Don't miss your chance to register for these upcoming January and February workshops. Spaces won't be available long!
CAPS, CAPS, CAPS
JAN. 31 - FEB. 2, 2020 - (10:00AM - 4PM)
WITH EDIE ORENSTEIN
This three-day introduction will lead you through the design and construction of a traditional European-style cloth cap. You may choose from two popular styles: the “newsboy” or “poor boy” style and the “flat cap” often identified as a driving hat. Although these hats appear deceptively simple, you will learn the special tailoring skills needed to enhance their fit and complete the desired look. All materials are supplied. Students will learn such skills as, taping, lining, bill construction, and inserting sweatbands.
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DRAWING FROM THE MODEL ON THE SEWING MACHINE
FEB. 7 - FEB. 9, 2020 - (10:00AM - 4PM)
WITH ELEANOR HANNAN
The sewing machine is a tool for expressive free-form drawing. Why not use it to draw directly from the model?
Imagine: your machine is set-up, loaded with your favourite coloured threads, your chosen cloth is ready, and the elegantly costumed model is posing in front of you.
For the textile artist, no greater thrill exists: the challenge of it, the freedom of letting go (you just cannot always control what will happen), and the potential for discovery. Unexpected and miraculous things happen!
This short course is intended to introduce students to the art of machine embroidery as an expressive drawing tool for quick studies from the live model. Read full description...
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THE INKMAKERS PEN
FEB. 7 - FEB. 9, 2020 - (10:00AM - 4PM)
WITH TIM MCLAUGHLIN
Making ink has much to recommend it. It may be done in small spaces. It does not require specialized equipment or expensive ingredients. The results may be quickly seen and put to use. The process has an element of alchemy about it, where mundane materials are transformed into something extraordinary. It can lead one to appreciate diverse histories, both of civilizations (for what civilization has not had writing at its centre?) and of artists and artistic movements.
Students will learn how to prepare a variety of inks from classic inkmaking traditions including iron-gall ink, pigmented ink, and a natural dye lake. Students will learn how to prepare a soluble and a waterproof binder and how to best formulate or adjust inks for particular uses. Read full description...
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MAPPA: CARTOGRAPHY ON CLOTH
FEB. 14 - FEB. 16, 2020 - (10:00AM - 4PM)
WITH BETTINA MATZKUHN
“Mappa” is Latin for a square of cloth. And maps are the perfect vehicle for describing any kind of voyage.
In this workshop each student will produce three small samplers that address aspects of both cartography and textile techniques. The samplers are preparation for beginning a larger personal map that may continue to evolve after the workshop. Looking at historical and contemporary artists’ maps, especially those on textiles, students will discuss their forms and meanings. From global data visualization to a trip around the kitchen, maps are about narrative: what to include, what to leave out. Read full description...
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THE MASTER HATTER
FEB. 19 - FEB. 23, 2020 - (10:00AM - 4PM)
WITH EDIE ORENSTEIN
Dive deep into the hatter’s art. In this five-day workshop, you will work from creative conception to finished hat. Mentored by Edie every step of the way, you will be guided through inspiration, design, styling, felt selection, fitting considerations, selection, and use of blocks (from Edie’s own unique collection of traditional and contemporary blocks). Throughout the course you will learn construction techniques and skills such as steaming, shaping, pouncing, wiring, sizing, finishing, and embellishment using machine and hand stitching. Read full description...
