Check out the workshop descriptions below for current offerings. Note each workshop has different registration deadlines. Participants must complete the WWG Workshop Registration Form and mail it with a check for the designated amount to Whidbey Weavers Guild, c/o Erika Goldstein, Workshop co-chair, 4878 Salish Way, Langley, WA 98260
Please note that your spot is not secure until your full tuition amount has been received. If the workshop is full, you can be added to the waitlist. Non-Guild members may send inquiries via the contact form on our home page.
*NOTE: By registering for a workshop, please understand that you have made a financial commitment to the entire cost of the workshop. If you cancel and you are unable to find a replacement from either, first, the waiting list, or second, your own efforts, you will still owe the Guild the remaining cost of the workshop. Fairly, as we only break even on our workshops, this remaining amount should not be incurred by the other participants. If the workshop is cancelled participants will receive a full refund.
Workshop Co-chairs: Erika Goldstein and Jill Connell.
MINI WORKSHOPS are a way for members to share talents, mentor learning, and create community in a short, fun format. The instructor volunteers their time so the only cost to members is for supplies. Registration is available at Guild meetings. Contact Workshop Co-chairs to either volunteer to share your talents, or to sign up for a workshop.
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS see more info below
• pixeLoom training
• Basic Needle Felting
DO YOU KNOW OF LODGING OPTIONS?
If you have or know of lodging options for our workshop instructors please complete this form and bring to Erika at a meeting or mail to WWG c/o Erika Goldstein, 4878 Salish Way, Langley, WA 98260
BASIC NEEDLE-FELTING
March 7, 2025
Instructor: Kathleen Dodge-DeHaven
In this workshop, participants will learn or refine the basics of 3D and 2D needle-felting, completing at least three projects.
The Projects:
• Cookie Cutter Heart
• Acorns and leaves
• Rose Brooch
• Tiny String-jointed Cat, Bunny or Bear
Skills You’ll be Learning:
• How to handle felting needles safely
• Basic shapes with cookie cutter and free form shapes
• Neatening edges and smoothing surface
• Shopping for fiber/tools – what to look for
Supplies to Bring:
Magnifying readers for close work, if needed. Small curved-blade embroidery scissors or curved eyebrow scissors. Alternative is small straight-blade scissors.
Class Limit: 5-12 students
Location: Pacific Rim Institute
Time: 9:30 am – 4 pm
Workshop Fee: $20 – $48 depending on # of students.
Materials Fee: $30
Needles, pads, and cookie cutters, white and colored wool and other fibers from which to choose, plus decorative elements and findings will be provided.
Level: all levels
THIS CLASS HAS WAIT LIST.
INKLE LOOM Workshop #2
Saturday May 3, 2025
Horizontal Bar Pickup on an Inkle Loom
Instructor: Annie MacHale
The horizontal bar pickup technique is commonly used by indigenous weavers in North, Central and South America. We will look at woven samples to discover several variations on this technique and discuss charting methods. Students will warp their looms, and work with printed patterns to develop their own designs on the loom. Annie will share tips for warping, making heddles, fixing mistakes, starting and stopping, and keeping selvages straight. She will also demonstrate how to temporarily remove and replace the warp, as well as how to cut the final project off the loom and handle it when it is complete. As time and student interest allow, we can also explore a free online tool for creating patterns.
Class Limit: 12 students
Date: May 3, 2025
Location: Greenbank Progressive Club, 3090 Firehouse Rd
Time: 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
THIS CLASS HAS WAIT LIST.
Cost: Approx. $61 (12 students) to $91 (Min. 8 participants)
Materials fee: $5
Level: Experienced inkle weavers. Participants must be proficient at warping the inkle loom and be comfortable doing plain weave.
REGISTRATION FOR INKLE LOOM WORKSHOPS
• Each workshop can be registered for separately. ALL 3 HAVE WAIT LIST
• One registration form may be used to register for multiple workshops.
• Each workshop title you are registering for must be listed on registration form.
• $25 deposit for EACH workshop must accompany the registration form.
• Final workshop cost will depend on number of students in each.
Registration will be open to non-Guild members on March 15th.
Registration forms can be found at this link. Mail a completed form listing each workshop you want to attend with your non-refundable deposit(s) to Jill Connell, WWG Workshop Co-Chair, 1904 29th Place, Anacortes, WA 98221.
If you have questions contact Jill Connell via email or 206-604-6869.
FAQs about Inkle Weaving can be found at Annie MacHale’s blog.
INKLE LOOM Workshop #1
Friday May 2, 2025
Learn to Design Patterns & Weave on Inkle Loom
Instructor: Annie MacHale
In this workshop, students will learn the techniques and artistry of inkle weaving from someone with over 4 decades as an exclusive inkle loom weaver. Students will have the opportunity to look at samples and graphic aids to learn how to use elements of color theory and pattern design to create endless variations on their own. They will also learn two methods of creating patterns using a free online tool and a chart-paper method. They will then warp and weave the designs they create or ones supplied by the instructor.
Class Limit: 12 students
Date: May 2, 2025
Location: Greenbank Progressive Club, 3090 Firehouse Rd
Time: 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
Cost: Approx. $61 (12 participants) to $91 (Min. 8 participants)
Materials fee: $5
Level: Beginners. No prior inkle weaving experience is required.
THIS CLASS HAS WAIT LIST.
INKLE LOOM Workshop #3
Sunday May 4, 2025
Three-Color Pickup for Inkle Weaving
Instructor: Annie MacHale
For weavers who have already been doing speckled (or Baltic) pickup work, you will be amazed at how easy it is to add more color and complexity to your pattern motifs and create fantastic new ones. Unknown to most modern weavers, Three-Color Pickup is an older technique for which pattern books have not been readily available until now. To weave this variation, it’s very helpful to have a working knowledge of regular Baltic pickup.
First, we will look at samples and discuss what makes this different from the typical Baltic patterns. By viewing the samples, students will get an understanding of the difference between asymmetrical and symmetrical threadings as well as tips for choosing colors to make the patterns pop.
Students will then warp their looms and practice weaving various motifs using pattern charts supplied by the instructor. Annie will share tips for warping, making heddles, fixing mistakes, starting and stopping, and keeping selvages straight. She will also demonstrate how to temporarily remove and replace the warp, as well as how to cut the final project off the loom and handle it when it is complete. As time and student interest allow, we can also explore a free online tool for creating patterns.
Class Limit: 12 students
Date: May 4, 2025
Location: Greenbank Progressive Club, 3090 Firehouse Rd
Time: 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
Cost: Approx. $61 (12 participants) to $91 (Min. 8 participants)
Materials fee: $5
Level: Experienced inkle weavers. Participants must be proficient at warping the inkle loom and be comfortable doing plain weave
THIS CLASS HAS WAIT LIST.
Tablet Weaving Basics and Beyond
September 5 – 7, 2025
An in-depth review of tablet or card weaving.
Instructor: John Mullarkey
On Day one we will start with a basic history, and then cover drafting and designing threaded-in designs, setup, and basic weaving and finishing techniques. Day two we will learn the circular warp setup, discuss weaving with individual cards in packs, and learn about double-turn double-card diagonals. A deeper look at the mechanics of tablet weaving will be discussed. Day three we will explore double faced weaving techniques. This workshop is good for those looking for an in-depth look at basic and intermediate tablet weaving techniques and mechanics. No tablet weaving experience required, but this is a great workshop for those with experience who want to look deeper into this art.
Class Limit: 18 students
Date: Fri – Sun. Sept 5-7, 2025
Location: Pacific Rim Institute
Cost: $228 based (12 participants)
Materials Fee: $2
Level: Beginner to advanced, no weaving experience required.
Required Materials: Inkle style loom, 20 4-hole cards, belt shuttle, scissors, four balls or cones of 10/2 mercerized or unmercerized cotton or #10 crochet thread. Each ball should be at least 1 ounce. Two balls of one color and two balls of a different highly contrasting color.
Registration & $50 deposit must be received by June 1, 2025
