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 Casey Galloway.
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.
Registration
Fall 2019 Registration Dates
Friends of SSA: Online | Tues, Aug 6 at 9:00am
Phone | In-Person | Thurs, Aug 8
Open registration | Tues, Aug 13
Fibers Course Descriptions
2001a | Introduction to Weaving
Level: Beginning | Instructor: Nancy Heneghan
Dates: Wed, 9/11/2019 to 11/13/2019 | 9:30 AM- 12:30 PM
Studio: Maxham Fibers Studio, 2nd Floor | Building: Tobin Building
Tuition: $285.00 | Friends/Seniors (65+): $270.00
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.
2001b | Introduction to Weaving
Level: Beginning | Instructor: Nancy Heneghan
Dates: Thurs, 9/12/2019 to 11/21/2019 | 6:00 PM- 9:00 PM
Studio: Maxham Fibers Studio, 2nd Floor | Building: Tobin Building
Tuition: $285.00 | Friends/Seniors (65+): $270.00
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.
2004 | Tapestry Weaving
Level: All Levels | Instructor: Liza Collins
Dates: Sat & Sun, 9/28/2019 to 9/29/2019 | 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM
Studio: Student Lounge | Building: Urschel Building
Tuition: $210.00 | Friends/Seniors (65+): $195.00
This intensive two-day class will lead students step-by-step through traditional flat tapestry weaving techniques. Tapestry is the most basic of weave structures, but offers the artist a wide range of visual possibilities. Students will learn how to prepare a warp and weave simple shapes. The class is designed for both beginners and those with experience wishing to refresh their skills. Looms and materials will be provided; please bring a lunch both days.
2157 | Felt Making: Flat and Formed
Level: All Levels | Instructor: Liza Collins
Dates: Sat, 10/26/2019 to 10/26/2019 | 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM
Studio: Droste Design Studio | Building: Santikos Building
Tuition: $135.00 | Friends/Seniors (65+): $120.00
Feltmaking is widely considered to be one of the oldest and simplest processes for creating fabric and textile forms. Felt is a wondrously versatile fabric- it can be made as light and fragile as a piece of lace or strong and durable enough to make into a dwelling. Applications can be functional or decorative, even conceptual, and offers infinite creative possibilities from wall hangings, sculptures, rugs, garments, jewelry, and more. The technique is quick and easy to grasp; through the simple layering of wool fiber, a little soapy water, and a generous amount of friction, magic happens! This class will cover all aspects of wet feltmaking techniques, including flat-felted fabrics, different resist methods as well as learning how to shape and form felt using improvised molds, and simple three-dimensional forms. No previous experience required. See SSA website for a list of materials; please bring a bag lunch.
2378 | Contemporary Stitching
Level: All Levels | Instructor: Miki Rodriguez
Dates: Sat & Sun, 10/5/2019 to 10/6/2019 | 9:00 AM- 4:00 PM
Studio: Duncan Studio | Building: Santikos Building
Tuition: $200.00 | Friends/Seniors (65+): $185.00
This two-day class explores a variety of fiber techniques using an assortment of materials. Techniques include, stitching, fusing, stapling, knotting, painting and drilling. Students will explore design ideas and personal expression. Students will also focus on enhancing and connecting materials and objects to a variety of surfaces the first day. The second day allows personal time for further opportunities in risk taking and finalizing compositions. See SSA website for a list of material; please bring a lunch.
2840 | Two-Color Printing on Fabric with Interface Stencil
Level: New | All Levels | Instructor: Jean Dahlgren
Dates: Sat, 11/16/2019 to 11/16/2019 | 9:30 AM- 3:30 PM
Studio: Droste Design Studio | Building: Santikos Building
Tuition: $135.00 | Friends/Seniors (65+): $120.00
In this alternative printing process, learn to make a stencil using interfacing fabric and house paint. When the paint is dry, negative spaces will be cut out to create the stencil which in turn is used as the printed image using a silk screen. Starting with yellow and working through the color wheel, print paste and MX dyes will be used and each screen pass will produce a two-color printed image. Experimentation with other color combinations is possible once students are comfortable with the feel of the printing process. Please see the SSA website for a list of materials and please bring a lunch.
2911 | Printing with Mordants: Natural Dyed
Level: Visiting Artist/Special Class | All Levels | Instructor: Sarah Westrup
Dates: Sat & Sun, 10/12/2019 to 10/13/2019 | 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM
Studio: Droste Design Studio | Building: Santikos Building
Tuition: $295.00 | Friends/Seniors (65+): $280.00
Learn to design your own textiles with natural dyes! The first day, students will learn how to create and hand-carve simple designs for block printing. We will discuss cloth stretching techniques, review surface design gridding methods, and formulate mordant print pastes. Students will print on bamboo cotton and cotton voile. The second day, students will learn to prepare a cochineal and marigold dye bath. Our mordant repeat patterns will go in the dye bath and observe varied color results from one dye bath! We will briefly discuss printing with mordant possibilities including screen printing and using the CNC router to create blocks. See the SSA website for a list of materials prior to registration; please bring a lunch each day. Please register by Sep 13.
2998 | Boro Sampler Book and Boro Bags
Level: Visiting Artist/Special Class | All Levels | Instructor: Jody Alexander
Dates: Sat & Sun, 11/9/2019 to 11/10/2019 | 10:00 AM- 4:00 PM
Studio: Droste Studio | Building: Santikos Building
Tuition: $285.00 | Friends/Seniors (65+): $270.00
Boro is a word used to describe Japanese textiles that have been pieced, patched, repaired, and passed down from generation to generation. Boro textiles are utilitarian objects that are rich and sumptuous and that, although old in age, posses a contemporary aesthetic. Students will learn stitching, patching, and mending techniques that are specific to Boro to make small cloth samplers and finish with a Japanese Side Sewn book that can serve as a reference for future mending projects. The following day students will apply the learned mending techniques to a length of cloth that will be made into a traditional Japanese style bag. This workshop is appropriate for beginners wanting to learn stitching or experienced artists and makers wanting to incorporate a new aesthetic into their work. Includes most materials; please see SSA website for a list of suggested tools and supplies. Please register by October 11.