Workshops/Tuition
New Studio!
My looms and I are in!
You will find me at Studio 10 at 'Project Workshops' in Grateley, Hampshire with an exciting array of top quality artists, craftspeople and designers as my neighbours. Booking by appointment only.
Subscribe for the workshop 2025 Programme
For further details and booking please contact
Sharon Kearley 07746 084 970 / info@sharonkearley.com
Introduction to Weaving on a Table Loom
22nd March, 10-4
A one day introduction to learning about the process of weave with a contemporary approach.
The course is run working on a collection of fully dressed 4 and 8 shaft table looms with varied set ups.
Participants will explore basic structures such as tabby and twills and the importance of colour and texture in weave design, producing original and innovative cloth. I will be using my book "Woven Textiles, A Designer's Guide"
The course is aimed at the complete beginner or those with a basic knowledge of weaving.
All materials are provided but feel free to bring yarn and magpie delights that inspire you!
Lunch is provided.
£145
DM for bookings.
Learn to Weave
A two day intense but incredibly rewarding course. Each participant will have the opportunity to weave on a table loom, make a warp, dress the loom and weave a selection of samples in basic weave structures. You will learn about the importance of colour and texture in weave design, and each week you will have the opportunity to build on your knowledge and experiment as your confidence grows. You will finish the course with a basic grasp on weaving and an array of samples to show for it. The course is learner led and responds to each students pace of learning.
£260
Designing & Weaving Twills
Welcome to this two day workshop where you will explore the simple yet versatile and exciting weave structure known as the Twill. Designed for beginners and intermediate level weavers, drawing inspiration from my publication "Woven Textiles, A Designer’s Guide," you will explore simple warp and weft faced structures, building to more complicated fancy and broken twills.
Day Two will see you designing and weaving your own twills based on the knowledge you have gained. Exploring the possibilities of colour theory weaving with contrasting colours, harmonious hues and complimentary opposites, texture and reverse pattern; you will leave with an array of samples, technical notebook and the confidence and inspiration to continue to experiment through playful approaches to create your own individual projects and designs.
Participants will be provided with a teaching pack containing guidance on how to prepare their loom according to supplied warping instructions. Or you may use one of the looms from the studio.
There will be two warping and threading plans to choose from depending on the weaver’s confidence level. Please also bring shuttles, a notebook and pencil, fabric scissors, dressmaker pins, your warp yarn and a selection of wefts. It is also handy to bring a camera for visual notes, a mobile phone camera is fine. You are also invited to bring any inspirational visuals that you may like to work from when designing your own twills.
I will provide: detailed handouts, a selection of books to peruse, a range of weft yarns for experimentation and some samples for you to study.
Suitable for beginner and intermediate weavers.
£280
Texture & Structure - The Interplay of Structure & Yarn
The combination of yarn and structure is an essential element of weave design, the scientific properties of one or more yarns in a design working with or against one another. These subtle interplays of ‘yarn personalities’, their reaction and interaction with one other, their behaviour combined with certain weave structures are the core elements of this two-day workshop designed for the intermediate weaver.
The subject of yarn and fibre is massive and continually developing as technology, science and textiles work alongside one another. Therefore, the purpose of this course is to build on your knowledge and offer insight into how to use the scientific properties of yarn to your advantage, with possible ideas for warp and weft yarn combinations.
The course is fairly structured in Day 1, where you will work to set lifting plans, slowly you will learn how to incorporate colour, texture and weave structure to exciting design effect; branching out on your own personal projects towards the end of the course. I provide permission to be playful and curious in your weave approaches, allowing you create mistakes and ‘happy design opportunities’ in this exploratory workshop.
You will leave with a selection of woven samples, technical notes and the confidence to continue to push your creative enquiry. Playful pleats, succulent seersuckers and cute crinkles are just some of the structures you will play with alongside an array of interesting yarns.
Suitable for intermediate weavers
£280
Concept to Cloth - Digital Course
I love teaching this course, which gently nudges the student to actively take risks, challenge themselves, be playful and have fun.
I have been asked to run this course online, and am currently designing and planning how that could be done successfully. A combination of handouts, regular zooms and online teaching. I hope to have something set up for 2025.
If this is something you would like to attend please do drop me an email or subscribe.
Here are some great comments.
“Thank you again for a wonderful day of freedom and creativity.”
“Thank you for a lovely day of exploration. I never knew I liked orange so much!”
“It was a real creative challenge and treat rolled into one.”