Introduction to Weaving
Sign up for a day of learning and exploration. This is an introduction to the various looms available for use at the Arts Center. How they work and what they can do. The floor looms will be threaded and ready to weave. Participants will weave a sampler, learning various weave structures. The other looms will be threaded as well, and participants are invited to explore each one.
What we will cover in this class:
- · Weaving terminology
- · Types of looms and their parts
- · How to read a weaving draft
- · Yarn size and how it matters
- · Weave a small twill sampler using various treadlings
- · Sample the rigid heddle, a simple two-shaft loom
- · Try rag weaving on the counterbalance barn loom
- · Other types of looms to explore
BRMAA Weaving Studio Equipment
The Arts Center weaving studio has an array of looms and equipment to choose from.
- Rigid Heddle Looms – Easy to use, the rigid heddle loom weaves plain weave, also known as tabby. We have two of these looms. One has a second heddle for more complex weaving options.
- Floor Looms – We have four four-shaft looms, an eight-shaft loom and a four-shaft barn style loom. A myriad of patterns can be woven on these looms, from simple tabby to complex structures. The barn style loom is heavy duty and especially suited for rug weaving.
- Table Loom – The four-shaft table loom can weave the same structures as a four-shaft floor loom. However, it is lightweight and portable.
- Inkle Loom – This loom weaves narrow bands suited to be used as belts, straps and bookmarks.
- Along with the looms, we have warping boards, shuttles, bobbins and miscellaneous weaving tools to complete a project, from start to finish.
Registration Information
Skill Level:
- Beginner
Session Length & Date:
March 21, 2026 (Saturday)
- 1 Session
- 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Instructor Name:
- Robyn Czyscon
Class Fee:
- $66 for Non-Members (includes supplies)
- $60 for BRMAA Members (includes supplies)
About the Instructor
Robyn Czyscon
Robyn grew up in a suburb of Chicago. She learned to sew at an early age, raised by a family of sewists. She has been a quilter for more than 20 years. Upon retirement as a corporate secretary, Robyn was gifted a longarm quilt machine from the CPA firm she worked for. Now, she spends many of her days happily quilting in her studio. A member of the Pieceful Mountain Quilt Guild and Misty Mountain Quilt Guild, most of her quilts are gifted to local charities. Robyn is also a member of the local Quilts of Valor Foundation that makes and awards quilts to veterans.</p> <p>Fiber arts have always come naturally to Robyn. She learned to knit in her early 20s and it has been a passion ever since. About 10 years ago, after attending a fiber festival, Robyn became smitten with weaving and spinning. Along with the longarm quilt machine, her studio includes three sewing machines, a serger, two looms and a spinning wheel. She has an affinity for all things fiber arts.</p> <p>Robyn lives in Morganton with her husband, a semi-retired landscape architect. They have two cats that keep them in stitches with their antics. They have a small dye garden and grow vegetables and herbs as well.
