News about Frome Weavers Spinners and Dyers
Courses and events in 2020
Introduction to Weaving
Saturday Feb 29th 2020: 10.00 – 4.00
You will be using a 4-shaft table loom which will be warped and ready for you to start weaving straight away. You will weave a variety of patterns and will take home the resulting sampler together with the printed instructions.
The £75 fee will include all materials and tuition, plus written instructions, tea, coffee and biscuits. Please note that places are limited and are allocated on a first come, first served basis.
Thia course is now full. If you would like to be notified about when we are going to repeat this course later in the year, please register your interest by emailing fwsdevents@gmail.com.
Rigid Heddle Weaving for Beginners
Saturday 14th March 2020 10.00 – 4.00
You will be using a Rigid Heddle loom which is a simple 2-shaft table loom. You will learn to warp the loom and then weave with a variety of patterns, and will take home the resulting wall hanging/table mat together with the printed instructions.
The £75 fee will include all materials and tuition, plus written instructions, tea, coffee and biscuits. Please note that places are limited and are allocated on a first come, first served basis.
From Fleece to Fabric
Saturday 7th, 14th, 21st 28th March 10 – 1.00pm
Final session Saturday 4th April 10 – 4.30pm
This 5 week course is aimed at people who want to learn the basics of the weaving process, from raw fleece to a finished product, which will be a small wall hanging. During the first four sessions you will gradually be introduced to all the elements of the process and build up skills. The final session, which is longer, is to consolidate learning, finish your wall hanging and try out other more complex looms. On finishing the course you will have developed the skills to be able to create your own finished products.
Each session will usually be staffed by three mentors. The initial four sessions will include a demonstration element initially, though the bulk of the sessions will be hands-on learning.
The course fee is £175, payable in advance. This will include the cost of all necessary materials plus simple refreshments. Please bring a lunch to the final session. Please note, places are limited and allocated on a first come, first served basis.
Full details:
Session 1: Spinning. You will learn to use a loom and drop spindle to make yarn from prepared fleece
Session 2: Carding. You will learn how to prepare a fleece ready for spinning, then spin this, to create your yarn ready for session 3
Session 3: Dyeing. The different dyeing methods will be discussed and you will then dye your own yarn, taking the yarn home to dry before the next session.
Session 4: Weaving. You will learn how to warp up a tapestry loom then create a small wall hanging of your own design, incorporating your own prepared yarn with a wide range of other yarns available on the day.
Session 5. This is a full day, to give plenty of time for you to finish your wall hanging, revisit everything you have learned and experience the wide range of more sophisticated looms we have.
Open Day Saturday 18th April
A day for you to come and see what we do here and maybe have a go on some of our looms, talk to weavers and eat cake! Details to follow.
As part of the Frome Local History Festival, we will be holding the following events:
It’s all in the Spin
Saturday 9th May: 10 – 3.00
Come and have fun at our community event for all ages. Try your hand at spinning. Make a drop spindle and spin a yarn. Or bring your spinning wheel and join in. This will be a free drop-in event outside Frome Library, weather permitting.
It’s all in the Weave
Sunday 10 May: 10.00 – 4.00
Follow the rhythm of a thread as it weaves under and over. An introduction to free form weaving, exploring colour and texture on a loom which will be pre-warped with a dark cotton thread. Weave enough cloth to make yourself a small bag, a cushion or a table runner. No experience is necessary, as the looms will be ready for you to play and have fun.
The £75 fee will include all materials and tuition, tea, coffee and biscuits. Please note that places are limited and are allocated on a first come, first served basis.
Can we help?
If there is a particular area that you would like to have help with, contact us using the “events” email below, and we will see if we can assist you.
To apply for, or register your interest, in any courses or events, use the link below.
Six potential weavers at our Introduction to Weaving course
Our new premises
We are very grateful to Steiner Academy Frome for allowing us to use two of their classrooms over the last four years while they had spare capacity.
Our hunt for new premises has been long and difficult, but after months of uncertainty, we are delighted to have moved to our new premises. Our rooms are light and airy and will enable us to broaden our activities, including running some courses and workshops.
Successful grant application
We have recently been successful in obtaining a grant from Frome Society for Local Study. This has enabled us to buy six folding looms which are being used to run courses and workshops. We thank them for their interest and support in encouraging the continuation of a skill which is very much part of the history of Frome.
Ongoing activities
We continue to welcome new members, support beginners and run introductory courses. We also provide the chance for those with weaving experience to develop their craft on a range of equipment that they may not have room for at home.
Our plans for 2020, include an open day, more introductory courses, working with the Frome Museum on an event, being part of the Frome Heritage Festival in May as well as our usual sales and exhibitions. Watch this page for further details.
We welcome visits from anyone who would like to find out more.
