Introduction to Sprang

Skill Level

Beginner

Required Skills:

  • Good finger dexterity, reasonable eyesight

Class Length

  • 2.5 Days
  • Friday: 9 am to 12 pm; 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm
  • Saturday: 9 am to 12 pm; 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm
  • Sunday: 9 am to 12 pm

Description

Sprang is a very adaptable technique to create stretch cloth, and appears repeatedly in human history, from the Bronze Age onward. Learn the basic "stitch" and then see how it can be shaped to create diverse garments.

We begin with the basic stitch on a pre-warped frame to create an elastic cloth. Your fingers manipulate threads to make the stitch. Discover ways to identify irregularities and use them as design elements. Explore finishing methods as you transform the piece into a small bag or hat. Practice methods to set up a warp from scratch. Studying further, we discuss topics such as circular warp and multicolored warps, lace techniques, and ways to shape your piece, creating items such as vests, mittens, socks, scarves, and leggings.

Fees

Registration Fee $450 for members, $525 for all others
Materials Fee $50

Materials Fee includes: pre-warped frame, materials for several projects, shed sticks, safety strings, spring clips, yarn, instruction sheets

Students to Bring

  • Pencil and paper for notes
  • Glasses if needed to read the newspaper

Instructor Bio

Carol James

Carol James has been exploring low-tech textile methods for more than 30 years focusing on the low-tech highly transportable fingerweaving and sprang. To increase her knowledge she has examined items in collections across the US and Europe, and is known for her skill in replicating these historic textiles. She has also created modern garments deemed worthy of the Handweavers Guild of America fashion show. Carol has taught in Canada, the US, Europe, and New Zealand. Students describe her as patient, knowledgeable, and passionate. She spent her COVID time charting sprang lace designs and writing patterns, and is author of numerous articles, 4 books, and 2 instructional DVDs.

Gallery

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