Activity

Learn the basics of card weaving, also known as tablet weaving, on your inkle loom. In this workshop, participants will gain understanding of how to warp and weave bands using 4-hole cards.  Designs created using cards are more complex and intricate than basic band weaving; created by rotating the threaded cards forward and/or backwards in specific sequences.  Participants will learn how to read card weaving patterns and explore the many possibilities of design by playing with the rotating sequence.

The term “Inkle” simply means “ribbon” or “tape” and refers to any warp-faced woven good made on any type of loom, from backstrap to box-looms.

Historically, band weaving often accompanied nomadic peoples, as strips of cloth were achievable on portable, tiny looms, and larger textiles (if needed) could be produced by sewing strips together. But these bands, so diverse in their patterns and designs, are wonderful and useful in their own right, serving as ties, belts, straps, headbands and sturdy string. The strips are also often used decoratively, to edge other objects and garments.

Dates
Saturday, February 15th , 2025

10 pm – 1 pm ET

Location
This workshop will take place virtually on Zoom

Cost
$100

Prerequisites
Inkle Loom Weaving I (with TATTER) or previous inkle warping and weaving experience

Materials

This class comes with an optional kit, which you can select from the dropdown menu. The kit contains the following. Please refer to this list if you will be sourcing your own materials

• Inklette Loom (Ashford preferred) & Belt Shuttle
• Weaving cards (Amy recommends Lacis from Woolery) *the pattern we will be following uses 8 cards.
• 8/4 cotton carpet/rug warp in 2 or 3 colors (Amy recommends Maysville)
• Four skeins of Tatter thread. Two colors, two skeins of each color. One color should be similar to the carpet warp that you choose. If you choose to source your weft thread elsewhere, durable linen, cotton, or hemp are preferable.

Not included in kit, but recommended:

• Scissors
• Paper + pencil for pattern making
• Optional: Color pencils matching 8/4 cotton warp colors
• Optional: Measuring tape

Our Teacher

Amy Ashdown is a fiber artist, craftswoman, and homemaker living on a smallholding in Upstate NY with her husband and seven children.  She grew up in a creative home where handmade items and craftsmanship were highly valued.  Her creative journey of over 30 years has included various crafts – quilting, mosaic, sewing, and ultimately weaving.  She finds inspiration in nature and its seasons, as well as the designs and patterns of numerous cultures from around the world.  While her weaving often results in unique handmade goods, her real passion is for enjoying each step of the creative process as she experiments with new designs and patterns.