Weave a small tapestry using a nail frame with Justine Randall

Constructed and woven textiles

Ref: SLW31664

Location: West Dean
£466
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About this course

Discover the advantages, techniques and best methods to truly maximise the weaving potential of this portable mini loom. Practise a variety of warping methods to achieve different and varied results, experiment with shapes, three-dimensional effects, layering and twisting.

Course Description

Discover the unique and innovative ways you can get the most out of weaving on a nail frame. Explore and experiment with this small four selvedge loom to create work that expresses your individual creativity.

A nail frame is the perfect mini portable loom and can be used as both a sample frame to aid your larger tapestries or can be used as a small frame in its own right. This course will help you understand how you can get the most out of your frame.

Over the course of this three-day workshop, you will produce a variety of small experimental woven samples to help you understand a variety of warping techniques, including three-dimensional effects, twisted, shaped and supplementary warps.

Taking inspiration from West Dean Gardens, we will try knotting and wrapping, and we will combine and experiment with materials, textures and a variety of yarns to produce truly individual results.

We will be looking at examples of nail frame weaving from the tutor and also the work of artists, such as Sheila Hicks, Magdalena Abakanowicz, Peter Collingwood, Lenore Tawney, Ann Sutton and many others to help explain methods and application, and to inspire you in your own work.

This course is designed to be an enjoyable three days of experiment and creativity!

Timetable

Arrival Day - this is the first date listed above

Courses start early evening. Residential students to arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm.

6.45pm: Welcome, followed by dinner (included).

8 - 9pm: First teaching session, attendance is essential.

Daily timetable

Classes 9.15 - 5pm, lunch is included.

From 6.30pm: Dinner (included for residential students).

Evening working - students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with their tutor's permission and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.

Last day

Classes 9.15am - 3pm, lunch is included.

Residential students are to vacate their rooms by 10am please.

(This timetable is for courses of more than one day in length. The tutor may make slight variations)

Course Materials

Included

  • On this course, the College will supply some of the materials, including a nail frame for each student.

What students need to bring

  • An old fork or mini beater
  • Any yarn that you would like to weave with, i.e. wool, cotton, linen, paper yarn or strips, raffia, jute, sisal, string, plastic twine, nettle yarn, rovings, acrylic, rayon or fishing twine, coloured wire, strips of shiny or colourful paper, short lengths of yarn or butterfly bundles left over from other projects.
  • Shoelaces or leather strips
  • Plastic bags that can be sliced into strips
  • Coloured warps (if you have them)
  • This course uses small amounts of lots of different materials, so short lengths can be easily used, so there is no need to buy lots of expensive materials. Small quantities of coloured paper yarn, wool, cotton, linen, anything that can be incorporated into your weaving
  • Small sketchbook or small pad of paper, and some coloured pencils or crayons/pastels (for gaining inspiration in the garden)

Available to buy

  • Available from shop:
  • Small quantities of coloured paper yarn.
  • Available from tutor:
  • Small butterflies of yarn or warp for 50p each to supplement what you bring.

Additional information

Wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio, this includes stout covered footwear i.e. no open-toes or sandals. Safety boots, if specified.

Tutors

Justine Randall

Justine studied tapestry in the painting school at the Royal College of Art. She is the sessional tutor for Tapestry at Morley College Waterloo and teaches both traditional and experimental tapestry techniques. Her work is exhibited at Jagged Art Gallery in Marylebone and Paul Smith Albemarle Street.

Accommodation

Residential option available. Find out accommodation costs and how to book here.

Courses of interest

Further study options

Take the next step in your creative practice, with foundation level to Masters in Fine Art study. 

Depending on your experience, start with an Online Foundation Certificate in Art and Design (one year, part-time), a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design made up of 10 short courses taken over two years (part-time) or advance your learning with our BA (Hons) Art and Contemporary Craft: Materials, Making, and Place (six years part-time). All will help you develop core skills, find direction in your practice and build an impressive portfolio in preparation for artist opportunities or higher-level study. See all degree and diploma courses.