Tapestry Class
I have signed up for a number of classes from the Ottawa Valley Weavers and Spinners Guild this year. The first was a 4 week introduction to tapestry class taught by Liane Thiry-Smith.
Our first loom was a DIY frame made out of a canvas frame with the canvas removed. (Note that the teacher left canvas over the stretcher bars so that we did not have to sand the frames.) She taught us how to warp the frame and secure the warp threads at the top and bottom of the frame. Then she encouraged us to wind up some butterflies of yarn and start weaving. I opted to do a simple gradient with part of the colour wheel.
In week 2 we took our first pieces off the loom and we were onto another piece. I had a small tapestry loom that I had purchased online but had not yet used. So I warped up that loom and drew a small sketch of a landscape scene that I wanted to weave. Next I wound up some butterflies of yarn and set to work.
In week 3 I decided to warp up another colour study. I studied the sample piece by our teacher Liane Thiry-Smith and I could see that she used many smaller blocks of colour in her piece. This time I used a darker warp and selected my colours more carefully to create a nice gradient. I wove it up and was very pleased with how it turned out.
My teacher encouraged me to try a larger piece. (My other class mates were working on much larger pieces.) She had a loom warped up with some cartoon markings transferred to the warp that she encouraged me to take home and weave on. In the first photo you can see what I started with. I used this piece to experiment with different shapes and techniques. It was fun to do something with no expectations of how it should look.
In the last class we worked on finishing up our pieces. I sewed in the tails on my pieces and blocked them using a very hot iron and a damp cloth. I sewed one piece onto a dowel. I think I will look for some nice branches to mount the other pieces. But that will have to wait for the snow to melt. (As I write this there is still a solid 2 feet of snow in my yard.) We also took a group photo where we showed off some of our pieces.
It was a great class. I had lots of fun and learned a whole lot of things. (Though I still struggle with that slip knot used to start the warp.) I look forward to experimenting more with my tapestry loom.
8 thoughts on “Tapestry Class”
What a good idea to use a stretched canvas frame! How did you keep the edges so straight on your first attempt?
Your landscape is lovely and we like the way you’ve worked the colours in the sky. The ‘Random Weaving’ looks like an abstract landscape with a lone building two-thirds up on the left.
Our favourite is your ‘Colour Study’ – it’s a delight 🙂
Thanks! Beginners luck on the selvage. That plus my experience using my floor loom. I’m sure that helped the most. I had a great time experimenting with colours and enjoyed the colour study the most too.
I love all the pieces you’ve shown us Carlene. Some lovely colour ways and beautifully woven. You’ve obviously picked up tapestry weaving very quickly and had a good teacher. Everyone’s work looks good. I also recognise the Guild’s great group picture on the wall behind you, Jan told us all about it some time ago.
I’m looking forward to seeing what you do next on your tapestry looms.
What are the other workshops you’ve signed up for?
Ann
I signed up for an art yarn class, a drafting class (as in spinning), and a painted warp class. I have also registered for a rug hooking workshop through a local teacher at the end of August. I’m looking forward to learning more new stuff.
Gosh Carlene, you achieved so much over the 4 weeks.
They are all really lovely and I imagine you are looking forward to finding the ‘right’ little branch to display them from, once the snow melts. I would never have thought of using a canvas frame, great idea! Judging from all the stunning results Liane Thiry-Smith is a talented tutor as are all her students.
Helene
Liane is a great teacher and we had a lot of fun. It was neat playing with all the various colours of yarn.
You’ve made some lovely pieces, Carlene. I particularly like the rainbow-type colours as they feel very bright and positive. Your work looks really neatly done too. I hope you show us how you develop these skills in the future as well as the fruits of your other classes.
What a great class. The use of a canvas frame certainly seems to make it easier to start out. Your efforts are very good and I agree that your edges are very neat. Glad you’re getting a lot of learning opportunities. I look forward to how you move forward with these new techniques.