Card Weaving with Gudrun Polak

Saturday, October 15, 2005


Instructor:

Gudrun Polak

Class Duration and Fee:

Saturday, October 15th 10am- 5:00 pm with lunch break
$55.00/student 
Class is limited to 6-10 students

Registration can be done by e-mail, mail, phone (510) 843-7290 or in person at the Museum.
Printable Registration Form

Class Location:

Lacis Museum of Lace and Textiles
LacisMuseum.org
2982 Adeline St.
Berkeley, CA 94703
510-843-7290

Student level: Beginner
This is an introductory workshop for those with no or limited card weaving experience.

General Workshop Description:

Using simple tools, a set of square cards, a small shuttle, and any kind of smooth yarn, the technique called card weaving or tablet weaving allows you to create bands of intricate patterns. You can learn the technique in 20 minutes, and it will keep your mind and hands occupied for the rest of your life. It gives you:

·  Endless possibilities to create woven bands of beauty
·  Endless possibilities to create intriguing patterns, simple, or complex
·  A great way to demonstrate a textile skill

This is what you are going to do in the workshop:

·  Learn to weave a band with patterns of your choice
·  Learn about different tools
·  Experience several options for setup
·  Learn how to thread a continuous and non-continuous warp
·  Learn to read pattern drafts
·  Learn to weave in the one- and two-pack system
·  Get an overview of pattern styles
·  See a demo of design software for card weaving

About the Instructor:

Gudrun Polak has been a weaver for more than 20 years. Since 1999 she has been developing a passion for card weaving. Gudrun’s main interest is the design of patterns for card weaving. She has written several articles about her designs and the design process. She also publishes many of her designs on her website, “The Loomy Bin” www.theloomybin.com

Gudrun taught a workshop at CNCH 2005 and has published these articles in TWIST, the journal of “Tablet Weaver’s International Studies & Techniques”:

Fall 2000: “The Web is for Weavers” - an introduction to her card weaving website.
Fall 2002: “Birka and Beyond” - development of new designs based on a traditional Viking pattern.
Spring 2003: “Birka and Beyond - Part II” - development of braid designs.
Summer 2003: “Tips and Tricks - Custom and Practice” - discussion of yarns for card weaving.
Fall 2004: “Design Challenge: Patterns on Both Sides” - shadow weave patterns.

Materials List:

Required:

- 2 C-clamps, 2” or larger
- small stick shuttle or knife-edge shuttle
- card weaving cards (20 cards)
- smooth thread, 2 colors, approximately 60 yards of each
- scissors

Good to have:

- a pair of shoe laces
- graph paper, pencil, and eraser
- small hand-held mirror
- post-it notes
- rubber bands (any size)
- 4 large yoghurt cups or small card board boxes (to hold thread as you warp)
- bag to carry weaving and clamps home

C-clamps (2” and 3”), shuttles, cards (2.25” square, laminated plastic, packs of 25), scissors and thread are available at Lacis (the shop will not be open in the morning before class begins).
If you prefer, twenty cards (3” square, cardboard) and thread can be supplied by the instructor (materials fee of $10). Please check the box on the registration form if you want the instructor to provide these for you.
Type of yarn: smooth and strong, not thinner than 5/2 perle cotton. For example: 5/2 perle cotton, crochet cotton, carpet warp, silk if it is not too sticky or thin.
How much: 2 bobbins or balls each of 2 contrasting colors (that makes 4 bobbins) of approx. 30 yards each (total approx 120 yards).
Note on selecting cards:  if your hands are small, you may prefer the smaller Lacis cards.
Ball winders will be available for making 2 balls/bobbins of each color; if you own one, you might wish to bring it or prepare your thread beforehand.

Please be sure to indicate whether you want to purchase cards and thread from the instructor.

Lacis Museum of Lace and Textiles