(2019) Tapestry: Beginner & Beyond

Tapestry: Beginner & Beyond

Three-day tapestry workshop for weavers of all levels

Instructor: Barbara Burns

Dates offered 2019: Jun 12–14 (class full; waiting list only)

Have you ever wanted to try tapestry weaving, but didn’t know where to begin? Or, perhaps you’ve tried it on your own and are ready for some help. In this intensive three-day workshop you’ll learn the fundamentals of tapestry weaving. You’ll be guided step-by-step through various techniques that will assist you in your future creative endeavors with tapestry.

tapestry sample

Beginner and intermediate levels are welcome, but no previous weaving experience is necessary. Even an experienced weaver can benefit from a refresher, and Barbara’s artistry offers something for everyone. There is a maximum of eight students, to allow for plenty of individual attention.

Participants will be guided through the process of warping a loom and weaving a sampler that practices a mix of skills. Your tapestry sampler will be a reference for the future.

Supply list

Yarn: (included in course fee, no need to bring your own)

  • The materials fee includes our cotton rug warp and beautiful Swedish wool weft yarns.

Tapestry bobbins:

  • Instructor-provided bobbins for use during class only.
  • If you have your own bobbins already, please bring them.

Pipe or frame loom:

  • Pipe looms will be provided by instructor for use during class.
  • If you own a small pipe or frame loom that you can weave 4″ wide and about 12″ long with at least 14–18″ extra, you may bring your own.

Extras:

  • short ruler
  • note pad and writing utensil
  • fabric marker (Scripto’s Rub-a-Dub or Sharpie)

Optional:

  • painters easel if you have one
  • If you have woven tapestry before, I encourage you to bring something you’ve woven to the class so I can see what you have done.
Barbara Burns

Barbara Burns began weaving in 1994. In 2003 she took her first tapestry workshops, including study with Jean Pierre Larochette and Yael Lurie. In 2005 Barbara studied tapestry with Pat Taylor at West Dean College in England for an intensive six-week program. She has the good fortune to have studied under the tutelage of Archie Brennan and Susan Martin-Maffei for 11 years beginning in 2003.

Barbara’s work has been exhibited extensively in the US as well as in England, Serbia, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland, and Australia. Her work has received awards—including, most recently: Best of Show at Heallreaf 2 in the UK, and Best Traditional Tapestry awarded by The Institution for Tapestry Making at Atelier 61 in Novi Sad, Serbia.

She studied costume and textile conservation in The Fashion Institute of Technology Graduate Program in New York and attended the New York School for Interior Design. As the head of the Costume and Textile Department at the Pascack Historical Museum in New Jersey for 6 years, she was able to indulge in her other passions: historic costume and textiles.

Barbara lives in Maine, where she can be found in her studio when not sailing, gardening, or dancing.

Check out Barbara’s spectacular portfolio on her website. Here are a few teasers:

Location: Water Street Studio

Prerequisites: none

Max enrollment: 12 (minimum 4)

Course fee: $375 (includes all instruction and studio time, course handouts, lunch all 3 days, dinner Thu)

Materials fee: $50

Room & board: $300 (includes 3 nights’ lodging, 3 breakfasts, 2 dinners)

For more detail: See also costs & logistics, food & accommodations

Days offered: Three-day session, Wed–Fri

Schedule: Studio open 9:00–5:30, instruction time 9:00–12:30 and 1:30–5:30. On Friday instruction ends at noon, and checkout must be completed by 3:00.

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