Navajo Weaving Workshop – Full

with Marilou Schultz

October 8-11, 2023

Waitlist Available – Please Contact [email protected] to be added to the waitlist

Join Marilou Schultz, a renowned Navajo weaver from Arizona, for four days in the beautiful Finger Lakes at the Folk Art Guild. Weave during the day in a beautiful fiber studio and enjoy the 300+ acres of nature that the Guild’s farm offers in your down time.

This class will introduce participants to an appreciation of Diné weaving by creating and weaving a small rug on a traditional upright loom. Diné weavings are internationally known for their unique designs and techniques using vegetal, natural, and aniline dyed handspun wool. Traditional preparations of wool – carding, spinning and dyeing – will be discussed when time permits. The Navajo culture, history of rugs, and way of life will be included in the instruction. There is no experience required for this four day class.

Day 1:
Introduction of class and beginning to weave

  • Go over materials and tools. NOTE: Looms will come pre-warped so students are able to begin weaving immediately
  • Discuss designs, colors, and plan for a design
  • Start the weaving process
  • Optional public lecture on weaving in the afternoon

Day 2:
Weaving, design, and troubleshooting

  • Demostration of how to weave strips with weaving interlocks in making vertical lines
    NOTE: those who want the challenge can start working with diagonals

Day 3:
Finishing a weaving project

  • Discuss weaving techniques and help students problem solve
  • Continue the weaving process – open topics for help
  • Problem solve with dips and hills in weavings
  • Demonstration of finishing a rug and taking it off the loom

Day 4:
Warping a loom

  • Finish rug and remove from loom
  • Warp loom so it is ready to take home and begin a new project

Materials included: Loom (about 20” high by 15”), dowels, warp, rope, and finishing needle

Students will bring the following: weaving batten, weaving comb, weaving yarn, and pillow to sit (more information will be provided upon registration with recommended sources for these items)

Classes will take place during the day and begin at 9:00 am. Times are subject to change, but will be communicated once finalized.

In order to create a more equitable and accessible learning environment and offer material support to marginalized groups in our communities, reduced fees are available to all self-identifying BIPOC students (Black/ Indigenous/ People of color) in this course. Three registration options are available, depending on need for lodging:

Commuter Package: includes workshop, optional public lecture and reception on Day 1, lunch and snacks each day, welcome dinner on evening of October 7 (BIPOC early bird $500/$575 after August 31; non BIPOC early bird pricing: $600/$675 after August 31)

Four Night Package: includes workshop; optional public lecture and reception on Day 1; breakfast, lunch, and snacks each day of the workshop; welcome dinner on evening of October 7; lodging for four nights (your choice of October 7-10 or 8-11) at the Folk Art Guild (BIPOC early bird pricing: $800/$875 after August 31; Non BIPOC early bird pricing: $900/$975 after August 31)

Five Night Package: includes workshop; optional public lecture and reception on Day 1; breakfast, lunch, and snacks each day of the workshop; welcome dinner on evening of October 7; lodging for five nights (October 7-11) at the Folk Art Guild (BIPOC early bird pricing: $875/$950 after August 31; Non-BIPOC early bird pricing: $975/$1,050 after August 31)

See more information about our lodging here. Contact [email protected] with any questions.