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April 14, 2023 - Fibers of our Future- Virtual Weaving Series
Register for a Virtual Learning Opportunity: Fibers of Our Future--Weaving Series
Explore your Sparks in art & STEM through three virtual sessions:
- May 9: Weaving Patterns
- May 16: Weaving Materials
- May 23: Weaving Light
Registration closes April 27 (or when the maximum number of participants is reached.)
Sessions are aimed at those 5th grade and up. They were developed by Helloloom! creator and professor of design at UW-Madison, Marianne Fairbanks; UW-Madison STEM outreach specialist, Tom Zinnen; and 4-H Program Educator in Eau Claire County, Rachel Hart-Brinson. Each session will build on the previous one, but you will have access to a recording to watch the ones you may have missed.
Supplies will be sent to you or your County’s Extension Office after registration closes April 27.
Thanks to a Baldwin Grant, there is no cost for this program
Session descriptions are below:
WEAVING PATTERNS
Learn how to weave using a small hand held loom! You will learn how to weave with multiple colors, explore patterns, and create a fun and colorful woven creation!
We will begin with a quick paper weaving to learn new patterns including plain weave, several twills, and basket weave. Students will learn the definition of warp and weft and how patterns are used to make the weaving balanced, warp faced, or weft faced. Once you weave these patterns you will notice them all around you in woven garments and upholstery fabrics.
Ultimately students are encouraged to play with pattern and color to see what combinations they can invent!
WEAVING MATERIALS
In this workshop we will focus on a wide range of materials that can be used to weave. These materials include cellulose yarns that come from plants including cotton, linen, hemp and more specialty materials like kudzu yarn. You will get your hands on yarns that come from animals as well, including silk, wool and mohair. Finally, there will be a range of synthetic materials to try including reflective yarns! Each of these yarns have different textures and properties that students can explore in their own woven designs.
WEAVING LIGHT-
Electroluminescent Wire
In this workshop, students will have the opportunity to weave light! Electroluminescent Wire or El wire produces a 360 degree unbroken line of visible light. Its thin diameter makes it flexible and ideal for use in weavings and on garments. Smart clothing, wearable technology, and wearable computing projects often involve the use of Electronic textiles or e-textiles. Students in this workshop will get to experience how to incorporate light into their own woven projects. We’ll discuss circuits and technology in textiles. The possibilities are endless!
