Teaching Kids to Weave with Straws

I recently had the opportunity to teach a class on weaving with straws to some young girls. The class lasted three hours and the girls weren't ready to leave! We had so much fun playing with the different colors of yarn and beads. The girls were fast learners and had lots of fun making bracelets. They went home with what they made, plus they took extra straws, beads and yarn home so they could continue to weave.



First we learned how to make the 'loom' out of drinking straws. We each took four straws and cut them off about 6 inches long. We cut off the bendy part of the straw. Then we cut four 18 inch lengths of yarn. The girls had fun deciding what color yarn to use for the warp. Then we threaded a strand of yarn through each straw. We left about one inch sticking out the top. We folded that over and taped it to the straw. Next we laid the four straws side by side and taped them together at the bottom. We tied a know in the end of the threads going through the straws (warp threads).

Next it was time to pick the first weft thread. We tied that to the first straw making sure the knot was in the back. Time to start weaving, over-under-over-under- and back again. 

The girls had fun picking new weft colors and adding beads. We tied new colors onto the old color making sure all knots were in the back. We added beads by using a small crochet hook to thread them onto the weft yarn.

Each girl finished several projects. Here is some of the finished work!

The girls were having so much fun that they didn't want to leave when the class was over! Each girl took their finished projects home as well as some extra straws, beads, and yarn so they could continue weaving at home. This type of weaving can be used for bracelets, belts, bookmarks, and more. The finished strips can also be sewn together to make scarves, potholders, etc. It will be interesting to see what they create with what they have learned.

My New Inkle Loom!

About a week ago I was wandering around in the Salvation Army store with a friend. I always check the craft section out. This day, there happened to be a brand new, still in the bag, with instructions Inkle Loom. I knew what it was because I had seen them before. I had never really thought of owning one due to the limited weaving width. I wasn't into making belts... The price was only $5.00. I figured I didn't have to use it too much to get my money back, so I bought it.

It just so happened that at that time I was busy weaving purses to sell at upcoming shows. It dawned on me that even thought the straps I could weave on the inkle loom would not work for the current project, I had projects in mind for which this kind of weaving would be quite lovely.

I set out reading the instructions that came with my loom and managed to get it warped with little difficulty. I made the heddles out of a tough nylon string.  I used some cotton that I had around to warp the loom. I used a mercerized cotton weft. I chose a patterned warp that would give me a nice design and colors that were easy to match with others. I started weaving and was surprised at how fast it actually goes! I expected it to be much slower.

This is the strap I am currently working on. I plan to use it 

on a large wool bag I am going to be making with alpaca 

roving. The roving will be several different colors, but all natural. I think that the magenta in the strap will look nice on the natural hues of browns, black, white, and grey. My strap is now over half done. I still have to weave the bag. When I am finished, I will post a picture so you can see the finished project. 

Meanwhile, I have learned to keep an open mind. I always thought an inkle loom was more trouble than it was worth. Although I would not want to weave on it a lot, it is a relaxing break from my other weaving. I plan to experiment with several other weaving techniques to add interest to the bands I weave. I also like that I can weave in my recliner....

These looms generally retain for between $110-150. I can't complain about the price of mine! 

Weaving Class

I just finished teaching a weaving class at The Smallest Art Gallery in Ortonville, MN. Gallery owner Kathleen Marihart hosted the three day class. She participated between customers. Students learned to make their own loom out of cardboard. We also learned several different weaving techniques they will be able to use to design and create their own weaving projects. everyone had a great time and all the finished pieces were wonderful!

 The gallery was open to the public while the class was being held. Several shoppers and 'lookers' came in during the class. We may have to do a second class due to the interest shown by the people coming into the gallery and watching this class!

Katy was the youngest weaver. She is almost 18. Katy has some alpacas and angora rabbits. She likes to spin her own yarn with a spindle. She had a lot of fun with the class and brought along  lots of good ideas and things to add to the weaving like feathers and beads. 





Katy managed to finish two weavings during the class!

Sue is a quilter most of the time. She was looking for something a little different. You can see her design skills from quilting in her weaving She made good use of the different weights of yarn, sticks, feathers and beads that were available. She was able to incorporate some of each in her weaving.

 Her use of materials was fun to watch. Her tree was especially nice! She also found an interesting piece of wood to incorporate.

Kathleen, who is primarily is a watercolor artist, had lot of fun with the class as well. She waited on the shoppers between pics. She also made a mad dash to the lake to find sticks and pieces of wood and bark to add to our weaving. She was busy with customers during some of the demonstrations of techniques and created a few of her own! I think she has the hang of it and she plans to continue weaving. She is also interested in learning to weave on a ridged heddle loom. I feel another class coming on...

GALLERY SHOW

This month I have a gallery show at a new art gallery in Ortonville, MN. The gallery is The Smallest Art Gallery. The gallery was opened this spring by Kathleen Marihart. You can visit the gallery on Facebook and at http://www.thesmallestartgallery.com/ , or in person at 118 2nd Street NW Ortonville, MN 56278. The Smallest Art Gallery is open Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9:30 to Noon.

A fellow fiber artist, Erlys Sis and I are showing together. The show runs from July 17 through July 28. This is some of Erlys' work. She does many different types of fiber art from knitting and crochet to thread sketching and needle felting. Her items are very unique and interesting. She is teaching a thread sketching class during the gallery show.




I taught a  weaving class at the gallery where students learned to make a loom from cardboard. We the learned many stitches and techniques of tapestry weaving that they can use in future projects. All the students did beautifully, as usual. I am always amazed by what they turn out. Students will be able to take the skills they have learned and create their own future projects, building looms to fit their needs.

Next week I will be teaching a kids weaving class using drinking straws to weave yarn with!

Earlier this month Erlys and I presented at the Sisseton Fine Arts Show in Sisseton, SD. There were about 22 artists showing. There was everything from paining in different mediums, photography, jewelry making, iron sculptures, some needlework, and author, and much more. Sisseton has a wonderful and diverse community.  They are a very active community. They have turned an old school into a community building that houses not only art classes, but dance, yoga, and much more.