Fibers & Weaving
The imagination can be freed working with textiles, where fiber art techniques such as shibori, batik, silk-painting, or block-printing can be adapted from global traditions, cultural symbolism, or the human imperative for mark-making.
And our 50 floor looms, located on the two floors of the Priest's House on the Ursuline Campus, are considered to be the largest teaching collection in the U.S., and are enjoyed by an active community of adult student weavers..
Tuition Assistance
A limited number of scholarships for tuition assistance are available for classes in the Fibers Department. Adults interested in studying fibers may apply for tuition assistance by contacting Barbara Hill.
Fibers & Weaving Material List
Materials List
Classes not listed here will either have required materials in the class description, discuss needed materials during the first class, or the materials will be supplied.
Fibers Course Descriptions
These are the course descriptions only.
2001 | Introduction to Weaving | Studio
Level: Beginning | Instructor: Casey Galloway
Dates: Thurs, 6/3/2021 to 8/12/2021 | 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Studio: Maxham Fibers Studio, 2nd Floor | Building: Tobin Building
Tuition: $290 | Friends: $275 | Sessions: 10
Learn the fundamentals of weaving on a four-shaft loom. This foundation class focuses on loom set up, understanding basic weave patterns (plain weave and twill variations), double weave construction and material considerations. Creating sound structure and developing good weaving habits will be emphasized. Reading drafts will also be covered. Each student will have the exclusive use of a floor loom for the semester. A supply list will be provided at the first session. Note: This class is a prerequisite to 2002 On-Loom Weaving Studio Projects. No class July 1.
2002a | On-Loom Weaving Studio Projects | Studio
Level: Intermediate/Advanced | Instructor: Casey Galloway
Dates: Mon, 5/24/2021 to 8/9/2021 | 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Studio: Maxham Fiber Studio, 1st & 2nd Floor | Building: Tobin Building
Tuition: $295 | Friends: $280 | Sessions: 10
This program is designed for intermediate and advanced student-artists who wish to pursue their own direction in weaving. Acquiring new structural and manual skills and exploring new materials will be emphasized. Individual planning sessions along with some group instruction will allow students to proceed at their own pace. Each weaver will have exclusive use of one of the Fibers Department's large collection of floor looms and three-week use of the dye lab. Prior to registering: Students must contact the Fibers Department, cgalloway@swsart.org, by Apr 2; and if approved, students will be contacted by e-mail on or before Apr 5 and must register by May 14. The instructor reserves the right to restrict enrollment. Prerequisite: Introduction to Weaving or equivalent experience. No class May 31 & Jul 5.
2002b | On-Loom Weaving Studio Projects | Studio
Level: Intermediate/Advanced | Instructor: Casey Galloway
Dates: Tues, 6/1/2021 to 8/10/2021 | 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Studio: Maxham Fiber Studio, 1st & 2nd Floor | Building: Tobin Building
Tuition: $295 | Friends: $280 | Sessions: 10
This program is designed for intermediate and advanced student-artists who wish to pursue their own direction in weaving. Acquiring new structural and manual skills and exploring new materials will be emphasized. Individual planning sessions along with some group instruction will allow students to proceed at their own pace. Each weaver will have exclusive use of one of the Fibers Department's large collection of floor looms and three-week use of the dye lab. Prior to registering: Students must contact the Fibers Department, cgalloway@swsart.org, by Apr 2; and if approved, students will be contacted by e-mail on or before Apr 5 and must register by May 14. The instructor reserves the right to restrict enrollment. Prerequisite: Introduction to Weaving or equivalent experience. No class July 6.
2002c | On-Loom Weaving Studio Projects | Studio
Level: Intermediate/Advanced | Instructor: Casey Galloway
Dates: Wed, 6/2/2021 to 8/11/2021 | 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Studio: Maxham Fiber Studio, 1st & 2nd Floor | Building: Tobin Building
Tuition: $295 | Friends: $280 | Sessions: 10
This program is designed for intermediate and advanced student-artists who wish to pursue their own direction in weaving. Acquiring new structural and manual skills and exploring new materials will be emphasized. Individual planning sessions along with some group instruction will allow students to proceed at their own pace. Each weaver will have exclusive use of one of the Fibers Department's large collection of floor looms and three-week use of the dye lab. Prior to registering: Students must contact the Fibers Department, cgalloway@swsart.org, by Apr 2; and if approved, students will be contacted by e-mail on or before Apr 5 and must register by May 14. The instructor reserves the right to restrict enrollment. Prerequisite: Introduction to Weaving or equivalent experience. No class July 7.
2221 | Large Scale Fiber Wall Hangings | Studio
Level: New | All Levels | Instructor: Marta Francine Solís
Dates: Sat & Sun, 7/31/2021 to 8/1/2021 | 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Studio: Droste Design Studio | Building: Santikos Building
Tuition: $175 | Friends: $160 | Sessions: 2
Using macramé knotting techniques as the structural foundation, you will learn approaches to constructing a free-form, large-scale fiber wall hanging. Explore various macramé knotting methods?double half hitches to square knots?along with incorporating emballage, or fiber wrapping, as well as weaving and basketry weaving techniques to add color and dimension. Please see the SSA website for a list of materials and please bring a lunch.
2492 | Pattern-Making for Fiber Artists | Studio
Level: All Levels | Instructor: Melinda Adams
Dates: Mon, 7/12/2021 to 7/26/2021 | 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Studio: Droste Design Studio | Building: Santikos Building
Tuition: $160 | Friends: $145 | Sessions: 3
This course introduces the weaver or surface designer to the basic principles and techniques of flat pattern development, their application for hand-created textiles and how to draft basic slopers (a basic pattern, based on body measurements, which is used as the building block for all other patternmaking). Through a combination of lectures and demonstrations, students will create personalized slopers and learn a variety of manipulations such as basic bodice, skirt, collars, and facings. Students will also understand how two-dimensional shape translates to the three-dimensional form, as well as recognizing garment shape and how to apply flat pattern to create shape. Basic sewing and math skills are required. Please see the SSA website for a list of materials.
ON-2239 | Ice Dyeing | Online
Level: New | All Levels | Instructor: Casey Galloway
Dates: Sat, 7/17/2021 to 7/17/2021 | 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Studio: Online | Building: Online
Tuition: $70 | Friends: $55 | Sessions: 1
Ice dyeing is a fun and easy dyeing technique that produces unusual and unexpected watercolor effects. As the ice melts, the water disperses the components of the powder dye and you will see unexpected colors, textures, and shapes. This technique can be done on yarn, fabric, or garments. Ice dyeing can make a great background for other surface design applications like stitching, shibori, block printing, and more. In this one-day workshop we will cover all materials, safety procedures, and several varieties of ice dyeing techniques through demonstration and discussions. Suppliers and step by step instructions will be included. Registration closes Jul 1.