Another workshop finishes leaving me alone in the studio but enriched by the energy and artistic approaches of the group over the weekend. Yet another really nice group of weavers. All had woven at some time in their lives and just took to the Saori approach with a zest of creativity.

I always load up weavers in a workshop with techniques because it is an intensive weave time. Of course they don’t have to try or do any of them but I feel it gives a good insight into the immediate potential of the free weaving technique on the Saori loom. Saori weaving is really about weaving in your own way and I think that this shows in every single weavers work in all of my workshops.

We heard Meaghan’s personal experience in the Bobin bushfire which destroyed 17 homes and their 150 year old school. They were completely cut off as the fires surrounded them as all phone, electricity was destroyed. The power is back but they will be waiting for phone connections until Christmas and beyond and the hard work really begins now to rebuild the town. I think her first woven piece was a regenerative imagery.

Each of the weavers worked quite differently and used totally different colours and textures. My wave sticks got a good workout and differential tensioning really worked well with Valerie’s linen weft. Michelle worked with all the demonstrated techniques creating enough length for a cowl. It’s always good to get a wearable from the weekend. And Robyn used a mix of red and shades of grey to bring out the depths of the back warp.

All inspiring!