Cathy Marquard Workshops

Beginning Rigid Heddle Weaving
Saturday, June 13th, 9am – 4pm
Cost: $75

If you want to start weaving with a very small investment and a lot of bang for your buck, this is the way to go.

Rigid heddle looms are light, portable and particularly suited for 2-harness weaves. Despite an almost toy-like appearance, beautiful fabrics can be woven. Students will learn how to plan a project, measure a warp, transfer it to the loom, and weave a sampler. Weaving techniques, patterns, and finishing ideas will also be presented.

No previous experience needed. Yarns are provided. Looms are available for use in the class at no extra charge. If you have a rigid heddle loom to work on, make sure you bring all the tools that came with your loom.

Socks to Dye For
Sunday, June 14th, 9am – 12pm
Cost: $45

Registration for this class is now closed.

If you’d like to learn how to dye yarns and cure them in the microwave, this is the class for you. Dyeing in the fabric, unlike dyeing a skein, produces a self-striping yarn with long or short repeats of color. These specially dyed yarns have infinite textile applications, including weaving, knitting, crocheting, and felting. Students will have the opportunity to dye yarn blanks intended for knitting matching (or not) socks. (Or mittens.)

In one short class you will gain the knowledge to dye your own yarn at home. Students have the option of purchasing and dyeing additional pre-knit blanks.

Nuno Felting
Taught by Cathy and Patty Bobonich

Sunday, June 14th, 1pm – 4pm
Cost: $55

Nuno felting is a Japanese fabric felting technique. It melds loose fibre, usually wool, into a sheer fabric such as silk gauze. This creates a lightweight felt that can totally cover the background fabric or be used as a single decorative design. The Nuno felting process is particularly suitable for fine garment making, since silk-backed felt ensures a stable felt that will not stretch out of shape like normal felt. Because it is lightweight and easy to manipulate it can also be dyed more readily than traditional felt. Other fabrics or open weaves can be used as the felting background, resulting in a wide range of textural effects and colors. Students will learn the basics and magic of Nuno by felting colored Merino wools into a pre-dyed scarf.

Materials included to complete one Nuno felted silk scarf. Students have the option of purchasing additional scarves & wool.

Cathy Marquard began knitting at the age of 9. Began weaving in 1980, and spinning in 1981. Attending NWRSA gatherings and SOAR, she has had the pleasure of taking classes and sharing information with many talented fiber artists. Cathy enjoys dyeing her own fibers and yarns, and then spinning, knitting, or felting them. She is a member of Gallery 16 in Great Falls where she displays and sells her fiber arts.