Foraged Weaving

In this workshop students will explore the world of weaving with plants, and the language that can form between yarn and the natural world! Students will forage for materials around Sanborn Mills Farm and learn how to use flora as weft within their weavings. This can include methods of plying, braiding, or knotting to create weft, and using inlay or a supplemental material while weaving on the loom.

This workshop is completely experimental, and students will walk away with projects based on their interests. You may choose to sample for the duration of the workshop or weave a completed project.

This workshop is a beginner level, but students must know how to warp and dress a loom. This is not a complete introductory course, and students should not sign up for this workshop if they do not already know how to weave. This workshop is for multi-shaft loom or rigid heddle loom weavers. There are 3 floor looms and 4 rigid heddle looms available for this workshop. After registering, please email marsha@sanbornmills.org to reserve the type of loom you prefer. They will be assigned on a first come first served basis. Alternatively, email Marsha if you plan to bring your own table loom or rigid heddle loom.

Skills and Techniques:

• How to forage for weft materials and use flora within your weavings
• How to ply, braid, or knot natural material to create weft
• How to inlay supplemental yarns and material while weaving
• Inspiration and ideas for weaving with plant matter and creating experimental cloth

Materials Fee: $75 and includes all the warp and weft yarns you’ll need for this workshop. If you’d prefer to use yarns already in your stash and skip the materials fee, you’re welcome to do so.  We suggest using linen, cottolin (cotton and linen blend) or hemp as warp. Cotton and wool are also acceptable, but do not always hold the structure of supplemental materials as well.

Special Tools or Equipment: Gardening or plant shears (if you have them) or non-fabric shears (so you don’t ruin your good fabric scissors)

Workshop Policies: Please be sure to read our policies before you register for a workshop which can be found here Workshop Policies