Passementerie weaving – an introduction with Elizabeth Ashdown

Ref: D1D36467

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About this course

Join us for a unique contemporary weaving workshop and explore the wonders of hand passementerie weaving with passementerie artist and heritage craft specialist Elizabeth Ashdown.

Course Description

Passementerie is an 'endangered' craft in the UK and so this is a very special opportunity to learn how to create passementerie from one of the last remaining passementerie artists.

One of the rarest and most special of all textile crafts, passementerie is the art of creating decorative ribbons, trimmings, braids, cords and fringes. Whether you're interested in interior design, accessories, fashion design or fine art, this workshop will teach you the introductory passementerie weaving skills you need to create your own fabulous hand woven designs bursting with colour, texture and pattern.

You will create two different hand woven contemporary passementerie designs, each design exploring a different hand technique. You will also learn how to create your own hand-spun cords using traditional techniques. No prior experience of weaving or of passementerie is required.

Course Materials

Included

A selection of yarns to use during the course will be provided and a table-top frame loom used to learn the techniques to keep.

What students need to bring

  • Sharp scissors
  • A notebook and pen may be useful

Additional information

Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio, this includes stout covered footwear (no sandals or open toes).

Timetable

Daily Timetable

Course teaching: 11am–5.15pm
Students arrive: 10.30am-11am (coffee optional)  
Morning teaching: 11am-1pm
Lunch break: 1pm-2pm (lunch is not included)
Afternoon teaching: 2pm-5.15pm (15 minute break, 3.30pm–3.45pm)
Teaching finishes: 5.15pm  
 

General Information

Short courses are open to anyone aged 18 and over. The course fee covers tuition and materials where stated. You will need to bring all other items listed under the ‘Materials to bring’ section.

Refreshments

Coffee and tea are included in the course fee, but you will need to bring lunch with you to eat in the refreshments room. There are also plenty of other local venues to purchase food.

Access

If you have any specific access needs, we will need to know about your access requirements in advance. Please tell us about your needs in confidence by emailing: [email protected] This venue has steps to the front reception, with limited access via a side gate to the ground floor. There is a small lift to higher floors or stairs.

Safety

Short course students are required to sign a safety compliance form as part of West Dean Health and Safety regulations.

Refunds and cancellations

Please refer to our terms & conditions below.

Disclaimer

The information given is accurate at the time of publication. However, West Dean College reserves the right to cancel or amend courses if circumstances require.

Terms & Conditions

Tutors

Elizabeth Ashdown

One of only a few hand Passementerie artists working in the UK today, Elizabeth Ashdown MA RCA combines endangered craft skills with a contemporary aesthetic in order to create hand woven passementerie.

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Further study options

Take the next step in your creative practice, with foundation level to Masters in Fine Art study. 

Depending on your experience, start with an Online Foundation Certificate in Art and Design (one year, part-time), a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design made up of 10 short courses taken over two years (part-time) or advance your learning with our BA (Hons) Art and Contemporary Craft: Materials, Making, and Place (six years part-time). All will help you develop core skills, find direction in your practice and build an impressive portfolio in preparation for artist opportunities or higher-level study. See all degree and diploma courses.