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2008 Fiber Arts Classes

Basic Spinning Workshop
Learn to spin alpaca and wool

The Tool List for this class.

Enroll in Basic Spinning Now!

Fleece Skirting, Sorting and Washing for the Hand Spinner
There is no better sense of accomplishment than starting from the animal!

In the past we have offered this workshop as part of our Basic Spinning curriculum.  Since many of our participants work with commercially prepared fiber it is now a separate workshop for those with access to raw fiber direct from the animal.  Susan will share the following during this three hour seminar:

• Why would you want to start with a freshly shorn fleece?
• The skirting table.
• Staple length, crimp, color, bulk, cleanliness and luster of the fleece.
• Breed considerations for hand spinning.
• Washing your fleece by hand and washing machine.
• Wool storage.

The Tool List for this class.

Enroll in Fleece Skirting, Sorting and Washing Now! 

Beautiful Skeins Every Time
The mystery of duplicating skeins will be solved!

Have you ever wondered why no two skeins of your yarn look the same?  This three hour seminar will cover the ins and outs of plying your skeins perfectly and uniformly—every time.  Susan will share a host of techniques that will improve your results: 

• Why do I measure the yarn I make?
  
• The gram balance scale and how to use it.
  
• Measuring Grist in yards per pound.
  
• The McMorran Balance and how to use it.
  
• Monitoring yarn thickness as you spin.
• Explanation of S and Z twists.
• Measuring the angle of twist using the Buchanan twist gauge using single and two-ply yarns.
  
• Plying with perfection!

The Tool List for this class.

Enroll in Beautiful Skeins Every Time Now!

Dressing the Loom from Back to Front
A wonderful introduction or great refresher

This three hour seminar is a vital foundation course that should be attended by all weaving students since you have to warp a loom before you can weave on it. Dressing the Loom teaches you the mechanics of properly dressing (warping) a loom from back to front.  Susan Conover will demonstrate how to measure warp and dress a Schacht floor loom. Following her demonstration you will have an opportunity to thread a loom yourself.

Here are some of the items you will learn:

• What type of material makes an acceptable warp?
• Warp board and warp mill techniques.
• The advantages of using a raddle.
• Threading and reed hook techniques.
• Solving the mystery of ends per inch (e.p.i ) and the reed size you have on hand.
• How to select the most effective heddles for your needs.
• Sleying the reed efficiently.
• Avoiding tension problems of the warp (not the weaver).

Even experienced weavers have stated that a refresher in the basics is useful. 

*Students who are enrolled in Comprehensive Basic Weaving workshop may take Dressing the Loom at no charge.  Also, you may stay for the afternoon and work on the looms if you desire.  You should bring a sack lunch. The Tool List for this class.

Enroll in Dressing the Loom from Back to Front Now!

Comprehensive Basic Weaving (4 Shaft)
Your confidence level will soar with all the new-found knowledge gained in this workshop!

Our basic weaving workshop meets from 9am to 4:30pm for four days.  We are offering various combinations of these four days so there will be sure to be one to meet your schedule.  Here is what you will learn each day.

• On day one you will learn how to calculate and measure warp and install this warp on your loom. This is called dressing the loom.  You will weave a series of mug mats (woven coasters) and address finishing off with fringe.
• Day two will be dedicated to learning the ins and outs of twill weaves. After weaving a sampler containing five to nine different twill structures you will have an opportunity to hemstitch directly on the loom. 
• Day three will be back to the warping board to measure more warp.  We will dress the loom again for the more complex weave structures of overshot, which is generally associated with coverlets. Serendipitously this will also teach you how to read weaving drafts.                                   
• Day four will be spent tying up all of the lose ends, no pun intended, this time with an emphasis on Italian hemstitching.

 
The Tool List for this class.

 Enroll in Comprehensive Basic Weaving Now!

Double Width Weave on Four Shafts
Get the maximum weaving width out of your loom!

Double width weave has always fascinated weavers. The principle is that a loom can produce a cloth twice as wide as its capacity by weaving in two layers that are joined along one side. Once off the loom the fabric is unfolded into twice the width.  The first half of this seminar will explore the mechanics of double weave on our four-harness studio looms.  The second half of the day will be spent designing your own double width project to work on at home.  You will need to bring samples of the warp material you are planning to use along with a ½” or ¾” dowel rod cut to the length of the weaving width of your loom.

Completing this workshop you will gain the knowledge to tackle many projects that you thought were impossible, i.e., table cloths, material for clothing, blankets and more.

The Tool List for this class.

Enroll in Double Width Weave Now!

According to Donna Muller, author of Handwoven Laces by Interweave Press, "Huck can be so versatile as to be bewildering: each threading group can weave warp face, weft face, or plain weave." This one day workshop will give participants an opportunity to weave enough material for up to four herbal sachets measuring 4" x 7". Finishing and embellishment will be demonstrated. techniques The main thrust of the workshop is to allow students to "study" the weave structure while creating a few precious gifts. Susan Conover will cover the basics of four-shaft huck lace plus the many different ways to use it in weaving projects. Once completing this informative workshop you will have the confidence to tackle curtains, tablecloths, kitchen towels, etc. with this wonderful weave structure. Conover Workshops will provide the floor loom, dressed with 1012 perle cotton plus weft material. View Tool List for this Course.

Only One Spot Remaining in this Class 

Enroll in Huck Lace Herbal Sachets Now! 

 Wool and Alpaca Dye Workshops aka "Dyeing to Dip"

Our Dye Workshops have evolved over the years.  In the past we would dedicate a tremendous amount of workshop time creating many (sometimes up to 24 different) shades from one dye source.   The general consensus is that students want to spend a day with like-minded folks and dip their own fibers in the dye pot rather than Conover Workshops providing sample skeins.  The creation of this series was born from student feedback.  Following is a list of what students may expect: 

• Participants will bring a total of two pounds of silk, wool and/or alpaca (skein or fleece) to dye.  If bringing your own fleece you must be prepared to invest in mesh bags to contain the fibers while in the dye pots.  Instructions on how to prepare your yarn or raw fleece will be sent to you approximately one month prior to the workshop.

• Up to four shades of the color will be explored in each workshop.  Pre-mordant, post mordants and ammonia after-baths will yield such variations.

• For students who do not want to provide their own silk, wool and/or alpaca skeins, Conover Workshops will have them available at an additional fee.

• The workshop is held outdoors in rain or shine …so please be prepared for the elements.

Sign up for one or all of the workshops listed.  Conover Workshops provides all dyestuffs, mordants, washing detergents, equipment, plenty of hot water and tons of information.

Dying to Dip - Cochineal
The beauty of Cochineal comes to life in the dye pots!

Cochineal is the shell of an insect that feeds on cacti. It is Susan’s favorite natural dye because it yields a spectrum of rich hues ranging from scarlet through pale pink. 

The Tool List for this class.

Enroll In Cochineal Now! 

Dyeing to Dip - Cutch

Cutch is a small tree native to India and Burma.  The dyestuff is an extract which is made by boiling down chips of the heartwood of the tree.  Participants may expect color ranges from rusty tan, rusty brown, brown, gray brown and rusty gold.

The Tool List for this class.

Enroll in Cutch Now! 

Dyeing to Dip - Indigo

Indigo is an ancient dye that was and still is revered.  It produces a wide range of colors from light blue to dark, deep blackish blue. Mordanting is not required for this dyestuff.  We will explore two different recipes:  Indigo Hydrosulfite Vat and Indigo Yeast Ammonia Fermentation Method.

The Tool List for this class.

 Enroll in Indigo Now!

Dyeing to Dip - Osage Orange

Osage orange is a tree that grows in Ohio and yields quite ugly knarly balls the size of your fist.  We don't use the fruit from the Osage tree but an extract is made from boiling chips from the tree's wood.  We can expect a color range of light yellow, green/yellow, light olive, olive and bright yellow.

The Tool List for this class.

Enroll in Osage Orange Now!

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