Linen is a luxurious fiber to weave, but many weavers shy away from it because it is considered a “fussy” fiber. This class is designed for weavers eager to learn everything about linen, including growing, processing, spinning, and scouring skeins. Also, winding linen warps, beaming on the loom, types of heddles and looms compatible with fine linens, tying on, and of course, weaving tips and tricks will be shared. If you are proficient in spinning flax you may want to use your own handspun linen as the weft.
The course project is a hemstitch sampler plus six guest towels. You will have a choice of five treadling options and four hemstitch techniques. Classroom time will focus on weaving techniques, lectures on the history and structure of Huckaback, hemstitching tutorials, treadling tips and tricks, and successful bobbin winding with singles linen.
Enrollment Status
Open
Experience Level
Intermediate
Maximum Class Size
17
Materials Fee
$75 covers a pre-wound 16/2 Bockens Egyptian Cotton warp plus USPS shipping. $99 to include Bockens 16/1 Line Linen weft as well.
Student Supplies
Warped 4-shaft loom with 12-dent reed
F-clamps to secure your table loom to a table.
One Shuttle: Preferably closed bottom shuttle for linen … please do not go out to purchase, as we can make-do with open bottom shuttles if need be.
Two bobbins/quills for your shuttles. Do not wind bobbins prior to class.
Bobbin winder for your bobbins/quills. Please, no power drills or electric bobbin winders. Linen is a different beast, and your instructor will demonstrate proper bobbin winding techniques in class.
For the hemstitching: one tapestry needle (this is a blunt ended needle), one netting shuttle and one pickup stick 1” wide x at least 14” long.
Straight pins, measuring tape and scissors.
Homework
You must beam the warp; thread the heddles; sley the reed; and tie-on to the apron bar. You must also check for errors and fix them prior to arriving at the classroom.
Photo
Instructor
Susan Z Conover
Instructor Bio
Susan Conover began spinning and weaving in 1980 and has continued her studies under national and international teachers. She has been teaching in her Ohio home studio since 2000. Her expertise has included being Operations Manager at Vävstuga Weaving School in Shelburne Falls, MA. She lectures and provides workshops for guilds, craft schools, and conferences. She is always willing to share her passion for the historical aspects of weaving and spinning with her students.
