Norwegian Tablet Weaving Telemark Style

The Telemark region of Norway has a rich history of using handwoven bands as part of folk dress. Tablet woven belts and bands are front and center of the Telemark costume known as the “beltestakk” as well the Øst Telemark Folk costume. These bands are simple in technique, but pack a punch with their fine repeating patterns and bold use of color!

Delve into the beautiful tradition of Telemark style tablet weaving with Scandinavian weaver, textile artist, and craft instructor, Caroline Feyling. Students will learn to weave backstrap style tablet woven bands with methods and patterns used on Telemark folk costumes. Tablet weaving uses the turning of cards or “tablets” that hold the warp threads to create patterns. It is an ancient and fun way to weave.

In class we will weave a sample along with a longer band between 36 and 72 inches in length.  At the end of this class students will be able to design, set up, and weave Telemark style tablet woven bands independently. This portable and beginner friendly technique is an excellent first foray into the world of weaving. Students who are interested in making their own folk costumes may be particularly intrigued by this class.

A basic tool kit and materials will be provided by the instructor with the option to purchase additional weaving tools at the end of the class. Selected examples of the instructor’s own work will also be available for purchase.

Some hand strength required, and ability to see fine details. Must be able to stand for up to 30 minutes, and to sit for extended periods of time. This technique can cause lower back strain. Students will be encouraged to take stretch breaks throughout class time. 

Other offerings from this instructor at Nordic Northwest throughout the spring:

·    Beginning Nordic Band Weaving on a Band Heddle (March 21)

·    Lecture: Bunad and Bandweaving – A Nordic Folk Art Journey (April 10)

·    Weekend Intensive: Nordic Pickup Band Weaving on a Band Heddle (April 11&12)

About Your Instructor

Caroline Feyling is a Norwegian and American textile artist based in Corvallis, Oregon. Born in Upstate New York to a Norwegian father and an American mother, Feyling speaks fluent Norwegian, and remembers hints of Nordic craft everywhere in her childhood home. Her first craft memories are of the colorwork sweaters her grandmother knit while visiting from Norway and the Norwegian bunad she would play dress up in. Feyling spent a gap year in Norway attending a folkehøgskole (folk high school) to study classical piano, but fell in love with and fully immersed herself in Norwegian knitting culture. She returned with 13 pairs of socks she had knitted and a foreshadowing of a new life passion.

Feyling holds a BFA in Fiber and Material Studies from School of The Art Institute of Chicago, 2020. She studied Scandinavian weaving at Vävstuga Weaving School in Shelburne, MA, and was a 2023-25 Resident Artisan at North House Folk School in Grand Marais, MN. She has taught at North House Folk School; Tarweed Folk School, Corvallis, OR; Vesterheim Folk School, Decorah, IA; and American Swedish Institute, Minneapolis, MN. Feyling’s current work explores Scandinavian weaving techniques in contemporary interior design contexts for her business Elderberry Textiles Studio. You can follow her work on Instagram @carolinefeyling.

Cost

General Admission: $130

Member Admission: $105

(Please note: All sales are final)