Drawloom DEF
What lies beyond damask and opphämta?
Special 2-week session
Instructors: Amy Blair, Becky Ashenden, Justin Squizzero
Dates offered 2025: Mar 3–14
Week 1: Setting up, designing, shedding theory with Justin, troubleshooting
Week 2: Weaving, structure theory, troubleshooting
Many structures can be woven using a double harness on a drawloom. A triple harness might sound intimidating, but can often simplify a tie-up and make a cleaner shed. If this tweaks your curiosity, you will love this class. Our designing sessions will open hidden doors to ideas beyond basic pointed pattern threadings, and our vast library of patterns will inspire new masterpieces. A group setting always fuels the creative juices.
Projects
8 shared drawlooms
- double weave
- huck lace
- summer & winter
- lampas
- half satin
- pique
- combo extravaganza
- tie-up menagerie
Warp materials
- 8/2 cotton
- 16/2 cotton
- 22/2 cottolin
- 35/2 linen
- 12/6 cotton rug warp
- 8/2 Möbelåtta wool
In the classroom
Week 1
- Designing for shaft draw, single unit, and combo set-ups
- Shedding theory with Justin
Week 2
- Theory classes
- Structure choices, setts, materials
Both weeks
- Project sheet details
- Discussion of tie-ups and nuances of equipment
Schedule details
Week 1
Mon – Threading, sleying and tying on. Frequent rotation will allow all students to experience each unique set-up.
Tue – Arranging pattern shafts, single unit cords and tying up the treadles.
Wed – Troubleshooting sheds and continuing setting up as needed.
Thu – Testing all of the looms and fine tuning.
Fri – Tour the looms to review and discuss the details of our wide variety of set-ups.
Weekend
Precious designing time, for those so inclined.
Week 2
Mon – Start weaving your first project.
Tue–Thu – Weaving will continue in rotation. We will have some sample designs on hand, or use your designs from week 1.
Fri – Cutting off, hemming, finishing.
Register now
Amy Blair is a drawloom weaver with a passionate enthusiasm for loom mechanics, weave structures, and complex designs. She is delighted to be leading this year’s Drawloom ABC and Drawloom DEF classes.
Amy’s studio, Duelling Rabbits Handweaving, has a website with an entertaining project gallery, and a YouTube channel uniquely devoted to the how and why of drawlooms.
Justin Squizzero is an internationally known damask weaver. He will be joining us for the latter part of Week 1 in this year’s Drawloom DEF class.
Justin has been interested in the fiber arts since early childhood. He now heads the Marshfield School of Weaving, and his own business The Burroughs Garret draws on the textile traditions of his northern Vermont home. Justin weaves linen damask using a 19th-century Jacquard loom and has exhibited his work internationally.
Prerequisites: Drawloom ABC or adequate experience (please inquire)
Max enrollment: 8
Location: Farmhouse
Course fee: $1800 (includes all instruction and studio time, lunch Mon–Fri, dinner Thu)
Materials fee: $50
Days offered: Two-week session, Mon–Fri + Mon–Fri
Schedule: Instruction time 9:00–noon and 1:30–4:00. No instruction on the weekend, though students may use the library and work on their designs. Exceptions: instruction ends at noon on both Fridays, and checkout must be completed by noon on the last day.