Here is some of the lessons and events I will cover during my weaving class. 

CLASS TOPICS

1. Warping and warp selection for projects. Dressing the Navajo loom will follow.

2. Selecting weft yarns for the sampler project.

3. Cover different types of joints and designs.

4. Demonstrate the finishing technique for the class sampler.

This is a tentative topics list.  I will tailor the class for the skill level of the students who wish to enroll.

I would like to begin the weaving class with a tour of Albuquerque, Santa Fe and area north of Santa Fe.  We’ll tour various yarn stores, weaving workshops and co-ops, and visit artist like the renowned author, weaver and painter, Noel Bennett and my ceramics mentor, Clarence Cruz.  Depending on the time the tour is scheduled, we might be in time to visit one the New Mexico Pueblos for their traditional feast day celebration.  We might also witness a traditional Pueblo firing for Clarence Cruz’s class.

After 2 days in Santa Fe and Albuquerque, we will travel west to Navajoland. We will begin our projects by first warping and then begin the weaving process.  I will demonstrate handspinning using a Navajo Churro fleece and students may try handspinning also.  We may also get to do some hand-dyeing depending on the interest of the students.  We will travel to some weavers’ homes and watch their weaving in progress.  My emphasis will be learning to weave and weaving while at the same time we will pay visits to local artists and some trading posts. 

Please contact me if you are interested or have suggestions.  This is a work in progress for me so I will continue to fine tune this itinerary.  I am looking forward to hearing from you.