Traditionally, weavers were responsible for more than just selecting yarns and weave structures, they were also responsible for creating the mechanisms on their looms to achieve their intended results. In this class students will gain in-depth knowledge about the core components of a traditional loom and the interplay between them that generate the character of a piece of cloth. We will then warp multiple looms to weave several different weave structures and each student will have the opportunity to rotate between the looms to compare how the different mechanisms function. The total number of looms is dependent on class enrollment, but at least one loom will be configured to shed in the following categories: counterbalance, countermarch, and multi-harness as listed below:
 
Counterbalance Shedding which may include:
Special Purpose Mounting with Pulleys
Counterbalance Mounting with Jacks
Damask Pulleys
Countermarch Shedding
Multi-Harness Shedding (Shaft Drawloom) which may include:
Back Harness Double Cloth
Back Harness Damask
 
An optional half-day field-trip to visit Justin Squizzero's workshop in Newbury, Vermont will allow students to learn more about Jacquard looms and card punching. 
 
Please note that students will leave this class with small samples of the various cloths woven, and not full-sized finished projects.
 
Prerequisite: Foundations, and a basic proficiency with the multiple-end warping, drawing-in, and counterbalance mounting assembly taught in Foundations which will only be minimally reviewed during this class.