Exposed Warp Tapestry Weaving

Description

Sat 21 (10am – 4pm) & Sun 22 Sept (11am – 4pm)

This workshop explores the contemporary art of Exposed Warp Tapestry Weaving, focussing on bold imagery inspired by strong shapes in the natural world. Using thick weft bundles and translucent materials we will weave in such a way that the coloured warps beneath remain exposed and become an intrinsic part of the design. Coloured warps are incorporated within the image, but can also extend beyond its boundaries to add an interesting and creative background. Card inserts can also be used to form a template at the bottom of your tapestry that will dictate the shape of your woven design, moving away from the traditional straight edge. You can get creative with colour and choose warps that either compliment or contrast with the colours in your woven image.

We will explore surface texture and pattern using a variety of weaving techniques, from the basic plain weave to the more advanced distorted weave, whipping, knots, twining, supplementary warps, etc. We encourage you to bring along images to work from that inspire you, paying attention to strong bold shapes, colour, texture and pattern in nature. Some ideas for inspiration are fruit slices – oranges, kiwis, dragon fruits – seashells, flowers, leaves, lichens etc. We will also have a stock of source images available for you to choose and work from.

We will provide a range of materials to work with on the day, such as cottons, wools, linens and unusual yarns for experimental weft blending. Should participants wish to use a particular material, they’re welcome to bring it along. We actively encourage a sustainable approach to making and you are very welcome to bring along materials for re-use such as soft plastics, clean cling film, fishing line etc to upcycle and incorporate into your design. Your loom and bobbin will be yours to keep at the end of the day, so there is no pressure to finish and cut your design from the loom before you are ready, and you can carry on weaving at your leisure, putting all that you have learned into practise!

OUTCOMES

• Measure out and warp up a simple frame loom
• Translate designs and images into tapestry, inspired by strong shapes in the natural world
• Select and incorporate coloured warps into the design
• Use card to dictate the bottom shape of the tapestry, away from the traditional straight edge
• Finish off and present their work

This skill building workshop is suitable for crafters of all abilities – from complete beginners to those looking to add new skills to their repertoire or refine their existing weaving knowledge. We will begin with basic techniques and move on to more advanced methods as we all get up to speed. We strive to create a friendly and relaxed learning environment, where every learner can work at their own pace.

Your Tutor

Jo McDonald is a Scottish Visual Artist, who lives and teaches in Edinburgh. She has been teaching weaving workshops for many years throughout the UK. She offers regular tapestry weaving courses in central Edinburgh for all levels of ability, from beginners to the more advanced, as well as one-to-one sessions.

Jo graduated from Edinburgh College of Art with a first class BA (Hons) and MFA in Tapestry. She was selected for Collect Art Fair in London in 2024, short-listed for The Cordis Trust Prize for Tapestry (2015 and 2021), received two Hope Scott Trust Awards (2019 and 2013), granted a Creative Scotland Professional Development Award (2013), and won the Milly and Benno Schotz Award for best work by a young sculptor at the Royal Glasgow Institute in 2012. She has work held in Apex International Hotels in London, Amateras Foundation in Bulgaria, University of Aberdeen in Scotland and The Gallery of Szombathelyi in Hungary, as well as in private collections in UK, France, USA and South Africa.

• All tools and materials are included in the exposed warp tapestry weaving workshop cost, but you are welcome to bring along your own fibres to weave with if you wish
• Tea and coffee are provided but participants should bring their own lunch and utensils
• All of our classes are suitable for over 16s, younger crafters may be accommodated if accompanied by a participating adult but please contact us before booking
• If the workshop you were looking at is fully booked drop us an email and we’ll add you to the waiting list
• You can pay for this course in two instalments, a non-refundable 50% deposit will be taken at the time of booking and you will be invoiced for the remaining balance three weeks in advance of your workshop.
• If you need to cancel or reschedule your workshop we need at least three weeks notice. Please read our cancellation policy before booking