A VERY WARM WELCOME TO MY COMPLETE COURSE (FILMED OVER 9 MONTHS) - COVERING COLOUR BLENDING AND SO MANY OTHER TECHNIQUES
WITH 35 HOURS OF VIDEO FILMING AND INFORMATIVE WRITTEN CONTENT - IT CREATES A UNIQUE LEARNING EXPERIENCE
COMPLETE WITH SUBTITLES IN YOUR CHOSEN LANGUAGE
We've laid the foundation (you have either taken my online beginner's class or an in-person workshop) and now it's time to get colour blending and creating beautiful works of art. This course is not just about blending though, we cover so many topics as listed below.
Hopefully you're here because you like the mini framed tapestry art I create. I want to share my journey with you and show you the exciting world of colour blending with multiple fine threads.
Why choose my course?
I am so proud of this course. It was an ambitious launch as I filmed each module without any practise. I came straight to camera with a design in my head/or a simple cartoon drawing. I have learned so much from teaching this and I am very proud of watching my students go from complete beginners to very competent weavers. My filming is very real and not edited.
I don't use complicated terminology or bombard you with too much technical information, which is common in books and online (and my beginner's course has taught you all the basics).
I initially launched these blending classes as a membership to let me to build up content whilst allowing early access to my students.
You will have links to the videos which can be kept on YouTube.
about Liz
I am a professional artist turned tapestry weaver. I started on this journey as I was no longer feeling passionate about painting. I have always loved sewing and design. When I tried tapestry it was a real 'wow' moment. I could now combine my skills. I really enjoy creating more realistic imagery with my yarns - using my drawing skills and colour blending with multiple strands of fine yarn.
I am based in Bbox Studios in the creative heart of Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK.
What you will learn
There are over 35 hours of video learning plus written info/PDFs. That's a huge amount of content
We will jump straight into seascapes in our first 'starter' module. Note: this module is purposefully set up with a limited number of colours. This is to allow non-UK people to purchase yarn in a cost effective way. You can see if you like the colour blending journey before then investing in more colours.
We will start gently with graduated colour blending, before adding more advanced designs and objects of interest - like boats.
There are so many exercises to choose from:
- Starter Seascape module with a limited palette
- colour blending in gradients/multiple colours
- abstract works
- four selvedge/fringeless
- exposed warp play
- shapes and sheds
- meet and separate
- importance of pigtails
- twisting warp
- creating worms
- weaving side on
- importance of cartoons
Four selvedge weaving is a great technique to know about. If you have a Mirrix pocket loom (or equivalent) then I show you how to do it on these looms. I also show you how you can use a classic Mirrix to create the ancient method too.
I will be at your side as we take it step by step. I will create all the designs for you and you can download them as PDFs. I will show you how you can print these templates to scale.
Materials - as per the beginner's course but everything is itemised again for you. So it will be a loom, 6" and small tapestry needle, tapestry beater (kitchen fork), scissors, masking tape.
Looms - either a Mirrix Saffron, Chloe (either size) or a frame loom (like I've helped you make in my beginner's course. You would only need a Mirrix style loom for four selvedge weaving).
I want you to work at 8 ends per inch for the most success as I use multiple strands of fine yarn on my needle.
Weft/Warp - see full details below to get you started.
The official EU retailer for Mirrix looms is here. Mark and his team are on hand to answer any questions you may have. I have a special 10% discount off a Mirrix within the course.
Otherwise you can find other EU retailers on the Mirrix website here
COURSE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS BELOW
Curriculum
- Yarn colours needed to start your seascape journey
- How to use the sections below
- 1. Bookmark - let's learn to colour blend (beginner)
- 2. Blended seascape (beginner)
- 3. Seascape with curved ocean, hills and sun/clouds (beginner/intermediate)
- 4. Seascape with boat (beginner/intermediate)
- 5. A night scene with moon (an exercise inserting lines and simple meet & separate) - beginner
warp and weft
Following the Starter Module, you’ll begin choosing your own colours. This is where your confidence grows and your work becomes more personal.
If you’re based in the EU, you can take these classes as long as you have access to fine yarns in gradient colour ranges. Beautiful colour blending is central to how I teach.
I often recommend Weavers Bazaar for their exceptional colour selection. They are UK-based and ship to the EU.
Tapestry yarn is traditionally wool, which I use in my demonstrations. However, I have also tested DMC Moulin Special cotton threads (or floss) and they work very well. With over 500 colours available, they’re an excellent alternative. Inside the course, I explain how to use them at my required sett and include a blended sample for reference.
You can find the full colour range here.
Yarn List – Seascape Module
We begin with seascapes. The first section includes five projects based on subtle gradient blending.
If using the 18/2 fine yarn (25g tubes) from Weavers Bazaar, the suggested colours are:
- Sunburst Gradient Pack
- Turquoise Gradient Pack
- Aqua 1, 4, 7
- Seasky Gradient Pack
- White
- Stone
You may prefer to explore the lessons before placing a larger order. You will be able to choose similar colours from DMC.
Warp
I use Liina Undyed Cotton Warp 18’s (available from Weavers Bazaar in 250g or 500g cones), though I am finding a local equivalent within the EU.
For tapestry, choose a warp that wraps 8 times around 1 cm (not per inch). I explain this fully inside the course.
for Artful Threads
for Beginner's Course
for Artful Threads
COURSE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Why did you need a new EU school?
It has taken time to open and build a whole new school purely for EU students. This is because the EU has a completely different VAT system to the UK. Prices for my courses will include the tax amount for your country.
Are there subtitles?
I have spent many hours adding my videos to YouTube so that you can access subtitles in your chosen language. Please let me know if you have any problems.
Is this course 'beginner' friendly?
This membership is unfortunately not beginner friendly. Ideally you would have taken my one-off Foundation Course or have tapestry experience.
How do I navigate the Weavers Bazaar website?
A couple of people on my UK course struggled with the website. You need to go into 'Online store', Wool Yarn, Coloured Wool, Full Coloured Stock Range, Click on the required colour - then Select Fine 18/2, select Tube, then size (25g) and finally quantity.
If buying gradient packs you simply need to select the fine yarn option.