Resources for Romani Arts Tutorial Videos
Yarn Tutorial Part 1
Watch the Workshop on YouTube, Click here : Part 1
Spinning;
Small sharp scissors;
https://merchantandmills.com/store/equipment/scissors/baby-bow/
For interesting handmade yarns and organic/printed fabrics search on Etsy;
*if you are making yarn from fabric strips, it’s best to wash the fabric through on warm wash to pre-shrink before making into strips for weaving*
Spindle & Skein https://etsy.me/
Highland Colours https://etsy.me/3qBd2F3
Yarn Yarn Yarns; https://etsy.me/2HTrgx1
Linen Cloud; https://etsy.me/2r49PCu
Yarns;
https://www.georgeweil.com/materials/yarns-2/wool-yarns-3/
https://yarnandknitting.com/product-category/yarn/weight-yarn/chunkybulky-weight-yarn/
https://www.fibrehut.co.uk/collections/weaving/products/eco-jeans-recycled
https://www.handweavers.co.uk/yarns.irc
Warp Yarns;
https://yarnoncone.co.uk/shop/
https://www.georgeweil.com/materials/yarns-2/warp-yarns-4/
https://saltwaterrose.com/shop/yarns/
https://www.ebay.co.uk/str/yarnthreadcrafts
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Spinning;
Navajo Style Spindle (Schacht brand);
https://www.georgeweil.com/product/brands/schacht/hand-spindles-4/schacht-navajo-spindle/
Spindle makers in the UK;
http://www.bodrighy.co.uk/bodrighywood/prod_3646712-Navajo-Spindle.html
https://www.michael-williams-wood.co.uk/sitefiles/emailleaflet.pdf
Wool Roving from Fibre Hut;
https://www.fibrehut.co.uk/collections/fibre
For advanced spinning;
Traditional spinning wheel; Ashford Country Spinner;
https://www.handweavers.co.uk/country-spinner-2.ir
Ashford Jumbo E-Spinner (Imogen’s spinning wheel)
https://www.weftblown.com/products/ashford-e-spinner-super-jumbo
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Loom Building Tutorial Part 2
Watch the workshop on YouTube, click here : Part 2
*Tape measure & pencil*
Shaker Pegs: Medium Oak : £10 for 10 (need pack of 70)
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/282521769280
Or;
Shaker Pegs : Medium Hardwood £8 for 10 (need pack of 70)
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/282521788129
Or;
Brass Panel Pins 5cm/50mm (£4.99 for 100)
*use a small hammer for knocking the panel pins into the wood*
Wooden Picture Frame Stretchers (Gallery/Archive Style),
purchase in pairs / two of each size you need for the top/ bottom and both sides;
https://www.picturemaster.uk/product/proforge-pine-exhibition-22mm-stretcher-bar—singles
Sizes used to make my loom;
Pair of 86cm width = 34”
Pair of 127cm length = 50”
*to secure the corners you need 4 x 2cm/20mm long Phillips/cross head screws and a power drill to pre-drill all pilot holes*
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Weaving;
Weaving workshop part 3; click here to watch on YouTube
Small Stick Shuttles;
https://www.fibrehut.co.uk/collections/weaving/products/stick-shuttles-for-all-looms
*small shuttles can also be made from sturdy cardboard*
Wooden stick, beater or bobbin to tap down the yarn;
https://www.georgeweil.com/brands/ashford/ashford-weaving-tools-reeds/ashford-tapestry-bobbin/
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Other (Smaller) Simple Frame Looms / Tapestry Looms Ready To Buy;
https://www.weftblown.com/collections/tapestry-looms/products/schacht-school-loom
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I hope you’ve found the first two tutorials interesting and inspiring, the third tutorial will be uploaded soon;
I look forward to bringing you more weaving videos in the future,
Many Thanks to Isaac Blake and team at The Romani Cultural & Arts Company for commissioning these tutorials for The Women’s Project, 2021,
Imogen
http://www.brightmoonweaving.com
Romani arts and crafts are rich and varied, reaching back through history to the Romani roots found within ancient India. Via the long caravan across time and continents, we can see the migration and adaptation of traditional Romani crafts through the lands and communities encountered en route. Traditionally, the British Romani crafts featuring woven elements were mainly in the form of woven rush chair-seating (called chair-bottoming) and basket weaving from hedgerow woods such as willow; floor mats were woven from foraged materials such as long grasses and strips of bramble. Rag rugs were also a popular way of recycling fabrics into both useable and saleable items during the 1800’s in all sections of Victorian society, and as the traditional ‘Rag and Bone’ trade was part of Romani culture, fabric scraps and rags were a readily available resource. Reaching further back, and connecting with our Indian heritage, weavers were traditionally part of the Dalit caste. As a more contemporary development in Romani genetic research, early nomadic markers in the DNA of those with Romani heritage include very small and specific tribal links to the Baluch people of Iran and the Berbers of Arabic lands bordering to the east. These tribes are known for their tent-dwelling, nomadism and weaving skills, and evidence of the presence of these specific, historical tribal makers in the genetics of Romani people, creates a very vivid link to the potential held within these threads of inherited crafts. Hand-crafts are a recognisable part of Romani culture, testament to a lived experience founded on movement, adaptability, artistry and self expression. All art is a language, and craft is a subtle yet power art of the everyday; in these tutorials, we will look at weaving textiles for the home, thinking about the principles behind not only the finished work, but the making process itself, and the tools that allow ease of use and access, so that practical craft can be experienced around contemporary family life, offering new skills and opportunities for creative wellbeing.
Bright Moon Weaving Studio 