4th International Conference on Braids, Iga

13-18 October 2019
Home Programme Publication Iga Registration
Lecture Workshop Exhibition Tour
 
Weaving Monday to Tuesday
Room Tutor Title Capacity
3W1 John Mullarkey

An exploration of 6-Hole tablet weaving techniques

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This workshop is an exploration of two different common tablet techniques with an emphasis of how dramatically they change when 6-hole cards are introduced. We will look at 6-hole threaded-in patterns first and explore the increased design potential. Then we will look at how different Egyptian Diagonals become when adding 2-more holes and a third color. If you are tired of being a square, try hexing it for a bit.
Student level Student supply list
Some form of experience with 4-hole tablet weaving is required.  I will assume you know how to warp cards, turn cards, read a draft and turning instructions. But no particular technique requirement. An Inkle style peg loom.  6 yarn sources in three colors (two yarn sources of each color).  The more contrast between the colors the stronger the pattern. Yarn in cones or balls of cotton of size 10/2 or #10 crochet cotton. Scissors, yarn needle.
Materials fee: 1700 JPY
Items included in this fee: 1 Shuttle, 20 6-sided cards.
 
Room Tutor Title Capacity
5W1 Susan Foulkes Sending messages: Weaving motifs and words with 9 pattern threads. 14
This workshop will use the 9 pattern slot heddle with a backstrap to weave narrow warp faced patterned bands. This workshop will take participants through the process of weaving simple and more complex motifs with 9 pattern threads. Participants will learn how to create their own designs. On the second day, participants will learn how to weave letters and design their own message band.
Student level Student supply list
This workshop will be suitable for beginners and more experienced band weavers. Backstrap or belt, a G-clamp, paper, coloured pencils, scissors A camera or phone will be useful to take photographs of work in progress.
Materials fee: 4000 JPY
Items included in this fee: 9 pattern slot heddle, shuttle, booklet and handouts, warp and weft and a spare weft and warp for participants to take away.
Weaving Thursday to Friday
Room Tutor Title Capacity
5W2 Inge Dam Tablet weaving for beginners 12
The workshop will introduce the participants to the versatility of tablet weaving and how it can be applied into finished projects or as embellishments on woven items. The participants will learn the history of tablet weaving and become familiar with the tools and the best yarn to use for specific projects. The students will learn the difference between threading defined patterns and turning defined patterns. One warp will be made using a threading defined pattern. Another warp will be made using a 10 minute warping technique called `continuous warping'. This warp will be used for turning defined patterns. On that warp the students will learn regular double-faced tablet weaving. A third warp will be used for the pebble weave technique. Participants will learn how to design original patterns and how to use these patterns to weave motifs in a band. Several samples will be available for inspiration.
Student level Student supply list Other materials needed
Beginner: does not have to have any tablet weaving experience. 2 C-clamps (2 inches), 2 small stick shuttles (each shuttle should have one sharp edge), 80 weaving cards , Warp and weft yarn: 10/2 mercerized cotton in four different colors (dark, medium and light) approximately 1/4 lb of each color. Each color should be wound into two balls. If you would rather work with a heavier yarn you can use 5/2 instead. but you will need to bring more than 1/4 lb of each color. books with ideas for patterns, i.e., books with cross stitch patterns, knitting patterns etc. graph paper (8-10 per inch or the size you can find) a plastic bucket and some type of similar container (mop bucket) one small reed (i.e. for table loom) any dent size will do. The reed should be long enough so it can be placed across the bucket and not fall into it. tape measure, scissors, strong elastics (long not small and thick), notebook, pencil, eraser, ruler, colored pencils, black marker (fine point), darning needle.
Materials fee: ?? JPY
 
 
Room Tutor Title Capacity
3W2 Ruth MacGregor A Glimpse of how things work: Narrow woven bands 15
This one-day workshop is a small introduction to weaving. Using a simple loom (included in the materials fee), students will start by weaving a pretty striped band, learning basic techniques, tricks and vocabulary of narrow weaving along the way. After this first band, students will explore different ways to create exciting patterns in their weaving. These explorations will use the simple loom already mentioned, then expand to show how the techniques are used on other little looms as well. As a final part of this introduction to weaving, students will learn how tablet weaving works and will have the chance to try it for themselves. In each phase, students will see how the choice of materials can change the result (delicate ribbon, or sturdy strap?) and learn to set things up for weaving their own projects at home. This is useful, fun and essential to anyone who has been curious about weaving – and how to create “the perfect trim.”
Student level Student supply list
There are no special requirements for taking this class. Beginners are very welcome, but the class is also useful to intermediate and advanced braiders. There is something here for everyone. Note-taking materials and scissors.
Materials fee: 1500 JPY

Items included in this fee: One small loom (a rigid heddle) and shuttle, A simple threading tool, Yarns for all weaving in class
Printed instructions and notes.
 
Room Tutor Title Capacity
3W3 Tamaki Takagi Sanada-himo as a hollowed cord 10
Sanada-himo is the representative of Japanese woven band. There is a long history that has been used as a tool band among the common people, but it’s artistic value was not recognized. It had not been studied at all. Nowadays, there are very few hand weavers of Sanada-himo, and those on the market are mostly machine weaving. There are two types of Sanada-himo, single and hollow cord. There is a cord whose center is empty from the structure, however, something like a hollowed Sanada-himo is very rare in the world. First, I would like to show you various Sanada-himo and explain the structure, then try to weave the hollowed cord. That technique is a back belt weaving and I will use two small rigid heddles.
Student level Student supply list
To weave hollow cord by back belt weaving, It may be difficult without weaving experiences. The beginners who want to weave Sanada-himo, in this case weave a single cord. Stationary to take notes.
Materials fee: 6000 JPY
Items included in this fee: Two small rigid heddles, shuttle, threads and others.
Ply-split Monday to Tuesday
Room Tutor Title Capacity
3P1 Barbara Walker From ply-split tube to Kongôgumi and back 12
Ply-splitting is so versatile that it can be combined easily with other techniques, including kumihimo. In this workshop you will begin ply-splitting a tube, then learn how to convert it, using a disk, into a Kongôgumi braid, and then revert to a ply-split tube. As one structure transitions to the other, you will notice interesting differences between the textures and color placements. You will explore color order and choose from three Kongôgumi motifs for your workshop sample (different from the spiral design taught at Braids 2016). Applications include neckwear, straps, belts, and basketry.
Student level Student supply list
This workshop is not for beginning ply-splitters—you must have some experience and know the difference between a quarter twist and a half twist. Each student must have email access. Equipment and supplies for each student to bring: Prescribed number of 4-ply cords*; gripfid; kumihimo disk; instructions for Kongôgumi braid**; scissors; small abacus for keeping track of repeats, if desired; extra light, if desired; note-taking materials
Materials fee *Cord kits will be available for those who cannot supply their own cords.
**For example: Tada, Makiko. “Kumihimo Disk and Plate” Comprehensive Treatise of Braids VI, 2007. Tada, Makiko and Ojima, Hiroko. “Kumihimo Disk” Space, Time and Braid, 2007 Berlin, Shirley. “Kumihimo on a Card” 2006 (red booklet)
Handouts (student supplies cords) 1200 JPY ($10 US)
Cord kit for one day: 3500 JPY ($30 US)
Ply-split Thursda toFriday
Room Tutor Title Capacity
3P2 Errol Nelson Pires Creating a figured motif (camel) using the technique of TLOI (Two layered oblique interlacing) 25
One of the construction techniques used in making camel girths (or belts) is TLOI (Two layered oblique interlacing). This less known technique is used to create figured motifs of animals, birds, human figures etc. My 2- day workshop would introduce the making of a figured motif of a ‘camel’ (see picture). A step by step guidance over a 2-day workshop would result in a motif of a ‘camel’.

Student level Student supply list
A basic knowledge and working of ply split braiding is required.    This workshop is not suitable for beginners. Measuring tape, scissors, sellotape/sticky tape, notebook, pen.
Materials fee: 3000 JPY
Items included in this fee: Ready to use 4 ply cotton cords.   These 4 ply cords would be specially made up of 2 dark and 2 light colours. Sufficient materials would be given to participants to create a TLOI (Two layered oblique interlacing) ‘Camel’ motif.
 
Room Tutor Title Capacity
3P3 Julie Hedges Ply-split jewellery: Tubular necklaces and 3 ply bracelets 10
Following an introduction to the origins and my research into the technique, you will develop some methods of ply-splitting to make jewellery. A choice of four methods of making tubular necklaces or accessories will be explored using Ply-split darning (PSD) and Single Course Oblique Twining (SCOT) and Plain Oblique Twining (POT) methods. A variety of yarn including cotton, linen and metallic will be used to make plain, striped and spotted cords as appropriate to your designs. Starting and finishing methods will be coved and techniques of adding and discarding cords to expand and taper the pieces will be included. On day one you will sample a number of methods. On day two you will design and make an item of your choice. We will refer to my book ‘Ply-Split Braided Jewellery’, 2016.
Student level Student supply list
For those with a basic knowledge of Ply-Split braiding methods. You should have an understanding of Ply-Split darning (PSD), Single Course Oblique Twining (SCOT) and Plain Oblique Twining (POT).

Gripfids; 3mm and 5mm, Cotton, linen and metallic yarn/ cords. (To be advised on booking)
Materials fee: 3000 JPY

Items included in this fee: ‘Ply-Split Braided Jewellery’ by Julie Hedges Book @ £10.
Cords for sampling will be supplied, but you may wish to make your own cords to make a finished piece. Advice will be given on cord making and cord winders will be set up for use.
 
Room Tutor Title Capacity
4P1 Marijk Dekkers Basket with a surprise 14
The students make a many coloured mini-mandela-basket. I teach a special way how to start the basket, so when in the future a basket will become very large, it will not fall over. Students also learn another way to finish without the usual amount of fringes. The surprise is in the middle, that is, when you look inside, the colours are never what you expect from the outside. During the first day the students will make a start on a mini basket, and learn how to add cords. There will be study samples. On the second day we will discus more variations and we will work at finishing the basket. There will be several handouts with lots of pictures.
Student level Student supply list

Students need to know the very basics about ply-split braiding. 
Know how to make their own cords and chose the right size of gripfidd.

Bring a gripfid no 3.5, or for heavier cords a higher number. ]
Students can send an email to: marijkdekkers@gmail.com  for more details and in case they have any questions.
Materials fee: 550 JPY

If students need me to bring the cords, they should let me know at least one month ahead. and pay an additional  2650 JPY.
If students like to make their own cords (which I recommend), they need: 108 cords in 9 different colours, this makes 12 cords of each colour.
When using less colours, still make 9 bundles with 12 cords of the same colour.
Use cotton or a cotton-linnen blend, preferebly nr. Nm 8/2
Make 4 ply cords from 8 ends, about 50 centimeters long.
Mind you: cords made of thicker yarn, need to be longer.
 
This is minimum information for students to select their classes. Other information including names of students and tutor's facial photos will be added in due course.
 
   

4th International Conference on Braids, Iga

13-18 October 2019