Where to Learn Indigenous Weaving Techniques
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 | Missouri |
| New Jersey | New Mexico | Oregon |
| Class Title | Description | Location | Instructor | Date | Tuition |
|
Miniature Navajo Rug AZ |
Learn about Navajo style weaving in a small format that you can take anywhere. You can work on a small loom made from art store stretcher bars or a picture frame. You can also purchase a C-Cactus Flower loom from the Fiber Factory. You’ll do everything that is done in the beginner classes, but you’ll do it in a smaller format. This class is an excellent introduction to Navajo techniques. Meets every week for three 2.5 hour sessions. Find additional information here |
The Fiber Factory 216 W Main St, Mesa, AZ Mesa. Arizona, 85201-7312 480-969-4346 yarn@fiberfactory.org Contact: Terry McCook or Susan Calrk |
Sharie Monsam | Start: February 12, 2013 End: February 26, 2013 |
$45 |
|
Navajo Weaving Workshop AZ |
Barbara Teller Ornelas and Lynda Teller Pete are fifth generation Master Navajo Weavers. Sisters, Barbara and Lynda will share personal stories and experiences, allowing participants to gain fascinating insights into the world of Navajo weaving. In this 3 day workshop students will work on a pre-warped Navajo Upright Loom (which will be available for sale) and will learn the basics of Navajo weaving and design while making a small (10” x 12”) rug. Wool for the weft will need to be purchased in the shop at the time of the workshop. Find additional information here |
Grandma's Spinning Wheel 6544 E. Tanque Verde Rd. Tucson. Arizona, 85715 520-290-3738 spinninggramma@aol.com Contact: |
Barbara Teller Ornelas (Diné), Lynda Teller Pete (Diné) | Start: February 16, 2013 End: February 18, 2013 |
$375 includes use of loom and tools |
|
Beginning Navajo Loom Weaving AZ |
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. Pick up materials list. Five 2.5 hour sessions Find additional information here |
The Fiber Factory 216 W Main St, Mesa, AZ Mesa. Arizona, 85201-7312 480-969-4346 yarn@fiberfactory.org Contact: Terry McCook or Susan Calrk |
Liz Munk | Start: March 2, 2013 End: March 30, 2013 |
$88 |
|
Intermediate Navajo Loom Weaving AZ |
Weave a Two-faced or Twill rug or your own design. Come to class with your loom already warped. This is an instructor assisted independent study class for the intermediate to advanced student in Navajo weaving. Three two and a half hour sessions every two weeks. Find additional information here |
The Fiber Factory 216 W Main St, Mesa, AZ Mesa. Arizona, 85201-7312 480-969-4346 yarn@fiberfactory.org Contact: Terry McCook or Susan Calrk |
Sharie Monsam | Start: March 19, 2013 End: April 9, 2013 |
$53 |
|
Weaving in Beauty: A Textile Tour of the Navajo Nation AZ |
Intensive week-long combination class and textile tour for students of all levels of ability. Limit of 8 students per session. Find additional information here |
Weaving in Beauty Remote Location: Window Rock Quality Inn Navajo Nation Capital Window Rock. Arizona, 86515 602-370-2875 mary.walker@weavinginbeauty.com Contact: Mary Walker |
Jennie Slick, Diné, Mary Walker | Start: June 9, 2013 End: June 16, 2013 |
$750 includes the use of loom and tools |
|
Weaving in Beauty: A Textile Tour of the Navajo Nation AZ |
Intensive week-long combination class and textile tour for students of all levels of ability. Limit of 8 students per session. Find additional information here |
Weaving in Beauty Remote Location: Window Rock Quality Inn Navajo Nation Capital Window Rock. Arizona, 86515 602-370-2875 mary.walker@weavinginbeauty.com Contact: Mary Walker |
Jennie Slick, Diné, Mary Walker | Start: August 4, 2013 End: August 11, 2013 |
$750 includes the use of loom and tools |
|
Weaving in Beauty: A Textile Tour of the Navajo Nation AZ |
Intensive week-long combination class and textile tour for students of all levels of ability. Limit of 8 students per session. Find additional information here |
Weaving in Beauty Remote Location: Window Rock Quality Inn Navajo Nation Capital Window Rock. Arizona, 86515 602-370-2875 mary.walker@weavinginbeauty.com Contact: Mary Walker |
Jennie Slick, Diné, Mary Walker | Start: September 13, 2013 End: September 20, 2013 |
$750 includes the use of loom and tools |
|
Weaving in Beauty: A Textile Tour of the Navajo Nation AZ |
Intensive week-long combination class and textile tour for students of all levels of ability. Limit of 8 students per session. Find additional information here |
Weaving in Beauty Remote Location: Window Rock Quality Inn Navajo Nation Capital Window Rock. Arizona, 86515 602-370-2875 mary.walker@weavinginbeauty.com Contact: Mary Walker |
Jennie Slick, Diné, Mary Walker | Start: October 6, 2013 End: October 13, 2013 |
$750 includes the use of loom and tools |
|
Navajo Weaving AZ |
Navajo weaving workshop with award winning Two Gray Hill weavers Barbara Teller Ornelas and Lynda Teller Pete. Participants will be able to complete a small rug under their tutelage. Stories from their culture, their families, and their experiences flow easily from these engaging sister artists. Participants have an option to stay in Amerind's Fulton Seminar House. November 2 is an optional day for those who want to learn how to warp their looms. Find additional information here |
The Amerind Foundation P.O. Box 400, 2100 North Amerind Road Dragoon. Arizona, 85609 (520) 5863666 amerind@amerind.org Contact: |
Barbara Teller Ornelas (Diné), Lynda Teller Pete (Diné) | Start: October 28, 2013 End: November 2, 2013 |
$950 includes room, board, use of loom |
|
Various Workshops on Weaving and Dyeing AZ |
Contact Mark Deshchinny for class schedule Find additional information here |
Deschinny Weaving and Dyeing Workshops P.O. Box 4677 Window Rock. Arizona, 86515 928-871-5587 deschinny@yahoo.com Contact: Mark Deschinny |
Mark H. Deschinny, Diné | Start: End: |
Contact Mark |
| Class Title | Description | Location | Instructor | Date | Tuition |
|
Intermediate Workshop CA |
Intermediate workshop: learn to combine diagonal and vertical lines to create complex designs. Find additional information here |
Foothill Weavers in the Navajo Tradition 4524 Las Encinitas Drive Fair Oaks. California, 95628 916-961-0477 ibweaving@sbcglobal.net Contact: Marilyn Greaves |
Marilyn Greaves, Mel Silva | Start: February 23, 2013 End: February 24, 2013 |
$40 per day |
|
Intermediate Workshop CA |
Learn to combine diagonal and vertical lines to create complex designs. Find additional information here |
Foothill Weavers in the Navajo Tradition 4524 Las Encinitas Drive Fair Oaks. California, 95628 916-961-0477 ibweaving@sbcglobal.net Contact: Marilyn Greaves |
Marilyn Greaves, Mel Silva | Start: March 4, 2013 End: March 4, 2013 |
$40 |
|
Beginning Workshop CA |
Beginning Workshop - $350 for three days; all supplies and a student loom provided. Find additional information here |
Foothill Weavers in the Navajo Tradition 4524 Las Encinitas Drive Fair Oaks. California, 95628 916-961-0477 ibweaving@sbcglobal.net Contact: Marilyn Greaves |
Marilyn Greaves, Mel Silva | Start: March 22, 2013 End: March 22, 2013 |
$350 |
|
2013 Navajo Weaving Class CA |
Students will have the opportunity to learn the art of weaving from Award winning, Master Navajo Weavers, Barbara Teller Ornelas, originally from Two Grey Hills and Newcomb, New Mexico, now living in Tucson, AZ and her sister Lynda Teller Pete from Denver, CO. Barbara and Lynda have taught Navajo Weaving for over 14 years. While instructing and demonstrating, Barbara and Lynda will share personal stories and experiences, allowing students into family’s 7 Generations of Navajo weaving. There are Navajo weaving songs and stories, however, all songs and stories vary from Navajo weaving families in different geographical areas. Students will learn the traditional method of Navajo weaving in the 5 days of class. The majority of the class will be spent designing and learning how to weave a 12.5” high X 10.5” wide rug on an upright Navajo Loom. Find additional information here |
Ojai, CA 1545 Cuyama Road Ojai. California, 93023 303-561-1582 lynda@navajorugweavers.com Contact: Lynda Pete |
Barbara Teller Ornelas (Diné), Lynda Teller Pete (Diné) | Start: April 12, 2013 End: April 16, 2013 |
Contact Lynda Pete |
|
Beginning OR Intermediate Workshop (depends on demand) CA |
Check with Marilyn to see which class will be offered. Find additional information here |
Foothill Weavers in the Navajo Tradition 4524 Las Encinitas Drive Fair Oaks. California, 95628 916-961-0477 ibweaving@sbcglobal.net Contact: Marilyn Greaves |
Marilyn Greaves, Mel Silva | Start: April 26, 2013 End: April 28, 2013 |
Depends on which class is offered |
|
Beginning & Intermediate Navajo Weaving CA |
Beginners: Students will learn the traditional method of Navajo weaving and will begin by learning how to prepare an upright Navajo-style loom for weaving. The majority of the week will be spent designing and learning how to weave a 16" x 24" rug. In order to complete the rug and learn how to finish the piece, it is recommended that students continue for the second week. Beginning weavers may enroll for the full two weeks or in the first week only. For beginners wanting to weave only, pre-warped looms will be available (must preorder). Intermediate: Students will learn more advanced weaving techniques and more intricate patterns, and the rug may be any size. Students who have begun a rug in this workshop in previous summers may bring their rugs to complete. Intermediate students (those who have taken this course before or have had previous basic training in Navajo weaving on an upright loom) may enroll for the full two weeks or in the second week only. Intermediate students must bring their own loom and it must be set up for weaving before class begins. If you wish to warp your loom, you must attend the first session, even if you are a returning student. Find additional information here |
Idyllwild ARTS Summer Program PO Box 38, 52500 Temecula Rd Idyllwild. California, 92549-0038 951-659-2171 x2365 Summer@idyllwildarts.org Contact: |
Barbara Teller Ornelas (Diné), Lynda Teller Pete (Diné) | Start: June 24, 2013 End: July 5, 2013 |
$715 per week plus lab fees |
|
Small group Navajo weaving classes CA |
Offers ongoing workshops throughout the year. 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. Contact Marilyn for classes other than those currently in the schedule. Find additional information here |
Foothill Weavers in the Navajo Tradition 4524 Las Encinitas Drive Fair Oaks. California, 95628 916-961-0477 ibweaving@sbcglobal.net Contact: Marilyn Greaves |
Marilyn Greaves, Mel Silva | Start: End: |
Contact Marilyn |
Colorado
There were no classes scheduled in Colorado as of our last update on February 5, 2013.
Missouri
| Class Title | Description | Location | Instructor | Date | Tuition |
|
Fiber Furlough MO |
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”. Find additional information here |
Hillcreek Fiber Studio 7001 Hillcreek Road Columbia. Missouri, 65203 573-874-2233 Workshops@HillcreekFiberStudio.com Contact: Carol Leigh Brack-Kaiser |
Carol Leigh Brack-Kaiser | Start: June 9, 2013 End: June 9, 2013 |
$345 |
New Jersey
|
Navajo (Diné) Rug Weaving NJ |
Class Description: Learn how to set up a warp, weave and finish off a small rug using the basic and traditional weaving techniques on an upright Navajo style loom. Various Navajo rug styles will be shared along with a brief history of the Navajo culture. Ideas will be provided on how to plan and incorporate various designs in a rug as well as how to resolve problems that you may encounter. Navajo rugs are well known for their selvedges and for having the designs be the same on the front and back. You will learn how to do this properly and finish a small rug. No prior experience is necessary. Instructor Bio: Marilou Schultz, Navajo or Dine, is originally from the Navajo reservation from Arizona. She learned weaving at a young age and taught Navajo weaving for more than 20 years. The basic weaving techniques are still the same as our ancestors except for the material used for the loom, weaving tools, and sometimes the fiber used for weaving. As a weaver and educator, She likes to experiment and share her knowledge with others. She participates in the Santa Fe Indian Market, Heard Indian Market, New York Sheep and Wool plus the Maryland Sheep & Wool festivals. Find additional information here |
Peters Valley Craft Center 19 Kuhn Road Layton. New Jersey, 07851 973-948-5200 info@petersvalley.org Contact: info@petersvalley.org |
Marilou Schultz, Diné | Start: July 12, 2013 End: July 16, 2013 |
$650 with materials fee |
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New Mexico
| Class Title | Description | Location | Instructor | Date | Tuition |
|
Navajo Weaving and Culture NM |
"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.” Find additional information here |
Taos Art School P.O. Box 2588 Taos. New Mexico, 87571 575-758-0350 tas@laplaza.org Contact: Ursula Beck |
Pearl Sunrise, Diné | Start: July 6, 2013 End: July 13, 2013 |
$575 plus materials |
Oregon
| Class Title | Description | Location | Instructor | Date | Tuition |
|
Southwestern-style Tapestry Weaving Workshop OR |
The workshop offers an opportunity to explore the unique tapestry techniques of the Southwestern United States. Warping will be done in the traditional way, and the basic structure of vertical, horizontal, and diagonal patterning will be practiced on a 10″ x 16″ sampler. The use of classic tools, finishing, and natural dyeing will be introduced. Open to all levels of weavers. Looms provided. On-site accommodation is available. $395 fee, $195 deposit due by 4/24/15. Registration open through May 9, 2015. Find additional information here |
Black Sheep Squadron Farm 84610 Hideaway Hills Rd. Eugene. Oregon, 97405 541-343-2458 bopeep30@msn.com Contact: Judy Ann Ness |
Judy Ness | Start: May 18, 2015 End: May 22, 2015 |
$395, $195 deposit |
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If you know of other classes that we should list, just let me know!
Maya, take a look at Lynda Teller Pete’s site. She will be offering workshops in Denver, Lakewood and Golden in June and July. She is at http://navajorugweavers.com/.
Hello ~ I just sent an email before seeing this thread…I am so very interested in learning to weave, but see that there are no classes offered in CO. Perhaps you have suggestions on where to look for classes in Colorado, specifically the Denver area (although, I can and will drive to take a class!). If you do I would be so grateful for the help. Thank you, and many Blessings ~
Please advise when you have a class list for 2013. I am very interested in any classes given in CA. Thank you
Yes, I’ll be working on class listings for 2013 very soon.
this is a wonderful list you have here. I am only sorry I found it so late in the year and have missed most of the dates listed. Are you planning on a similar list for next year?
Thanks so much
I am working on making the videos available as a DVD. It would be used in combination with the book.
I was adopted at age 3 months, at 22 I found out I was of Indian Heritage. Finally an explanation to the many outdoor enjoyment along with unusual craft choices made throughout my life. I’m so very proud to be an American Indian. I really feel I missed out on teachings of my heritage as well. Although drawn to crafts my whole life now at 52, I suffer many joint and arthritic problems and find it impossible to attend a class both financially and travel would be harsh to my pain level. I’m very anxious to learn the beautiful art of weaving, do you offer DVD’s for sale. My husband being a former builder and general contractor feels sure he could build a very nice loom. Would this be a possibility to learn by DVD instruction? Thank you so much for your site and the passing of your treasured art.
Warmly, Caroline Greenwell Coxs Creek Ky. 40013
502-294-9891
talkhorses@gmail.com