


8 Shaft Twills
Description
Make the jump to 8 shafts! Yes it’s 4 more shafts but it is not that difficult and the range of patterns and fabrics you can create has multiplied many times!
In this workshop you will
- Have 2 theory sessions and then a 2 day workshop.
- Understand how to construct straight, pointed, transposed and skip threadings
- Design your own herringbone threadings
- Design your own lifts
- Work with the number of intersections to loosen or tighten a weave structure
- Weave your sampler with supervision so that you will know how it should look.
What you will learn
- How to read patterns
- How the weave structure affects the sett chosen
- How to get the twill angle correct
What you will get
- Confidence in knowing that you can weave on 8 shafts
- A very worthwhile sampler of twills
- Confidence that you can design your own twills using several different threadings
What to bring
The first session is a zoom session 28th May Wed night 6.30-710 then 7.30 – 8.10pm
You will need graph paper, ruler, 8/2 cotton or 2 ply Bendigo wool in at least 2 colours, scissors, sticky tape, a B pencil (soft lead) and definitely a rubber!! And a printed copy of the notes that have been sent to you
The second session 9.am-12pm on Sunday June 1 is a face to face session at Brush Farm House, where your threading will be checked and we start working on the theory for the lifts. You will need pens pencils rubber- general note taking equipment
The workshop: June 7-8, 2025 --2 day workshop at Brush Farm House
You will need your loom fully warped and a heading woven in 2/2 twill, ready to start on your 8 shaft twill sampler, your wefts, 2 shuttles, and your reading glasses if you need them, a temple if you have one, weights for broken ends.
What you will learn
- How to read patterns
- How the weave structure affects the sett chosen
- How to get the twill angle correct
What you will get
- Confidence in knowing that you can weave on 8 shafts
- A very worthwhile sampler of twills
- Confidence that you can design your own twills using several different threadings
Entry to parking is from the shared driveway with Brush Farm Corrective Services Academy. Drive to the rear of the house and park in the bays.
What to bring
- You will need your loom fully warped and a heading woven in 2/2 twill, ready to start on your 8 shaft twill sampler, your wefts, 2 shuttles, and your reading glasses if you need them, a temple if you have one, weights for broken ends
- You will need graph paper, ruler, 8/2 cotton or 2 ply Bendigo wool in at least 2 colours, scissors, sticky tape, a B pencil (soft lead) and definitely a rubber!! And a printed copy of the notes that have been sent to you
What to wear
Comfortable clothing and shoes as you will be standing quite a lot if you loom doesn’t have a stand
Appropriate for
Weavers who have woven 4 shaft twills as well as 3 pieces in 4 shaft twill by themselves
Do you need to hire an 8 shaft loom?
Contact the Guild at equipment@spinweavensw.org at least two weeks before.
You must be a current member of the Guild to hire equipment
The Guild brings together people who practise the arts of hand weaving, spinning and associated crafts and fosters and encourages the crafts by instruction, discussion and exhibition.
Joining the Guild has many benefits. These include:
- Discounted prices for workshops
- Use of the library
- Equipment hire
- Special interest group membership eg: Weavers Interest group, Tapestry Interest group, Braids Plus, Spinning, Temari, Piece Weavers.
- Invitations to members-only events.
Email: membership@spinweavensw.org for an application form or look on the website.
Membership rates are for one calendar year starting 1 January and ending 31 December. New members joining from 1 October receive the balance of the current year for free when purchasing next year’s membership.
Membership, single, with emailed Guild News — $62 for direct deposit, cash or Cheque. An additional fee of $1.50 if you use a card payment facility.
If you would like a posted Guild News there is an additional $15.00.
Your Teacher
Elizabeth Calnan is an internationally renowned weaver and teacher.
She has taught extensively at the Hand Weavers & Spinners Guild of NSW, regularly supports rural groups with instruction and at Convergence USA. Liz can teach beginners through to complex weaving in in-person and online mediums.
Elizabeth won a prize - the Complex Weavers Award in 2014 and an New Zealand award for dyeing and colour skills in 2013. She exhibited annually from 1993 to 2019, at the Craft Show and then from 2003 at the Palm House in the Royal Botanic Garden. She is a member of Craft NSW.
She also has a business, "Looms and Spinning Wheels".
Hand Weavers and Spinners Guild of NSW Inc has an average rating of 4.9 for their other classes.
See other reviewsCancellations & Refunds
If the organiser cancels the class:
You are entitled to a full refund.
If you can't attend the class:
You’re welcome to send someone in your place.
OR
- A refund can be requested 14 days before class starts. Free of charge.
- A transfer can be requested 14 days before the class starts. Free of charge.
- A credit note can be requested 14 days before the class starts. Free of charge.
No changes will be allowed after these times.
We recommend the refund upgrade option upon checkout in case you’re not able to attend the class. Learn more about refund upgrade option.
Terms & Conditions
Bookings
Secure your booking by paying according to the terms and conditions.
Materials
Most courses have requirement lists and a materials fee payable to your tutor in class.
Location of Workshops
Most workshops will be held at the Hand Weavers and Spinners Guild at Brush Farm House, 19 Lawson St, Eastwood. There is parking behind the house. Public transport is by bus accessed from Eastwood or Parramatta stations.
Times
Participants should arrive 30 minutes prior to class commencing. The venue must be cleaned up within 30 minutes of class finishing.
Discounts on Workshops
Network Groups: For each course, one member may pay at the member’s rate on confirmation of their financial status by their group and its approval.
Knitters Guild NSW: We have a reciprocal arrangement with the Knitters Guild whereby their members may enroll at members’ prices and vice versa.