Fiber Arts Weaving (FA)
A Word About the Program
The Rio Grande Valley has long been considered a mecca for skilled Native American and Hispanic weavers. At Northern, we are drawing upon this rich local talent and expertise in the Fiber Arts program. We offer a full-time, 2-year Fiber Arts Associate Degree, a 1-year Weaving Certificate and many short-term intensive fiber arts courses.
The Fiber Arts program encourages both personal artistic growth and the development of technical skills. This program will provide a strong foundation for successfully pursuing textile weaving as a career. Course offerings, in addition to required courses such as Weaving I, Weaving II and Spinning, include loom construction, natural dyeing, rug restoration, rag rugs, ikat and basketry. There are occasional guest instructors and a field trip to the Crownpoint rug action. Students are encouraged to participate in weaving shows and studio tours during the year.
Complete Course Offerings
100 INTRODUCTION TO WEAVING An introduction to design work using basic shuttle techniques; an introduction to warping the loom and understanding how the loom works. You will be required to complete a minimum of one weaving.
101 WEAVING I Design work of quality textile, warping the loom, weaving special projects using different warps, wefts, techniques, and proper finishing methods. You will weave several rugs. Co-requisite: FA 101L. (Fall only) (1 credit)
101L WEAVING I LAB Practical application of warping looms and weaving. Five projects incorporating one, two, and three-shuttle techniques. Co-requisite: FA 101. (Fall only) (6 credits)
103 SPINNING I You will prepare fleece for spinning; including washing, carding, and blending of different fibers. You will spin on drop spindles and three different types of spinning wheels. (3 credits)
107 TEXTILE COLOR AND DESIGN You will explore elements of design and color theory. Emphasizes personal work with a focus on designing textiles. (2 credits)
109 LOOM BUILDING You will learn loom parts and how to maintain and repair any problem that may arise with a loom by constructing a two-harness or four-harness treadle loom. At the time you enroll for this class, you will be assessed a special materials fee to cover the cost of the lumber needed in constructing your loom.
(1 credit)
110 HISTORY OF TEXTILES History of world textile with emphasis on the southwest. (2 credits)
112 VEGETAL DYES: IDENTIFICATION & SELECTION Identification and selection of various dye plants and materials available during prime season. You will learn techniques of dyeing, and explore the possible colors obtained from local plants, roots, and barks, as well as from ancient historical dyes. You will dry and preserve materials, keep records of dye samples, and recipes for future use. Fall only. (5 credits)
116 QUILTING Beginning students will learn the techniques of piecing a quilt together, preparing the top of the quilt and sandwiching, and they will explore the traditional designs and contemporary styles. Advanced students will learn strip piecing, simple patchwork, hand and machine appliqué, and more advanced traditional piecework. Each student will design and finish a quilt. This class may be repeated twice for credit. (2 credits)
202 SPINNING II Selection of fibers, and processing and spinning techniques appropriate for the end use of yarn. Emphasizes controlling yarn size and twist; fibers such as silk, cotton, and alpaca will be introduced and you will practice various plying techniques. Pre-requisite: FA 103 or permission of instructor.(Fall only) (2 credits)
208 MARKETING OF WOVEN GOODS You will create a marketing plan for selling to the occasional retail customer or for running a full-time retail or wholesale business with employees; emphasis on pricing, consignment, and mail order. Pre-requisite: MATH 100N with a grade of "C" or better. (2 credits)
210 WEAVING II Introduces you to basic tapestry techniques, including vertical and diagonal designs. Co-requisite: FA 210L. (1 credit)
210L WEAVING II LAB Practical application of vertical and diagonal designs. Weaving of samplers incorporating all geometric shapes. You will design and weave your own textile. Co-requisite: FA 210; Pre-requisites: FA 101 and 101L with grades of "C" or better, or instructor permission. (6 credits)
213 WEAVING III Study of color gradation with applied skills. Co-requisite: FA 213L. (1 credit)
213L WEAVING III LAB You will design and weave a free form or pictorial tapestry. Co-requisite: FA 213. Prerequisites: FA 101 and 101L, FA 210 and 210L with grades of "C" or better, or permission of instructor. (6 credits)
216 RUG RESTORATION Covers the basic materials and techniques employed in the restoration of hand-woven textiles, including Navajo, Mexican, Rio Grande, Chimayo, and Oriental Kilns; evaluation of damage, warp replacement, weft re-weaving, design study, and color matching through dyeing with natural and annaline dyes. You will work on your own textiles or on those provided by the instructor. (2 credits)
218 RAG RUG WEAVING History of rag rugs in the United States and the Southwest; emphasizes using a variety of cloth materials (rags) and the process of preparing materials. You will incorporate your own design and weave a rug or pictorial tapestry for display. (2 credits)
225 FOUR HARNESS WEAVE Application of four harness weaves which include twills, double weaves, and overshot, as well as a comprehensive understanding of reading drafts and treading. Pre-requisite: FA 101 with a grade of "C" or better, or permission of instructor. (4 credits)
227 SYNTHETIC DYES You will learn to create a color rotation atlas which is defined by three attributes: hue, value, and chroma, which respectively represents the color family (lightness, darkness, and color strength) by the mixing of dyes. Color theory arranges the color points on a huge triangle based on the four variable physical qualities of the color family, and the rotation system gives the dye formula for each color point. You will work on special projects and will also create your own color atlas from which the dye formula for any desired color can be determined. Prerequisite: MATH 100N with a grade of "C" or better. (3 credits)
228L SPECIAL PROJECTS You will work on individual special projects, with minimal assistance, with permission of the instructor. Pre-requisite: FA 101 and 101L. (3 credits)
230 WEAVING PRACTICUM You will have hands-on experience in a weaving studio, gallery, workshop, or classroom setting following individualized learning objectives prearranged between yourself and the program director. The director and gallery/workshop staff will work closely together on your work and/or activities. Forty-eight work hours are required to earn one semester hour of credit. Graded on a CR/NC basis. Pre-requisite: Permission of program advisor. (4 credits)
231 BASKETRY: COILING, TWINING, AND PLAITING Covers the techniques of coiling pine needles, sumac, and grasses to make small baskets; twining round, reed, willow, and man-made materials to make woven baskets; and plaiting flat reed cane and splints to make traditional woven baskets. (Spring only) (3 credits)
234 FUNDAMENTALS OF IKAT You will design and create a geometric weft IKAT; history of IKAT weaving. (1 credit)
235 PICTORIAL WITH IKAT You will design and create a weft IKAT weaving with simple pictorial designs as seen in historical textiles of the American Southwest and Central America.
(1 credit)
236 ADVANCED IKAT Creation of warp and weft IKAT weaving through applied knowledge and skills; exploration of more advanced techniques for freer expression. (Spring only) (1 credit)
Requirements for the "Certificate in Weaving" (Total Credit Hours 47-50)
General Education Requirements (6-9 hrs)
COMMUNICATIONS (3 hrs)
ENG 108N Basic English I (3)
MATHEMATICS (3-6 hrs)
MATH 100N Fundamentals of Mathematics (6) or higher level math (3)
WEAVING Requirements (41 hrs)
FA 101 WEAVING I (1)
FA 101L WEAVING I LAB (6)
FA 103 SPINNING I (3)
FA 105 DYEING (3)
FA 107 TEXTILE COLOR AND DESIGN (2)
FA 110 HISTORY OF TEXTILES (2)
FA 208 MARKETING OF WOVEN GOODS (2)
FA 210 WEAVING II (1)
FA 210L WEAVING II LAB (6)
FA 213 WEAVING III (1)
FA 213L WEAVING III LAB (6)
FA 225 FOUR-HARNESS WEAVE (4)
FA 230 WEAVING PRACTICUM (4)
Requirements for the "Associate of Applied Science in Fiber Arts" (Total Credit Hours 69-70)
General Education Requirements (25-26 hrs)
COMMUNICATIONS (6 hrs)
ENG 111 English Composition (3)
In addition choose one of the following:
ENG 112 English Composition II (3)
ENG 116 Technical Writing (3)
SPCH 130 Public Speaking I (3)
HUMANITIES (6 hrs)
Two courses from Humanities or Fine Arts (lecture only) (6)
MATH/COMPUTERS/LABOROTORY SCIENCES (6-7 hrs)
Electives (6-7)
SOCIAL/BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES (6 hrs)
Electives (6)
HEALTH/PHYSICAL EDUCATION & RECREATION (1 hr)
Elective (1)
WEAVING Requirements (44 hrs)
FA 101 WEAVING I (1)
FA 101L WEAVING I LAB (6)
FA 103 SPINNING I (3)
FA 105 DYEING (3)
FA 107 TEXTILE COLOR AND DESIGN (2)
FA 110 HISTORY OF TEXTILES (2)
FA 208 MARKETING OF WOVEN GOODS (2)
FA 210 WEAVING II (1)
FA 210L WEAVING II LAB (6)
FA 213 WEAVING III (1)
FA 213L WEAVING III LAB (6)
FA 225 FOUR-HARNESS WEAVE (4)
FA 230 WEAVING PRACTICUM (4)
Electives: Choose 8 credit hours from the following courses:
FA 109 Loom Building (1)
FA 112 Vegetal Dyes: Identification and Selection (5)
FA 116 Quilting (2)
FA 202 Spinning II (2)
FA 216 Rug Restoration (2)
FA 218 Rag-Rug Weaving (2)