The sources of instruction listed here offer instruction either by Navajo (Diné) people or by persons very well versed in Navajo (Diné) weaving techniques and culture. When at all possible, please seek out instruction from a Navajo (Diné). When we know that the teacher is a Navajo (Diné), we have indicated that after the instructor’s name. Remember that if you are going to become a skilled weaver in these techniques, you will need to dedicate considerable time over a period of years, and will probably study with several instructors. We have listed instruction sources by state, and have included email addresses and web sites where available.
| Arizona | California | Colorado | Massachusetts | Minnesota |
| Missouri | New Jersey | New Mexico | Texas | Wisconsin |
| Where Offered | Class | Description | Instructor | Dates | Cost |
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Barbara Jean Teller Ornelas Navajo_weaver_diva@yahoo.com |
Small group Navajo weaving classes | Barbara will tailor the content of the class to her students. Limited to four people. Snacks and beverages will be provided on all class days. Lunch will be provided on Friday and Saturday of each class. Navajo Taco lunch on Sunday. | Barbara Jean Teller Ornelas, Diné | Contact Barbara | Contact Barbara |
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Deschinny Weaving and Dyeing Workshops |
Traditional Dyeing of Yarn | Pick and identify plants for dyeing; learn about mordants; learn about plant preparation; dye many colors of yarn using Navajo techniques; Learn about the conservation of plants. 1 day course at 8 hours/day: 8am-12pm & 1-5pm. Receive a copy of Isabel Deschinny’s dye book, “NATIVE PLANT DYES, Series I: INTRODUCTION” (c) 1984 | Mark H. Deschinny, Diné | Contact Mark | Contact Mark |
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Deschinny Weaving and Dyeing Workshops |
Introduction to Navajo Weaving | Learn about the significance of Navajo Weaving; Learn to card, spin & process wool using traditional Navajo techniques; Learn to warp; Learn basic rug designs as blocks, borders and diagonals; Apply weaving techniques on traditional Navajo loom. 4 day course at 8 hours/day: 8am-12pm & 1-5pm | Isabel Meyers Deschinny, Diné | Contact Isabel | Contact Isabel |
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Deschinny Weaving and Dyeing Workshops |
Advanced and Home Weaving | Isabel Myers-Deschinny teaches refresher classes of different aspects of Navajo weaving: threading the warp, putting warp on loom, weaving, designing, use of needles, counting warps & making heddles, 1/2 way, finishing, selvage cord use, etc.. | Isabel Meyers Deschinny, Diné | Contact Isabel | Contact Isabel |
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The Fiber Factory |
Beginning Navajo Weaving | Learn the basic techniques of this wonderful southwestern craft. You will learn to warp a Navajo loom, the basic weaving techniques of stripes, Coal Mine weave, Crystal weave, diagonals, and how to finish a Navajo rug. Looms are provided. No experience is necessary. | Sharie Monsam | 6:30-9:00 PM Tue., Jan 6, 13, 20, 27, Feb 76:30 -9:00 PM Tue., Mar 10, 17, 24, 31, Apr 7 | $87 includes the use of a loom and tools |
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The Fiber Factory |
Intermediate Navajo Weaving | This is an instructor assisted independent study class for the intermediate to advanced student in Navajo weaving. Come to the first class with your loom and a completed warping, for small looms, suggested size 24″ x 36″. You must be a graduate of the beginning class or have previous experience and have your own Navajo loom. Bring previously completed projects for instructor critique. This class commonly covers topics such as outlining design elements, use of turned or dovetail joins and side selvages. | Sharie Monsam | 6:30-9:00 PM Tue., Feb 10, 17, Mar. 3 | $53 |
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Rug Weaving Seminar |
Beginning/Continuing Navajo Weaving |
Instructor Lucinda Baloo has taught weaving in a community college setting and is now offering a two day class to help you start or continue with your weaving. Lucinda lives in Chambers, Arizona and is originally from Mariano Lake, New Mexico. Her maternal clan is Edgewater. Class fee includes the use a loom and some tools and some yarn is provided. Students should bring batten, comb and extra yarns. Some lodging is available at Red Horse Ranch and you can contact them for recommendations on other local lodging options. |
Lucinda Baloo, Diné |
9:00 AM-5:00 PM, Sep 4-5, 2010 |
$125 |
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Weaving in Beauty |
Weaving in Beauty, A Textile Tour of the Navajo Nation | Intensive week-long combination class and textile tour for students of all levels of ability. Limit of 8 students per session. See the class web page for more information. | Jennie Slick, Diné |
May 8-16, 2009 |
$600 includes the use of a loom and tools for the week |
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Weaving in Beauty Advanced Weaving Seminar mary.walker@weavinginbeauty.com |
Weaving in Beauty Advanced Weaving Seminar | Six days of uninterrupted exploration of weaving techniques in the heart of the Navajo Nation. Explore advanced techniques with master weaver Jennie Slick. Research resouces are available. Please contact coordinator Mary Walker before you enroll in this class to get details on requirements for participation. You must know Navajo weaving basics and must be able to warp your own loom without assistance. We will help provide looms and equipment for your use. | Jennie Slick, Diné | August 8-13, 2009 | $500 |
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Weaving in Beauty Natural Dye Retreat mary.walker@weavinginbeauty.com |
Weaving in Beauty Natural Dye Retreat | Spend three full days collecting dye plants and dye wool the Navajo way under the direction of Rose Dedman. Tentatively, you will collect cliff rose, sage, rabbitbrush, Navajo tea and wild carrot. Dyeing is done outdoors using a wood fire. Includes work with cochineal and a stop at the Crownpoint Rug Auction. | Rose Dedman, Diné | August 13-16, 2009 | $275 |
| Where Offered | Class | Description | Instructor | Dates | Cost |
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Foothill Weavers in the Navajo Tradition |
Small group Navajo weaving classes | Beginning weavers will learn to warp up and weave on a traditional Navajo loom and create a small sampler. Intermediate and advanced weavers will learn more complex vertical and diagonal design methods and techniques to plan and carry out intricate patterns. | Marilyn Greaves, Mel Silva |
February 27-20, 2009, Bodega, CA March, date TBA, Grass Valley, CA |
Contact Marilyn |
| Where Offered | Class | Description | Instructor | Dates | |
| Beginning and Intermediate Navajo Weaving | Lynda Teller Pete offers a class for beginning and intermediate students in the Denver area.. Beginning students will learn how to weaver a 12″ x 16″ rug. A striped pattern is recommended, and the instructors will focus on weaving techniques. Beginning students will use bulky weight wool, preferably Brown Sheep. If desired, the loom will be fully warped and set up. Intermediate students will focus on geometric designs only, color combinations and may use worsted or sport weight wool. | Lynda Teller Pete, Diné | Contact Lynda | ||
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Center for the Arts Evergreen |
Beginning Navajo Weaving Class | Refresh your spirit and creativity with the tranquil art of Navajo weaving. Students will have the opportunity to learn the art of weaving from Master Navajo Weaver, Lynda Teller Pete. Lynda is a 5th Generation Navajo weaver. Students will learn how to weave a 12” X 16” rug. Students will work from a pre-warped loom and all weaving supplies will be provided. Loom may be taken home to weave. | Lynda Teller Pete, Diné |
Class meets for three weekends in October. Oct 9-10,Oct 23-24, Oct 30-31, 2009 |
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La Veta School of Crafts |
Navajo Weaving |
Refresh your creative spirit with the tranquil art of Navajo Weaving. While instructing and demonstrating, Lynda. a Master Navajo weaver, will share her personal stories and experiences, allowing participants to gain fascinating insights into the ancient and contemporary worlds of Navajo weaving. Navajo history, culture spirituality and weaving taboos will also be discussed along the way. Both beginning and intermediate students are welcome. All looms will be warped, weaving tools and weft yarn will be furnished. |
Lynda Teller Pete, Diné | Contact La Veta | |
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Pagosa Springs Fiber Festival 229 Hermosa St. |
Navajo Weaving Boot Camp | Get an intensive introduction or refresher course in Navajo weaving from master weaver Jennie Slick and her assistant Mary Walker as part of the 2009 Pagosa Springs Fiber Festival. Participants may chose to weave on a simple frame loom or to construct a more traditional loom that must be built before the workshop. |
Jennie Slick, Diné Mary Walker |
May 28-29, 2009 | |
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University of Colorado, Museum of Natural History Call (303) 492-3396 to register. Space is limited |
Navajo Weaving Workshop | Refresh your spirit and creativity with the art of Navajo weaving during this six-class series. Beginning students will have the opportunity to learn from Master Navajo Weaver, Lynda Teller Pete. Lynda, a 5th generation Navajo weaver has garnered two First Place Blue Ribbons at the Santa Fe Indian Market for her tapestries. While instructing and demonstrating, Lynda will share personal stories and experiences. The $375 fee covers the six classes and all materials: participants will start with a pre-warped loom. Payment will be made to Lynda on the first day of class. | Lynda Teller Pete, Diné |
Class meets for two weekends in November Nov. 13-15,Nov 20-22 2009 |
| Where Offered | Class | Description | Instructor | Dates | Cost |
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Firewatch Weavers |
Navajo Weaving | Description: Ongoing Navajo Weaving Instruction from beginner through intermediate levels. | Pam Engberg | Ongoing Sep.-June | $125 per six week session |
| Where Offered | Class | Description | Instructor | Dates | Cost |
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Split Rock Arts Program |
Navajo Weaving | Please see the Split Rock Arts Program web site when registration opens in late February. Marilou’s classes typically include information on warping, weaving and design. | Marilou Schultz, Diné | June 21-27, 2009 | TBA |
| Where Offered | Class | Description | Instructor | Dates | Cost |
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Hillcreek Fiber Studio |
Beginning Navajo Weaving | Navajo weaving is a unique form of tapestry in which the weaving is completed one full row at a time, incorporating the tails into the weaving, thus creating a reversible fabric. You’ll never find warp fringe on a Navajo rug, as the warp is one continuous strand and the weaving is woven right up to the bend in the warp. Instructor, Carol Leigh,has studied with both Noel Bennett and Sarah Natani. Students create their own sampler in a size to be finished through the challenging ending during this workshop. Materials $15 to $40, Navajo Looms are available for rent or purchase. | Carol Leigh Brack-Kaiser | March 28-31, 2009 | $240 plus materials |
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Hillcreek Fiber Studio |
Fiber Furlough | Part of Fiber Furlough curriculum. “ Our Fiber Furlough is a popular week-long workshop designed as a get-away fiber week filled with exploration and time to work on fiber projects”. | Carol Leigh Brack-Kaiser | July 12-17, 2009 | $325 |
| Where Offered | Class | Description | Instructor | Dates | Cost |
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Peters Valley Craft Center |
Navajo Weaving | Peters Valley 2009 catalog will be released on New Years Day. Workshop typically includes warping, weaving technique, design on the loom and finishing strategies. | Marilou Schultz, Diné | July 17-21, 2009 | TBA |
| Where Offered | Class | Description | Instructor | Dates | Cost |
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Manos Weaving School |
Navajo Style Weaving | “This class is taught on Navajo style frame looms. These looms are a portable and simple in design. This is a slower way of weaving when compared to weaving on floor looms; however many weavers prefer the Navajo system over the large treadle floor loom. Techniques taught in the three day class will include: complete set up of a Navajo loom, designing and executing a tapestry including stripes, angles and vertical lines. If time allows students can delve into techniques such as blending, ojos, hatching and others. Tapestry techniques taught in this class are the same as those taught in Beginning Weaving and will transfer to weaving on floor looms.” | Kim Hamill |
Jan 23-25, 2009 Apr 3-5, 2009 May 1-3, 2009 Jun 12-14, 2009 Jul 24-26, 2009 |
$350 plus materials |
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Taos Art School |
Beginning Navajo Weaving | “We begin with the all important warping for which Pearl supplies her own hand-spun yarn to ensure proper tension. Then the students are guided through the design stage. For beginning students this will be a block design, while advanced students will work with diagonals, or even a twill. The Navajo way is not to use a cartoon but rather to design right on the loom. Monday through Friday we weave. All techniques will be demonstrated first by Pearl, then done by each student under her encouraging supervision. All levels are welcome as each student is encouraged to work at his or her individual pace.” | Pearl Sunrise, Diné | July 5-11, 2009 | $580 plus materials |
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Taos Art School |
Intermediate/Advanced Navajo Weaving | Consult the Taos Art School web site for details on this class | Pearl Sunrise, Diné | July 12-19, 2009 | $580 plus materials |
| Where Offered | Class | Description | Instructor | Dates | Cost |
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Quahah Texas |
Navajo Rug Weaving | Five day workshop with Lynda and her sister Barbara Jean Teller Ornelas. Contact Lynda for details |
Barabara Jean Teller Ornelas,Diné Lynda Teller Pete, Diné |
May 4-8 | Contact Lynda |
| Where Offered | Class | Description | Instructor | Dates | Cost |
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Sievers School of Fiber Arts |
Navajo Rug Weaving | 2009 Schedule online on February 1. From the 2008 listing: “Learn the fundamentals and techniques of rug weaving in the traditional Navajo style. You will begin to weave a rug in class, using authentic Navajo yarns and patterns, and learn basic Navajo tapestry techniques. In addition to learning these, you will be given a background on the history of Navajo weaving to help you develop an appreciation for the beauty of this ancient art. Although you will not be able to complete your rug in class, you will be given instructions for finishing it at home. The overall size of your rug will be 20″ wide or narrower, by 20-40″ long, depending on the design you choose. Fran will furnish all looms and tools for your use during the week, and they will also be available for purchase (approx. $135). Yarns and warping supplies for your rug will cost $45-75, depending on your project size and color choices. Familiarity with basic weaving terms will be helpful, but no previous weaving experience is necessary. For all levels.” | Frances Potter | TBA | $360 plus supplies in 2008 |
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