Killerwhale Chilkat apron in progress by Shgen George
The last day of this Summer’s Chilkat weaving classes ended a couple of days ago – I’ve heard many of the students have Chilkat weaving withdrawal! (This is a very good thing!) We had a beautiful feast this last day. The sun was out, the sky was blue and the food, right down to the pumpkin pie, was fabulous. That’s the best part about Chilkat weaving classes: the excellent food!
The best part about Chilkat weaving classes: the food and the weavers who made the food!
The weavers before the feast
Many thanks to Atricia Makaily for organizing both classes!
Charlene Baker drove down from Pelly Crossing, YukonTerritory to attend this class
Fausto Paulo stands one last time to share a funny insight with his fellow weavers
Debra O'Gara is still chuckling over Fausto's humor; she's also happy to finally learn Chilkat
Assistant student teacher, Lily Hudson reminds Crystal Rogers to "do her braids."
Davina Barrill "puts up" the ends of her braids in the back side
Debra O'Gara admiring Jessica Isturis' fine weaving
Fausto Paulo is turning the bottom corners of his weaving; he is almost finished!
Gail Dabaluz is beginning to shape her Chilkat circle within the box
Jackie Kookesh is shaping the Chilkat eye and eyelid
When Leandra Makaily concetrates on her Chilkat weaving, she concentrates real hard - when she isn't in a concentrating mood, she doesn't weave - it is a good thing to understand this about Chilkat weaving
Marsha Hotch is pleased with her Chilkat circle
Pam Credo-Hayes is weaving the borders for a pair of leggings
Gail Dabaluz is inspecting Pam's Chilkat border on how the "Jennie Thlunaut" corners are woven; like what is that little specific trick!?
With his tapestry needle, Ricky Tagaban is putting up all his Chilkat weft yarn ends in the backside of his completed Chilkat hat; as in the "olden days" it's a process he would like a slave to do - look how he is pretending to be happy about it!
Look closely at the backside of Ricky's Chilkat hat; those are all the ends that Ricky is putting up - imagine how what it is like doing a full-size Chilkat robe! - Now, do you really want to be a Chilkat weaver, or just have somebody else weave something for you!? - that is the question we are all wondering...can you take it!?
Chilkat kids - the children of Chilkat weavers
Clarissa Rizal demonstrates the Chilkat interlocking technique to Charlene Baker
Nobody's weaving...where's everybody? We're busy sharing the Chilkat feast!
When we are finished weaving for the day, no matter what size your loom and its project, we always cover our loom and tuck them in for the night
Some of the looms are covered with a pillow case which is simultaneously used as a carry bag
Some loom covers are clean and pretty dishtowels or bath towels
Some loom covers are cloth gifts from Japan via a Chilkat weaver Shgen Geore, who just recently returned to Juneau from a year of teaching in Japan
Golly! what is the big deal about showing the covered Chilkat looms, huh? How come? – Well, why not!?
The Chilkat "after-feast!"
SEARHC's exquisite board room with skylights and plush chairs, where I've spent the last 6 weeks teaching Chilkat weaving to 25 committed students - whew! what a way to spend the Summer! What a treat!
Most everyone did not complete their weaving – that’s normal for beginners. Many of the students are experiencing Chilkat weaving withdrawal symptoms. That’s real good and real normal. There’s talk of getting together once a week starting on Sunday, September 5th. There’s also talk about doing a Ravenstail weaving class this Fall too. We’ll see. We’ll keep everyone posted.
During the teaching of these two Chilkat classes, for the entire 6 weeks, my fingers have been itching to weave – when teaching others to weave, we go from loom to loom; there’s a rhythm like duck, duck, goose, goose game. We’re just teaching, we’re not weaving our own thing,…it’s hard to just teach and not have moments to weave our own thing during class. It’s hard to control ourselves to not just sit at the student’s loom and just weave their project altogether! Chilkat weavers must have lots of self-control! If we are not born with it, the self-control eventually develops over time because Chilkat weaving and teaching the weaving forms you into things you did not know could exist in you!
Are you sure you want to continue learning and weaving Chilkat?
Hi, I am a beginner in Ravenstail Weaving. I am working on my first project that I started on April 15-17 at a class in Wasilla, given by Suzi Vaara-Williams. I need some help with finishing my project. How do I keep it from unraveling? How do I Trim the side fringes? I would appreciate any help you would be willing to give. If you want to see how far I have gotten, I have a facebook page. Thank you so much for any help you can give. Happy Days to you. Sherry