Classes Marked (*) can be Presented virtually or in-person.
Classes range in difficulty.
Beginner: No experience through completion of the first few projects, mainly with larger weight yarns.
Advanced Beginner: Confident direct warping and weaving plain weave independently (includes hand or machine sewing).
Intermediate: Confident warping and weaving plain weave with multiple colors.
Advanced: Confident warping directly or indirectly, weaving with multiple colors or textures of yarn, ready to tackle more advanced techniques.
Coming soon: Peacock Blankie
Beginner
Rigid Heddle 100
Ever wanted to try weaving? Learn how to make woven fabric on a super portable, super approachable, super affordable rigid heddle loom!
In the morning, we will learn common weaving terms (including the parts of the loom), how to direct-warp a loom using a warping peg, how to thread your loom, and how to weave fabric. In the afternoon, we will finish weaving and cover finishing techniques including knotting and trimming fringe, and wet-finishing your woven fabric. Students will leave with a set of coasters to felt at home.
Plain Weave Scarf
The quintessential winter weather accessory, this scarf works up quickly and makes a great gift for any recipient!
In this class, we will review how to direct-warp and create plain weave fabric on a rigid heddle loom, as well finishing techniques for twisting, knotting, and trimming fringe.
V-neck Cowl
A perfect cooler weather accessory, this woven cowl is stylish and can be made with just one skein of worsted weight yarn! In this class, we will review how to direct-warp and create plain weave fabric on a rigid heddle loom, as well finishing techniques for hand-sewing this cowl and knotting and trimming fringe.
Wet Finishing
If you’ve spent any time around spinners or weavers, you have likely heard one say, “It’s not finished until it’s WET FINISHED.”
What is wet finishing? Why is it important? Is that another word for felting? How does one do it? We will answer all those questions and more in this class!
Advanced Beginner
Infinity Scarf*
A lightweight, classic touch of handmade, a handwoven infinity cowl is a perfect highlight to add to your wardrobe.
In this class, we will review how to direct-warp and create plain weave fabric on a rigid heddle loom, as well finishing techniques for machine-sewing handwoven fabric.
Houndstooth Cowl/Scarf
Love Houndstooth? Learn how to make houndstooth fabric on a super portable, super approachable, super affordable rigid heddle loom!
In this class, we will review how to direct-warp a loom using a warping peg, learn how to thread your loom in the classic Houndstooth pattern, and how to weave your fabric. During the second class, we will cover finishing techniques including knotted, trimmed fringe, and wet-finishing your woven fabric.
Bubble Wrap
This light-as-air wrap provides a little something soft and warm to wrap around your neck and shoulders any time of year! This skip-dent pattern and textured yarn join to create a beautiful fabric to admire and wear. Learn how to warp a “skip-dent” pattern and weave with textured yarns in this class!”
Winter Sky Wrap
Inspired by all the shades of gray that a Midwestern sky has to offer during winter, this wrap shows off beautiful color gradients without all the fuss of hand selecting multiple shades of yarn or tying up a dozen warp yarns. In this class, we will cover how to manage/manipulate gradient yarns in weaving and how to hemstitch for a lovely finish without knots!
Envious Wrap
A soft, scrumptious wrap that’s easy-peasy to weave, but looks like it took the advanced skill and planning of a color gamp! So gorgeous, your fiber friends will be envious! You’ll learn how to warp & weave with multiple colors, with set-up tricks that make the weaving simple & smooth!
Intermediate
How to Choose a (Rigid Heddle) Weaving Yarn from Your Knitting or Crochet Stash*
Have you resisted weaving because you’ve heard you have to use different yarn? Yarn on cones? Something called ‘carpet warp’? Super fine yarn? The truth is – if it’s yarn, you can weave with it on a rigid heddle loom!
This class will lead you through evaluating your stash yarn and the yarns in The Studio for weaving possibilities, for all different kinds of uses. We will cover choosing a good warp yarn & weft yarn, how to select the right sett for your weaving project and more.
Weaving Math*
Getting started on a weaving project of your own imagination can be intimidating, especially if you aren’t a “math person”!
In this class, Donita will take you step-by-step through the very easy math to planning yarn requirements for your design. We will talk about the common aspects of your design that can ‘detour’ your project, and how to plan ahead. A few minutes of basic math – with a calculator – and we’ll make sure you don’t have to play ‘yarn chicken’ with your weaving!
The class also includes a blank worksheet for your use at home.
Two New Ways to Warp
Rigid heddle looms are so versatile and one of those areas of versatility is warping methods! When you first learned to weave on your rigid heddle loom, you probably learned the direct warping method: a method of warping your loom where you walked each loop from your back beam to your warping peg, back and forth. This is a great method to warp your RH loom, but it’s not the only one!
In this class, we will cover indirect warping (using a warping board – OR pegs to go with your Ashford rigid heddle loom!), and hybrid warping (a hybrid of direct and indirect – without all the walking, but with a warp that’s ready to wind on and finish threading!).
Finishing Touches
There are so many options to finish your weaving – don’t settle for just knots! In this class, we will cover many ways to secure your warp and weft including functional and decorative knots, twisted fringe, two options of hand stitching, hemming, encased or enclosed hems and braids!
Cozy Memories Pillow
Weaving for the home is a fun way to update your decor and infuse your space with hints of the crafts you love! This pillow cover is warped and woven with multiple colors of wool yarn to compliment your decor with a touch of plaid! We will cover warping with multiple colors, warping table reading and construction of the pillow covers.
Donita Westman 