Introduction to Traditional Tapestry

Dates: Fridays, 10am - 1pm, September 19, October 3, 17, 31 at the guild; November 14 (instructor's house); November 21 back to the guild. Sales end: Sept 15. Ticket: $190. Instructor: Catherine Orsini. Materials fee: $25. Skills Needed: desire to learn, imagination. Class Limit: 5. Class Location: 1st Floor. Age Range: adult.

Welcome to tapestry weaving! This is a 3 hour, six class course which meets every two weeks. It’s designed to give you the basics of traditional tapestry weaving and get you started creating in this exciting medium. The first four classes, as well as the 6th, will be at the guild. Because of our fall sale and holidays, we will meet at my home for the 5th class.

Tapestry weaving is a fun art form in which we use yarn to create images. It’s based on a simple plain weave structure. This combination of simple structure and multi-colored yarns allows creation of a huge range of images and effects. It’s also a lot of fun!

I’ll be using Rebecca Mezoff’s, “The Art of Tapestry Weaving”, as a guide and refer to it often. This is an excellent resource for tapestry weaving. You may want to buy a copy or borrow one from the library.

In this course, you’ll start by learning some core weaving concepts:

• warping a frame loom - creating headers
• shedding and bubbling -starting and ending weft changes
• finishing the tapestry

Then move on to techniques including meet and separate, regular and irregular hatching, pick and pick, weft bundling, gradations, creating smooth angles and curves, interlocks, using a cartoon, splitting weft and cutting off corners.

NOTE: If you don't have all of the supplies before the first class date, Catherine can lend you a loom and everything you need until you can acquire your own.

Supplies to Bring:

• You will need a frame loom. In my opinion, the Mirrix Chloe is one of the best on the market; it can be tensioned, it’s portable, easy to warp and very versatile. The 8 inch width is a good size with a choice of sett, 8,10,12 and 14 epi (ends per inch or the number of warp threads in 1 inch). We will be using a sett of 8 epi in class. You will need a loom for the first class. Due to the possibly of cancellation if there isn't sufficient enrollment, hold off buying your loom until class is confirmed, September 10.
• I also recommend, but not require, Rebecca Mezoff’s book “The Art of Tapestry Weaving”.
• Both items, Mirrix and book, can be purchased from Barb Gallagher, a guild member (support small business!), who operates the Weaver’s Loft. Give her a call 812-576-3904.
• Tapestry needles or bobbins (at least five 5in needles), scissors, a kitchen fork or a tapestry beater, shed stick (popsicles sticks work).
• $25 materials fee payable to the instructor at start of class. Cash or check only accepted. The fee includes 7 mini-cakes of Harrisville Highland for weft, 12/9 cotton seine warp.
• Snack and beverage if desired.

Problems registering? Contact the Education Committee at [email protected].

Questions about this class? Contact the instructor, Catherine Orsini at [email protected].

Catherine Orsini is a teacher by trade who taught mathematics at Hughes HS and Cincinnati State. Her hobbies include knitting, dying, gardening, home restoration and tapestry. She has studied with some well known teachers including Rebecca Mezoff’s, Elizabeth Buckley and Tommy’s Scanlin. She loves small format tapestry and can’t wait to share her passion with students.

If you are not feeling well, please contact the instructor instead of coming to the class. On a case-by-case basis, we may be able to reschedule you into a future class or provide a make-up lesson. Ticket fees are not normally refunded.

Depending on the CDC Guidelines for Hamilton County at the time the class is held, a mask may be required. If so, you will be notified before the first class.

Unless specifically stated, Weavers Guild classes are designed for ages 18 and above. On a case-by-case basis, a minor may be permitted to register for a class but must be accompanied by a registered adult who agrees to assist the minor during the class. Contact the Education Committee Chair at [email protected] for permission before registering any minor in a class.

Fees are non-refundable. Your fee will only be refunded if the class is canceled or changed to a different date. Three registrations are required for a class to be held. Students will be notified before the start date if a class is canceled due to an insufficient number of students. Eventbrite processing and credit card payment fees will not be refunded if a student cancels for any reason.

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