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Weaving - Mixed Ability - Introduction to Rigid Heddle Weaving

Course code: QSAV013P

Subject area: Homecrafts

Study level: Part Time

Course level:

Course details

Course time:

09:30 - 13:30

Days of week:

Saturday

Course date:

22nd Mar 2025 - 22nd Mar 2025

Course location:

Abingdon Campus

Contact details

Phone:

01235 555 585

This is an excellent course for those new to weaving. Rigid Heddle looms are a great choice as they are easy to warp up and new ones are relatively cheap to buy.
You will weave a sample on one which is set up for balanced weave (the type used for scarves). You will be able to weave patterns using two colours and will be shown other possibilities with these looms.

The looms will be set up with two colours in the warp so that you can experiment with weaving the weft in the same two colours in various sequences. A four-shaft loom will be available so that the tern “rigid heddle” can be explained. Rigid Heddle looms are designed to weave plain weave (over one warp thread and under the next. You will be shown how the warp can be manipulated to make other weave structures. You will also see a loom warped up with the warp further apart so that the warp is completely covered by the weft. This structure is used to weave pictures and rugs. A brief demonstration will be given of the method for warping up the loom.

• Set up looms using two colours to experiment with weaving the weft in various sequences. • Explain the term ‘Rigid heddle’ using a four-shaft loom • Manipulate the warp to make other weave structures • Explore the use of looms and warp techniques to weave pictures and rugs

Abingdon and Witney College is subject to Ofsted regulation and is required to work with all its students to make sure they understand Government initiatives around Safeguarding, Prevent and Fundamental British Values. Information on these matters will be shared with you during your course.

You will also be asked to complete monitoring paperwork, which helps us to deliver course content to the highest quality.

What next?
You could enrol for the course ‘Weave a Small Picture” on 14th June. Angela hopes to run a follow up course in 2025/26 where students can explore the possibilities of manipulating the warp. Visiting the Oxford Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers would provide an opportunity to find out more about the craft. Angela runs courses on weaving on a four-shaft loom at her home in East Hendred.
Entry criteria
No experience of weaving necessary.

Courses can fill fast, so please enrol early to avoid disappointment. Decisions on whether a course is to run are made two weeks prior to the start date - an email will be sent to you should there be changes to your course or if it is cancelled. Please check your inbox leading up to your course, including the junk folders. For anyone without an email account, our Admissions team will phone you instead.

For the first week of the course you will need to bring a valid form of identification; this includes passport, driving licence, debit/credit card, Birth Certificate or National Insurance card.

Please note - you should be 19 years old or over at 31st August 2024 prior to starting the course.

Fee information
Courses offered by the college are fully or partly funded by the Government and the published fee takes account of this funding.

Before starting a course, the College is required to check you meet conditions relating to that funding, e.g. age, residency status within the UK/EEA, prior qualification level and employment status. In some circumstances (such as with online enrolments), these checks can only be completed after you have enrolled and paid.

If you are unable to pay in full for this course at the time of enrolment, and the course tuition fee is £300 or more, an instalment plan is available. If this is your preference, please do not enrol online but rather call the Admissions Team on 01235 216400 to enrol.

Once enrolled, Admissions will take the first instalment payment from you and pass on your details to the Finance team who will email you to set-up your payment plan. Please return a fully completed instalment plan to Finance as failure to do so could result in being withdrawn from your course.

The rules on fee reduction are complicated, we would encourage you to talk to our Admissions Team on 01235 216400 to discuss these options. You can find more information on our Fees and Bursaries page - search "Fees and Bursaries" at the top of the page.

Course fees

19+ Fee:

Tuition Fee: £38.40

Exam Fee: £0.00

Total Cost: £38.40

19+ Reduced Fee:

Tuition Fee: £19.20

Exam Fee: £0.00

Total Cost: £19.20

Qualifications received
As this is a non-accredited course, there is no formal qualification. However, you will be asked to complete activities that demonstrate how you are progressing on your course.
Learning & method assessment
The main learning method is having a go and exploring the varied possibilities of weaving with two colours. The tutor will also do demonstrations and provide 1:1 support throughout the workshop. The tutor will provide short demonstrations and you will be able to work independently and in pairs. The tutor will observe your work and provide feedback. There will also be opportunities for self and peer assessments. To track your progress and achievement you will be required to complete a short document.