"Weave, Cut, & Sew"
You've woven the cloth. Now comes the exciting part: turning it into something you can wear!
But cutting into your treasured handwoven yardage can feel intimidating. Through advance preparation and two days of hands-on instruction, you'll receive individual guidance as you explore pattern layout, cutting, fitting, and sewing techniques. Gain the confidence to begin transforming your beautiful cloth into a garment of your own making.
"Weave, Cut, & Sew"
You've woven the cloth. Now comes the exciting part: turning it into something you can wear!
But cutting into your treasured handwoven yardage can feel intimidating. Through advance preparation and two days of hands-on instruction, you'll receive individual guidance as you explore pattern layout, cutting, fitting, and sewing techniques. Gain the confidence to begin transforming your beautiful cloth into a garment of your own making.
Weave, Cut & Sew
Please contact Karen if you are unsure whether the workshop is suitable for your experience level.
"Trash Bag Fashion"
What can you create with a few ordinary trash bags and a little imagination?
Quite a lot, as it turns out!
In this lively, no-sew workshop, participants work in pairs to transform ordinary trash bags into inventive wearable designs. Explore cutting, folding, shaping, and creative problem-solving, then celebrate the unexpected results in a lighthearted fashion showcase.
"Trash Bag Fashion"
What can you create with a few ordinary trash bags and a little imagination?
Quite a lot, as it turns out!
In this lively, no-sew workshop, participants work in pairs to transform ordinary trash bags into inventive wearable designs. Explore cutting, folding, shaping, and creative problem-solving, then celebrate the unexpected results in a lighthearted fashion showcase.
Trash Bag Fashion
All levels; an interest in creative design is encouraged.
"Fabric Scrap Trees"
Every weaver has them—those treasured little scraps of handwoven cloth too beautiful to throw away and seemingly too small for another project. But are they?
In this playful, hands-on workshop, transform leftover fabric into sculptural textile trees while experimenting with color, texture, and shape. No sewing machine required—just a few favorite scraps and a little imagination!
"Fabric Scrap Trees"
Every weaver has them—those treasured little scraps of handwoven cloth too beautiful to throw away and seemingly too small for another project. But are they?
In this playful, hands-on workshop, transform leftover fabric into sculptural textile trees while experimenting with color, texture, and shape. No sewing machine required—just a few favorite scraps and a little imagination!
Fabric Scrap Trees — A Creative Use for Your Handwoven Scraps
All levels.
PowerPoint presentations
Available in Person or Online via Zoom
"The Origin Story"
How does an artist find her voice? Sometimes through education and experimentation, sometimes through unexpected opportunities, and sometimes by simply looking out the window.
In this richly illustrated presentation, The Oregon Weaver shares her journey from early explorations in sculpture, fiber, and natural dyes to creating distinctive handwoven garments. Discover how a lifelong curiosity, unexpected adventures, and a deep connection to place have become woven into the work.
"The Origin Story"
How does an artist find her voice? Sometimes through education and experimentation, sometimes through unexpected opportunities, and sometimes by simply looking out the window.
In this richly illustrated presentation, The Oregon Weaver shares her journey from early explorations in sculpture, fiber, and natural dyes to creating distinctive handwoven garments. Discover how a lifelong curiosity, unexpected adventures, and a deep connection to place have become woven into the work.
The Origin Story
Available in person or online via Zoom
"Stories Behind the Work"
Where does a design idea really come from?
A client's request for a pink-and-gray scarf sends Karen searching for inspiration in unexpected places—from the natural world to bathroom tiles and even poodle skirts! Through this and other stories from the studio, discover the observations, creative decisions, and experiments that transform an idea into a distinctive piece of wearable art.
"Stories Behind the Work"
Where does a design idea really come from?
A client's request for a pink-and-gray scarf sends Karen searching for inspiration in unexpected places—from the natural world to bathroom tiles and even poodle skirts! Through this and other stories from the studio, discover the observations, creative decisions, and experiments that transform an idea into a distinctive piece of wearable art.
Stories Behind the Work
Available in person or online via Zoom
"Imagine Wearing Handwoven"
Photography and Video for Handwoven Garments
As technology evolves, so do the possibilities for presenting wearable art. Karen shares her experiments with digital design tools, including Canva, early AI model training, and her more recent work using ChatGPT to visualize handwoven jackets on models. Through examples of successes, challenges, and unexpected results, she explores how these emerging technologies can expand creative possibilities while respecting the integrity of the original handwoven garment.
"Imagine Wearing Handwoven"
Photography and Video for Handwoven Garments
As technology evolves, so do the possibilities for presenting wearable art. Karen shares her experiments with digital design tools, including Canva, early AI model training, and her more recent work using ChatGPT to visualize handwoven jackets on models. Through examples of successes, challenges, and unexpected results, she explores how these emerging technologies can expand creative possibilities while respecting the integrity of the original handwoven garment.
Imagine Wearing Handwoven
Available in person or online via Zoom
"Projects in Public Spaces"
What happens when a weaving project calls for hundreds of yards of fabric rather than a single garment or scarf?
Through photographs and firsthand stories, Karen Gelbard shares her experiences weaving upholstery fabrics for the restoration of historic Timberline Lodge and collaborating on the creation of 44 rugs for Sunriver Lodge. Discover the unexpected challenges, creative decisions, and collaborations involved in weaving for architectural spaces.
"Projects in Public Spaces"
What happens when a weaving project calls for hundreds of yards of fabric rather than a single garment or scarf?
Through photographs and firsthand stories, Karen Gelbard shares her experiences weaving upholstery fabrics for the restoration of historic Timberline Lodge and collaborating on the creation of 44 rugs for Sunriver Lodge. Discover the unexpected challenges, creative decisions, and collaborations involved in weaving for architectural spaces.
Projects in Public Spaces
Available in person or online via Zoom
"My Textile Adventures in Italy"
What do six-harness Diamantina twill, silk lint, Jacquard looms, and Renaissance fashion have in common? They're all part of Karen's textile adventures in Italy!
Through photographs and workshop stories, discover how an everyday museum dress and a recognizable weaving draft became a bridge across time—and how much history lives in the cloth we make and wear.
"My Textile Adventures in Italy"
What do six-harness Diamantina twill, silk lint, Jacquard looms, and Renaissance fashion have in common? They're all part of Karen's textile adventures in Italy!
Through photographs and workshop stories, discover how an everyday museum dress and a recognizable weaving draft became a bridge across time—and how much history lives in the cloth we make and wear.
My Textile Adventures in Italy
Available in person or online via Zoom
My Textile Workshop Adventures
in Italy
What I learned about a 6-Harness Diamantina Twill, Silk Lint, Eleonora, a 16th-century Fashion Influencer, and Jacquard looms while taking workshops in Italy.
What Karen learned about six-harness Diamantina twill, silk lint, Eleonora—a 16th-century fashion influencer—and Jacquard looms while taking textile workshops in Italy.
