Sievers School of Fiber Arts

Learn, refresh and reflect

Sievers and weaving

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Continuing with a little more history, you may recall Sievers started with plan sheets to build a loom. The first print advertisement was placed in American Home Crafts magazine in 1974. In Walter Schutz’s own records, he notes on January 26, 1974, “Got our first request for our loom plans from Allen Roberts who owns north of us on Green Bay Road”. The first order of plan sheets placed from this ad was on April 15, 1974 for $9.00. About 50 orders were received in the first four months. Soon after, floor loom plans were added and Sievers began to become a name associated with weaving.

Sievers School continues to offer more classes in the weaving category than in any other subject, totaling 12 of our 40 class titles this year

Like any other fiber art or craft, you need at least three things in hand: an idea, materials and equipment. Ideas can be found in books and magazines like these…

  • Half-priced magazines
    $4.00 and $7.48
  • Vav Scandinavian Weaving magazine $14.95
  • Weaving magazines $14.99 and $7.99
  • New weaving books at Sievers

Then come the materials. Pictured here are some favorites, Brassard unmercerized cotton and cottolin, tencel and Maysville carpet warp. Oh, if we could only share every weaving yarn we have in the shop…

  • 8/2 Brassard Cotton
    Colors $11.25, Naturel $7.45, Bleach $9.45
  • More 8/2 Brassard Cotton colors
    and 16/2 Cotton Naturel $8.50, Bleach $10.50, Creme $12.00
8/2 Brassard Cottolin-Colors $14.95, Naturel $13.40, Bleach $13.95
More 8/2 Brassard Cottolin colors plus 16/2 Brassard Cottolin Naturel and Bleach $14.00
8/2 Tencel on 8 oz tubes $17.25 or approx. 16 oz cones at $2.65/oz
Maysville Carpet Warp Colors $9.00 and Natural $7.90

The most important equipment for weaving is a loom. Although Sievers has not made loom kits for more than 15 years, we do occasionally have a Sievers loom available that has been used in our studio, like this one…

36″ Sievers Floor Loom. Birch lumber harvested on Washington Island with cherry stain finish. Comes with shelf, 12 dent reed, lease sticks, threading and sleying hook. $700.00

With hours of completely enjoyable (we hope) labor, you will have a finished product. Some of our weaving teachers have sent us their handwovens for the shop this year. From left to right, rugs by Susan Frame and Deb Sharpee and scarves by Rita Hagenbruch.

  • Corded Llama rugs
    $148 and up
  • Rag rugs
    $137 and up
  • Viscose/poly/wool scarves $100

Any of these items are available for us to ship via US Mail or UPS. (Except the loom which is available “cash, check or credit card and carry”.) If you are interested in ordering, please use our website Contact Page where you can ask for more information or place an order in the Message box, entering your credit card number safely. Or call us at 920-847-2264. We’d love to hear your voice!

Weaving a little Washington Island into this story, these new residents at Gathering Ground on Airport Road are nibbling their way through the vineyard. They are White Dorper sheep which don’t produce much in the way of wool (sorry, weavers) but still put a smile on our faces.

Comments

  1. What a great story. Thank you for showing us more of the items in the shop. The Dorper sheep are really cute.

    • Thanks, Sally! We’re lucky to have books full of all kinds of historical things relating to Sievers. It’s fun to go through and pick something out now and again. Take care,
      Carolyn

  3. I am so very happy I was able to purchase a Seivers loom last year. I love it.