​THE SILK WEAVING STUDIO OFFERS MANY EXCITING SPINNING
& WEAVING CLASSES

Scheduling of our next classes is currently on hold
please contact us  AT SILKWEAVEDIANA@GMAIL.COM TO BE NOTIFIED ABOUT FUTURE CLASSES
​

Select from beginners weaving 101 and level 102,  with Ana Sousa or Amanda Wood, introduction to tapestry with Ruth Jones and silk spinning with Kim McKenna
​ 
WEAVING 101
 

From warping to finishing, learn how to weave on a rigid heddle loom with teaching artist and weaver Amanda Wood.


Learn to weave on the simplest loom, the Ashford Knitter’s Loom. Over the course of three weeks you will create a sampler that explores a number of materials and techniques. Bring the loom home between classes to practice techniques learned in class. You'll also learn finishing and warping methods specifically for rigid heddle weaving. Some materials are included as well as a 10% discount on yarns and looms purchased through the studio while enrolled.
This course runs over 3-weeks. Watch for classes with Amanda in spring 20201.
    
​Amanda Wood is a member of the Canadian Guild of Weavers and the Craft Council of BC and she exhibits her handwoven structures across the country. Her work is grounded within the context of traditional hand weaving yet lives in the interstitial space between art and craft. amandawoodstudio.com
From warping to finishing, learn to weave on a rigid heddle loom with professional weaver, Ana Isabel
Learn to weave on the simplest loom, the Ashford Knitter’s Loom. Over the course of three weeks you will create a sampler that explores a number of materials and techniques. Bring the loom home between classes to practice techniques learned in class. You'll also learn finishing and warping methods specifically for rigid heddle weaving. Some materials are included as well as a 10% discount on yarns and looms purchased through the studio while enrolled.
This course runs over 3-weeks.
Watch for classes with Ana for 2020  

Ana Isabel Sousa weaves modern, minimalist, tapestries and wall hangings. She designs, dyes and weaves using traditional equipment and processes. Ana works with mainly silk and other natural fibers. She is heavily inspired by the woven grid and it's relationship with other materials. www.anaisabeltextiles.com
WEAVING 102

For students that have completed WEAVING 101 and are excited to take rigid heddle weaving to the next level. Over the course of three weeks, you'll learn to plan and execute a weaving project. Like the 101 class you will be able to work on your project at home between classes. All materials are included as well as a 10% discount on yarns and looms purchased through the studio while enrolled.
We'll begin by thinking about design principles and structures used in weaving and discuss yarn choices. A number of options for a project will be discussed with the instructor before developing a plan and creating a final piece of your own design. Bring your inspiration and ideas for colour and patterns.
This course runs over 3-weeks

Amanda Wood is a member of the Canadian Guild of Weavers and the Craft Council of BC and she exhibits her handwoven structures across the country. Her work is grounded within the context of traditional hand weaving yet lives in the interstitial space between art and craft. amandawoodstudio.com
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Tapestry Weaving with Ruth Jones
Tapestry Weaving with Ruth Jones

​Tapestry is a weft-faced cloth. The weaver lays the wefts into the warp in a discontinuous pattern, based on his or her artistic plan.
 
Ruth Jones is an Aubusson-trained tapestry designer and weaver with a background in Classics and Fine Arts. She believes that patience, required for skill-building, pays off in gained visual and manual dexterity.

An article about Ruth’s work appears in the Winter 2019 issue of the magazine Surface Design.  Among other venues in Canada  and the UK, her work will be exhibited in 2020-2021 in America Tapestry Alliance Biennial  exhibition 13.
 
 The course fee of $195 includes instruction, two bobbins and silk and wool yarns for class time. You can bring your own loom pre-warped or purchase a pre-warped loom for $90. Please email silkweavediana@gmail.com if you wish to order a loom.
 
Class size is limited to 5, allowing personal instruction.
 
The course scheduled for 3 consecutive evenings: Please contact us if you are interested in being notified when we have new dates.

Ruth is planning an advanced tapestry workshop and would like to structure it around the students needs and availability. Please write to silkweavediana@gmail.com  if you are interested or to be on the contact list.

SPINNING WORKSHOPS WITH KIM MCKENNA
NON MULBERRY SILK SPINNING

This workshop suitable for all levels. Students must have a good working knowledge of their wheel and be able to confidently spin a continuous yarn.
 
Whenever I work with silk, I am awed by Mother Nature, the ingenuity of the creative mind and the properties of this exquisite fibre. I am utterly astonished by:
  • This the strong, lustrous strand and how it is synthesized.
  • How each species of silkworm constructs very different cocoons to serve as a safe harbor during the most vulnerable stage of their short lives.
  • The fact that archeologists now have proof that people have been reeling silk in India and China for approximately 4,200 years.
  • How beautifully silk takes up dye and reflects color.
  • The incredible drape silk lends to knitted and woven fabrics.
In this workshop we first take a look at your signature spinning technique, aka default spinning. I will show you how to improve your handspun with subtle adjustments to both your wheel and technique. Then, while I share my spinning techniques for working with silk, we will move on to work with some of the most exquisite silk fibers. Some of the fibers you can look forward to spinning include:  
  • A golden-colored silk from the Muga silkworm
  • A grey-brown peduncle silk from the Indian Tasar silkworm
  • A creamy white soft cashmere-like fibre from the White Eri silkworm

  • A beautiful brick red from the Red Eri silkworm and
  • A lustrous tawny-colored silk from the Chinese Tussah silkworm
Materials include: notes, approx. 100 grams of silk, plying rings, two weaving bobbins, record keeping templates, and approx. 20 grams of wool.
Equipment:
  • Spinning Wheel Maintained and ready to go. You can find maintenance instructions www.claddaghfibrearts.com under the Spinning Tab.
Note: Neatsfoot Oil should only be used on leather that needs to remain flexible. If the leather supports the flyer for example, do not use Neatsfoot Oil. Instead use a leather-conditioning product meant for harder leathers.
  • Session 1: orifice hook if you use one, 1-2 spinning bobbins cleared of old projects, smooth lap cloth, large smooth bowl, permanent marker, highlighter, pen or pencil, note paper, index cards, ruler, scissors, and baggies for samples.

  • Session 2: Lazy Kate, skein winding device such as a niddy noddy or even a binder, thick thirsty towel, and a spool of natural colored or white sewing thread.

  • To avoid the silk catching on dry hands, it is a good idea to start applying hand cream at least two weeks prior to the workshop.

For registration- see links for Eventbrite with each class  
Refund policy for all classes:

Eventbrite fees are non-refundable. Class fees are non-refundable unless class is cancelled. In the event of unforeseen instructor absence all efforts will be made to re-schedule missed classes. If for some reason you are unable to attend the course, you may send someone else in your place. Please contact us at sanjosilk at gmail dot com

We are a dealer for Ashford looms and accessories.
Please enquire.