I have just attended a one day workshop at Northern Bowl - organised by https://www.landofroots.co.uk/
I live within walking distance but I had not heard of this gathering before. However, I found that Amy Leake was running a one day workshop on making a rigid heddle so I signed up.
https://www.facebook.com/a.woodmungler
I walked to the gathering ( about 45 minutes) and was pleased to see this sign.
Once there, I could appreciate the number of workshops on offer - all were filled. It is a very popular event.
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| Workshops at the gathering |
Amy had two tables with a variety of equipment and examples. There were six of us signed up and we were soon drawing and cutting and sanding. Amy demonstrated everything very clearly and was very helpful once were were let loose with the equipment.
The group were lovely and two of them kept us entertained whilst we were working by singing.
Here is a heddle being finished by one of the group.
Everyone had lunch around an open fire. Home made bread and soup - very welcome on a cool day.
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| The gathering tent |
In the afternoon, participants whittling wood used this area and were entertained by music.
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| Music while you whittle |
By the end of the day we had all made a heddle and shuttle and a warp and started to weave.
It was a wonderful experience. I will definitely sign up again if there is another workshop.
The other workshops were also very busy. Here are a few photos.
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| Carving a bowl |
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| Pole lathe |
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| There were two areas with pole lathes |
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| Leather bag making |
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| basket weaving |
Finally, yes I made my shuttle and heddle. Here is my heddle and shuttle. I did not have the confidence to do a cut out design on the top. I thought that I would stop whilst it still looked OK. I thought that I might decorate it by painting a design once I got home.
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| My shuttle and heddle made from Sycamore wood |
Here are some of Amy's designs.
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| Amy's designs |
happy weaving
Susan J Foulkes May 2025
