Minds On
Let’s get started!
What is weaving?
Have you ever wondered how wool, silk, or cotton become a blanket or clothing? What about how a basket is created?
Weaving is the art of interlacing or intertwining two threads, yarns, or other materials to create a product, such as fabric.
Explore the following images that show the art of weaving.
As you explore each image, create a list of the different types of materials that are being woven.
Record your list in a method of your choice.
A loom is an apparatus for making fabric by weaving yarn or thread. The loom holds the threads in place, while the weaver then weaves the threads into a pattern.
A weaver weaving threads of silk together. Weavers can create fabrics by handweaving, which is using two threads or yarns and intertwining them by hand.
Bamboo woven together to create a basket.
Paper strips have been woven together to create a rainbow pattern.
Palm leaves being woven together to create a bracelet.
Pause and Reflect
Time to reflect
Let’s take a moment and reflect on the following questions.
- Do you know of any other materials that can be woven together?
- What similarities did you notice in each of the weavings?
Record your ideas in a method of your choice.
Action
Get ready, get set…
Understanding the process
As stated in the Minds On section, weaving is the art of interlacing or intertwining two threads, yarns, or other materials to create a product, such as fabric.
Weaving as a practice began 27,000 years ago. It is one of the oldest types of technology. Many weavers have used textiles in their weaving.
Textile
Any item created through the practice of weaving, knitting, or felting.
The practice of weaving involves the following two threads:
- The warp threads are the ones that are held in one place lengthwise, as tight as can be.
- The weft thread is the one that gets woven through the warp threads, in an over and under pattern.
Go!
Your turn
Let’s check your understanding of weaving. For each of the following statements, select whether they are true or false.
Element of line and weaving
What you may have noticed in the images in the Minds On section was the use of the element of line in the materials being woven.
Element of line
The repetition of lines to create visual rhythm.
In many of the images you explored, the woven materials had repeating line patterns that created a visual rhythm.
Return to the Minds On images. Notice how the element of line is used in each example.
Record your observations in a method of your choice.
Weaving and art
Did you know that weaving has appeared in artwork? Some artists use textiles to create their artwork. In the following section, we will explore some of these artists.
Sheila Hicks
Sheila Hicks is an American textile artist who uses colourful, soft sculptures made from yarn and other natural elements. She began working with textiles in the late 1950s, as she travelled to Chile, Morocco, and India to study the different techniques of weaving.
Hicks wanted to create art that her audience could reach out and touch. Her use of bright colours are inviting.
Sheila Hicks with her installation from “Foray into Chromatic Zones”, London, 2015.
Let’s explore the artistic principle of emphasis with the following piece of artwork, specifically the use of colour intensity that creates a focal point in the art.
Emphasis
Special importance given to one part or element in an artwork. Emphasis directs the audience’s attention to the chosen element first. Emphasis can be created using design elements, such as contrast, colour, and size. For example, a shape can be emphasized by making it the largest.
Escalade Beyond Chromatic Lands by Sheila Hicks, 2016-17
An installation room. Two red and brown knit panels hang on either side of the entrance of the room. At the far end, large multi-coloured balls of yarn are stacked from the ceiling to the floor. They are arranged as mostly warm colours on top and cool colours at the bottom. There are also contrasting coloured balls interspersed randomly throughout.
Pause and Reflect
Pause and reflect
Let’s take a moment and reflect on the following questions.
- What do you notice about Hicks’ art? How is the art organized?
- How does Hicks use contrasting colours to draw focus on her art?
Record your ideas using a method of your choice.
Use your understanding of Hicks’ work to complete the following fill in the blank activity. For each sentence, select the missing word from the drop-down menu.
Faig Ahmed
Faig Ahmed paints, makes installation art, and creates videos. He is best known for his textile art.
Faig Ahmed in his studio in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Ahmed was born in Azerbaijan, a country between Eastern Europe and Western Asia. He uses ancient carpet weaving techniques in his art, which he mounts on wood or plastic. Explore the following piece by Ahmed titled Singularity.
Singularity by Faig Ahmed, 2016
A multicoloured woven carpet that has stretched and morphed in the middle section to create an organic shape, which resembles a mask. The stretched middle section includes repeating lines matching the colours of the carpet.
Pause and Reflect
Time to reflect
Let’s take a moment and reflect on the following questions.
- What do you notice about the use of lines in Ahmed’s work, Singularity? Is there repetition of lines in the piece?
Press ‘Answer’ to learn about the use of lines in Singularity, and if there is repetition of lines in the piece.
Ahmed uses repeating lines where the carpet patterns change from the ancient carpet patterns to the centre of the piece, which appears like a mask. The repeating lines and colour draw attention toward the centre of the artwork.
- What patterns are noticeable in Singularity?
Press ‘Answer’ to learn about the patterns noticeable in Singularity.
There are many patterns in the carpet sections on the left and right of the piece, but the lines are also patterned. There are also patterns in the centre, where the artwork appears to be a mask.
Kalyn Kodiak
Kalyn Kodiak is a Métis finger weaver. She is a member of the Métis Nation of Alberta. She is a weaver, a teacher, and a knowledge keeper.
Kalyn Kodiak sings and plays a traditional Métis hand drum.
Finger weaving is a traditional Métis skill that was used when creating the Métis sash. The sash is a symbol of Métis heritage. Historically, the sash was used for many purposes, such as to help pull a canoe onto shore, to mend clothing with threads from the sash, and even to help apply pressure to an injury. Today, the sash is worn as a symbol of pride and celebration. The colours used in the Métis sash all have important meaning for the community, and different communities may wear different colour variations of the sash.
A handmade sash by Scott Duffee.
A traditional Métis sash. White, yellow, and black thread is woven to create a pattern of overlapping lines. The pattern contrasts its red background. One end of the sash is a tassel of loose strings.
Pause and Reflect
Time to reflect
Let’s take a moment and reflect on the following questions.
- What do you notice about the use of lines in the Métis sash? Is there repetition of lines?
- Do the colours draw your focus to a specific area of the sash?
Use your understanding of Métis finger weaving to complete the following fill in the blank activity. For each sentence, select the missing word from the drop-down menu.
Consolidation
Putting it all together
Creating a textile design
Materials Needed
Materials you might need
Possible materials you might need for this learning activity:
- cardboard from a box or from a container in the recycle bin
- another option is a plastic basket that fruit may come in
- scissors
- yarn, string, or ribbon
- tape for the end of the material being threaded
Student Success
Exploring digital creation options
When you are considering digital creation options, explore the variety of digital applications available!
Note to teachers: See your teacher guide for collaboration tools, ideas and suggestions.
Safety
Always be sure to do your safety checks before you do an activity.
Before you begin:
Now that you have learned different methods of weaving and how artists have used weaving in their art, both traditional and modern, it is time to create a textile design.
Option 1: Description
Create a description of the type of pattern and/or colours you would use to create your textile design.
Option 2: Materials
Let’s create our own loom using cardboard!
Possible materials you might need for this learning activity:
- cardboard from a box or from a container in the recycle bin
- another option is a plastic basket that fruit may come in
- scissors
- yarn, string, or ribbon
- tape for the end of the material being threaded
Start with a small piece of cardboard and a pair of scissors.
Using scissors, make cuts or notches, along two opposite edges. About 2 cm apart and 1 cm deep.
Begin by looping the yarn under and over the loom in the notches you have created. If you run out of thread, you can continue with a different colour. Tie the new colour to the end of the old colour or you can just weave the ends in.
Select the colour you would like to use next. Tape the next string of yarn onto the edge of your loom. This will make it easier to begin creating your pattern.
Weave the yarn over and under the looped yarn. Alternate between the strands of yarn (i.e., under one piece, over the other).
Think about the pattern. It is nice to have a pattern of colours or add one row of a different colour, texture, or material for emphasis in your pattern. Colours can also symbolize meaning. Consider if there are any particular colours that hold meaning for you. Create your pattern.
Once you have completed the pattern, tie off the ends and flip over the loom.
Carefully remove the yarn from its notches.
Remove the taped edges and take your weaving off the loom.
Spread your weaving out on a table.
Tie off the loose ends.
You’ve created your own woven textile!
Option 3: Digital collage
Create a pattern and shape for your textile using a digital application of your choice.
Portfolio
Track your progress
Consider adding the answers to the following reflection questions to your art portfolio.
- What do you think about your final product?
- Did you get a lot of different textures?
- Were you able to create emphasis on one section by using a different colour, texture, or material?
Consider adding your textile design to your art portfolio. If possible, share your beautiful design and/or description with a partner!
Reflection
As you read through these descriptions, which sentence best describes how you are feeling about your understanding of this learning activity? Press the button that is beside this sentence.
I feel…
Now, record your ideas using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.