Connect with the seasonal plants around you through exploration of the art of weaving.
This three hour led workshop will take you on an introductory foraging walk of local surroundings, and instruct you in the practice of weaving. You will create a number of textile art pieces that reflect the environment and season you are in.
Images: 1. Freshly foraged materials from nature, including branches, grasses and flowers; 2. Weaving options including a freehand weave, cardboard loom, branch loom, and experimental branch loom.
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Time: 3 hour session
Cost: £40 (plus, see pay it forward + friend tickets)
Date: Sunday 14th April 2024. 2pm-5pm.
Location: Meet at Hackney Wick overground station. Session will be led in The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park/Hackney Marshes.
Group size: maximum 8 -
⇾ What weaving is
⇾ Appropriate materials and equipment for this practice
⇾ Various methods of creating a loom from scratch, along with how to warp a traditional lap loom
⇾ Techniques involved in weaving, and specifically those using nature’s materials
⇾ Seasonal plant signs and introduction to plants found within and around the session area
⇾ Foraging best practice and safety considerations -
⇾ Guidance on the art and function of weaving
⇾ All finished works are yours to keep
⇾ All required loaned tools and additional materials (snips, secateurs, loom, sundry materials, gloves)
⇾ An insight and built connection with the local environment and seasonal planting
⇾ Herbal teas as refreshment
⇾ A follow-up PDF guide with all covered information and additional resources
Images: A couple of workshops held along the Parkland Walk and into Queen’s Wood (Highgate) in 2022, highlighting the variety of nature’s materials to forage and weave in cardboard and branch looms.
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Meeting at Hackney Wick overground station, we’ll take a stroll along the River Lea towpath towards Hackney Marshes to our session spot. This essentially takes as long as the group dynamic prefers, but I benchmark around one hour to give opportunity to truly notice and reflect on the surroundings. In situ, you’ll first be introduced to foraging guidelines and best practice.
We’ll come to a pre-chosen place (close to toilets and café!) where some time will be spent introducing you to weaving and appropriate materials.
You will then have the remainder of the time to explore and forage materials for your woven nature creations. There will be opportunity to create various options, all shown by instruction, and dependent on your wants for the session. All works are yours to keep. Materials will be provided, and inspiration will be given to help you in presenting and storing your work.Once the session has finished, we’ll part ways at the main area, so we won’t finish where we started. Either retrace your walk back to Hackney Wick Overground, or head to Stratford. If you are cycling and would prefer to have your bike close to the finish, please email me and I can give you detailed location information.
Note: if the weather is ok enough for foraging, but bad enough to sit outside, I may make the decision to book an indoor space for the creative part. You’ll still receive the benefit of nature and all the workshop guidance, and you will be updated in due course whether this needs to happen.
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Please note, this is not a fabric weaving session. We will be using materials on offer by nature, for instance grass stems and leaves, to build up a woven piece, but it will not be functional in the usual textile sense.
You will be guided through various weaving options, including techniques to create your own looms, and then the time is yours to use in exploration, with on-hand support.We will cover:
⇾ A simple cardboard loom
⇾ Experimental branch loom
⇾ Rectangle branch frame loom
⇾ Freehand weaving
⇾ Traditional ready-made lap loom -
You will receive a confirmation email with location details and reminders of all of this information.
*I operate a Buy-One-Give-One model. This means that you can purchase an additional ticket to support someone on low income or referred through an art therapy route. You can simply purchase a ‘buy-one-give-one’ ticket, or make a donation that will be used towards a full ticket cost for future use by someone.
Images: An example of a branch loom, example of how to start off a freehand weave, a spontaneous branch loom, and a traditional wooden lap loom weave using nature’s materials.
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This session does involve walking to the main session location, however, the route will be accessible for wheelchair users. There could be some uneven ground due to the towpath and park paths.
The usual gathering place offers concrete seating and a grassy field, but you are suggested to bring a camping chair or stool if you have one, or otherwise please bring a blanket or pad to increase the comfort. I’ll have a blanket with me to put on the ground.
Dexterity is required to get the most out of weaving, however, there are weave options with wider spacing to aid in the movement so support can be given.
Foraging does require dexterity and some bending or reaching. I will be available to guide and give support with this, along with providing tools i.e. snips. If you have specific hand tools you like to use for gardening, please bring them along. I will endeavour to find suitable spots that will support your enjoyment of the practice of foraging.
Gardening gloves will be provided to allow you to forage safely. They are cotton and rubber. I’ll also have nitrile gloves. If you have your own, or have specific textile allergies, please do bring them to aid in your comfort.
The session will be completed in English. If you are hearing impaired, you are welcome to attend; I will be able to practically show you the art and can give you a handout on the instructions, though please note it will be difficult when walking to and from the session to provide personal support due to the narrowness of paths and giving overall group support.
This session is aimed at adults, due to the focus required (13+ year old teenagers are welcome). If you would like to bring your child along, please email first to check capacity.
We will be operating outdoors. Some shelter under trees could be found – or I’ll find a space indoors should it turn bad as mentioned above – but please be aware that it is your responsibility to dress appropriately for the weather - whether rainy or sunny. See below section on ‘cancellations’.
If you have any concerns or requirements upfront, please email hello@stephaniesteele.co.uk
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⇾ I am DBS certified.
⇾ I am not first aid qualified just yet, but will bring a full first aid kit.
⇾ Toilets will be available during our foraging bit and close to the main area.
⇾ We won’t finish where we start, but guidance can be given to help you orient yourself! -
Weather: If the weather is due to be stormy, then I will email to give updates on required clothing or cancellation. Unfortunately this is a case-by-case basis, but I will aim to give you two days notice. You can then choose to book onto a new date, I’ll create a session especially for the group, or you can receive a full refund.
Personal: If you are unable to attend for personal reasons, please respect that I am a sole business owner and give at least two days notice. If you do not cancel with good reason in time, you will not be eligible for a refund.
Covid: If you contract Covid-19 and have a positive lateral flow or PCR, I can provide a full refund (minus booking fees). Please still give notice as this helps me book up the slot.
Images: A workshop in September 2023, with foraging along the River Lea towpath, and many branch loom variations made showcasing the array of plants in late summer.
Find more images on Instagram.