Rigid Heddle Exploration Club
Do you want to dive deep into rigid heddle weaving with a small group of like minded fiber enthusiasts? Do you want a new hobby and a new group of friends to obsess over it with? Do you like to learn at your own speed, but don't want to learn alone?
**A second Cohort of the Exploration Club will be starting in early 2025 (Jan or Feb). If you are interested in joining, contact me ASAP**
This is an idea that's been ambling around in my brain for a long time now, so I figured it was finally time to put it into action. I'm experimenting with a new way to teach weaving and I want to do it by building a community. This rigid heddle exploration club will run for at least six months. It's a great opportunity to learn with a small group and build up your weaving skills. YOU will set the curriculum to learn what you want, with full access to my studio, tools, yarns, dyes and more. I'll share all the knowledge I have, and anything I don't know we'll learn TOGETHER!
The Rigid Heddle Exploration Club will officially open on July 1st and will continue through the end of 2024. My hope is that it will grow into an ever evolving community and before the end of those six months we'll have new members who want to join, and alumni members who want to continue to learn and explore into the 2025 year and beyond.
Membership Cost: $320 - $520 sliding scale* per six month season.
Exploration Club Membership Benefits
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Six hours of private lessons you can schedule however/whenever you want, and a discounted rate if you want more hours beyond that.
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Bi-monthly drop in meet up events. Twice a month, you can come and weave in my studio with the rest of the group, learning new techniques and exploring together. We'll use this time to share what we're currently making, weave together and just hang out, and learn from each other.
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Studio favorite yarns! I'll sell you my favorite "rigid heddle approved" yarns by the ounce at discounted studio rates. No need to buy the whole cone, just pay for what you use.
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Access to my studio and tools. You'll also get discounted rental rates for rigid heddle looms and tools that you want to borrow.
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A private study-club chat room and email list where you can stay in touch with the other members.
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And more! Okay, yes, that sounds super cheesy but I'm still evolving the idea. If there's another benefit I can add for you that'll make it worth it, let me know!
*Sliding Scale Explanation: I'm confused, how much does it cost?
After calculating the costs, I have determined that the lowest price I can offer for this experience while still breaking even is $400 for the six month period. However, I want to make this opportunity as accessible as I can, so I have decided to offer it on a sliding scale. If you can only afford the lowest price on the scale, I still want to teach you no questions asked. Those who can contribute more will help offset the costs for others. Hopefully, this will balance out in the end and allow me to keep offering the class in the future. This is a developing idea that I hope will evolve as we grow together. If you are interested in the club but unable to afford the scholarship level price, please reach out to me to discuss potential alternatives.
Example Syllabus
These tracks aren't set in stone, and you don't have to follow them. But they are here to give you an idea of what someone like you might learn in the six months of club participation based on your starting skill level.
No matter where you begin, my goal at the end of six months in the Rigid Heddle Exploration Club is that you can be fully confident with your loom. You'll be excited to continue exploring everything the world of weaving has to offer and have a core community of friends to continue learning and sharing with. Alumni members of the club will continue to get perks at my studio, as I hope for the club to continue evolving and growing.
New Weaver TrackYou've never touched a loom before, but you're ready to dive in! If you don't own your own loom, you can rent one (plus all the necessary tools and accessories) for $25/month. |
Beginning Weaver TrackYou've taken at least one weaving class before, but it was a long time ago or on a different style of loom. You're not confident in warping your loom on your own. |
Intermediate/Advanced Weaver TrackYou already know the basics of weaving, but maybe you've been feeling stuck or uninspired. |
Months 1 & 2 |
Months 1 & 2 |
Months 1 & 2 |
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If you're totally unfamiliar with weaving, we'll start with a 4-hour introductory private lesson. You'll learn all the basics of weaving while creating a first project (a scarf, or pair of kitchen towels.) We'll go over how to plan a project, prepare your loom, and all the tips and tricks that make weaving a joy. |
Our first goal together will be to get you confident in warping your loom on your own. I'd recommend you spend your first 3-4 hours of private lessons with me in getting a refresher in how to plan a project and prepare your loom for success. |
We'll start with a 1 on 1 consultation talking about what you've made before and what might be holding you back in trying something new. Are you interested in advanced structure techniques like twill or double weave that use two heddles? |
Months 3 & 4
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Months 3 & 4
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Months 3 & 4
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| Are you ready to show off your first projects to the other members at drop-in hours? What do you want to learn next? Kelly will be there to help you plan your next projects and guide some gentle experimenting on your loom. Maybe you'll want to try some hand manipulation techniques to create lace. Or maybe you'll move in the direction of wall tapestries and get creative with texture. If you're ready to buy your own loom, Kelly can help you evaluate the different loom companies and find the loom that best fits your needs. | By now you'll be feeling more confident on your loom and ought to be ready to start experimenting with different techniques. Have you used a pick up stick before? What about trying out some hand manipulation techniques? Maybe you've been inspired by other members at the drop-in hours. Maybe you use some private lesson time with Kelly to plan a project that would expand your skills. | Maybe it's time to start thinking about how you can combine multiple techniques to get complex and unique results. Are you into color? Ask Kelly about dyeing and painting your warp. Are you into texture? Ask Kelly about all the different yarns and fibers she likes weaving with. What is your own artistic voice and style? How can you create things that are unique to you? |
Months 5 & 6
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Months 5 & 6
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Months 5 & 6
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| By now you've probably created three or four finished pieces and are feeling pretty confident in warping your loom on your own. You might be ready to explore some more complex techniques. Maybe you use your final two hours of private lessons to plan a project that uses pickup sticks to create a more complex woven structure. Or maybe you'll want to explore painting and dyed to add unique color to your work. | What's something new you've never tried? Have you painted on your loom? Have you woven with two heddles? Have you tried tapestry techniques? Have you considered sewing with your handwoven fabric? Try something new with guidance and help! You don't have to do it alone, you've got someone to help lead the way. | It's time to show off what you've been making! Are you using what you made in your daily life? Are you proud to hang it on the walls of your office or bedroom? Maybe you want to start discussing with Kelly what to do with your work. You could arrange a private lesson in how to sew with your handwoven fabric, or how to display it professionally. |
Join the Rigid Heddle Exploration Club
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Rigid Heddle Exploration Club Season Pass
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- Regular price
- $320.00 - $520.00
- Sale price
- $320.00 - $520.00
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Frequently Asked Questions
Have a question that's not covered here? Just contact me and we can go over everything you want to know!
Learning to weave on a rigid heddle loom is fun and easy! This style of loom is a lot smaller and less complicated than floor looms and so is much easier to pick up. But it also allows you to weave larger and more complicated pieces than a frame loom, and more quickly!
On a rigid heddle loom you can weave scarves, kitchen towels, place mats and table runners, fabric for pillows or curtains, and even wall hangings. Your imagination is the limit!
None! Are you a true beginner who's never touched a loom before? Great, I'd love to teach you! Are you an experienced weaver who wants help leveling up new techniques, or just wants a social circle who shares your interests? Awesome, come join us!
No, you do not need to own your own loom or have your own tools. I have several looms available for students on a first come first serve business.
The schedule for drop-in studio hours will shift depending on when works best for everyone in the Exploration Club. Most likely there will be one weekday evening session and one weekend daytime session each month.