Study Groups

Study Groups provide an excellent way for members to become acquainted and share information. Some groups exchange swatches while in others members send in original articles, computer drafts and other short bits of information for their newsletters. There are groups who meet face to face but most communicate by mail and e-mail.

The Study Groups do have a chance to get together every other year at the Complex Weavers Seminars. What fun it is to finally meet your weaving pen pals in person!

Whether you are drawn to old weaving manuscripts, computer tools and drafting, math and weaving, medieval fabric and clothing, specific weave structures, bands and braids, drawloom weaving,  or weaving with fine threads, we have a group for you.

To learn more about a listed study group, please  contact the Coordinators with your questions. If there is not a group that deals with your interests, the Study Group Chair can work with you to start a new one. You are also welcome to borrow Study Group Notebooks through the Complex Weavers Library for your research and inspiration. Membership in Complex Weavers and a desire to learn and share are the only prerequisites.

When you join a study group your contributions will be kept in the library and will be available only to Complex Weavers members and only for their own private use.  Copyrights will be retained by the author.  Copyright law prohibits others from using the materials in teaching, weaving for sale, and publication without the express permission of the author. Download the complete Complex Weavers Study Group Copyright Policy and Guidelines for Sharing here. Read the policy online here.

Archaeological Textiles

Topics cover global textile history; prehistory to approximately 1700 CE.

Bateman Weaves

The group will continue its eighth year with Monograph 36: Bateman Blend Weaves

Beyond Plain Weave Garments

For those interested in weaving garment fabrics which are complex in nature. Samples and critiques twice a year.

Dimensional Texture

The Dimensional Texture study group has one common topic of study each year. This enables members to explore a single facet of dimensional structure in depth.

Double Weave

“Double Weave” is a study group with approximately 30 weavers. Most of the group describe themselves as intermediate level double weavers, the rest divide between beginners and advanced. Members of the group have looms from 4 – 16 to more shafts, although if 4 shafts are your maximum the options for double weave are limited. We are open and welcoming to weavers of all experience levels. All that’s required is enthusiasm!

Drawloom Explorations – Complex Weavers Drawloom Study Group

Meetings: We meet on Zoom, 4 times/year, on the first Monday of the meeting Month.

Early American Coverlets & Counterpanes

This study group is looking for weavers who are interested in research of 18th and 19th century American handwoven coverlets and counterpanes. The group researches both geometric and fancy coverlets. Activities include newsletters and draft and swatch exchanges.

Early Weaving Books and Manuscripts

A forum for those who love the challenge of early weaving drafts. Bimonthly newsletter, some with swatches.

Equipment Compendium (aka the Loom Geeks)

The Equipment Compendium study group will gather information about looms (past, present, and future) in order to understand the mechanical aspects of each device, possible uses, reuses, and adaptations, for repair and extension of equipment usage to extend the limits of complex weaving.

Fabric Design Challenges (Formerly known as Designing Fabrics)

A forum for weavers with an interest in non-structural aspects of fabric design.

Fine Threads

Weave a little finer than before for an October exchange of information and May sample exchange.

Inquisitive Drawloom Weavers

This group is intended for experienced weavers who have made the move from single harness to Drawloom weaving.

Kumihimo

To study braids and braid making. Samples to be exchanged once a year. All levels of expertise welcome

Ondulé Textiles ~ Weaving with a Fan Reed

A new Complex Weavers study group that will concentrate on use of a fan reed to obtain undulating warp threads.

Oscar Beriau Sampling Group

Participants weave two samples: exact reproductions of Beriau’s published drafts and a draft of their own creation based upon their assigned Beriau draft. Drafts will be provided for those without books. For publication. Samples due in August.

Preserving Our Past; Index and Scrapbook of 20th Century Handweavers

The initial focus of the group is name and information collection and the storage of that information. Information about weavers is welcome from all.

Sample Exchange the Old-Fashioned Way

Annual exchange of samples that can be woven on a treadle or table loom. No shaft restrictions.

Sixteens

Participants exchange one sample using 16 shafts each year. Membership is currently set at 25. Samples are due October 31.

Structure

A mentored group with a focus on weave structure.

Tied Weaves and Beyond

Created so weavers of Intermediate to Master skill levels can learn about and explore ways to expand and experiment with these versatile structures.

Twenty four, More or Less

Sample exchange once a year for 24 more or less shafts.