First class success

Our first class session was a bit success.  I know, you are nodding your head saying, Of course, the teacher always considers her first class a success.  Well, let's break it down.

I had a syllabus, a plan of action for our first class and we achieved most of what was on the list.  We sat at the table and chatted to start and learned a little bit about each other.  Then, we began the introduction to weaving.  The looms were partially warped and, after demonstrating and explaining the direct warping process, each student began warping her loom.

Once the warps were on, we set at the task of learning to beam the warp under good tension.  I always spend a great deal of time covering the importance of tension in your warp and beaming it under tension.  We did it in teams but I also demonstrated various methods for doing it alone.

Next, everyone rethreaded the loom, bringing a thread through the holes in the heddles and we covered tying it onto the front apron bar.  Tension again became the focus of discussion.  I taught how to lash on since this is my favorite way of securing the warp to the front bar.  Once on and the tension evened up, the weaving began.

That's where we ended.  Homework was obvious.  Some students are process oriented and some are product oriented.  I have one of each in class.  I urged both to sample!! and sent them on their merry way.

Lots to cover this Saturday.  And pictures, for sure.

For love of weaving

I love to weave.  I love all of it, not just throwing the shuttle across the warp.  I enjoy the math of project planning, measuring the warp on the mill, threading the heddles, tying the warp to the front apron bar.  All of it.  And, teaching became a natural outlet for this love affair.

Teaching weaving on rigid heddle looms is fun.  The looms are affordable, portable and easier to handle than a floor loom.  I enjoy all the variation in the rigid heddle looms you can buy just as I enjoy the variation in floor looms.  In fact, I own 2 Kromski Harps, a Glimakra Emilia, and  a Schacht 25".  Pretty diverse.  I also own 2 floor looms, a Schacht Baby Wolf and a Glimakra Standard.  Again, 2 very different looms.

Saturday is the start of another 4 week session of classes.  I am as excited as a 5 year old beginning kindergarten.  It's all brand new.