Studio News | Courses
Heritage Weaves & Contemporary Design
2 DAY WORKSHOP
29 July 10.00 - 3.00 | 30 July 10.00 - 3.00
Tapestry Weaving
Honouring Finnish Tradition and Modern Composition
This two-day course offers a technical and artistic exploration of weaving on a portable lap loom. The programme is led by Debbie, an established textile artist and member of both the Crafts Council and Heritage Crafts.
The workshop is informed by the traditional Finnish raanu (a heritage woollen textile).
Day One
Technical Foundation and Core Concepts
The first session focuses on the essential mechanics of tapestry weaving. Students will work with high-quality rug yarns to master the following:
• Loom Preparation: Technical protocols for setting up and warping a lap loom.
• Stitch Mastery: Instruction in the Tabby stitch and the textured Rya stitch.
• Heritage Techniques: Implementing the subtle stripes, colour gradients, and signature plaited tassels characteristic of Montell-Saanio’s work.
• Finishing: Professional methods for securing, tensioning, and removing a completed piece.
Honouring Finnish Raanu woollen textiles.
Elsa Montell-Saanio (1926–2019) was a pioneering Finnish weaver from Lapland who revolutionised the traditional raanu textile. By evolving these functional woollen weavings into modern art, she transitioned the craft from utilitarian blankets into sophisticated wall hangings characterised by subtle stripes, evocative colour gradients, and signature plaited tassels.
Building on her legacy of elevating heritage crafts into fine art, Montell-Saanio’s distinctive approach to the northern landscape has inspired my new collection of tapestry pieces.
Day Two
Creative Application and Free Weaving
The second day is dedicated to a Free Weaving workshop. Having built a comprehensive skill set on day one, students will have the creative freedom to experiment with their own designs. This session explores the convergence of Finnish soul and a "less is more" philosophy—akin to the Japanese aesthetic of shibui—where profound impact is achieved through understated, functional simplicity. Students will produce a bespoke woven textile that serves as a meditative reflection on the natural world.
Equipment and Materials
Please note that while rug yarns are provided, the looms are for workshop use only and are not included in the course fee. For those wishing to continue their practice, a selection of looms and tools will be available for purchase on-site.
Workshop Location
Krowji
West Park
Redruth
Cornwall
TR15 3GE
The price includes a group lunch at The Grow Box Café for both days. Places are limited to 8 people.
My collection aims to honour the ethos of Elsa's Lapin Raanu Weaving Studio by treating handwoven textiles as unique artistic compositions rather than mass-produced fabrics, capturing the same beauty and tactile richness.
There is an inherent Japanese love of simplicity within these folk-art-led techniques. Much like the Japanese aesthetic of shibui, which finds beauty in understated, functional objects, these raanus achieve a profound impact through minimal means. The convergence of Finnish soul and a "less is more" philosophy ensures that each tapestry, with its signature plaited tassels and subtle stripes, serves as a meditative reflection on the natural world.
For more information, see Selvedge Magazine 127.