The following classes are offered at various times throughout the spring, summer and fall semesters. Please check the current schedules in the “Upcoming Events & Classes” section of our website or join our Newsletter Mailing List for latest dates and times.

NNMC’s Fiber Arts Department offers the following courses:

Color Theory for Textiles
Instructor: Liesel Orend
Credits: 1

This class will explore the principles of color theory and their application to textile design. Students will learn color terminology, explore color relationships with paints, and will learn tools for creating harmonious color combinations. We will also look at the properties of fiber as they impact color.

Natural Dyes: Local Plants
Instructor: Liesel Orend
Credits: 1

Students will dye wool using locally available plants. First, students will go on gathering excursions to identify and collect dye plants in their natural environment. Then, students will learn how to process the plants and how to dye with them, including preparation of the wool yarn, mordanting procedures, dye bath procedures, finishing the yarn and record keeping.

Design for Textiles
Instructor: Liesel Orend
Credits: 1

This class will cover the principles of design and their application to textiles. We will learn to identify various elements of design, including line, shape, pattern and texture. Then we will explore the use of these elements to create focal points, balance, accent, contrast, movement, depth, and unity within textiles, as well as examining how the use of fiber impacts design.

Four Harness Weaving I: Weave Structures
Instructor: Liesel Orend
Credits: 1

This class will introduce the theory and application of weaving on a four harness loom. Drafting and basic weave structures, such as twills, will be covered, as well as project planning and the mechanics of weaving on four harnesses.

Four Harness Weaving II: Jerga
Instructor: Liesel Orend
Credits: 1

This class will focus on the jerga, a traditional Spanish New Mexican 2/2 twill woven in wool. Students will learn about the history of this weave, and will make a striped or checked jerga shawl or throw. Beginning weavers welcome.

Four Harness Weaving III: Saddle Blanket
Instructor: Liesel Orend
Credits: 2

Explore the many design possibilities of the weft-faced twill weave structure as it is used in traditional saddle blankets. Students will use a light, medium and dark color to create different effects, such as undulations or waves, diamonds, ovals and others. These are very sturdy, thick weavings, suitable for rugs and mats, and of course, saddle blankets.

Intro to Weaving
Instructor: Karen Martinez
Credits: 1

Students will be introduced to warping (dressing) a loom. Students will learn the four shuttle techniques while constructing a striped Rio Grande Style weaving.

Loom Construction
Instructor: Marcos Martinez
Credits: 1

Students will construct a two harness, high tension, Rio Grande Style loom and learn loom parts and learn how to maintain and repair any problem that may arise with a loom.

Natural Dyeing: Ancient Dyes
Instructor: Liesel Orend
Credits: 1

Students will learn to use natural dyestuffs that have been used historically around the world. The unique properties of cochineal, madder, logwood, alkanet, brazilwood, cutch and osage orange will be learned, and students will dye larger quantities with each material. In addition, students will learn to prepare an indigo vat, and will learn techniques for dyeing with indigo. Mordanting, safety procedures, and record keeping will be covered.

Natural Dyes: Color Combinations
Instructor: Liesel Orend
Credits: 1

Students will build on their basic knowledge of natural dyes to combine dyestuffs in varying proportions and over dye yarn with indigo to create a much larger range of colors. Gradations, where the color changes in increments from one hue to another, will be explored. Students will also learn to shift colors with different modifiers, including pH and iron, to further expand the variety of colors they are able to produce.

Synthetic Dyes - Part 1
Instructor: Cornelia Theimer Gardella
Credits: 1

This course teaches students the basic techniques of dyeing wool and using acid dyes (Lanaset) along with step-by-step instructions on yarn preparation, dye methods, and finishing methods. Students will create yarn samples of each Lanaset hue and learn about the three characteristics of color hue, value, and chroma.

Synthetic Dyes - Part 2
Instructor: Cornelia Theimer Gardella
Credits: 1

Building on the basic dye techniques taught in Synthetic Dyes Part 1, students will explore color relationships through color samples. They will be introduced to gradation techniques which allow them to produce a color atlas which will serve as a reference tool for future dyeing.

Synthetic Dyes - Part 3
Instructor: Cornelia Theimer Gardella
Credits: 1

Building on the basic dye techniques taught in Part I and the color atlas created in Part 2, students will learn how to creatively apply their knowledge of the dye process and how to create any color they wish using Lanaset dyes. The main focus will be on methods of experimentation with color and the effects that can be created by changing very small parts of the dye formula.

Techniques for Contemporary Tapestry Weaving I
Instructor: Cornelia Theimer Gardella
Credits: 1

In this class, we will study non-Rio Grande tapestry weaving techniques which include several joining techniques, angles and curves. More advanced students will be able to work on a design and weave a small tapestry.

Techniques for Contemporary Tapestry Weaving II
Instructor: Cornelia Theimer Gardella
Credits: 1

In this class, we will continue to explore non-Rio Grande tapestry weaving techniques which can be applied in contemporary and pictorial tapestry weaving. In addition to a review of techniques covered in Contemporary Tapestry Weaving I, we will focus on creating angles, curves, and circles and study various color blending techniques. You will also learn to create a cartoon from your design and weave a small tapestry following the outlines of the cartoon on the warp.

Four-Harness: Doubleweave Poncho
Instructor: Liesel Orend
Credits: 1

In this special form of weaving, fabric is woven folded in half on the loom, and then can be unfolded once it is off the loom. In this class, students will learn the technique of double weave, and will design and weave a poncho or blanket, incorporating vertical and/or horizontal stripes. Some weaving experience is preferred.

Four Harness Plain Weaving: Color & Weave
Instructor:
Credits: 1

Color and weave is a weave structure that creates infinite design possibilities using a light and a dark color on a four harness loom. The pattern looks complex, but it is actually a plain weave structure, without the floating threads a twill weave would produce. Students will learn about this fascinating weave structure, and create one scarf or shawl to take home. Simple patterns, such as log cabin, can accommodate the beginning weaver, but the more complex variations will bring something new to those who are more experienced.