New England Weavers' Seminar
NEWS 2025
July 8 - 13, 2025
Westfield State University
Westfield, MA
The complete listing of course descriptions is now available on the Workshops page.
The Workshop Descriptions PDF is 49 pages long with lots of pictures.
We have also provided a Printable version without the pictures and only 30 pages long.
Public registration begins Sunday, February 9.
Early registration for members of our ten participating guilds (see here
for a list) will begin Sunday, February 2. You must be a recognized member
of one of the guilds by January 1, 2025 to take advantage of this.
This is a weekly preview of planned course offerings.
Changes are always possible.
G4: Refresher Class for the Returning or Developing Weaver
Instructor: Chris Hammel
1 day, Thursday, July 10, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm, $160
This class will review winding a warp on a warping board and dressing the loom from back to front and front to back. Students will be provided with a short narrow warp so that they can dress their loom in their preferred method. There will be a review of tying onto the front tie-on rod, closing up spaces, preparing the beginning (and end) of the cloth for hemstitching and/or fringe. Students will have an opportunity to practice hemstitching. Other topics will include how to begin and end weft yarns, achieve good edges, manage shuttles in multi-shuttle structures, and use floating selvedges. Reading basic drafts and profile drafts will be covered. Other useful information (such as how to properly repair broken warp ends) will be included, if time permits. This class is not for the total beginner.
H1: 3-Color Pickup for Inkle Weavers
Instructor: Annie MacHale
1 day, Friday, July 11, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm, $160
Unknown to most modern weavers, Three-Color Pickup is an older technique for which pattern books have not been readily available until now. To weave this variation, it's very helpful to have a working knowledge of regular Baltic pickup. First we will look at samples and discuss what makes this different from the typical Baltic patterns. By viewing the samples, students will get an understanding of the difference between asymmetrical and symmetrical threadings as well as tips for choosing colors to make the patterns pop. Students will then warp their looms and practice weaving various motifs using pattern charts supplied by the instructor. Annie will share tips for warping, making heddles, fixing mistakes, starting and stopping, and keeping selvages straight. She will also demonstrate how to temporarily remove and replace the warp, as well as how to cut the final project off the loom and handle it when it is complete. As time and student interest allows, we can also explore a free online tool for creating patterns.wills are one of the most versatile weave structures and the possibilities are amazing! The breadth of weaving twills can be a bit daunting, but so much fun! The class will start with the basics from straight draw and point twills and then move on to broken, undulating, M&W, Dornick, plaited, and turned twills. Then it will progress on through advancing twills and networked-drafted twills, including hands-on exercises to give you a clear understanding on how to design your own patterns. Whether you have a four-shaft loom or a tricked out dobby loom, there is bound to be something to inspire you.
