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HHH Studio Calendar
Register Online Now through February 11, 2025.
Join us for Ikat Adventure with Ghislaine Chock.
An ancient textile practice, ikat is simply a method of wrapping bundles of warp or weft threads with tape to resist the effects of the dye. Tie dyeing if you will, but in this Ikat Adventure you’ll be tying warp threads before the cloth is woven on a loom. The more you tie, the more elaborate and colorful your patterns will be when they emerge from different botanical dye pots. Then you’ll set up your loom for a plain weave silk and linen scarf and take home a spectacular creation.
Skills required: Winding a warp, dressing a loom and weaving plain weave.
There will be an additional $40 supply fee payable to the instructor which includes: silk and linen yarns, plastic tape, tannins, mordants, and botanical dyes.
What to Bring:
Instructor Bio
Ghislaine is an award winning fiber artist who has been weaving and dyeing in Hawaiʻi for over 30 years.
Hawaiʻi Handweavers' Hui members receive a discounted class fee. If you are interested in becoming a member please click HERE.
We require a minimum of three participants for each class. A full refund will be issued to those registered, if class is cancelled by Hawaiʻi Handweavers’ Hui. Refunds for class registration cancellation by participant will be issued in full only if the cancellation is made more than 14 days before the class begins.
MAP Downtown Art Center
Click for informations on Parking at DAC
MAP to HHH Classroom
How do I get to the Studio? From the Chinatown Gateway Garage, take the elevator to the 2nd floor and walk to the large double doors on the left. Enter the gallery and turn left; we are the last door on the left, past the kitchen. If you are parked elsewhere, walk up the steps to the DAC gift shop, go past it to find the elevator, and follow the instructions above to access the studio. There is a handicap ramp if you cannot walk up the stairs for the DAC building on the Nu'uanu entrance side. Walk towards the street lights, and you will see the ramp; you will need to walk through the courtyard to the elevator.
Watch Ikat Adventure Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VlfGAk94X0
For more information contact: classes@hawaiihandweavers.org
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HHH TERMS OF USE_CANCELLATION POLICY 5_2023.pdf
Register Online Now through March 9, 2025. Cancelled
Join us for Threaded Stitch Sashiko with Wendy Arbeit.
For the first time in our Sashiko series, we’re presenting the threaded stitch form, called kugurizashi. It’s a unique approach based on threading through a field of repeating running stitches to make a completely different pattern. The two samples you sew can be placed into a frame we supply, or made into a coaster, or sewn onto a tote bag, or become part of a placemat.
If time allows, we’ll discuss one of the many other patterns you can do at home.
In this class you’ll learn about the history of sashiko and be able to see many other examples of this method. This class is suitable for all levels. Those new to Sashiko will have comfort in knowing that the cloth with its evenly spaced holes guarantees that your stitches will automatically come out even and evenly spaced. Old Sashiko hands will experience working on a grid and be exposed to the potentials of threading through stitches.
Please bring scissors and the $10 materials fee. We’ll provide the special Aida cloth and Sashiko thread, needle and sewing thread, fabric and handouts.
What to bring:
Wendy Arbeit received an MA in Art from Columbia University. She started making crafts from an early age and continued after her degree by learning the traditional arts of beading, back-strap weaving, basket making, and twining from Iroquois, Mexican, and Pacific island people. She learned sashiko and temari from Japanese books at a time when none were available in English and kumihimo at a Japan-sponsored program.
She has written four traditional-craft related books, What Are Fronds For? a manual for plaiting coconut fronds; Baskets in Polynesia, a survey of central Polynesian baskets; Tapa in Tonga, an introduction to Tongan barkcloth; and finally the award-winning, Links to the Past: the Work of Early Hawaiian Artisans, a compendium of 1000 objects made within 50 years of Western contact.
This class is open to adults, and minors ages 12-17 when accompanied by a parent or guardian. If you are interested in taking the class with your child, please register online and add your child as a guest. Those registering for a Hawaiʻi Handweavers’ Hui class may add one guest based on availability.
Click for information on Parking at DAC
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Register Online Now through March 15, 2025.
Join us for Eco Dye Scarf II with Jena Hayama.
Bring Your Own flowers and Plants (BYOP) to create a unique botanical silk scarf.
Eco dyeing is a special technique that uses the natural pigments of plants to imprint color and images onto fabric. Local plants and flowers in season are wrapped into bundles and then steamed to print onto silk scarves.
Successful eco-printing using this method requires knowledge of (and access to) plants that are rich in tannins and natural dyes.
But what if you don’t have these plants?
In this class, we will use a “blanket” prepared with acid dye to create both positive and negative botanical prints on a silk scarf. This technique produces a scarf with a vivid background color and dramatic plant silhouettes. Plants may or may not have natural dye properties.
In other words, “ANY KINE” PLANT will work!
Bring your own flowers and leaves, especially ones with distinctive or unique silhouettes, and leave with your very own botanical printed silk scarf.
Experience with basic eco-dyeing technique is helpful, but not required.
There will be a $20 supply fee that includes one habotai silk scarf, dye supplies (iron mordant, prepared dye blanket, citric acid solution, plastic wrap, etc.) supplied and payable to the instructor on the day of class.
Jena Hayama (aka J. Tanuki) is a "dye explorer" who experiments with locally grown plants in Hawaiʻi to dye fibers and make clothes, among other things.
You can see her work on Instagram under the handle @tanukiheadquarters
Register Online Now through March 17, 2025.
Join us for Lauhala Bracelet with Pua Medina.
Learn to weave a custom sized barrel-style lauhala bracelet for yourself! In this class, Pua will talk about the use of Lauhala and demonstrate how the leaves are prepared for weaving. You will learn to weave a basic pattern using materials prepared by Pua, and finish with a beautiful bracelet.
Pua has been a lifelong student of traditional arts and crafts of Hawaiʻi. Her love of weaving bracelets began over 30 years ago, and she loves sharing this process with others.
There will be a $30 supply fee payable to the instructor which includes all materials and tools needed to complete one bracelet.
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Register Online Now through March 19. 2025.
Join us for Looping with Joan Namkoong
Looping is an ancient fiber technique where one thread travels in and out and crosses itself to form a stitch that does not unravel. Looping can form bags and vessels, surround an object or become an art piece. It's a simple and relaxing technique with few rules, uses just a needle and thread and lots of your creativity!
Joan Namkoong is a 30 year plus weaver who lives on the Big Island. She weaves and sells functional textiles like scarves, shawls, towels, rugs, runners and yardage for household use. Silk is her favorite thread followed by cotton. Plain weave is used most of the time on her 8- shaft Gilmore loom. She also uses a drawloom to weave complex images and patterns.
Register Online Now through March 19 2025.
Join us for Hand Brooms with Joan Namkoong.
Simple hand brooms using broom corn and tampico fiber are useful around the house, office and weaving loom for dusting off bits and pieces! Learn to tie a turkey wing broom and a hawk’s tail broom — a simple process that’s fun and quick. You’ll make at least 3 or 4 during our session.
Register Online Now through March 20, 2025.
Join us for Floor Loom Weaving with Joan Namkoong
A basic weaving class for people who want to learn to use a floor loom. You will learn the basics of setting up a floor loom: measuring a warp, dressing the loom (beaming the warp, threading heddles, sleying the reed, tying on) — all in an orderly manner so you can weave cloth. You’ll learn basic weave structures — plain weave, twill, basketweave. We’ll explore how to use different fibers, how to determine the sett of cloth and how handwoven cloth is made from start to finish. You will weave a sampler and a short piece that can be used as a runner or wall hanging. Students who have taken any of our Basic Weaving classes are welcome to take this class to practice their skills and work on a project to be discussed with the instructor.
By the end of class, weavers will have their one-of-a-kind project to take home.
Register Online Now through March 23, 2025.
Join us for Furoshiki with Kilikina.
The word "furoshiki" is a Japanese term that translates to bath spread. It refers to a traditional Japanese wrapping cloth that has been used for over 1,200 years. Using a square white dishcloth, learn how to do various tie dying binding, tying and sewing techniques. Students will make 4 28”x28” furoshiki (dishcloths). Students will dye cloth in class, let it sit for 8-24 hours, then wash it out at home.
This class is open to all levels. There is no required prerequisite.
There will be an additional supply fee of $30 payable to the instructor on the day of class. The supply fee includes:All dishcloths, dyes, soaking solution, rubber bands, disposable rubber gloves, containers, plastic bags, and tools will be provided. You may bring your own dishwashing gloves and plastic bags if you prefer.
*Water resistant apron might be available at Daiso Stores (call them first to check)
**Wear any clothes that you wouldn't mind getting a tiny colored splash on, and old comfortable shoes. It’s best to leave jewelry such as rings and bracelets at home.
About the Instructor:
Art educator, and creator of apparel company, I Love Tie Dye Hawaii, Kilikina is a passionate artist. She started experimenting with tie dye and Japanese shibori techniques in 2018 as a color theory lesson for her high school art students. She loves how making and wearing tie dye apparel makes people happy!
MAP Downtown Art Center - Parking, Enter the Chinatown Gateway Garage from Bethel Street. All transactions by credit card.
Register Online Now through March 24, 2025.
Join us for Boro-Inspired Patchwork with Wendy Arbeit.
Boro was first used centuries ago by poor Japanese women to extend the life of their ragged hemp clothing. Today it continues as a patching, mending, and art stitching technique. In Japan the irregular, ragged look of the originals is emphasizesd. In the west the running stitch and applied patches, both on top and below the main fabric, are emphasized. That’s the version we’ll present.
You’ll love this approach to easily repair or enhance garments, or even create art as small as pendants, or as large as hangings –– armed just with fabric, needle, and sashiko thread. In this class you’ll find out how boro evolved, then be directed through two small projects, each designed to focus on a different aspect of patching and layering. The grand finale comes when you add a backings to transform your newest accomplishments into unique coasters or place one in the included frame.
This class is suitable for both beginners and continung boro students who wish to build on their previous experience.
$10 materials fee includes vintage Japanese fabric, sashiko thread, needle, needle threader, a cardboard coaster, many pages of sashiko and boro descriptions, and photos of old and new examples of the boro approach. Feel free to bring any items you’d like to mend or adorn to discuss.
Register Online January 15 - March 28, 2025.
Join Us for Tablet Weaving Around the World: Ram’s Horn, Coptic Diamonds and Sulawesi
Tablet weaving, also known as card weaving, is an ancient technique used to create woven bands. Four-holed tablets or cards are threaded and turned to create a shed through which the weft is passed creating decorative designs. This 3-day workshop will focus on three different patterns using up to 24 4-hole cards. You’ll learn how to read a draft, set up the cards, weave the various patterns and how to design your own patterns.
Day one will feature Ram’s Horn, a popular beginner’s pattern belonging to the Kiiyrim family of patterns based on the building block Running Dog. Variations like Ram’s Horn and Ivy result from a few changes in turning.
Day two will focus on Egyptian Diamonds, woven over 1000 years ago. Coptic bands with distinctive diamond patterns were discovered and examined from which we can draw inspiration.
Designs from the island of Sulawesi in Indonesia will be the theme of day three with beautiful pattern work and color interactions. Similar in structure to a double-faced weave but similar in pattern to diagonal weaves, this technique will definitely keep your interest.
Skill Level: Beginner to intermediate; some experience with tablet weaving preferred.
Supplies to Bring:
*If you don't have a loom, looms will be available for rent. Select the "Rent" option during registration.
This weaving workshop is open to the public from age 18.
Your registration will be confirmed once you have paid for the workshop online by credit card. All supplies for this workshop are the responsibility of the participant.
Cancellations made through March 21, 2025 will receive a full refund. If you cancel after March 21 there will be no refund unless there is a waiting list and someone can take your place. If workshop is cancelled by Hawaiʻi Handweavers’ Hui, a full refund will be issued to those registered.
For more information contact Joan Namkoong.
John Mullarkey is passionate about teaching tablet weaving and exploring new ways to make the art form more contemporary. Tablet weaving is a primitive weaving style that creates simple weave structures, but offers great variation in possible patterns. John loves to push tablet weaving outside the normal and historical limits to create his own interpretation of traditional patterns. He is a nationally recognized teacher and is valued for the patience, clarity and organization he brings to his classes. After beginning to teach in 2009, John left a part-time software development career to focus on weaving and teach full time.
John has won many awards, is a frequent contributor to national weaving publications and has authored books and videos about the craft. His creations have appeared in international fashion shows and been displayed at museums. The Schacht Zoom Loom is based on John’s design.
This program is supported in part by the State Foundation on Culture and Arts through appropriations from the Legislature of the State of Hawaii and by the National Endowment for the Arts.
Hawaiʻi Handweavers' Hui members receive a discounted workshop fee. If you are interested in becoming a member please click HERE.
DAC Parking Information
Register Online Now through April 5, 2025.
Join us for Rigid Heddle: Origami Market Bag with Reina Young
In this class you will warp and weave your origami bag fabric on the rigid heddle loom that is 16" wide. After finishing on the loom, the fabric will be sewn into 3 simple folds. The next step is to create the handle for the bag and, voila! You have a finished handmade origami market bag made entirely by your hands!
Weave fabric for the bag (body and contrast handle) Hemstitch both ends (start & finish)
Homework: finish fabric and machine wash and dry fabric before start of Day 3 of class.
Day 3 sew up the bag.
All levels are welcome, but warping and weaving experience are helpful.
There will be an additional supply fee of $25, and includes Warp and Weft for the project. The supply fee is payable to the instructor on the first day of class.
Instructor Bios
Reina Young is a multi media artist based in Hawaiʻi. She specializes in fabric arts, digital illustrations and handmade, artisanal goods. With a background in graphic design, her passion is to create, teach and bring beauty and vibrancy into people’s lives through art and crafting.
Register Online Now through April 19, 2025.
Join us for Soap Making Naturally with Ghislaine Chock.
Ghislaine has been making her own soaps for over 15 years using the cold process method.
This soap making class will be simple enough for you to want to make soap bars for yourself and your loved ones forever. In the saponification process of making soap, we will use quality oils from plants blended with an alkali (sodium hydroxide, which all soaps contain). No preservatives, no shelf extenders, no chemical detergents, no hardeners or synthetic lathering agents -- in other words, no harsh ingredients will be used. Your homemade soaps will not only benefit your skin but also the environment.
Skill Level: Beginner
There will be an additional supply fee of $45 payable to the instructor on the day of class. The supply fee includes all oils and a silicone soap mold.
Register Online Now through April 20, 2025.
Join us for Open Studio Soap Making with Ghislaine Chock.
This open studio has been created to facilitate returning students who wish to make another batch of soap at the DAC studio without having to provide their own oils and equipment. The use of soap colorants, an additional component in soap making, will be presented. All supplies (oils and colorants) and equipment will be provided. Technical guidance from the instructor will be available to support your soap making production. The cleaning of used equipment will be expected.
Required Prerequisite: Soap Making Naturally class with Ghislaine Chock
There will be an additional supply fee of $30 payable to the instructor on the day of class. The supply fee includes all oils, lye, and purified water
Register Online Now through April 29, 2025.
Join us for Overshot with Linda Hee.
Overshot was a typical weave structure used in Early American Coverlets. It is a very rhythmic weave structure which provides a strong ground cloth with short supplementary weft pattern floats. This is a 2-tie unit weave structure, where two shafts are used to form the sturdy ground cloth and additional shafts can be used to form the pattern blocks. Once the weaver understands this concept, you will be able to design your own patterns or expand on existing patterns.
A four yard warp will be placed on the loom. The first section will be used to practice and sample the overshot technique with a variety of weft yarns. You will then design a pillow cover or a project of your own choice that is 15" - 20" wide, depending on the pattern(s) chosen.
There will be an additional supply fee of $20 paid to the instructor on the day of class. The fee includes warp and weft yarn supplied by the Hui. You may choose to bring your own weft yarn. This class is open to students who are able to wind a warp and dress a floor loom.
Example of an advanced overshot weaving project turned into a jacket
Provided Materials:
*Textbooks are not required for class A Handweaver's Pattern Book by Marguerite Porter Davison. A Weaver's Book of 8-shaft Patterns edited by Carol Strickler (only if you are using an eight harness loom).If you have one of these two textbooks, feel free to bring it to class. The hui has one copy of each for students to look at during class.
Instructor Bio:
Linda has a BFA in weaving from the University of Hawaii. She has been weaving for about 50 years and still enjoys it. She mainly weaves presentation pieces, but can occasionally produce a functional household item.
This class is open to adults from age 18.
Register Online Now through May 10, 2025.
Join us for Beginner Basket Weaving with Cynthia McCreedy
Learn to make a simple round basket! We will make one or two small baskets using natural and dyed round reed.
No weaving experience necessary. There is a $10 supply fee payable to the instructor at the beginning of the class. It includes the reed necessary for making one or two round baskets.
*The instructor will bring a few pairs to share during the class, if you do not own any.
Cynthia McCreedy began her journey as a weaver in 1973 when she took a basket making class. She soon went from basket weaving to loom weaving, attending weaving and fiber arts classes at Instituto Allende in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. She still loves to learn new weaving techniques in both basket and loom weaving, as she continues on her lifelong weaving journey.
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1041 Nuʻuanu Ave, Second Floor,
Honolulu, HI 96817
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Hawaiʻi Handweavers' Hui is a founding member of the Downtown Art Center. www.downtownarthi.org
Hawaiʻi Handweavers' Hui is supported in part by the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.