Workshops September 2024–August 2025
Workshops are provided to enhance the understanding and skills of weaving and related topics. Non-members are welcome to
participate at a higher fee.
Please note that registration/payment has a date by which it is due. The Program Committee
has scheduled only workshops for which members indicated interest via informal polling and will give priority registration
to those who responded. If Guild members do not fill the minimum number by the registration/payment date, the Committee
will offer the openings to the public. Registrations on the day of an afternoon workshop will be accepted at the discretion
of the Program Committee and the Instructor. If a day-of registration is accepted, an additional fee of $10 will be charged.
If you find you cannot attend, please email Layne Tharp at LaynesGardenDesign@mac.com
to cancel. If your place can be filled from the wait list, you will receive a refund. In the unlikely event that a
workshop must be cancelled, you will be notified directly via email and posting in IOGroups and your registration fee will be refunded.
Complete the Registration Form to register for workshops.
Mail the completed Registration Form and fee to the address on the form.
Upcoming 2024–2025 Workshops
April 26–27, 2025
Leslie Fesperman—Historic Rag Rugs
Participants in this workshop will gain a better understanding of weaving rag style rugs. Students
will come with their looms warped in different patterns and weave round robin style so that a
maximum number of samples can be woven. We will look at a quick and simple way to create
rag strips. Discussion will include patterns through time and what we are still weaving today,
materials used throughout time, and what has been used the most. This workshop will give you
the tools and samples you need to help you choose and design your own rag style rugs for
weaving.
Details:
Cost: per participant: Member $200, Non-member $230
Minimum/Maximum participants: 12
Hours: 9am–4pm with a lunch break
Location: White River Craft Center, Randolph
Register and pay by: February 27, 2025
Materials fee: $15 (paid to Leslie)
Required equipment:
15" minimum 4 shaft loom, 12 dent reed
Cotton warp
Uncut fabric
Personal weaving tools
Participants must be experienced weavers who can read a draft and warp their loom
independently. Participants will be contacted with specific instructions for dressing looms in
advance of the workshop along with information on suitable fabrics.
May 17–18, 2025
Rebecca Smith—Transparent Weaving
Rebecca Smith will conduct a two-day workshop on Transparent Weaving which features a
loosely woven background cloth on which is inlaid heaver threads to create designs and imagery.
As a result, these unique weavings feel lighter than air and light can pass through portions of
them. Check out samples of Rebecca's Transparent weavings at
rebeccasmithtapestry.com/transparent-weavings.html to be inspired and get excited!
By April 1, Rebecca will provide participants with instructions for purchasing materials and
warping their looms before the workshop.
Space is limited at the Shelburne Craft School so we will be capping the class at 10–12 students—
but much depends on what looms folks are bringing. When registering, please indicate what
type of loom (table or portable floor loom) and its size. (Rigid heddle looms are not allowed for
this workshop.) Information on looms will enable us to optimally set up the room at the
Shelburne Craft School. If your table loom does not include a stand, please consider bringing a
small table for your loom (e.g., foldable card table) as this may provide more flexibility in room
set up. If you don't have one, don't worry, you will share a large table with someone.
Details:
Cost: per participant: Member $250, Non-member $280
Minimum/Maximum participants: 12
Hours: 9am–4pm with a lunch break
Location: Shelburne Craft School, Shelburne, VT
Register and pay by: March 17, 2025
Materials fee: $5 (paid to Rebecca)
Required equipment:
Minimum 12", 2+ shaft table or floor loom (rigid heddle looms are not allowed)
Specified warp and weft materials
Personal weaving tools
August 15–16, 2025
Mary Zicafoose—Weft Ikat
Ikat weaving artist, Mary Zicafoose, returns to the Vermont Weavers Guild to teach Ikat weft-
faced techniques. This workshop covers rarely taught steps for creating weft-faced designs using
resist-dyed wefts. Students will create a weft ikat sampler illustrating the motifs created by nine
different Japanese kasuri, weft ikat wrapping, and weaving techniques to explore various lengths
and repetitions. Students will learn the sequential steps of measuring, stretching, wrapping,
dyeing, unwrapping, and weaving with the Ikat weft.
The class will take 2 days. Day 1 teaches how to create a variety of weft ikat variations and
patterns. Students will measure, wrap and dye a selection of weft ikat design elements. On Day
2 students will learn how to lay-in and weave the ikat weft variations. Weaving will be continued
on your own after the workshop.
This workshop is being supported by a community arts grant from Concept2, Inc of Morrisville, VT.
Details:
Cost: Member $125, Non-member $155
Minimum / Maximum participants: 13/15
Hours: 9am–4pm with a lunch break
Location: White River Craft Center, Randolph
Register and pay by: May 10, 2025
Materials fee: tbd, but likely $25 or less
Required equipment:
2 or 4 harness loom, warped with 5/2 indigo blue cotton
Tying pegs
Fly shuttle with bobbins
Weft yarn
Personal weaving supplies
Dye gloves
Directions to Kimball House
From I-89 take exit 4 onto Rte-66, head down hill to
Randolph. At the stop sign, keep going straight (south
on rte 12). Bear left (west) onto Rte-12 (N. Main St.), Go
past Chandler Arts Center. Before the gazebo, bear left onto
South Pleasant Street. Take the next road on the left, which
is Randolph Ave. Kimball House is at the end of the street,
sitting at the top of the hill. The drive to the right leads
to a parking area. See
map. |
