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.
REGISTER NOW
Course details (meeting times, tuition, etc.) are listed below.
Spring 2022 Fibers Course Descriptions
These are the course descriptions only.
2001a | Introduction to Weaving
Level: Beginning | Instructor: Nancy Heneghan
Dates: Mon, 1/24/2022 to 3/28/2022 | 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Studio: Maxham Fibers Studio, 2nd Floor | Building: Tobin Building
Tuition: $290.00 | Friends: $275.00 | 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.
2001b | Introduction to Weaving
Level: Beginning | Instructor: Nancy Heneghan
Dates: Thurs, 1/20/2022 to 3/24/2022 | 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Studio: Maxham Fibers Studio, 2nd Floor | Building: Tobin Building
Tuition: $290.00 | Friends: $275.00 | 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.
2002a | On-Loom Weaving Studio Projects
Level: Intermediate/Advanced | Instructor: Casey Galloway
Dates: Mon, 1/24/2022 to 3/28/2022 | 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Studio: Maxham Fiber Studio, 1st & 2nd Floor | Building: Tobin Building
Tuition: $290.00 | Friends: $275.00 | 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 at cgalloway@swschool.org by Nov 29; and if approved, students will be contacted by e-mail on or before Nov 30 and must register by Jan 3. The instructor reserves the right to restrict enrollment. Prerequisite: Introduction to Weaving or equivalent experience.
2002b | On-Loom Weaving Studio Projects
Level: Intermediate/Advanced | Instructor: Casey Galloway
Dates: Tues, 1/18/2022 to 3/22/2022 | 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Studio: Maxham Fiber Studio, 1st & 2nd Floor | Building: Tobin Building
Tuition: $290.00 | Friends: $275.00 | 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 at cgalloway@swschool.org by Nov 29; and if approved, students will be contacted by e-mail on or before Nov 30 and must register by Jan 3. The instructor reserves the right to restrict enrollment. Prerequisite: Introduction to Weaving or equivalent experience.
2002c | On-Loom Weaving Studio Projects
Level: Intermediate/Advanced | Instructor: Casey Galloway
Dates: Wed, 1/19/2022 to 3/23/2022 | 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Studio: Maxham Fiber Studio, 1st & 2nd Floor | Building: Tobin Building
Tuition: $290.00 | Friends: $275.00 | 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 at cgalloway@swschool.org by Nov 29; and if approved, students will be contacted by e-mail on or before Nov 30 and must register by Jan 3. The instructor reserves the right to restrict enrollment. Prerequisite: Introduction to Weaving or equivalent experience.
2367 | Mark Making with Dye
Level: New | All Levels | Instructor: Jean Dahlgren
Dates: Sat, 3/26/2022 to 3/26/2022 | 9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Studio: Droste Design Studio | Building: Tobin Building
Tuition: $125.00 | Friends: $110.00 | Sessions: 1
Create your own personalized cloth through a variety of mark making techniques. Students will use dye and print paste to doodle, drag, scrape, spray, and dry brush sample fabrics. Any material or object that can make a mark may be used. It helps to have some experience with fabric dye, but it is not necessary. All dyes and print paste will be ready for student use.
2949 | Big Baskets: Weaving with Reed
Level: Special Class | All Levels | Instructor: Sarah Westrup
Dates: Sat & Sun, 3/5/2022 to 3/6/2022 | 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Studio: Droste Design Studio | Building: Tobin Building
Tuition: $250.00 | Friends: $235.00 | Sessions: 2
Learn the process of weaving loose reed into a beautiful, functional basket. Students will follow a basketry pattern to weave a flat reed basket step-by-step-building the base of the basket, weaving the walls, and finishing the rim. Students will integrate both minimal color and woven patterns into their basket using dyed black and natural reed. Instruction will focus on covering basic techniques such as start/stop row, twining, plaiting, twill, and lashing. Time permitting, you may have the opportunity to start a second basket of your own design. Please see the SSA website for a list of materials.