Woven fabric braids- An Introduction - The Crossing Church and Centre - Adult Learning

The Crossing Church & Centre, Worksop

Date	8 November - 13 December 2022
Sessions	Tuesdays: 1:30pm - 3:30pm
No. sessions	6
Venue	The Crossing Church & Centre, Worksop View venue details View on Google Maps
For ages	19+
Group size	5 - 10
Cost	FREE - £36

About this course

This course is for anyone with an interest in weaving braids and bands using yarn and simple equipment. Creating woven braids in these ways adds good skills and techniques for anyone who already works with textiles (e.g. sewing, knitting or crochet), however, no previous experience is necessary, simply a desire to learn. The course will give beginners and more experienced makers a range of creative skills that can be explored and developed.

We will cover simple braid weaving techniques in this course, which allow braids to be woven using simple and portable equipment rather than complicated looms. We will start with simple techniques and will expand on this to look at other techniques over our weeks together. The technique we'll cover that uses the most equipment is that of backstrap weaving using a rigid heddle, and for this we'll look at how to design the colours and patterns of the braids woven.

We'll work with a range of different yarns (wool, cotton, linen, synthetic) and will discuss what yarns work well and why. The braids woven may be colourful, thin, round, flat, short or long, and can be used for all manner of things afterwards. We will work with different ways to finish the ends of braids that have been woven in class, and we'll also cover hints and tips from weaving disciplines.

We will look at more complex types of braid weaving, as examples of what might be of interest for future exploration.

All materials will be provided.

What will learners achieve by the end of the course? What are your learning outcomes?

• confidently creating woven braids using several techniques

• making braids using different numbers of threads and different colour combinations

• knowledge of ways to finish the ends of braids

• experience of designing the colours of a braid, and of setting up a warp using these colours

• confidence in creating something unique

• an understanding of weaving terminology and tips as they apply to braid weaving

• insight and understanding of what yarns work well, and how to select appropriate yarns

• an appreciation of more complex techniques from traditional cultures around the world

• knowledge of where to source yarns, tools and equipment for future braid weaving

• having the resources and knowledge to take the skill further

Learners should bring:

• an apron or tea towel

• scissors

• something to write with

• reading glasses if you need them

Booking your place and fee information

If you are in receipt of certain benefits you will be offered the course for free, however if you have a financial barrier which may prevent you from enrolling on the course please visit our webpage for further information https://www.inspireculture.org.uk/skills-learning/funding-your-courses/

To secure your place on the course BOTH the following must be done:

Complete the EVENTBRITE BOOKING.
Complete our INSPIRE ONLINE ENROLMENT FORM for each person attending the course.

You should be redirected to the Inspire Online Enrolment Form after completing the Eventbrite booking. If you are not redirected, please use the link supplied in the Eventbrite booking confirmation email.

To book and enrol on one of our courses, you must have been living in England and have been resident in the UK for the past 3 years.

Some exceptions may apply if you are living in England with evidence of the right to remain and are from an EEU/EEAU country (completion of a questionnaire will be required).

As we no longer receive funding for our ESFA-funded courses for learners living in the devolved areas listed below, full cost fees would apply to these courses if you live in these areas: