BLOCK PARTY: Designing with the Building Blocks of Weaving

Apr. 12-13 (Sun.-Mon.) 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. 2 days

The foundations of many weaving designs come from blocks. If you are bewildered by the terms "block design" and "profile drafts", then in this workshop you will gain practical understanding of how they are the fundamental building blocks of may weave structures and learn how to manipulate them into new designs with unlimited possibilities. Block designs include overshot, summer-and-winter, crack, and lace and by understanding these structures, you will learn how to design, set-up, and weave fabric. You will learn how to maximize the number of shafts on the loom, reinterpret a draft on fewr or greater shafts, and how to develop the tie-up, treadling sequence, and versatility of a single threading. Please note this is not a round-robin workshop. Pre-warped 4- or more shaft looms are required for this class. Yarn Barn will have a limited number of looms available to rent and these will be threaded in the overshot pattern using 5/2 Perle cotton. If you plan to take both classes, you must sign up for loom rentals for each class. If you are planning to enroll in both workshops and bring your own pre-threaded loom, it needs to be threaded in the overshot pattern. Please indicate in the box if you are bringing a floor or table loom. By Robyn Spady.

No refunds/credit for cancelations after March 27 unless we find a replacement for you.

If you want to rent a pre-threaded TABLE loom, please follow this LINK to reserve your loom ($50).

The pre-threaded FLOOR looms have all been rented, but you can call us at 785-842-4333 to be put on the waiting list in case we have a cancellation.

A workshop reminder with the supply list will be emailed when we get closer to the start date. Please read over the supply list and be sure to have all materials ready by class time. You can order online and pick up some materials on the first day of class. Be sure to include a note that these items are to be picked up and not shipped. We will remove the shipping fee and apply the class yarn discount if you purchase yarn.

Class supply list:

• Fully assembled and in good working condition 4- or more harness loom (table or floor) set-up per the warping instructions that will be sent after we get your enrollment.
• Warp yarn: 5/2 cotton (sett at 16 epi); approximately 384-512 yards, 8/2 cotton (sett at 20 epi); approximately 480-640 yards, or 10/2 cotton (sett at 24 epi); approximately 576-768 yards. If you are threading your own loom, feel free to warp your loom wider and/or longer than the minimum specified, but the approximate yardage listed above is for a warp that is 8" wide and 3 yards long for a table loom and 4 yards long for a floor loom. If you rent a pre-threaded loom from Yarn Barn, we will use 5/2 Perle cotton in natural for your warp.
• Weft yarns for overshot threading:
Ground weft yarn in color and size as your chosen warp yarn. (If renting a loom, this should be 5/2 Perle cotton in natural.)
Pattern wefts the same size or slightly larger than the ground weft in high contrast in value (darkness versus lightness) to the warp color.
• Weft yarns for 4-shaft Summer-and-Winter:
Ground weft size and color same as your chosen warp yarn.
Pattern weft the same size or slightly larger than the ground weft in high contrast in value (darkness versus lightness) tothe warp color
• Weft yarns for 4-shaft Crackle Threading:
Ground weft size and color same as your chosen warp yarn.
Pattern weft the same size or slightly larger than the ground weft in high contrast in value (darkness versus lightness) tothe warp color
• Weft yarns for 6-shaft Swedish and Huck Lace threading:
Weft size and color same as warp. Huck and Swedish lace are traditionally woven with weft yarn that matches the warp. For experimentation, you may want to bring weft in a contrast color or size.
• Weft yarns for 8-shaft Atwater-Bronson Lace threading:
Weft size and color same as warp. Atwater-Bronson lace is traditionally woven with a weft that matches the warp. For experimentation, you may want to bring weft in a contrast color or size.
• 8-shaft single two-tie (Summer-and-Winter) threading:
Pattern weft the same size or slightly larger than the ground weft in high contrast in value (darkness versus lightness) tothe warp color
• At least 2 boat shuttles. Extra bobbins for boat shuttles are encouraged.
• Pen/pencil and notebook
• Sharp scissors

PARKING: The parking garage is located at 927 New Hampshire Street. Top level parking is free. Level 2 parking is $2.00 to park 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Street level and basement level parking is limited to 2 hours. Pay stations are located at each stairwell on the street level. Sunday parking is free downtown.