new workshops

Hello everyone,

I will be teaching two workshops this spring in the new Meeting Room at the Cowichan Exhibition Grounds (Exhibition Park at the Mays Road/Trans Canada intersection just north of North Cowichan's Municipal Hall). Below are the descriptions of the workshops (attached are pictures of the two techniques). If you'd like to take one or both sessions or if you have questions about either class, please get in touch with me. Note the registration deadlines for each workshop.

Alison
(250) 746-6330

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EIGHT 'N' EIGHT KUMIHIMO - Saturday, April 9, 2011

Eight light threads and eight dark threads. Discover why this pairing is the perfect combination for so many great geometric patterns for the 'Kongo Gumi' braid -- that's the beautiful round braid most people think of when they see the word 'Kumihimo'. To begin with, I'll walk you through the basic 'up, down, turn' braiding motion with just eight threads. When another eight are added and you're introduced to my Diamond Grid system, you'll understand why there might be no end to the number of designs you can create when you put 8 and 8 together!

Length of class: 1 day (9:30 to 4:30 with an hour break for lunch)
Date of class: Saturday, April 9, 2011
Location: Meeting room at the new Cowichan Exhibition grounds (at Mays Road intersection on Trans Canada Highway)
Cost of class: $40. This includes a braiding kit (braiding card, cotton yarns, and braiding weight) plus handouts.

Registration deadline: Friday, March 4, 2011. A cheque made out to 'Alison Irwin' can be sent to me at 383 Arbutus Avenue, Duncan, BC V9L 5X6. Please include your name, mailing address, and contact information.

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INKLE LOOM LESSON - Saturday, May 7, 2011

Do you have an inkle loom but don't know how to use it? Learn how in this great class for beginners. Discover how to tie heddles for it, how to put on a warp, and how to weave and finish a narrow band. What can you weave on these great little looms? Hat bands, ribbons, bookmarks, shoe laces, straps for bags, trim for clothing...these are just a few of the projects possible!

Come to class with a naked inkle loom (make sure all of its pegs are smooth and secure) OR borrow one of mine. All of the linen and variegated cotton yarns for this class are supplied.

Length of class: 1 day (9:30 to 4:30 with an hour break for lunch)
Date of class: Saturday, May 7, 2011
Location: Meeting room at the new Cowichan Exhibition grounds
Cost of class: $40. This includes the heddle yarns, warp and weft yarns, plus handouts.

Registration deadline: Friday, April 1, 2011. A cheque made out to 'Alison Irwin' can be sent to me at 383 Arbutus Avenue, Duncan, BC V9L 5X6. Please include your name, mailing address, contact information, and if you wish to borrow a loom.