This is an online, 3-hour workshop for those who are familiar with full-turn twining and have made at least one Sally bag. Class will be presentation and discussion; we will not weave.

Description: Creating a Sally bag begins with your design and materials. But then what? How does design drive warp and row count, and overall size? Which start/base works best with your materials? In this short concept class you will learn how to design and size a bag using your preferred materials.

We will explore the benefits of using a spreadsheet program as your design “graph paper.” We also will discuss the Native American origin of these bags, which were used for root gathering.

NOTE: (1) There will be a pre-class, on-your-own assignment of about 45 minutes that the instructor will send to registrants. (2) We will NOT be weaving in this class; we only will be examining processes for design and planning.

Registration is open to CBBG members. You may cancel your registration and be refunded by May 10. Cancellations after May 10 are non-refundable.

Instructor: Barbara Kommer
Dates and times (Pacific DST): Saturday, May 15, 10 am-1pm
Location: Online. Registrants will receive Zoom information.
Skill level: Familiarity with full-turn twining and experience with at least one Sally bag will make this class meaningful. Those without experience may attend, but will likely have difficulty following the discussion.
Cost: $20 ($15 Guild fee plus $5 for electronic handout).

Please have on hand: Colored pencils, graph paper, flat ruler, and calculator.

Barbara Kommer says: I came to weaving through my interest in and appreciation for Native American basketry. Sally bags were woven by the Columbia Plateau people as root gathering bags. Makers created designs on these cylindrical, soft-sided baskets by using two different colored weavers and giving them a “full turn” as they twined. I use this same technique, with my own designs, to create contemporary vessels. And like the Native basket makers, I weave free hand without a mold or form. Most of my bags are made of Pendleton wool yarn weavers and hemp twine spokes.