Ancient silk splendour - recreated

Workshop with Technical Analysis and Practical Experience (weft-faced compound tabby and twill)

To feel, to experience, to comprehend and to learn – these are the primary issues when it comes to the study of ancient textiles and their construction, especially when one deals with complex patterned textiles from antiquity.

The project “Ancient Silk Splendour – recreated” led to the development of a weaving class, designed by experts from the German Textile Museum and the House of Silk Culture from Krefeld. The class teaches the theoretical basics of ancient patterned weaves, but also how to practically recreate them.

Joyn us for a special experience with two special weaves that were favoured in antiquity: weft-faced compound tabby (Taqueté) and weft-faced compound twill (samite). These two weaves enable you to produce coloured patterns that repeat all over the fabric machanically. You will have the possibilty to study some examples of fascinating archaeological textiles in the collection of the German Textile Museum Krefeld, produced in wool and silk and dating back more than one millenium. To deepen the knowledge you will weave your own samples at the House of Silk Culture Krefeld on modern hand looms with a special setup.

What you will experience in the workshop:

  • Analysis of weft-faced compound weaves through visual decompositon,

  • Pratice identification and technical terms of Taqueté and Samite (CIETA-vocabulary is used),

  • Deepen your knowledge by the study of original objects in the collecton of the German Textile Museum Krefeld, made from wool and silk (4th – 8th century AD).

  • Hands-on-practice:
    Weave compound structures on simple modern handlooms at the House of Silk Culture Krefeld. You will use Cotton, Wool and Silk yarns to make different samples of weft-faced compound weaves. While some samples will be didactic models in modern patterns, others will feature the designs of antiquity. Your self-woven samples are your personal illustrations of these techniques to take home with you.

  • Search for flaws and faults in the original objects and your samples: What do they tell about the weaving process?

Dates
19.–23. September 2022 (class in german)
26.–30. September 2022 (class in english)

Class hours:
Mo–Thu 9 am – 5 pm , Fr 9 am – 3 pm

Fee:
635,- € per participant (maximum: 8 participants per class)

The fee includes 31 hours of class, a coffe/tee-brak in the afternoon, all materials used for the samples and a large handout. Also included: an optional pre-class excursion with guided tours in the House of Silk Sulture and the German Textile Museum on the day before the start of the class (Sunday 18th sept 2022 for the class in german language; Sunday 25th sept 2022 for the class in english language).

Not included: lunches, accomodation, futher meals

The class takes place at the „Haus der Seidenkultur“ Krefeld, Luisenstraße 15, D-47799 Krefeld
There will be several study trips to the “Deutsches Textilmuseum Krefeld”, Andreasmarkt 8, D-47809 Krefeld

Teacher: Barbara Thomas M.A., Textile archaeologist and specialist in ancient weft-faced compound weaves

Requirements: Basic principles of simple weaves (tabby, twill). Experience in handweaving is desirable, but not mandatory.

Further Information is provided and registration is possible via E-Mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The weaving class is a cooperation of the House of Silk Culture and the German Textile Museum Krefeld. The weaving class is organised by the House of Silk Culture.