Seminars and Programs

Robyn's presentations are as entertaining as they are informative. These are a great option for groups looking for weaving content, without the overhead of a hands-on workshop.

In addition to the topics below, many of the Two and Three Day Workshops or Half and Full Day Workshops can be presented as a lecture.

Weaving TnT – Dynamite Tools ‘n Techniques for Every Weaver

Nearly-invisible concealing of weft ends

This seminar looks and feels like an interactive show-and-tell. Participants will be introduced to 24-36 offbeat tools, techniques, or tricks to assist them in all phases of weaving, from warping a loom to dealing with pesky problems while weaving to twisting fringe. Participants are invited to share their own tools, techniques, and/or tricks during the seminar.

Level: Beginner

Handout fee: $2.00 per person (optional). Handout is bound and includes brief notes of the tips and techniques presented and resource list.

There’s Two Sides to Every Cloth

Four-shaft double-faced interlocking twill

All cloth has two sides, so why not make them as distinct and interesting as possible . . . even completely different? In this seminar, participants will have the opportunity to learn a variety of intriguing double-faced weave structures that are reversible, produce intricate designs, quilted effects, and/or three-dimensional effects on as few as three shafts. Weave structures explored will include, but not limited to, double-faced twills, double-faced overshot, stitched double cloth, matelassé, and other double-faced designs.

Level: Intermediate to Advanced

Handout fee: $3.00 per person (optional). Handout is bound and includes brief notes, drafts in color of introductory weave structures presented, and bibliography.

The Fab Four

Four-shaft asymmetrical Bedford Cord

The Beatles are not the only “Fab Four.” Four-shaft looms are fabulous and frequently underestimated for their potential and versatility. Much of this value may be found in uncommon weave structures that are capable of producing distinctive and remarkable results. Weave structures explored will include, but are not limited to the following: Diversified plain weave, double-faced weft twill, swivel, Bedford cord, bead leno, corduroy, and deflected weft.

Level: Intermediate to Advanced

Handout fee: $3.00 per person (optional). Handout is bound and includes brief notes, drafts in color of introductory weave structures presented, and bibliography.

Less is More

Galloon-style trim

Big looms and exotic warps seem to get all of the attention. This seminar goes to the other extreme and gives participants a hands-on opportunity to explore the possibilities of creating distinctive trims, such as certain types of galloons and gimps, on single and side-by-side narrow warps (sometimes with fewer than 20 ends per warp) by using multiple wefts of different sizes, textures, appearances, etc. Trims may be used for embellishments on garments, home interiors, and other fun purposes. Ideas for expanding techniques to larger looms and warps will be discussed.

Handout fee: $3.00 per person (optional). Handout is bound and includes brief notes and examples in color.

Deciphering the Drawdown

Historic drawdown

Do you ever feel like you need a background in cryptography to decipher weaving drawdowns? Are the terms “Turning a draft” and “skeleton tie-ups” a mystery? By understanding how a pattern is developed, a weaver will know why the pattern creates the design it does, reduce dependence on projects in weaving publications, create innovative designs, and understand how to augment the possibilities of a single threading by changing the tie-up and/or the treadling.

Level: Beginner

Handout fee: $2.00 per person (optional). Handout is bound and includes review information of program.

Planning and Preparing for a Successful COE Study

COE-W Sample #32 - Velvet weave

HGA’s Certificate of Excellence in handweaving is an ominous effort to undertake; however, the rewards are well worth the effort. Robyn spent over two years working on completing the COE-W Level 1 requirements and another two years completing her study on her Level II specialized study "Loom-controlled Stitched Double Cloth". Throughout this experience, she learned many things first-hand and from others that helped make the effort a successful one.

Level: Beginner

Materials fee: $0

Inkle Weaving in the 21st Century

Wire warp-faced bracelet woven on an inkle loom

The inkle loom is one of the simplest looms around; however, its amazing potential is often overlooked and undervalued. This seminar will present the inkle loom in a new light by showing ideas in weaving with fine silk, multiple warps, wire, elaborate trims called “galloons”, and the application of different weaving techniques to create exciting trim, embellishments, and jewelry on a loom that may be at home collecting dust.

Level: Beginner

Handout fee: $3.00 per person (optional). Handout is bound and includes brief notes and patterns presented.

Putting Together a Novelty Act

Six-shaft Supplementary Warp and Weft

Walk into most yarn shops and it's easy to become fascinated with the stunning novelty yarns. But if you're a weaver, it can be a real challenge to figure out how to incorporate them into weaving projects in order to showcase the yarns without breaking the bank. In this program, a variety of weave structures will be reviewed that can add new dimensions to your weaving and let you take advantage of fun and exciting yarns.

Level: Beginner

Handout fee: $3.00 per person (optional). Handout is bound and includes brief notes and drafts in color of all of the weave structures presented.

Jewelry from Thrums and "Weftovers"

Simple coiled earrings from thrums

Are your thrums taking over? Have bobbins full of yarns that you don't want to throw away? Do you have a small amount of a wonderful novelty yarn and want to turn it into something fun? In this program, Robyn will present ideas and simple techniques for transforming thrums, "weftovers", and novelty yarns into jewelry.

Level: Beginner

Handout fee: $3.00 per person (optional). Handout is bound and includes brief notes and examples in color of the techniques presented.

Marketing 101 for the Fiber Artist

With over twenty years of professional marketing and communications experience, Robyn Spady will lead this program for fiber artists seeking to acquire critical marketing skills to grow their business. This seminar provides a comprehensive understanding of marketing fundamentals through lecture and discussion to identify new markets, attract customers, anticipate changes in the marketplace and adjust merchandise accordingly, and tap into the marketing professional in all of us.

Level: Beginner

Handout fee: $2.00 per person (optional). Handout is bound and includes brief notes and worksheets of the concepts presented