns, and how to design your own.