Classes photo of drawloom

Vävstuga Basics

This week covers the broadest range of weaving skills we have to offer, many of which may be unfamiliar even to experienced weavers. Topics include winding a warp on a warping mill, beaming using a trapeze, the use of a temple to create beautiful selvages, shuttle skills, and taking advantage of the great ergonomics of our Glimakra looms and other equipment. Quality Swedish cotton, linen, cottolin and wool yarns are used and finishing methods will be presented. Blankets will be finished and fulled. The cold mangle may be used on the other items. This is the only class that offers an organized presentation of the technical skills required for both drafting and record-keeping. (See also the more detailed class description.)

Each student may complete five projects in five days:

Five-day session

Next offered: (2009) Feb 16-20, March 9-13, June 8-12, August 17-21, Sept 28 - Oct 2, October 19-23

Materials charge: $50

Weaver's Choice

This class allows you to develop and weave a major project with instruction along the way. Refine your techniques to achieve maximum grace, efficiency and ease with all aspects of winding a warp, beaming, threading, and weaving. Students shall choose one project for the week from our broad assortment of prepared plans, or use our extensive library to serve as inspiration for designing a project here. After a student has completed the piece, there may be an opportunity to move to other looms depending on interest and availability. Extra time at the end of the week could also be used to plan a new project, and wind a warp to take home. This class is suited to weavers with a wide range of experience and goals. Due to its flexible nature, it could be repeated many times. A student could also opt to join the Vävstuga Club, and then stay a second week to continue weaving. (See also the more detailed class description for long lists of potential projects and potential skills to acquire.)

Five-day session

Next offered: (2009) January 26-30 , November 9-13

Materials charge: $25-100 (depending on project)

Swedish Heirlooms

Here is the opportunity to study traditional Swedish weaves such as block damask in satin weave, rep weave, monksbelt, overshot, halvdräll, smålandsväv, jämtlandsdräll (crackle), lace weaves, M's and O's, traditional rosepath, bound rosepath, multi-shaft twill, lace weaves and more. So many possibilities are provided by the richness of this culture that this class could be taken more than once. Each student can expect to complete two or three larger pieces or several smaller ones.

Five-day session

Next offered: (2009) March 30 - April 3

Materials charge: $30

Prerequisite: Vävstuga Basics

Traditional Swedish Linens

Experience the joy of working with this beautiful fiber. Students will work on a wide range of projects--some will be simple and rustic while others will be fine and sophisticated. Special care and attention will be taken in dressing the looms to ensure a rewarding weaving experience. Daily sessions provide students with in-depth analysis of the projects. The preparation and spinning of flax will be demonstrated.

Five-day session

Next offered: (2009) July 27-31

Materials charge: $30

Prerequisite: Vävstuga Basics or Weaver's Choice

Curtains and Drapes   (new for 2009!)

Come experience the delight of weaving curtains and drapes out of a variety of materials. They can be sheer or dense, and can provide an opportunity for endless patterning and structure. Variations in sleying the reed can create some beautiful results. Some looms will be ready for threading at the start of the class in order to expedite our two days of setup time. Each student can expect to spend the Wednesday-Friday weaving time producing several half window curtains in order to experience a variety of techniques. Those who wish to weave larger pieces are encouraged to stay on a few days without instruction to continue weaving.

Two-day session

Next offered: (2009) May 18-22

Materials charge: $10-40 (depending on weight of yarn used)

Dressing the Loom   (new for 2009!)

Design and wind your own napkin warp to take home, in addition to experiencing all aspects of dressing our looms.  All stages of our loom dressing techniques will be covered, including winding a warp on a warping mill, pre-sleying the reed, winding onto the back beam with warp sticks, threading Texsolv heddles, tying up to the front tie-on bar, and tying up the treadles.  You'll learn about both countermarch and counterbalance tie-ups. You'll find this class useful either as a review or as your first class at Vävstuga.

Two-day session

Next offered: (2009) March 2-3

Materials charge: $15-30 (depending on length of warp)

The Swedish Rag Rug

No home in Sweden would be complete without rag rugs. Come to this two-day session to make your very own Swedish style rag rug from start to finish.  Each student will spend Monday designing a rug and dressing a loom with our Swedish cotton rug warp, which is an important feature of these high-quality and long-lasting rugs. Tuesday will be for weaving and finishing.

Two-day session

Next offered: (2009) February 9-10, September 21-22

Materials charge: $24

Dubbelbindning Rug   (new for 2009!)

Design and weave a beautiful small rug in this technique, either in wool yarn or in cotton rags on a linen warp. This weave uses two blocks, and has opposite colors on the backside. Samitum is another name for this technique.  Warps will be pre-wound onto the looms before class. Each student will thread and tie up a loom for weaving.  Students are welcome to stay an optional third day without instruction, to complete the weaving of their rug.

Two-day session

Next offered: (2009) March 23-24

Materials charge: cotton rag rug $30, wool rug $90

Rya and Flossa Rug Techniques   (new for 2009!)

These knotted pile techniques come from a strong Scandinavian tradition and can produce charming results. Flossa has a denser shorter pile, and rya has a long pile; both can be created on the same warp with our beautiful palette of special Swedish rya yarn. Designing can either be done through free-form painting, or on graph paper. We will do some design work Monday during class time, which may be continued into Monday evening. Students will create a small sample of each technique, or a single piece combining both techniques. Looms will be dressed and ready for weaving at the start of this class, so every moment can be devoted to the designing and weaving process.

Two-day session

Next offered: (2009) September 7-8

Materials charge: $50

Traditional Swedish Rosepath

his beautiful weft-faced technique is simple to do and only requires four shafts. Sturdy linen warps will already be beamed when students arrive, so each student will only need to thread and tie up his or her loom before weaving can begin. We will explore designing traditional rosepath patterns in order to gain a greater understanding of the technique. Our large assortment of colored wool yarns will be an inspiration to all. The finished item could be used as a wall hanging, small runner, bag, or anything else your imagination can come up with. Students are welcome to stay an optional third day without instruction, to complete the weaving of their piece.

Two-day session

Next offered: (2009) May 11-12 (May 13 optional)

Materials charge: $10-$40 (depending on the size of the piece)

Prerequisite: some weaving experience recommended; please inquire

Bound Rosepath   (new for 2009!)

This fetching weft-faced technique allows the creation of small pictorial or geometric motifs using many colors, and only requires four shafts. Sturdy linen warps will already be beamed when students arrive, so each student will only need to thread and tie up his or her loom before weaving can begin.  Designing to understand the technique will be an important part of this class. You'll be inspired by our large assortment of colored wool yarns, and your finished item might be used as a wall hanging, small runner, bag, or anything else your imagination can come up with. Students are welcome to stay an optional third day without instruction, to complete the weaving of their piece. 

Two-day session

Next offered: (2009) May 14-15 (May 16 optional)

Materials charge: $15-30 (depending on the size of the piece)

Prerequisite: some weaving experience recommended; please inquire

Napkins in Tow Linen   (new for 2009!)

Learning to weave with single ply linen feels like nothing else and is a real treat!  Choose two colors ahead of class time from our beautiful color palette and we will have a warp ready for you when you arrive.  Students will learn to beam the linen carefully, as well as have the experience of threading and handling these beautiful yarns. Tuesday will be spent weaving a set of 4 napkins, with an option to stay a third day with no instruction.

Two-day session

Next offered: (2009) June 1-2 (June 3 optional)

Materials charge: $25

Rep Placemats   (new for 2009!)

Choose two colors from our beautiful palette of high-quality 8/2 Swedish cotton, and we will wind and beam your warp before you get here. You will have the opportunity to design your own blocks, or choose from designs we have already prepared. Our goal is to have all of the looms tied up by Monday night. Students can expect to go home with anywhere from 2-8 placements, depending on time and inclination. These placemats will be colorfast, machine washable and very durable, as well as beautiful! Come join in the fun.

Two-day session

Next offered: (2009) November 2-3 (November 4 optional)

Materials charge: $10-35 (depending on number of placemats)