A VERY WARM WELCOME TO MY COMPLETE 9 MONTH COURSE - COVERING COLOUR BLENDNG AND SO MANY OTHER TECHNIQUES
WITH 35 HOURS OF VIDEO FILMING AND INFORMATIVE WRITTEN CONTENT - IT CREATES A UNIQUE LEARNING EXPERIENCE
COMPLETE WITH SUBTITLES IN YOUR CHOSEN LANGUAGE
We've laid the foundation (you have either taken my online beginner's class or an in-person workshop) and now it's time to get colour blending and creating beautiful works of art. This course is not just about blending though, we cover so many topics as listed below.
Hopefully you're here because you like the mini framed tapestry art I create. I want to share my journey with you and show you the exciting world of colour blending with multiple fine threads.
Why choose my course?
I am so proud of this course. It was an ambitious launch as I filmed each module without any practise. I came straight to camera with a design in my head/or a simple cartoon drawing. I have learned so much from teaching this and I am very proud of watching my students go from complete beginners to very competent weavers. My filming is very real and not edited.
I don't use complicated terminology or bombard you with too much technical information, which is common in books and online (and my beginner's course has taught you all the basics).
I initially launched these blending classes as a membership to let me to build up content whilst allowing early access to my students.
You will have links to the videos which can be kept on YouTube.
about Liz
I am a professional artist turned tapestry weaver. I started on this journey as I was no longer feeling passionate about painting. I have always loved sewing and design. When I tried tapestry it was a real 'wow' moment. I could now combine my skills. I really enjoy creating more realistic imagery with my yarns - using my drawing skills and colour blending with multiple strands of fine yarn.
I am based in Bbox Studios in the creative heart of Newcastle Upon Tyne.
My tapestry collection is currently being exhibited at the Biscuit Factory art gallery in Newcastle.
I also run 'in person' workshops from my studio.
What you will learn
There are over 35 hours of video learning plus written info/PDFs. That's a huge amount of content
We will jump straight into seascapes in our first 'starter' module. Note: this module is purposefully set up with a limited number of colours. This is to allow non-UK people to purchase yarn in a cost effective way. You can see if you like the colour blending journey before then investing in more colours.
We will start gently with graduated colour blending, before adding more advanced designs and objects of interest - like boats.
There are so many exercises to choose from:
- Starter Seascape module with a limited palette
- colour blending in gradients/multiple colours
- abstract works
- four selvedge/fringeless
- exposed warp play
- shapes and sheds
- meet and separate
- importance of pigtails
- twisting warp
- creating worms
- weaving side on
- importance of cartoons
Four selvedge weaving is a great technique to know about. If you have a Mirrix pocket loom (or equivalent) then I show you how to do it on these looms. I also show you how you can use a classic Mirrix to create the ancient method too.
I will be at your side as we take it step by step. I will create all the designs for you and you can download them as PDFs. I will show you how you can print these templates to scale.
Materials - as per the beginner's course but everything is itemised again for you. So it will be a loom, 6" and small tapestry needle, tapestry beater (kitchen fork), scissors, masking tape.
Looms - either a Mirrix Saffron, Chloe (either size) or a frame loom (like I've helped you make in my beginner's course. You would only need a Mirrix style loom for four selvedge weaving).
I want you to work at 8 ends per inch for the most success as I use 4 strands of fine yarn on my needle.
UK - you can purchase a Mirrix loom here
US - you can purchase my chosen Mirrix loom with materials here
(elsewhere you can click through to your country's supplier via the US website)
Weft/Warp - see full details below to get you started.
COURSE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS BELOW
Curriculum
- Yarn colours needed to start your seascape journey
- How to use the sections below/ability levels
- 1. Bookmark - let's learn to colour blend (beginner)
- 2. Blended seascape (beginner)
- 3. Seascape with curved ocean, hills and sun/clouds (beginner/intermediate)
- 4. Seascape with boat (beginner/intermediate)
- 5. A night scene with moon (an exercise inserting lines and simple meet & separate) - beginner
Warp and Weft
Following the Starter Module I let you choose your own colours to work from. Anyone In the world can do these classes as long as they can purchase fine 18/2 tapestry yarns in gradient colours. We want to aim to use 4 fine yarns on our tapestry needle. I recommend Weavers Bazaar yarns due to their amazing colour choice. They ship world-wide, including the US. However be mindful of the new tariffs coming in. Gist Yarn in the US is perfect for this course too.
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My teaching yarns are from UK based Weavers Bazaar. They are the £3.50 18/2 fine yarn 25g tubes. You can save some money by buying gradient packs in certain colour ranges.
If you are US based then you can either have Weavers Bazaar colours shipped to you or you can buy from Gist - their Array yarns come in the gradient colours also.
If you are in Australia you have these yarns to choose from in a huge 368 colours!! They are a perfect 18/2 fine yarn.
Warp: UK : I recommend the Liina Undyed Cotton Warp 18's from Weavers Bazaar. A/v in 250 or 500 g cones. Or George Weil 12/9 medium 8 epi warp.
For the US: I have a pack for everything you need from Mirrix (click here) as an option or please source a warp that wraps 8 times around one centimetre.
for Artful Threads
for Artful Threads
for my Beginner's Course
Is this course 'beginner' friendly?
This course is unfortunately not beginner friendly. Ideally you would have taken my one-off Foundation Course (or been to my in person workshop/have weaving experience) to learn the basics and understand how I work.
Can I get yarn discount from Weavers Bazaar?
I have been in touch with Weavers Bazaar. If you plan a long term tapestry journey then I suggest you join the British Tapestry Group or American Tapestry Alliance. It will entitle you to a 10% discount on all yarn orders. They will not give me a discount purely for this membership unfortunately.
Note: new yearly membership to the BTGroup commences 1 April 2025.
How do I navigate the Weavers Bazaar website?
A couple of you have struggled with the website. You need to go into 'Online store', Wool Yarn, Coloured Wool, Full Coloured Stock Range, Click on the required colour - then Select Fine 18/2, select Tube, then size (25g) and finally quantity.
If buying gradient packs you simply need to select the fine yarn option.