our new look…in progress

We’re in the midst of a major redecorating of the gallery space at sutherland, now that our classroom has moved down onto Pattiy Torno’s floor. It’s still a work in progress, but here’s a picture I just uploaded to our facebook page as our new profile picture. The scarves on top are Barb’s new line of “sutherland sorbets,” scarves so sheer you can see through them in a delicious variety of colors. Stay tuned for more exciting changes.

New classes & revised class schedule

We had so much interest in beginning weaving classes during the CURVE studios & garden open house last weekend that we have put another session of Weaving I on the summer calendar. This class will run eight consecutive Tuesdays from noon-4, starting May 25 and ending July 13. This is the Three Warps, Three Towels class that allows students to warp the loom three different times during the eight weeks. Projects increase in complexity and give students a good foundation in warping. Following are more details on the upcoming spring/summer classes. If you’re interested in joining a class, please contact Barb or Karen and send a $100 deposit payable to sutherland as soon as possible to reserve your loom. We have 5 looms available for classes, two are already reserved for the Overshot class. We’ll assign the last three on a first-come, first-served basis.

Here are some pictures of some of our students and their completed projects. We’re so proud!

May 12, 26, June 2, 9, 16 – 11 am-2pm

More Twills & a Taste of Overshot. A follow-up to either Weaving I or Weave a Twill Gamp, this class introduces students to two additional twill patterns and an overshot threading. Instruction will lean heavily toward overshot theory. Students will weave a table runner, either as a gamp or with one of the three threadings offered. Students should be comfortable with warping, but support will be available. $180 per person, plus cost of yarn.

May 25, June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, July 6, 13 – noon-4 pm  

Weaving I: Three Warps, Three Towels. This in-depth introduction to weaving guides students through planning, warping and weaving three separate projects. For Beginners or weavers who need a warping refresher. $275 per person, plus yarn.

June 26 & 27 – 10am-4pm

Two-Day Workshop: Introduction to Designing & Weaving Warp Rep. Warp rep is a warp-faced (or warp dominant) block weave in which a thick weft alternating with a thin weft produces color patterns and horizontal (weft-wise) ribs. In this introductory workshop, students will learn Karen’s building-block technique for rep design. They will then design their own treadling patterns and weave them into a  series of mug rugs (coasters) on looms they have warped prior to the workshop according to Karen’s instruction. If students want to use a sutherland studio loom (provided one is available), they may come in to warp the loom before class starts. Minimum experience level: advanced beginner. Students must be able to read a draft and warp a precise color pattern independently. For 4 or 8-shaft looms. $120 plus supply fee (copies, plus yarn if you use ours).

June 30, July 7, 14, 28, August 4 – 11am-2pm

Handwoven Lace Techniques: Students who have taken Weaving I, or are familiar with warping and plain weave, will be introduced to three different threadings for weaving lacy, open fabrics using fine cotton or fine wool. Choosing from huck lace, Swedish lace or Atwater-Bronson lace, weavers will create a scarf or series of napkins experimenting with various pattern effects possible with treadling variations. $180 per person,  plus yarn.

Aug. 9, 10, 11 – 9am-noon (or possibly noon-3pm)

Children’s Weaving Camp: We are considering holding a mini weaving camp for children, ages 8-14 for three mornings or three afternoons. We would wind the warps and students would warp looms for narrow scarves with easy-to-handle yarn. They would weave their scarves in plain weave, twill or herringbone in whatever color combination they like. This would be a fun introduction to weaving. No weaving police and lots of room for creative interpretation and “design elements.” We would have room for five campers. If you’re interested or know someone who might be, please get in touch so we can discuss this idea further.

FINALLY, don’t forget our April Web Chats AT sutherland, which are now the “last” Friday of the month from 10 am-noon. That means this Friday, April 30. Bring your show and tell, questions, design challenges or whatever weaving subjects you’d like to discuss. Also we are planning to order from Silk City Fibers very soon. You can look through the fun sample books (4 big notebooks!) and see whether there’s anything you’d like to include in our order and share shipping costs. If you’ve never seen the Silk City yarns, there are some basics like pearl cotton, fine merino wool, and Bambu 7 & 12, plus a whole assortment of weaving yarns you won’t see elsewhere. Please email to let us know you’ll be here: sutherlandstudios@gmail.com

Look forward to seeing you at Web Chats and in our classes. Our Fall Class Schedule will be available soon!