Online course—Shaft Loom Weaving: Woven Shibori

Learn how to warp, weave, and dye a woven shibori project. Woven shibori creates fabric that has unique dimension and movement. Catharine Ellis developed this technique that weavers can use on many types of looms. You'll weave and dye a set of coordinating placemats that will add a fun twist to your mealtime table.

This is the perfect project to advance your skills if you have a little weaving experience. You should be comfortable warping a loom (though we also have a refresher if it's been a while), reading a weaving draft, and following a treadling sequence in a draft. This is not a course for an absolute beginner, but if you have woven a few projects, this course will challenge you in new ways. No dyeing experience necessary--we'll walk you through the process.

Weaving

• Warp and base weft: slub cotton—I used Maurice Brassard Cotton Slub Yarn in Blanchi (601)
• Pattern weft: 5/2 perle cotton (similar or smaller in size to your previous selection) in a contrasting color to the warp and base weft. Avoid really dark colors, like navy, black, or dark gray, as these could bleed onto the fabric.

Dyeing

• 1 tablespoon of fiber reactive dye in your preferred color—I am using Dharma Trading Company Fiber Reactive Dye in Wasabi
• 1/3 cup of soda ash, necessary for adhering the fiber reactive dye to the fabric

Weaving

• 4+ shaft loom with at least a 15" weaving width and a 10 dent reed
• 2 boat shuttles and bobbins, tapestry needle for hemstitching, rotary cutter and mat
• Warp and base weft: slub cotton—I used Maurice Brassard Cotton Slub Yarn in Blanchi (601)
• Pattern weft: 5/2 perle cotton (similar or smaller in size to your previous selection) in a contrasting color to the warp and base weft. Avoid really dark colors, like navy, black, or dark gray, as these could bleed onto the fabric.

Dyeing

• safety equipment: rubber gloves, dust mask or respirator
• dish soap, small containers, measuring spoons, plastic spoons, 2 buckets large enough for fabric to move freely