Enjoy a week of weaving in a beautiful natural setting. Be inspired by the rich colors in nature and the sunsets over the water. Looms will be set up ahead of class, allowing you more time for weaving.

Over the years, this open studio class has evolved into a retreat for weavers interested in exploring a new weave structure or working on their own project. In class weavers are encouraged to share information about their projects, observe how color and pattern interact, discuss helpful hints and new tools. Please bring a couple of your weavings for show and tell. Weavers supply their own yarn, can select from Geke’s stash or place a joint order at a pre-class meeting. This is a small class with a maximum of six students. Bring your own loom ready to weave or rent a loom from The Clearing. Geke will contact students before the class begins to discuss your project.
Weavers in the Madison, WI area can meet with Geke at her home studio if they would like assistance with planning their project and/or setting up their loom.

Geke de Vries (pronounced Gayka de Frees)

Working with yarn and fabrics was part of Geke’s everyday life while growing up in the Netherlands. After moving to Madison, WI, I enrolled in several weaving classes, bought a loom and realized how much I enjoyed creating her own fabric. It is intriguing to see how color, texture and pattern interact. Workshops and conferences have offered the opportunity to experiment with more complex patterns encouraging her to buy a 32 shaft compu-dobby loom with software to operate it. It has been a challenging and amazing adventure to weave more intricate patterns especially on hand painted warps.

Geke is fascinated by weaving traditions in other countries where weaving is still part of local culture and every day life. There is much to learn and enjoy about the beautifully patterned cloth woven on traditional looms. This love of textiles has taken me on tours to Central Asia, India, Mexico, Peru, Bhutan, Thailand, Laos and Morocco.

For many years Geke has been teaching weaving classes in her home studio, at Oakwood Village Retirement Community on Mineral Point Road in Madison and at The Clearing Folk School in Door County. It is gratifying to see how new weavers can learn a new skill and enjoy seeing something of beauty created by their own hands.

Level: Intermediate