Fiber Arts Classes
Basic Spinning Workshop
Learn to spin Alpaca and Sheep's Wool
Instructor: Susan Conover Prerequisites: None Max Enrollment: 5 Price: $135 (includes all instruction time and materials) Treadle spinning wheel required or rent for additional $45. Date Offered: Not Scheduled
This workshop meets for a 3-hour period on four consecutive weeks. This is a must for anyone interested in creating higher quality yarn than you can buy at a store, at a fraction of the cost. You must be prepared to practice thirty minutes a day between sessions and bring a functioning treadle spinning wheel (or rent one from us).
Susan Conover believes in teaching the basics so that you thoroughly understand the craft. Following are highlights of what this informative workshop will cover:
- Understanding the unique qualities of different fibers with the emphasis on wool and alpaca.
- Preparation of fiber to produce woolen and worsted yarns.
- Drafting on a primitive hook and then quickly moving onto the treadle spinning wheel.
- The treadle spinning wheel and how ratios affect its function.
- Picker, hand carders, wool combs and drum carder demonstration.
- Plying of single yarn to produce a soft two-ply yarn. Use of the many unique gizmos for winding yarn: the ball winder, umbrella swift, niddy-noddy, click reel, skein winder, etc.
- Washing and setting your skeins.
- Test drive wheels by Louet, Schacht Spindle Co., Schacht-Reeves and the Conover Great Wheel
View The Tool List for this class.
Chenille Scarf
Spend a day measuring warp and dressing your loom, then weave a fine-looking scarf the second day.
Instructor: Susan Conover Prerequisites: Basic Weaving or equivalent experience Max Enrollment: 6 Price: $45 (includes all instruction time, dye and handouts) Date Offered:Not Scheduled
Weaving with chenille can be a bit tricky but the results are wonderful. Let Susan Conover guide you through the intricacies of weaving a chenille scarf from a kit that the participant purchases ahead of time. We will cover:
- What is chenille?
- Calculating warp and the use of the warping board or mill to measure it.
- Getting the warp on your loom in the least “painful” way.
- Weaving techniques for chenille.
- Finishing your scarf.
Once completing this informative workshop you will be able to tackle many chenille projects with confidence.
Equipment:
Fringe twister if you plan on twisting your fringe (don’t run out and buy one, this may be done manually with your fingers)
Other items:
- The chenille scarf kit you have purchased for the workshop (4-Shaft loom, 18” maximum width)
- Notebook
- Pencil/Pen
- Scissors
- Sack lunch and beverage
In fairness to other students extensive tuning and fixing of broken or neglected equipment has to be preformed outside class. If you arrive at the first day of class with cranky equipment you will lose valuable classroom time.
When ordering your chenille scarf kit please keep in mind:
- The 18” weaving width of the loom provided
- Number of shafts required is 4
Chenille Kits may be purchased from:
Cotton Clouds
Phone: 928-428-7000
Toll Free: 1-800-322-7888
Fax : 928-428-6630
Email: info@CottonClouds.com
View The Tool List for this class.
Dyeing to Dip
Indigo
Instructor: Susan Conover Prerequisites: None Max Enrollment: 6 Price: $85 (includes all instruction time, dye and handouts) Date Offered:Not Scheduled
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.
Dust Off Your Wheel
That beautiful piece of equipment that has been collecting dust
doesn’t want to be used as a hall tree!
Instructor: Susan Conover Prerequisites: Basic Spinning or equivalent experience on a treadle wheel Max Enrollment: 6 Price: $45 (includes all instruction time and fiber) Date Offered:Not Scheduled
This workshop is a result of constant request from past students for a refresher course.
We will cover the following information so that you are once again familiar with the craft of spinning:
- The treadle spinning wheel and its function, including ratios.
- Specific types of fiber preparation for specific yarn results (i.e., woolen vs. worsted yarns).
- Techniques to make a "consistent" single yarn.
- The lazy-kate, niddy-noddy, umbrella swift and ball winder's function.
- Plying of single yarn to produce a beautiful two-ply yarn.
- Washing and setting your skeins.
Enroll in Dust Off Your Wheel Now!
Dressing the Loom from Back to Front
A wonderful introduction or great refresher
Instructor: Susan Conover Prerequisites: Basic Spinning or equivalent experience on a treadle wheel Max Enrollment: 6 Price: $40 (includes all instruction time and materials) Date Offered:Not Scheduled
This one-day hands-on seminar is a vital foundation course that should be attended by any weaver who needs a refresher course. Dressing the Loom teaches you the mechanics of properly dressing (warping) a loom from back to front using the straight beam method. We will not cover sectional beaming in this workshop. Susan Conover will demonstrate how to measure your material on a warp board and mill and how to dress a Schacht floor loom. Susan will also use the trapeze method of dressing the loom as an alternative for those who tackle this task alone. 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 this refresher in the basics is useful.
*Students who are enrolled in Comprehensive Basic Weaving workshop should take Dressing the Loom - there is no additional charge!
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!
Instructor: Susan Conover Prerequisites: None other than Dressing the Loom Max Enrollment: 4 Price: $225 (includes all instruction time and materials) Participants supply their own portable 4-shaft loom and materials. Floor loom rental is available for $45. Date Offered:Not Scheduled
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.
Following are highlights of this comprehensive curriculum:
- Calculations of warp required for a twill sampler (i.e., runner, material) measuring 11" x 30" utilizing colorful 3/2 perle cotton.
- Anatomy of the loom
- Reed considerations
- Hemstitching on the loom
- Reading drafts
- Tie-Ups
- Fringe techniques
- Use of the temple
- Dress the loom for the more complex weave structure of overshot, which is generally associated with coverlets. Your completed overshot project will be a 8-10" wide runner measuring at least 20" long using natural cotton for the warp and wool weft.
- Finishing your project once it is off the loom
- How to fix mistakes before it is too late!
Enroll in Comprehensive Basic Weaving Now!
Spinning Flax into Linen Workshop
A wonderful introduction to an often misunderstood spinning fiber!
Instructor: Susan Conover Prerequisites: Basic Spinning or equivalent Max Enrollment: 5 Price: $45 (includes all instruction time, distaffs and materials) Participants supply their own Treadle spinning wheel. Date Offered:Not Scheduled
We will begin this fact-filled workshop with a slide show of flax processing. Participants will have an opportunity to try their hand at spinning line flax and tow. Dressing the distaff (supplied if you don't have one) is all part of the fun.
Overshot Runners (4 Shaft)
Overshot weave is no longer a mystery!
Instructor: Susan Conover Prerequisites: Basic Spinning or equivalent experience Max Enrollment: 4 Price: $125 (includes all instruction time and handouts) Participants supply their own portable 4-shaft loom and weft materials Date Offered:Not Scheduled
Susan’s passion for Overshot weave is fueled by the fact that it is reminiscent of historical weaves and it is no surprise that she enjoys this workshop. Participants will have a choice of four different runners to weave. The perle cotton warp chains will be provided the morning of the workshop. We will spend the day dressing your loom with straight beaming techniques (no sectional beaming). This is a wonderful opportunity to refresh your loom dressing skills and try your hand at using a warping trapeze. the day of the workshop.in how they weave their runner using a perle cotton warp; either a Brook’s bouquet border or a miniature pattern. The drafts, material requirements and source of supply will be sent to participants a month prior to the workshop. Participants will supply their own weft materials.
We will spend the second day of this workshop weaving your runner with Susan constantly elucidating on the principles of overshot. This is a wonderful chance to explore overshot weave as well as have an opportunity to get the majority of your project woven during the workshop.
Enroll in Overshot Runners Now!
Dyeing to Dip - Cochineal
The beauty of Cochineal comes to life in the dye pots!
Instructor: Susan Conover Prerequisites: None Max Enrollment: 6 Price: $85 (includes all instruction time, dye and handouts) Date Offered:Not Scheduled
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.
Following is a list of what students may expect:
- Participants will bring a total of two pounds of silk, wool and/or alpaca (skeins only) to dye. Instructions on how to prepare your skeins will be sent to you approximately one month prior to the workshop.
- Up to four shades of the color will be explored in this 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.
Mini-Combs and Worsted Yarns
A centuries’ old method of preparing fibers that still is applicable in the 21st century!
Instructor: Susan Conover Prerequisites: Basic Spinning or equivalent experience Max Enrollment: 6 Price: $45 (includes all fiber and handouts) Mini Combs provided by Conover Workshops at no additional fee Date Offered:Not Scheduled
Combs have been used for centuries to prepare fibers for hand spinning. The drawback to traditional combs is that they are large, cumbersome and occasionally bring bodily harm to the user. Louet has developed a pair of mini-combs that get the job done without the harm plus they are compact enough to travel (except on airplanes)!
Of course the benefit of combing your fibers is that once the yarn is spun in the proper worsted draw it is called worsted yarn. A worsted yarn is strong (great for weaving warps), and will detail cables in knitted wear beautifully. According to Wikipedia, “The essential feature of a worsted yarn is straightness of fibre, in that the fibres lie parallel to each other. Traditionally, long, fine staple wool was spun to create worsted yarn, but other long fibres are also used today.”
In this one day hands-on workshop we will cover the following:
- How to wash wool and alpaca for combing.
- Techniques of using the mini-combs.
- Blending colors and different fibers.
- To diz or not to diz.
- The difference between a semi-worsted and worsted yarn.
- The worsted draw.
- Overview of plying techniques for the worsted skein
The Tool List for this is under construction!
Enroll in Mini-Combs and Worsted Yarns Now!
Beautiful Skeins Every Time
The mystery of duplicating skeins will be solved!
Instructor: Susan Conover Prerequisites: Basic Spinning or equivalent experience Max Enrollment: 6 Price: $35 (includes all instruction time and handouts) Treadle spinning wheel required Date Offered:Not Scheduled
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 on our website indicates participants to bring 2 full bobbins of singles but 2 bobbins of contrasting singles that are a quarter to a half full is fine. A linen tester is nice for this workshop (and it’s something you will continue to use). Linen testers are available from two sources: www.linentesters.com ( $24+s/h), or www.pgiinc.com/6xmagnifier/html ( $14.95+s/h). You need a lense with at least 4x magnification and a 1” scale. A storage bag is nice but not necessary.
Enroll in Beautiful Skeins Every Time Now!
Holiday Bound Weave on Four-Shafts
Reindeer, Santas, Menorahs and more!
Instructor: Susan Conover Prerequisites: Basic Spinning or equivalent experience Max Enrollment: 5 Price: $60 (includes all fiber and handouts) Looms provided by Conover Workshops at no additional fee Date Offered:Not Scheduled
Bound weave is a dense, weft-faced technique that is well suited to weaving colorful and detailed figures. This all day seminar will explore creating story characters for 4-shaft looms. Participants will start the day with a discussion of bound weave by Susan Conover. We will then create designs on graph paper and translate paper designs to the loom.
Conover Workshops will have four floor looms dressed with a Santa, reindeer, snowmen and trees.
Participants will have an opportunity to weave at least two of the designs.
The small bound weave story characters make wonderful accents on baby bibs, greeting cards, towels, purse material and much more.
The Tool List for this class is under construction!
Enroll in Holiday Bound Weave for Four-Shafts Now!