Symposium Workshops

• 1 day to 5 day Workshops
• Cost: $75 per day
• All Workshops are being held at Capilano University

Workshops by Topic

Basketry

Introductory Basketry: Shape, Structure & Technique – Judith Olney – 2 days – May 20 & 21

Participants will weave a medium sized Shaker Cat Head and a Round Bottomed Basket. While handle making will be demonstrated in class, the baskets will be finished using a handle prepared by the instructor. Should time permit, a third project in a completely different technique will round out the workshop.

• Skill Level: Beginner
• Max. Participants: 18
• Materials Fee: $50 US

Basketry – Adventures for Experienced Basketmakers – Judith Olney – 2 days – May 22 & May 23

Twill designs, diagonal twill baskets, open weaves and complicated bases are among the possibilities. Prospective students are invited to view Judith Olney’s website to see the many basketry project options available to help them decide whether they’d like to take the workshop. And then, once they’ve registered, ONLY REGISTRANTS should contact Judith to discuss the project(s) they would like to do in class. Judith is tailoring the advanced workshop for each individual student. http://juditholney.com/GVWSGChoice.html

• Skill Level: Advanced
• Max. Participants: 18
• Materials Fee: $50 US

Spinning

Spinning Wool Beyond the Basics – Anne Field – 3 days – May 17th to May 19th

This workshop for advanced spinners is being custom-tailored by Anne especially for our Guild’s 75th Anniversary

• Skill Level: Advanced
• Max. Participants: 16
• Materials Fee: TBA

Surface Design/Dyeing

The Esoteric Cloth – Kris Abshire – 3 days – May 17th to May 19th

Yarn + Loom + Pattern = Cloth. Wonderful. But, is it enough? Surface design techniques applied before, during and after weaving can add elements of interest, intrigue and richness attainable only to the handweaver. This is an intensive “no loom” class of 3 full days.

• Skill Level: All
• Max. Participants: 15
• Materials Fee: $85 US

Serendipity in a Cup – Kris Abshire – 2 days – May 20 & 21

From the soft, muted watercolor effects of Monet to the bright, brilliant color contract of Van Gogh to clear and crisp edged images as in Matisse, this workshop will provide methods and techniques for applying permanent, colorfast dyes and paints to the handwoven cloth.

• Skill Level: All
• Max. Participants: 15
• Materials Fee: $70

Weaving

Colour & Design 1 for Contemporary Tapestry – James Koehler – 5 days – May 19 to May 23FULL

Colour & Design 1 for Contemporary Tapestry Workshop is now FULL. We will take a waiting list of up to 5 people. The Registrar will accept the cheque for a waiting list position but it will not be sent for deposit until that registrant is confirmed for the class.

Several lectures will be presented on color and design for contemporary tapestry. Following each lecture, participants will work on design and color exercises that pertain to the preceding presentation. Particular emphasis will be given to geometric design principles and to the color theories of Johannes Itten and Josef Albers. There will be opportunity for students to weave miniature tapestries based on the design and color exercises. Tapestry techniques will be demonstrated. This class is open to students with all levels of experience.

• Skill Level: All
• Max. Participants: 12
• Materials Fee: $25 US

Colour in Cloth: The Weaves You Want & Why – Cameron Taylor-Brown – 4 days (Note: you pay for 3 days) – May 17 to May 20

The students will warp a floor loom (supplied) on the first day according to the instructor’s instructions before the actual workshop begins on the second day. Weave structures mix color in very different ways. How do we determine what weaves are “right” for what we have in mind? Explore a wide range of weaving across different cultures and time periods, and examine how weave choices can dramatically affect our perception of color in cloth. This format includes the design and weaving of fabrics that mix color for specific visual effects.

• Skill Level: Advanced Beginner to Expert
• Max. Participants: 18
• Materials Fee: $25 US

Collapse Weave: The Magic of Wool – Anne Field – 3 days – May 21 to 23 FULL

Collapse Weave Workshop is now FULL. We will take a waiting list of up to 5 people.  The Registrar will accept the cheque for a waiting list position but it will not be sent for deposit until that registrant is confirmed for the class.

The student will warp their floor loom, back to front, with pre-wound warps which Anne will supply. The next 2 days will be an exciting exploration of passive and active yarns which will lead to an understanding of why and when collapse happens. Students will then choose whether to continue sampling or to weave a scarf.

• Skill Level: Beginner/Intermediate
• Max. Participants: 16
• Materials Fee: $40 US

Ready, Sett, Go: Warp Sett Made Simple– Cameron Taylor-Brown – May 17 (Note: offered with Spice it Up as a combined workshop)

Determine sett simply and accurately. For many years, the textile industry used the Ashenhurst Formula, which provides easy mathematical calculations that account for fiber, yarn type, weave and end use. In a hands-on, practical exploration, the secrets of the Ashenhurst Formula are revealed. Move between yarn samples and paper and pencil computations, focusing only on simple calculations that are of immediate use to handweavers

• Skill Level: All
• Max. Participants: 20
• Materials Fee: $10 US

Spice It Up: from Bland to Beautiful – Cameron Taylor-Brown – May 17 (Note: offered with Ready, Sett, Go as a combined workshop)

Spice transforms basic food and basic fabric into the truly exceptional. Beginning with simple yarn twisting and wrapping, experiment with adding small amounts of accent yarns and see what a difference they make.

• Skill Level: All
• Max. Participants: 20
• Materials Fee: $10 US

  Workshop Registration Form (47.4 KiB)

Workshop Cancellation Policy

The Greater Vancouver Weavers’ and Spinners’ Guild has taken on considerable financial risk in organizing the INTERLACEMENT symposium and inviting instructors to come to us from far away. Therefore we have put in place a cancellation policy.

• Students who are unable to attend a workshop are requested to find a replacement.
• If there is already a waiting list, a replacement can be from that list. In that case there will be a full refund.
• If there is no waiting list, and the participant cannot find a replacement, there will be a 50% refund before March 1, 2010 and no refund beginning March 1, 2010.
• GVWSG reserves the right to cancel classes due to lack of enrolment, instructor illness, or unforeseen circumstances. In the unlikely event of a class cancellation, GVWSG’s liability shall be limited to a refund of class fees. GVWSG shall not be responsible for airline tickets, hotel reservations, travel costs, or other expenses.