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 On the 15 May a
course on the design of jacquard fabrics opened at the Fondazione. The course
has attracted students from all around the world, from the United
States to Australia , and they are now studying weft effects
and damasks. They have the chance to create fabrics to their
own designs either on hand looms or with computerised programmes,
compatible with electronic looms. It is possible to make samples
of the students' designs on the most up-to-date looms.
 At
the same time: the course held by Thessy Schoenholzer
Nichols on the Identification, cataloguing and study of hand-made lace has recently finished. The course
was organised especially for a group of students at the restoration
school at the Opificio delle Pietre Dure and from Palazzo Spinelli
in Florence. The students learnt to recognise the stitches, techniques
and styles used in lace-making from the 16th to the 20th century.
The teacher's personal collection was made available for study.
Each student was given a certificate of attendance.
Weaving
 Our desire
for experimentation in weaving, one of the most salient features
of the activities at the Fondazione, led us to try using a raffia
weft together with a silk warp. Raffia, as is well known,
is traditionally used by African weavers and has previously been
adopted in Europe mainly for embroidery. The introduction of
more unusual materials into classical weaving started in the
19th century and has produced some interesting results, and we
intend to continue developing new ideas. If anyone has practical,
technical or other suggestions which might be of interest in
this line we should be very pleased to hear from you. We have
no ideological limitations, only financial ones, in our search
for unusual weaving techniques!
Luciano
Ghersi, a weaver and weaving
philosopher (who edits this site and our news) has recently returned
from Africa where he learnt to weave adopting the technique
used by the Ewe people. Ghersi has written a philosophical-technical
essay entitles "Il tessuto secondo gli Ewe" (Weaving
according to the Ewe) This essay will soon be published in our
magazine Jacquard but is already available on www.hypertextile.net . In addition to this study, Ghersi
is prepared to make available his practical experience and knowledge
by organising a course at the Fondazione. Who would like
to take part in this adventure? Contact
us!
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