Gretchen Romey-Tanzer: Band Weaving with Inkle Looms and Rigid Heddles

Woven bands are a part of many weaving traditions.  Woven bands have been used to secure household goods, livestock, and used as decorations on ceremonial costumes.  Color often signifies social status or village alliance.  This workshop will focus on the Scandinavian tradition of inkle bands and pattern pick-up bands.

We will be using Inkle looms and small rigid heddles for our woven bands.   Participants will design a project with cotton fiber, using colors of their choice.  Each person will set up their own project and learn how to weave both simple and more complex pick-up patterns.

Weavers in the class should expect to weave a narrow band that can be used as a belt, a book mark, a dog leash or a decorative handle for a handmade bag.