Weave a Wall Hanging on a Table Loom
Breathing new creative life into a traditional craft.
Course overview
Come and spend two days immersed in weave and textiles, learning how to make cloth on a loom using gorgeous naturally dyed yarns. This two-day course will introduce you to weave techniques and is suitable for all levels, from complete beginner to creative maker wanting to expand their practice.
Based in our professional weave facilities, using top quality equipment and supported by an experienced textile designer you will create your own custom-designed wall hanging to take away with you.
Tuition fees per individual: £250
Location: Fashion & Textiles Institute, Penryn Campus
See course dates below that are available to book.
Upcoming Short Courses
If no upcoming Short Courses are displayed above, get in touch with us for more information.
Apart from our Short Courses for 14-17 Year Olds, all of our Short Courses are for adults 18+.
Course details
This is a two day creative and practical exploration of how to weave cloth on a loom, led by our senior weave technician Wendy Kotenko. Wendy is a practicing textile designer, creating limited production functional textile pieces using mainly natural yarns and winning awards for her woven textiles for interiors.
You’ll work on our professional table-looms, using sustainable naturally dyed yarns that Wendy has prepared in advance. Bring your creative ideas and prepare to get hands-on straightaway as Wendy teaches you to make warps and dress your loom ready for weaving.
You’ll be taught about basic weave structures and will be introduced to techniques that you can use such as tapestry, looping, wrapping, and tassels.
There will be plenty of time for creative play, giving you a chance to experiment with colour and design ideas. Once you have settled on a design, you will be supported to make a final piece and put it together into a one-off wall hanging which you can take away with you, along with any samples you have made during the course.
Tea and coffee are provided each day, along with all materials you’ll need for this course. Please bring a packed lunch with you.
Day 1: After tea, coffee and introductions, Wendy will start by teaching you how to make warps and to set up and dress your loom. You’ll be introduced to various weave techniques and will have time to start to have a play around with colours and experiment with ideas for your design. By the end of the first day you’ll have learned the basic techniques and have settled on a design for your final piece.
Day 2: Our second day will be all about weaving your wall hanging. Wendy will support you to use all the techniques you have learned on the first day to weave your design, finish the ends, and tie in any embellishments. The course will end with a review of everyone’s work and a chance to share learnings. You’ll take your final piece home with you, along with any sample pieces from the first day.
Course Leader: Wendy Kotenko
Wendy Kotenko is senior technician for weave on the textile design programme. She has an MA in Textile Design, specializing in weave. Wendys MA study included a one year exchange to Okinawa prefectural University of Arts in Japan. Research in Japan included traditional hand weaving in Okinawa, the native natural dyes of Okinawa and the use of paper and the native Ramie plant fibre for weaving.
Read moreHow you'll learn
This is a practical course where you will get hands-on at every stage, from making your warp through to finishing your final piece. Wendy is an experienced teacher who will guide you through the techniques required. The course is taught in a small group so there’s time for individual attention.
Who is this course for
This course is for anyone with an interest in learning how to weave cloth on a loom, using naturally dyed cotton and wool. You might be a complete beginner with no prior experience, or you might be an existing maker who wants to experiment with design ideas using our professional table-looms supported by Wendy. All levels are welcome.
This weave course will be a creative exploration of how to weave cloth on a loom. Wendy is a very experienced teacher and a practicing (and award winning!) textile designer so you will be well supported, even as a complete beginner to weaving. Expect to be guided through each stage of the preparation but also to have time to experiment and play with colour and design ideas.
Please find a breakdown of timings for each day below:
Arrival: 9.30am (welcome and refreshments)
Morning session: 10am – 12.30pm
Lunch: 12.30 – 1.30pm (please bring a packed lunch, or visit our café)
Afternoon session: 2pm – 4.30/5pm
All materials you will need for this course are provided. You may want to bring a reusable water bottle with you and anything else you need to feel comfortable during the course. Don’t forget to bring a packed lunch with you.
All materials you will need are included in the course fee, along with tea and coffee during the day. You’ll leave with your finished wall hanging.
Tea/coffee is included, with all diets catered for. Please note: lunch is not included in the course cost, we recommend bringing a packed lunch or visiting our on-campus café.
This course is taught in our lovely light weave studio at the Fashion and Textiles Institute, on our Penryn campus.
There is plenty of parking available on our Penryn campus and you can also reach us via a range of public transport options. Visit our Penryn campus page to find out more.
For campus maps and information on visiting us, please visit our How to find us page.
No previous experience is needed. All levels are welcome - this course is suitable for complete beginners interested in textiles and looking to try out weaving, and also for creative makers who may have some experience but do not have access to looms and want to test out textile design ideas. You will progress at your own pace, supported by Wendy.
Accommodation is not included in this course cost. If you would like to book accommodation, please see our accommodation for short course students page for a range of options.
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