Where to Learn Indigenous Weaving Techniques

Remember that if you are going to become a skilled weaver in these techniques, you will need to dedicate considerable time over a period of years, and will probably study with several instructors.  We have listed instruction sources by state, and have included email addresses and web sites where available.  You may notice that Mary teaches Navajo techniques in Mesa, AZ. .  She would much prefer that this be done by a Navajo or in partnership with a Navajo instructor.  If you are a Navajo weaver willing to teach in Mesa, please contact us by email.

If you know of a source of instruction that you think should be added here, please email me with the information shown in the class listings.

Arizona

Where Offered	Class	Description	Instructor	Dates	Cost
Barbara Jean Teller Ornelas Navajo_weaver_diva@yahoo.com 4802 E. Copper Street Tucson, AZ 85712 520-327-3852 home 520-909-5281 celll Classes taught at Barbara's home in Tucson, AZ.	Small group Navajo weaving classes	Barabara will tailor the content of the class to her students.  Limited to four people.   Snacks and beverages will be provided on all class days.  Lunch will be provided on Friday and Saturday of each class.  Navajo Taco lunch on Sunday.	Barbara Jean Teller Ornelas, Diné	Session 1 : 4/11-4/13, 2008 Session 2: 4/25-4/27, 2008	Contact Barbara
Deschinny Weaving and Dyeing Workshops P.O. Box 4677, Window Rock, AZ 86515 deschinny@yahoo.com 505-979-6379 Classes on the Navajo Nation at Oak Springs, AZ	Traditional  Dyeing of Yarn	Learn to card and spin wool into yarn; Receive a copy of Isabel Deschinny's dye book, "NATIVE PLANT DYES, Series I: INTRODUCTION" (c) 1984 Pick and identify plants for dyeing; learn about mordants; learn about plant preparation; dye many colors of yarn using Navajo techniques; Learn about the conservation of plants. 1 day course at 8 hours/day: 8am-12pm & 1-5pm	Isabel M. Deschinny, Diné	Contact Mark Deschinny for 2008 schedule	$125 includes all plants, tools and supplies.
Deschinny Weaving and Dyeing Workshops P.O. Box 4677, Window Rock, AZ 86515 deschinny@yahoo.com 505-979-6379 Classes on the Navajo Nation at Oak Springs, AZ	Introduction to Navajo Weaving	Learn about the significance of Navajo Weaving; Learn to card, spin & process wool using traditional Navajo techniques; Learn to warp; Learn basic rug designs as blocks, borders and diagonals; Apply weaving techniques on traditional Navajo loom. 4 day course at 8 hours/day: 8am-12pm & 1-5pm	Isabel M. Deschinny,Diné	Contact Mark Deschinny for 2008 schedule	$340 includes supplies, use of loom and tools, $305 without supplies
Deschinny Weaving and Dyeing Workshops P.O. Box 4677, Window Rock, AZ 86515 ideschinny@frontiernet.net 928-871-5496 Classes on the Navajo Nation at Oak Springs, AZ	Advanced and Home Weaving	Isabel Myers-Deschinny teaches refresher classes of different aspects of Navajo weaving: threading the warp, putting warp on loom, weaving, designing, use of needles, counting warps & making heddles, 1/2 way, finishing, selvage cord use, etc..	Isabel M. Deschinny,Diné	Contact Mark Deschinny for 2008 schedule	$20 per hour for home weaving topics, $30 per hour for advanced weaving topics.
The Fiber Factory , 150 W Main St, Mesa, AZ  (480) 969-4346 yarn@fiberfactory.com	Beginning Navajo Weaving	Learn the basic techniques of this wonderful southwestern craft. You will learn to warp a Navajo loom, the basic weaving techniques of stripes, Coal Mine weave, Crystal weave, diagonals, and how to finish a Navajo rug. Looms are provided.* No experience is necessary.	Sharie Monsam Liz Munk Mary Walker	Sat., Feb. 16, Feb. 23, Mar. 8, 15 Mar. 4, 11, 18, 25, Apr. 8	$87 includes use of loom and tools.  Yarn is extra
The Fiber Factory , 150 W Main St, Mesa, AZ  (480) 969-4346 yarn@fiberfactory.com	Intermediate Navajo Weaving	This is a class for the intermediate to advanced in Navajo weaving. Come to the first class with your loom and a completed warping, for small looms, suggested size 24" x 36". You must be a graduate of the beginning class or have previous experience and have your own Navajo loom. Liz and Sharie are encouraging you to design your own rug; Liz will demonstrate wedge weave and raised outline.	Liz Munk	Mar. 8, 22, Apr. 5	$53 must have own loom and provide materials
The Fiber Factory , 150 W Main St, Mesa, AZ  (480) 969-4346 yarn@fiberfactory.com	Navajo Weaving Drop In	Monthly sessions for beginner/intermediate/advanced students	Sharie Monsam Mary Walker Liz Munk Terri Carefoot	First Saturday of every month	$16 per session, pre-register by Thursday before class.
The Fiber Factory , 150 W Main St, Mesa, AZ  (480) 969-4346 yarn@fiberfactory.com	Navajo Hip Spindle and Vegetal Dyeing	Learn to use the versatile hip spindle to make end twining and side selvage cords,  respin yarn to make it more suitable for your weaving projects and how to spin from roving or carded fiber.  Learn how vegetal dyeing is done on the Navajo Reservation today and try your hand with a Navajo tea or walnut hull dyebath	Mary Walker	March 29, 2007 and April 5	$45, includes use of spindle and wool
The Fiber Factory , 150 W Main St, Mesa, AZ  (480) 969-4346 yarn@fiberfactory.com	Weaving Navajo Miniatures	Learn about Navajo style weaving in a small format that you can take anywhere. You can work on a small loom made from art store stretcher bars or a picture frame. You can also purchase a C-Cactus Flower loom from the Fiber Factory. You’ll do everything that is done in the beginner classes, but you’ll do it in a smaller format. This class is an excellent introduction to Navajo techniques.	Sharie Monsam Mary Walker	Feb. 12, 19, 26 Mar. 15, 22, 29	$45 plus cost of yarn
Weaving in Beauty mary.walker@weavinginbeauty.com This class is taught on the Navajo Nation in Window Rock, AZ and the surrounding area.	Weaving in Beauty: A Textile Tour of the Navajo Nation	Intensive week-long combination class and textile tour for students of all levels of ability.  Limit of 10 students per session.  See the class web page for more information.	Jennie Slick, Diné Mary Walker	May 10-17, 2008 August 17-23, 2008 Oct 4-11, 2008	$550 includes use of loom and tools and three group meals
Weaving in Beauty Advanced Weaving Workshop mary.walker@weavinginbeauty.com This class is taught on the Navajo Nation in Window Rock, AZ and the surrounding area.	Weaving in Beauty Advanced Weaving Workshop	Six days of uninterrupted exploration of weaving techniques in the heart of the Navajo Nation. Explore advanced techniques with master weaver Jennie Slick.  Research resouces are available.  Please contact coordinator Mary Walker before you enroll in this class to get details on requirements for participation.   You must know Navajo weaving basics and must be able to warp your own loom without assistance.  We will help provide looms and equipment for your use.	Jennie Slick, Diné Mary Walker	August 9-14, 2008	$450 includes use a loom and tools
Weaving in Beauty Spinning Workshop mary.walker@weavinginbeauty.com This class is taught on the Navajo Nation in Window Rock, AZ and the surrounding area.	Weaving in Beauty: Natural Dye Retreat	Three day class in spinning the Navajo way.  Techniques taught by Mary Walker with demonstrations by Navajo spinners.  Field trip to Two Grey Hills.  Learn how the hip spindle is used to for respinning, edging cords and warp and weft yarns.    No previous spinning experience is required.	Mary Walker	August 11-13, 2008	$225 includes use of a hip spindle and wool samples; limit of eight students
Weaving in Beauty Natural Dye Retreat mary.walker@weavinginbeauty.com This class is taught on the Navajo Nation in Window Rock, AZ and the surrounding area.	Weaving in Beauty: Natural Dye Retreat	Spend three full days collecting dye plants and dye wool the Navajo way under the direction of Rose Dedman.  Tentatively, you will collect cliff rose, sage, rabbitbrush, Navajo tea and wild carrot.  Dyeing is done outdoors using a wood fire.	Rose Dedman, Diné Mary Walker	August 14-16, 2008	$225 with a limit of  8 participants

Where offered	Class	Description	Instructor	Dates	Cost
Foothill Weavers in the Navajo Tradition 4524 Las Encinitas Drive Fair Oaks, CA  95628 916/961-0477 ibweaving@sbcglobal.net Class taught at instructor's home near Sacramento, California	Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced Techniques and Design	Beginning weavers will learn to warp up and weave on a  traditional Navajo loom and create a small sampler.  Intermediate and advanced weavers will learn more complex vertical and diagonal design methods and techniques to plan and carry out intricate patterns.	Marilyn Greaves Mel Silva	February 29, March 1-2, Confernece of Northern California Handweavers, May 5-7, 2008	$250, Class fee includes everything the weaver  needs with the exception of a loom.  Intermediate and advanced students may attend for $40 per day. Various size looms are available for purchase or do-it-yourself plans are available upon request.
Idyllwild Arts Center P.O. Box 38 Idyllwild, CA 92549-0038 951-659-2171 ext  2365 summer@idyllwildarts.org	Beginning and Intermediate  Techniques and Design	Beginners: Students will learn the traditional method of Navajo weaving and will begin by learning how to prepare an upright Navajo-style loom for weaving. The majority of the week will be spent designing and learning how to weave a 16” x 24” rug. In order to complete the rug and learn how to finish the piece, it is recommended that students continue for the second week. Beginning weavers may enroll for the full two weeks or in the first week only. Intermediate: Students will learn more advanced weaving techniques and more intricate patterns, and the rug may be any size. Students who have begun a rug in this workshop in previous summers may bring their rugs to complete. Intermediate students (those who have taken this course before or have had previous basic training in Navajo weaving on an upright loom) may enroll for the full two weeks or in the second week only. Intermediate students must bring their own loom and it must be set up for weaving before class begins. If you wish to warp your loom, you must come the first session, even if you are a returning student.	Barbara Teller  Ornelas, Diné Lynda Teller Pete, Diné	Beginners: June 30-July 4, 2008 Intermediate: July 7-12, 2008	Tuition is $595 per week. Lab fee: $45 beginners (Includes warp and weft materials and the use of a loom and all tools in class. Looms, additional wool [6 skeins provided], battens and combs will be available for purchase). Intermediate students: no lab fee (wool and warp will be available for purchase)

Where offered	Class	Description	Instructor	Dates	Cost
Lynda Teller Pete ltellerpete@yahoo.com	Beginning and Intermediate Navajo Weaving	Lynda Teller Pete offers a class for beginning and intermediate students in the Denver area..  Beginning students will learn how to weaver a 12" x 16" rug.  A striped pattern is recommended, and the instructors will focus on weaving techniques.  Beginning students will use bulky weight wool, preferably Brown Sheep.  If desdired, the loom will be fully warped and set up.  Intermediate students will focus on geometric designs only, color combinations and may use worsted or sport weight wool.	Lynda Teller Pete, Diné	Lynda's March and April classes are full.  Contact her regarding her next class.	Contact Lynda
La Veta School of Crafts 105 W. Ryus Ave. La Veta, CO  81055 LVArtSchool@yahoo.com	Navajo Weaving	Refresh your creative spirit with the tranquil art of Navajo Weaving . While instructing and demonstrating, Lynda. a Master Navajo weaver , will share her personal stories and experiences , allowing participants to gain fascinat­ing insights into the ancient and contemporary worlds of Navajo weaving. Navajo his­tory , culture spirituality and weaving taboos will also be discussed along the way . Both beginning and intermediate students are welcome. All looms will be warped , weaving tools and weft yarn will be furnished..	Lynda Teller Pete, Diné	August 20-24, 2008	$375 includes the use of loom and tools.

Where offered	Class	Description	Instructor	Dates	Cost
Wild West Weaver wwweaver1@aol.com info@brookfieldcraftcenter.org Classes taught at Brookfield Craft Center,  Brookfield, CT.	Open to anyone with a warped loom and covers topics from beginning to weave to finishing.  Exploration of joining and edging techniques and specialized areas such as wedge weave.	Leslie Smith Jackson	Contact Leslie for next session	Contact Dee Wagner at Brookfield Craft Center  (203-775-4526) or Leslie at 203-431-5717.

New Mexico

Where Offered	Class	Description	Instructor	Dates	Cost
Table Mesa, NM Contact coordinator Judy Ness  at  judyness@uoregon.edu	Table Mesa Navajo Weaving Workshop	Per the workshop web page: "This is a workshop for all levels of weavers who wish to explore the Navajo weaving technique and experience the Navajo way of life. It is a privilege to attend. Participants will be given the opportunity to live and weave the Navajo way. Table Mesa is near the Four Corners area, 12 miles south of Shiprock, New Mexico, on the Navajo Reservation. Rustic camping involving anchored tents or your car, an outhouse and an outside shower stall (you provide the water and sun shower bag) makes this a workshop a roughing-it experience.. Resources such as water and electricity are limited. The weather can be unpredictable and extreme. A small hogan may be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. You will be on your own for breakfast and lunch and can bring a camping or hiking stove if you wish to cook those meals. Pets or family members are not invited. NO substance use of any kind is allowed; no alcohol or drugs. Patience and openness to learn something entirely new, with respect for the Natani family and the Navajo cultural heritage is a requirement for participation."	Sarah Natani,Diné	Pending for 2008	$340 includes workshop and materials fees $15 if you need to rent a loom $35-45 for evening meals, the group splits the total cost $150 deposit required by April 1, 2007, check made out to Sarah Natani Mail deposit to: Judy Ness, 351 E. 47th Ave, Eugene, OR 97405 (541-465-1236, judyness@uoregon.edu) Balance is collected first day of workshop. Check OK, cash is preferred.
Taos Wool Festival PO Box 2754, Taos, NM, 87571 info@taoswoolfestival.org	Various workshops of interest to people like us.	Warping, carding, spinning, weaving plus tour of working sheep ranch	Various instructors	TBA, Festival runs Oct 4-5, 2008	Consult the Festival Website in the spring
Weaving Southwest 216 B Paseo del Pueblo Norte Taos, NM 87571 505-758-0433 800-765-1272 kwhitneyh@hotmail.com	Navajo Weaving	This class is taught on Navajo style frame looms. These looms are a portable and simple in design. This is a slower way of weaving when compared to weaving on floor looms; however many weavers prefer the Navajo system over the European. Techniques taught in the three day class will include: warping a Navajo loom, designing and executing a tapestry including stripes, angles and vertical lines. If time allows students can delve into techniques such as blending, ojos, hatching and others. Tapestry techniques taught in this class are the same as those taught in Beginning Weaving and will transfer to weaving on floor looms.	Kimberly Hamill	Feb 29-Mar 2, 2008 Apr 18-20, 2008 May 23, 25, 2008 June 13-15, 2008 July 18-20, 2008	$350

•   Annotated Navajo Weaving Bibliography
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Please drop me a line.
mary.walker@weavinginbeauty.com