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2025 Summer Workshop

A tapestry Weaver's Toolkit

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Weaving a beginner tapestry on a copper frame loom.

Registration will open Monday May 5 at 9am

​​A Tapestry Weaver's Toolkit: A 3 Day Workshop with Brenda Osborn

During this three-day workshop, Brenda will teach basic tapestry techniques in the traditional Gobelins weaving style, which was used throughout northern Europe from the Middle Ages to current times.  These techniques enable the weaver to achieve highly visual tapestries, from portraits and landscapes to abstract images.  
The techniques covered will include:
1.        Weaving in opposing sheds.
2.        The tension differences between weaving small shapes and larger shapes
3.        Hitching on and off for beginning and ending wefts.
4.        Weaving angles of varying degrees
5.        Weaving a circle
6.        Inking on the warp for details
7.        And if time permits--Making use of these techniques to “take a line for a walk” by weaving a sketch                    made by the student.

Additionally, the instructor would like to help each student develop an idea for a tapestry to be woven after the workshop ends. Brenda will work to help you gain enough knowledge to pursue some of these techniques on your own and give information on where to take these ideas further.

 

Skill Level: It is helpful if students are cloth weavers who have a basic understanding of weaving, but it is not necessary for them to have woven a tapestry before this class.                                                                                     Supplies needed: Scissors, measuring tape, tapestry bobbins, wefts for weaving (any kind of wool appropriate for fabric weaving). All other workshop materials including the frame loom, are provided.  

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About the Instructor: 

Brenda Osborn devoted herself to tapestry weaving in 2000, when she began to study with Archie Brennan and Susan Martin Maffei. Brenda spent over 12 years studying with Archie Brennan, and worked with him to produce his autobiography/memoir.   

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A Tapestry Weaver's Toolkit: A 3 Day Workshop

Instructor: Brenda Osborn

Location: Hartford Artisans Weaving Center, 42 Woodland Street Hartford

Fee: $350 payable by check or credit.

Date: August 26, 27, 28, 2025

Time: 10:00am-4:00pm with a break for lunch

Suggested Age: 16+

Note: A copper pipe frame loom (which is yours to keep) and some supplies are provided. 

A Tapestry Weaver's Toolkit

Please Review Our Additional Registration Information

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  • Check payment is due within 2 weeks of your registration to secure your spot.

  • Students should be aware: Good manual dexterity is a necessity. Shoulder, elbow, and wrist movement are needed to wind a warp and dress a loom; floor loom weaving requires hip, knee, and foot movement. Weaving does involve repetitive motion; students may take breaks as needed. 

  • Our classrooms and studios are currently only accessible by a flight of stairs.

  • Refunds and Class Cancellations: 

    • The Weaving Center reserves the right to cancel a class at any time. Should we do so, students will receive a full refund.

    • Registered Students: Please notify the Weaving Center as soon as possible if there is a need to cancel your registration.
      - If there is a waiting list and the spot can be filled, a 3% processing fee will be deducted from the total refund if you have paid by credit. If you have paid by check and the spot can be filled, you will receive a full refund.
      - If a spot cannot be filled, no refund will be offered.

  • No-shows forfeit any refund and make-up classes are not offered.

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