hartford artisans
weaving center
Rigid Heddle
weaving:
Beginner and continuing
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Beginner Rigid Heddle
Summer Scarf in Cottolin
Log Cabin Runner
Plaid Tea Towels
Spring class registration is open!
Rigid heddle looms are small, easy to store, and simple to set up. While the word "rigid" might suggest limited options, this loom style allows for versatile patterns and techniques. This weaving option is wonderful for those interested in beginning to understand weaving, or advancing students who would like a more portable loom option.
This Spring we are featuring Beginner Rigid Heddle Weaving classes in Hartford and Manchester. For continuing Rigid Heddle weavers, classes we are offering classes in Hartford weaving a Summer Scarf in Cottolin with lace weave techniques, creating a Log Cabin Table Runner and creating Plaid tea towels. For those of you interested in the Quartet loom, add your name to our waitlist for the "Cricket to Quartet Workshop." We are an authorized Schacht loom dealer, so you can buy rigid heddle and the Quartet looms directly from the Weaving Center if you are interested.
Beginner Rigid Heddle: A 2 Part Class
Description:
This class is your introduction into rigid heddle weaving. In the first class, students will learn how to dress a loom, and will be weaving by the time class ends. Between classes, looms can be taken home for a week of weaving practice and exploration.
The second class begins with cutting off your sample and learning finishing techniques. Participants will dress their looms a second time, learn to hemstitch, learn about appropriate yarns and sett, with tips and tricks included to get you excited about this new weaving journey!
Supplies needed: Please bring a scissors, tape measure and a tapestry needle and 2 colors of #4 weight yarn, approximately 300 yards each. Suggested #4 yarns are Lily Sugar n' Cream (cotton) or Paton's Worsted Wool. Both of these are readily available at Michael's, Joanne's and Walmart, as well as online retailers. Schacht Cricket Looms will be provided for use.
Beginner Rigid Heddle/April
Location: Hartford Artisans Weaving Center, 42 Woodland Street Hartford
Fee: $145 by check or credit
You will have the option to purchase or rent your loom at the end of class.
Dates: Saturday April 13 and 20 with Roberta and Lisa
Time: 9:30am-1:00pm each day
Beginner Rigid Heddle/June - Hartford
Location: Hartford Artisans Weaving Center, 42 Woodland Street Hartford
Fee: $145 by check or credit
You will have the option to purchase or rent your loom at the end of class.
Dates: Saturday June 8 and Saturday June 15 with Roberta and Lisa
Time: 9:30am-1:00pm each day
Beginner Rigid Heddle/June - Manchester
Location: Manchester Historical Society, 175 Pine Street, Manchester
Fee: $145 by check or credit
You will have the option to purchase or rent your loom at the end of class.
Dates: Saturday June 1 and Saturday June 8 with Shari and Peggy
Time: 9:30am-1:00pm each day
Continuing Rigid Heddle Classes
Summer Scarf in Cottolin
Description:
Create a light and airy cottolin scarf on your rigid heddle loom! In this class we will sample a variety of lace weave techniques, and learn about working with Cottolin- a blend of 60% organic cotton and 40% linen. Students will design their project, warp their looms, and begin weaving their scarves during class. The remainder of the weaving and completion of your scarf will take place on your own at home.
Prerequisites: For students who have taken our Beginner Rigid Heddle course, own a rigid heddle loom and are capable of warping their own rigid heddle loom.
Supplies Needed: A 12 dent heddle is required for this class.
Continuing Rigid Heddle: Summer Scarf in Cottolin/April
Location: Hartford Artisans Weaving Center, 42 Woodland Street Hartford
Fee/Class only: $95 by check or credit, includes fiber
Fee/Class and Heddle: $142.86 by check or credit, includes fiber and 12 dent heddle
Date: Saturday April 27 with Sally
Time: 9:30am-1:30pm
Continuing Rigid Heddle: Summer Scarf in Cottolin/June
Location: Hartford Artisans Weaving Center, 42 Woodland Street Hartford
Fee/Class only: $95 by check or credit, includes fiber
Fee/Class and Heddle: $142.86 by check or credit, includes fiber and 12 dent heddle
Date: Saturday June 1 with Sally
Time: 9:30am-1:30pm
Log Cabin Table Runner
Description:
Create a stunning log cabin table runner on your rigid heddle loom! For students who have taken an introductory course, and are capable of warping their own rigid heddle loom. In this class we will learn all about Log Cabin structure and its design possibilities on the rigid heddle loom. In addition, we’ll review hemstitching, learn how to correct errors in our weaving, and discuss wet finishing instructions. Students will design their project, warp their looms, hemstitch the ends and begin weaving their runners. The remainder of the weaving and completion of your runner will take place on your own at home.
Prerequisites: For students who have taken our Beginner Rigid Heddle course, own a rigid heddle loom and are capable of warping their own rigid heddle loom.
Supplies needed: You will need a 10-dent heddle, and 2 contrasting colors of 3/2 cotton and your own rigid heddle loom.
Continuing Rigid Heddle: Log Cabin Table Runner
Location: Hartford Artisans Weaving Center, 42 Woodland Street Hartford
Fee/Class only: $85 by check or credit
Fee/Class and Heddle: $132.86 by check or credit includes a 10 dent heddle
Date: Saturday May 4 with Roberta
Time: 10:00am-1:30pm
Plaid Tea Towels or Napkins
Description:
Create a set of 3 beautiful tea towels (or 4 napkins) on your rigid heddle loom! For students who have taken our Beginner Rigid Heddle course, own a rigid heddle loom and are capable of warping their own rigid heddle loom. In the first session we will learn all about designing with plaids using a variety of approaches including colored pencils, yarn wraps, and plaid maker software (not required, but feel free to bring a smartphone, tablet or laptop to play along). Each student will develop their own unique plaid. During the second session, students will dress their looms and begin weaving, learning some plaid-specific techniques along the way. The remainder of the weaving and finishing will take place on your own at home. All fiber is included in the class fee and you'll have a wide variety of colors to choose from.
Prerequisites: For students who have taken our Beginner Rigid Heddle course, own a rigid heddle loom and are capable of warping their own rigid heddle loom.
Supplies needed: You will need a 12-dent heddle and your own rigid heddle loom, minimum 15” wide.
Continuing Rigid Heddle: Plaid Tea Towels or Napkins
Location: Hartford Artisans Weaving Center, 42 Woodland Street Hartford
Fee/Class only: $160 by check or credit, includes fiber
Fee/Class and Heddle: $207.86 by check or credit, includes fiber and 12 dent heddle
Dates: Saturday July 13 and Saturday July 20 with Roberta
Time: 9:30am-1:00pm
Cricket to Quartet: Transforming your rigid heddle loom into a multi-shaft loom
Join Sally for this 3-day workshop on how to install, dress and weave on your new Quartet loom! Topics to be covered include:
-Installing the (pre-assembled) Quartet onto your own Cricket loom
-Winding a warp on the Warping Board, and on Warping Pegs
-Dress your Quartet: Front-to-Back, and Back-to-Front methods
-Threading the Loom
-Reading Weaving Drafts
-Weaving a Summer Scarf in Twills
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Additional Registration Information as of April 2024
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Check payment is due within 2 weeks of your registration to secure your spot.
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Students should be aware: Good manual dexterity is a necessity. Shoulder, elbow, and wrist movement are needed to wind a warp and dress a loom; floor loom weaving requires hip, knee, and foot movement. Weaving does involve repetitive motion; students may take breaks as needed.
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Our classrooms and studios are currently only accessible by a flight of stairs.
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Refunds and Class Cancellations:
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The Weaving Center reserves the right to cancel a class at any time. Should we do so, students will receive a full refund.
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Registered Students: Please notify the Weaving Center as soon as possible if there is a need to cancel your registration.
- If there is a waiting list and the spot can be filled, a 3% processing fee will be deducted from the total refund if you have paid by credit. If you have paid by check and the spot can be filled, you will receive a full refund.
- If a spot cannot be filled, no refund will be offered.
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No-shows forfeit any refund.
Please review our current COVID updates at https://www.weavingcenter.org/covidupdate