Tablet Weaving

Join Nox for a day of beginner tablet weaving! This technique uses wool or cotton threaded through tablets to create intricate designs. No loom is required as you will learn the backstrap loom method of weaving which leverages your own body weight to provide tension. This makes your project highly portable, easy to start and stop, and takes up very little storage space. If you already own an inkle loom, bring it along and you can decide which method works best for you.

PROJECT: Students will weave with cotton and create a band that can be used as a strap, key chain, decorative trim, to name a few options. There will be a demo on an inkle loom in addition to the backstrap loom method. Instructor support will be available throughout the class.

SKILLS LEARNED:

• How to read a tablet weaving pattern
• Threading tablets according to a diagram
• Setup a backstrap loom / warp your inkle loom
• Weaving with tablets according to a weaving pattern
• Basic troubleshooting

INCLUDED:

• At home guide
• Tablets
• Basic backstrap loom materials
• Cardboard weft shuttle
• Your project to finish at home
• Miscellaneous items as needed

PREREQUISITE: None! This is a beginner class

Please see the Edmonton Weavers’ Guild Registration Information page for our refund policy.

Join Nox for a day of intermediate/advanced tablet weaving! This class will build upon the skills learned in the beginner class or if you already know how to tablet weave, push your skills even further!

PROJECT: Students will be able to select between two different patterns. These patterns will focus on turning cards to create a complex pattern, rather than turning the cards together as a group. If you have your own pattern you would like to bring as you need help troubleshooting, please feel free to bring it.

SKILLS LEARNED:

• Reading and tracking a complex pattern
• Reading text and photo based patterns.
• Advanced trouble shooting

WHAT TO BRING:

• Inkle loom or backstrap loom
• Tablet weaving cards
• Pattern (if bringing your own)
• 2/8 or 2/16 cotton will be provided, however if you want specific colors please bring them.
• Optional: 20 sided dice, scrap paper, row/stitch counter

PREREQUISITE: Beginner class or previous tablet weaving experience

PATTERNS: Please feel free to view them ahead of class in case you have color preferences!

1. Birka 22 Pattern by Catherine Weaver
2. Branches by Catherine Weaver

Please see the Edmonton Weavers’ Guild Registration Information page for our refund policy.

Over the past few years, Nox Sutherland-Carruthers have taught several tablet weaving classes. He started weaving just before the pandemic on a rigid heddle loom and quickly grew to love it. One of his goals was to weave shoelaces, so he taught himself tablet weaving by following tutorials from some amazing online resources. While researching techniques, he learned that tablet weaving pieces have been discovered in many vultures around the world and even as far as Ancient Egypt! Being able to connect with history and create modern pieces using the same techniques of thousands of years ago, has been very exciting for him.
Outside of weaving, he live just north of Edmonton with his spouse and son, who often get dragged to fibre events around Alberta! He enjoy spinning, knitting, weaving, and riding his motorbike. He look forward to sharing tablet weaving with you so that you can create your own works of art!