2025 Certificate of 8 Shaft Weaving

View 2021/2022 exhibition of students work

Prerequisites: 

This course builds on the skills and knowledge developed during the Handweavers and Spinners Guild Certificate of Four Shaft Weaving or Four Shaft Bridging Course, therefore these courses or equivalent experience in multishaft weaving are essential prerequisites. If in doubt, please discuss with the Guild - info@hwsgv.org.au

All students will have use of a table loom for the duration of the course but must supply their own warping board to use at home. Warping boards are available for purchase from the Guild. 

Course Content: 

The following structures explored on 4 shafts will be expanded onto 8 shafts; Twill, Double Weave, Summer and Winter and Lace weaves. New structures include Brocade, Damask, Damask Pick up, Deflected Double Weave and Pique. Finally, students will look at yarn, fibre and finishes, quantity calculations and costing in preparation for the design and production of an article using at least one of the structures in the course.

Exercises will be set for each topic with samples and notes presented in a folio to be assessed at the end of the course.

Note: This course does not carry accreditation, however participants are asked to undertake genuine commitment to completion of all topics and submission of a folio and final project.

Classes are held at the Handweavers and Spinners Guild on the first Sunday of the month and on the fifth Sunday of March, August and October. Class time is 9.30 to 4.00 with a 30 min lunch break. A fortnight after the face-to-face class there is a 1.5 hour Zoom review and Q & A session on a Sunday tie to be worked out with the tutor.

The tutor for the certificate is Jeanette Holkner.

Two of the samples are completed on the floor looms at the Guild. Students may work on these at any of the times the Guild is open. Currently the Guild is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 10am to 3pm.

Dates: Commencing by Introduction to the course on Zoom on 16th February 2025 - time to be advised

                     Feb 16                     Introduction to the course via Zoom

Class 1         March 2      Warp 1 Twill design and variations

                     March 16                 Zoom - Questions and clarification on the 3rd Sunday each                                                               month

Class 2         March 30                 Colour and Weave (on Floor Loom)

Class 3         April 6                      Brocade design and Waffle Weave

                     Easter Break

                     April 27                     Zoom

Class 4         May 4         Warp 2   Damask - Twill, Satin and Basketweave

                     May 18                     Zoom

Class 5        June 1                       Damask Pick up

                    June 15                     Zoom  

Class 6        July 6          Warp 3   6 Block Summer and Winter

                    July 20                       Zoom

Class 7        Aug 3          Warp 4    2 Block Double Weave

                    Aug 17                        Zoom

Class 8        Aug 31                        Deflected Double Weave (on Floor Loom)

Class 9        Sept 7                         Double Faced Twill

                    Sept 21                       Zoom

Class 10      Oct 5           Warp 5    Lace

                    Oct 19                         Zoom

Class 11      Nov 2           Warp 6    Pique

                    Nov 16                        Zoom

Class 12      Nov 30                        Project Design and Production

                    Dec 7                          Zoom – Questions and clarification

                                                       Project Consults during December by appointment

by Sunday    Feb 1, 2026               Final Project and Folio submission. Loom return.

Cost:

Members $1850.00  

General Public $2150.00

Members - Upfront deposit $650 required to book a place in the certificate course.

General Public -Upfront deposit $950.00 required to book a place in the certificate course.

Balance $1200.00 payable by 3x instalments of $400 due 1st April 1st July and 1st October 2025 Invoices will be sent out via PayPal.

The Guild's aim is to bring together those who practise handweaving, spinning and allied crafts and to help and encourage them to increase their knowledge, understanding and skills by discussion, demonstration, exhibition, teaching and the provision of quality resource materials.

Our Guild rooms house an excellent library and craft supply, sell members work and host a wonderful range of interest groups, classes and workshops.

We have members and affiliated groups throughout the state.

Come and join us!