March 2023 Retreat
Join us for a winter weaving retreat! Spend a weekend (March 3-5th) with fellow fiber friends, and try your hand at floor loom weaving – no experience required! Retreat participants will work on at least two weaving projects set up on pre-warped floor looms. The projects include (1) a rug; (2) two placemats; (3) a table runner of 48 in or less; (4) short neck cowl; (5) long neck cowl, i.e. wraps twice around the necks; (6) a skirt of 28 in or less; (7) a towel; or (8) a satchel bag. Retreat participants will also enjoy a $26 credit towards yarn, extended studio hours, exclusive use of the studio equipment for the retreat, coffee/tea, and snacks.
For those that are traveling, we are partnering with Riley’s Railhouse, an award-winning B&B that is located RIGHT NEXT DOOR to us! Each of the train-themed rooms includes a private bath, a mini-fridge, and a delicious, hearty breakfast prepared fresh each day.
HOW TO REGISTER
First, decide which two projects you would like to weave, and decide your preferred weaving sessions (there are 4 sessions: Friday afternoon, Saturday morning, Saturday afternoon, and Sunday morning). Beginners (those who have never woven on a shafted loom before) MUST do their first project on either Friday afternoon or Saturday morning.
Second, register for the workshop, and in the comments section at checkout, list your preferred projects and weaving times. We will attempt to accommodate everyone’s preferences, but will make decisions on a first come, first served basis.
Third, decide what nights you would like to stay at Riley’s Railhouse, and select the room you prefer. Details on each room may be found below, along with pictures. Each room can accommodate more than one person – if you would like to split a room with another retreat participant(s) to reduce cost, one participant should register for the room, and the costs may be split between participants as you see fit. Room registrations must be made before January 31st.
Retreat Details
- There will be four weaving sessions: Friday (3pm for beginners, 4pm for others); Saturday AM (10am for beginners, others may come earlier if desired); Saturday at 3PM, and Sunday at 10AM.
- Beginners need to start with one of projects (1)-(3) as their first project, but are welcome to try one of projects (4)-(8) for their second project.
- Beginners need to start their first project on Friday at 3pm, or Saturday at 10am.
- Projects (1)-(3) utilize fabric strips, and all materials for these projects are included in the cost of the retreat. If there is a specific fabric that participants would like to use, they are more than welcome to bring it.
- Projects (4)-(8) utilize yarn. The yarn allowance included in the retreat is typically sufficient for one of projects (4)-(8); additional yarn may be purchased during the retreat, or you are welcome to bring yarn from your stash. Contact us for details about the yardage required for each of the projects.
- All looms will be pre-warped.
- The retreat schedule allows ample room for folks to relax – either in the studio or in front of the fireplace at Riley’s Railhouse. Additionally, the area provides ample selection of fantastic food and sites to see, including the magnificent Indiana Dunes National Park (which can be explored even in winter).
Room Details
Riley’s Railhouse has five rooms; two are located within the building, and three are located in train cars adjacent to the building. Each of the rooms has a private bath and a mini-fridge. Your room registration also includes breakfast, WiFi, and access to a beautiful lounge that has a large wood-burning fireplace.
LOWER BERTH
*Located in the Railhouse
*Main floor guest room that sleeps up to 2
*Queen sized bed
*Private bath with shower
*Wheelchair accessible ADA compliant
UPPER BERTH
*Located in the Railhouse
*Spacious upstairs guest room for up to 5 people
*Balcony overlooking railroad tracks excellent for train viewing
*King sized bed
*Full sized sofa-bed
*Twin loft (must be able to climb ladder to access loft)
*Private bath with shower
BOX CAR #1
*Guest room for up to 4 people
*Queen sized bed
*Loft with 2 twin sized beds (must be able to climb ladder to access loft)
*Private bath with shower
BOX CAR #2
*Guest room for up to 4 people
*Queen sized bed
*Loft with 2 twin sized beds (must be able to climb ladder to access loft)
*Private bath with shower
QUEEN ANN CABOOSE
*Luxury caboose for up to 2 people
*Full bath with antique claw foot tub for relaxing
*Queen size bed has special features such as sitting up for watching TV, or massage settings.
Additional Details on each of the 8 projects:
- (1) rug
- Finished rugs will be about 24in x 36in. The rug is made with fabric strips – each participant can select as many different types/colors of fabric as they desire to create their rug.
- (2) two placemats
- Placemats will be about 14in x 20in. Each placemat is made with fabric strips – each participant can select as many different types/colors of fabric as they desire to create their placemats.
- (3) a table runner of 48 in or less;
- These table runners will be about 14in wide and up to 48in long. Each table runner is made with fabric strips – each participant can select as many different types/colors of fabric as they desire to create their table runner.
- (4) short neck cowl
- This cowl is designed to fit loosely around your neck. It is about 14in in diameter. We recommend weaving this cowl with superwash merino wool, or perhaps super-soft alpaca.
- (5) long neck cowl, i.e. wraps twice around the necks
- This cowl is designed to wrap twice around your neck – it is about 37in in diameter. We recommend weaving the cowl with a superwash merino wool yarn from Arcane Fiberworks, but we have many many other yarns that would work as well.
- (6) a skirt of 28 in or less
- We are proud to offer this skirt design – no sewing is necessary! The waist is gathered via drawstring, and the length can be modulated based on the weaver’s preference.
- (7) a towel
- The towel project will produce a finished project that is 100% cotton, and about 20in wide by about 30in long.
- (8) a satchel bag
- The satchel bag is about 12in wide by about 16in deep, and has a flap closure.