April 12-13 – Introduction to Inkle Loom Weaving with Bernadette Geuy

Class Description: A 2-day introductory class on how to weave narrow bands on an Inkle Loom. The class will include learning basic color and design theory, and how to select and sample colors that work well together for the project. Students will learn how to warp an Inkle loom with alternating “heddled” and “unheddled” threads and wind weft yarn onto a shuttle. The class project will be to weave a “sampler” pattern including basic weaving, learning decorative pick-up stitches, and finally Andean Pebble Weaving.

No prior experience is needed to take the class. Inkle looms can be a great tool for learning how to weave. For more experienced weavers, making bands is a useful skill to acquire. The “sampler” weaving project will give students hands-on experience trying different techniques that can be used when designing future projects at home.

Woven Inkle bands have a variety of uses, including as straps for a bag or a guitar, and loops on towels. At the end of the class, students will make a key fob from their weaving.

List of items students need to bring: Please bring your own Inkle loom or arrange with PTA to borrow one from its small collection. Bring or borrow Inkle loom and band shuttle, or arrange to borrow from PTA Scissors, Tape measure, Notebook and pen. Instructor will supply a mini tool kit for each student and the full color set of 5/2 Lunatic Fringe spectrum cotton yarns, for students to select from and make their warps.

BIO: Bernadette is a hand weaver and maker, with a professional background in information technology and user experience design. Weaving, knitting, and sewing have always been ways for her to connect with the material world and as a creative pursuit. She is very experienced in weaving and teaching with an Inkle Loom, making bands for bags, guitar straps, loops for towels, and more. Bernadette’s favorite weaving technique on an Inkle loom is Andean Pebble Weaving because you can create intricate designs by manipulating (picking up and dropping) selected warp threads. She taught a well-received Introduction to Inkle Weaving at PTA in 2024 and looks forward to teaching again in 2025.