A Weaving Experience at Loomsong with Kala.
"I've always wanted to learn to weave. I had the opportunity to try a table top loom one time. That led me to purchase a rigid heddle loom and take a class. Then Kala offered me an opportunity to weave on her Baby Wolf floor loom in her studio. I was very new to weaving and excited to learn."
"Kala took me under her wing and showed me not only her passion for weaving and her great sense of color, but taught me all aspects of weaving my first project on a floor loom. We selected a weaving project, a weave structure and material. I learned to prepare the warp, put the warp onto the loom, thread the heddles, then sley the reed and complete the set up to weave. She let me do the work and was right there to assist and lend a hand. Being in her studio was great fun as well with a lot of side learning as we chatted. I finished my first project and am very happy with it. What can I say, I am hooked!"
"Kala took me under her wing and showed me not only her passion for weaving and her great sense of color, but taught me all aspects of weaving my first project on a floor loom. We selected a weaving project, a weave structure and material. I learned to prepare the warp, put the warp onto the loom, thread the heddles, then sley the reed and complete the set up to weave. She let me do the work and was right there to assist and lend a hand. Being in her studio was great fun as well with a lot of side learning as we chatted. I finished my first project and am very happy with it. What can I say, I am hooked!"
Your Weaving Experience
Kala teaches classes at the Weaver's Guild of MN and private lessons at Studio 248. Whether you're new to weaving or simply want to improve your skills check the schedule below or Contact Loomsong for a private lesson and learn something new.
Classes and Workshops offered by Kala
Color to Cloth
Get the most of your color choices and learn to define your personal color sense.
By focusing on fabric as your inspiration, the instructor will present her color collections process, which is inspired by well-known designer Kaffe Fassett. discussions will include looking at elements of color and analyzing how, where and why you use color. Then, applying your newly defined color palette, you will design and weave a table runner or towels.
Weave to Sew
Learn to design and weave yardage suitable for a sewing project. The goal is to create approximately six yards of a one-of-a-kind fabric destined to be cut and sewn at a later date.
We'll explore different fiber options, characteristics and suitability for sewing patterns. We will play with colors and drafts for the fiber that you choose to work with. Learn how the "draft" used and "sett" of the thread influences the "drape" or "hand" of the cloth.
Each student will have an opportunity to consult with the instructor by email or phone to discuss and confirm your plans. You then weave your original fabric at home and share the results with your class by email.
RH2
Are you ready for your next Rigid Heddle project and need some inspiration or warping reminders? Join like-minded RH weavers and learn about some color interaction, fiber properties and many project options.
-Beginning: students must have woven one or two Rigid Heddle projects.
Shifted Silk Scarf Warp Painting
Run a double length 30/2 silk scarf warp in segments. Hand paint the warp after learning the color mixing principles of dyeing. The warp will be long enough for two scarves. Appropriate drafts along with weft fibers and colors will be discussed. You will be able to weave two completely different looking, luxurious scarves at home.
-Intermediate level, must be able to warp a loom and read a draft independently.
Boundweave Bags
Boundweave is a common rug structure which students will use to create a weft-faced bag. The bag is woven as a double weave tube with a flap which means no side seams in the completed piece! Students will combine this technique with creative color changes to complete one or two unique, wool-woven designs. Direct tie-up will be presented but the class will focus on using a traditional Swedish draft. Finishing options and directions will be presented.
-Advanced Beginning: Students must be able to warp a floor loom and read a draft. Basic sewing will be used to finish the bag.
-Equipment: a rachet back beam loom suitable for rugs or familiarity with 'Live Tensioning' the back beam is required.
Dyeing Combed Top
Dye a long color sequence using dyes that are specific to protein fibers like wool and silk. For this class we're going to use Blue Faced Leister aka BFL. The properties of BFL make it a pleasure to spin, create with and wear. Add a new tool to your wool work box by dyeing colors that can be blended by carding, combined by spinning, or layered in felting.
-Beginning: No previous experience needed.
-Beginning: No previous experience needed.
Double Width Weaving
Come design and weave a double width blanket. You will learn to write a weaving draft for two layers, design stripes or a plaid in either traditional or contemporary style and weave with a fold on one side. A time saving warping technique will be used. The wool of choice is Harrisville Shetland. You will have a fabulous, one-of-a-kind art blanket.
- Intermediate: Students must be able to warp a floor loom and have some experience in drafting.
-Equipment: a floor loom with a good shed.
- Intermediate: Students must be able to warp a floor loom and have some experience in drafting.
-Equipment: a floor loom with a good shed.
Palindrome Dyeing
Learn how to dye yarn skeins that can create a painted warp appearance in the warp and weft. Color theory for dyeing is followed by dyeing a couple of skeins with the option to dye the weft yarn as well. The instructor will also demonstrate how to maximize the color sequence using the direct method of warping on a rigid heddle loom. How to choose yarns to compliment your hand-dyed skeins will be discussed.
The yarn is a fingering weight suitable for weaving with or using for knit or crochet.
-Beginning: No previous experience needed.
The yarn is a fingering weight suitable for weaving with or using for knit or crochet.
-Beginning: No previous experience needed.
