Colour Handling in Spinning
Description
This class will equip you with the techniques and understanding you need to confidently approach those beautiful braids of hand-dyed fibre - the ones that are so tempting to buy, but that can be so intimidating to spin! Starting with a collection of specially spun samples, you'll discover just how many possibilities exist in a single colourway, with demonstrations of the techniques needed to make those possibilities a reality. You will engage in lively discussion, including brainstorming creative approaches to fibre from your stash. And you will leave with a detailed handbook of tips and techniques, ready to spin colour with confidence.
If you don't have anything in your stash, we will have some braids from Kathy's Fibres available for purchase on the day.
What you will learn
- Develop an understanding the colour possibilities in fibre.
- Plan the yarn you want to spin, with or without a project in mind.
- Explore the techniques that allow you to spin that yarn - including chain plying, fractal spinning, gradient spinning, variegate spinning, matching plies and more.
What you will get
- A detailed 20 page booklet, documenting all of the samples and techniques covered in the class.
- Confidence in approaching multicoloured braid of fibre in new and interesting ways.
- Lots of tips and techniques — those "oh, that will be really useful!" moments — with application to spinning in general, not just colour handling.
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
- Fibre from their own stash — something that has posed a colour challenge, or that might be particularly special — to discuss with the class and brainstorm an approach.
- The class is largely discussion/demonstration based, but students are welcome to bring a wheel/spindle and experiment with the techniques being explored, I will provide some fibre, students may wish to bring more — this is optional.
- Curiosity and imagination!
What to wear
No — anything goes!
Appropriate for
Some experience in spinning, a basic understanding of yarn construction (singles and ply) —Suitable for a range of experience levels in spinning. Beginners can learn tips and techniques to try going forward, more experienced spinners can take part in lively discussion, and consider new and different approaches to spinning with colour.
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
Francie is an experienced spinner, with a focus on spinning productively with Turkish-style spindles. In recent years she expanded her practice to weaving, developing a distinctive style with an emphasis on letting the handspun yarn shine. As an educator, Francie is enthusiastic, approachable and knowledgeable. She never stops learning, and is always working to integrate her understanding into an accessible framework - giving students the skills they need to explore on their own and continue their creative journey.
With a background in science she approaches her craft with an analytical mind and an appreciation for the history and knowledge upon which we build. However, she is also a great believer in the importance of free-flowing creative expression, and embracing the hand in handmade. In a world where mass-produced "perfection" is commonplace, we have so much to gain from interacting directly with unformed material, using our hands, eyes and mind to create genuine expressions of our perfectly imperfect self.
Francie has recently moved into teaching, bringing with her a background of teaching in an academic setting and years of developing her own unique textile practice. She has taught weaving and spinning workshops at local and interstate Fibre Festivals, including beginner spinning and weaving (with a focus on exploring creative techniques), and more advanced Colour-Handling and Turkish-Spindle Spinning. She has also taught multi-week weaving courses in her local community, which has led to multiple students taking up weaving as an ongoing passion (and now they want to learn to spin!).
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.