Antique Silk Splendour – Re-created – Workshop
Haus der Seidenkultur Krefeld, DE
19. - 23.09.2022 (german)
26. - 30.09.2022 (english)

Workshop on the technical analysis and practical realisation of the weft composite fabrics Taqueté and Samite.

For the comprehension of textiles and their structure especially when antique and historic archaeological finds are involved, the central aspects to be considered are feeling, experiencing, capturing and learning. 

For the project “Antiker Seidenglanz – neu erschaffen”  (Antique Silk Splendour – Recreated) experts from the Deutsches Textilmuseum Krefeld (German Textile Museum Krefeld) and Haus der Seidenkultur Krefeld have jointly developed a special workshop in which these complex types of weave are not only presented theoretically but also created practically by the participants.

Under the instruction of experts you can become acquainted with the world of two complex types of fabric Taqueté and Samite!  Using these two special types of weave it is possible to achieve a multi-coloured patterned fabric with a mechanically repeated pattern.  Fascinating archaeological textiles dating from the first century A.D. show the wide range of uses of these techniques in wool and silk.

The course offers the following content:

• Analysis of weft composite weaves through visual decomposition,
• Identification of the structure of linen weft composite weave (Taqueté) and twill weft composite weave (Samite),
• Positive use of the internationally prevalent CIETA vocabulary for these types of weave,  
• Deepening knowledge from original wool and silk items from the Deutsches Textilmuseum Krefeld collection (4th.– 8^th century .A.D.),
• Practical experience at Haus der Seidenkultur Krefeld:
  You will be able to weave sample pieces of various weft composite weaves on simple looms. You will use cotton and woollen thread but also fine silk yarn.  Antique samples will be woven in addition to modern patterns. And you can take your hand woven samples home with you. 
• Scrutinising of both the original pieces and one’s own woven samples for weaving faults and irregularities and drawing the correct conclusions from this..

Dates:
19.–23.9.2022 (Course in German)
26.–30.9.2022 (Course in English)

Course Times:
Monday–Thursday 9–17 hours, Friday 9–15 hours

Cost:
635.- € per participant (maximum 8 participants per course)

The price includes 31 hours course content, a tea/coffee break in the afternoon, materials used to produce several small samples and a comprehensive handout.  Also included is an optional pre-course programme with guided tours in Haus der Seidenkultur and the Deutsches Textilmuseum Krefeld on the day prior to the start of the course (Sunday 18.9.2022 for German-speaking course; Sunday 25.9.2022 for English-speaking course).

Pre-conditions: Participants should be familiar with the basic types of weave (plain and twill weave). Experience in weaving on manual looms is preferable but not essential.

Registration, advice and information can be obtained by sending an email to : samit@seidenkultur.de

The workshop is a cooperation project between Haus der Seidenkultur Krefeld and the Deutsches Textilmuseum Krefeld. The workshop will be held at Haus der Seidenkultur.