Designing Fabrics Study Group

Just wanted to let you all know that I’ve started up a new study group within Complex Weavers, the Designing Fabrics Study Group.  There’s more information on the website, but here’s the gist of it:

The Designing Fabrics Study Group focuses on non-structural aspects of fabric design. This covers many possibilities: color, texture, yarn size, fiber type, sett, wet-finishing, etc. and is meant to refine the members’ understanding of fabric design, and (through the sample and article exchange) allow members to see more design variations than they would likely weave themselves.

The Designing Fabrics Study Group welcomes weavers of all levels of experience and with any kind of loom ““ from rigid heddle to jacquard. If you are interested in designing your own fabric and expanding your knowledge of fabric design ““ this group is for you.

The Designing Fabrics Study Group has its own Yahoo Group, where members can share information about aspects of fabric design ““sharing their current work, asking questions, and generally discussing anything related to fabric design. It is hoped that an active and lively discussion of fabric design will take place on the group.

Articles will be exchanged online twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall. Members can opt whether to be part of the spring or the fall exchange (or both!). Each member must submit one article per year, in either the spring or fall exchange. Members who have not participated for one year will be dropped from the group, unless there are extenuating circumstances.

Articles should be about an aspect of fabric design ““ color, texture, yarn size, fiber type, sett, wet-finishing (and many other possibilities) and should be accompanied by a photo or scan of a woven sample that illustrates that aspect of fabric design. Include information on why you chose to design your fabric the way you did, what you liked, and what you’d do differently next time, as well as information on the yarns, draft, sett, etc. used.

Articles will be shared electronically for all members, with the option of a physical sample exchange for those who want to see physical samples.

If this interests you, drop me an email (tien at tienchiu dot com) and get in touch!  We have several members already, and I expect more to join soon.  I’d love a large group with lively discussion on many aspects of fabric design – the more, the merrier!

(You do have to be a member of Complex Weavers in order to participate – but it’s not expensive, and comes with a lot of benefits from a great organization – check out the website for more details!)