We’re off to a year of workshops and Saori weaving experiences for 2018. Aside from lovely locals weaving in the studio, this weekend was the first two day workshop for the year.  February is normally too hot and I wonder about the sense in having a workshop but we’re had a good, not so bad summer this year, to date.  The workshop was fantastic, with a great group and we covered alot of ground managing to squeeze in some warping and reedless weaving. See Gemma above with her finished piece – a cloth with air and texture, highlighting the rivers of warp twisting though it all.

A few of the weavers did a couple of weaves and others continued to work on the same piece throughout.  To cut off or continue, it’s all easy with the Saori looms.

Judy did a fabulous cloth with a range of colours. She worked them into a delightful array of texture and curves, bumps and unexpected pops and techniques. A truly exciting cloth.  Judy was free and adventurous in her decisions and I love the finished cloth.  Sometimes you don’t know where a cloth is going until it rolls right off the loom to its relaxed state and new start in life.

Cate explored the total relaxation in Saori weaving with the feet working to follow with the throw of the shuttle in repetition but looking a colour, texture and movement while weaving along.  Weaving can tick the mindfulness box and have a creation at the end. Her second piece was a light and smaller wall hanging which captured her work in the weekend.

Meanwhile Jane was able to bring a painters palette and colour mixing into her cloth.  Sometimes I can see and feel where people have been in their creative life and it shows in how they approach the cloth and the way they use colour. Jane wove two rich pieces of art cloth.  The detail and flourish in her work was beautiful

Margaret quietly wove a wonderful weave which utilised two contrasting colour palettes.  Adding lace work and clasped weft geometrics, her work was strong and exciting. As an experienced weaver she was able to make design decisions based on structural techniques but was also able to work strongly with colour.  Both of these strengths show how the Saori concept reveals the unique qualities and experiences of people in the cloth they weave.

A very big thank you to the workshop participants this weekend. All traveled many kms to get to Curiousweaver Studio and make for a great meeting of minds, hands and cloth.  Onwards now to a Saori Scone workshop and another workshop at the Studio in March.  Main photo Saori weave by Cate.