Illinois Prairie Weavers Presents Velvet Weaving in Venice with Deb Essen

Deb has been weaving for over 30 years, is the author of “Easy Weaving with Supplemental Warps”, is a frequent contributor for Handwoven magazine and has recorded several DVDs through Handwoven on Supplemental Warps, Pile Weaves with Supplemental Warps, Unlocking Profile Drafts, Pin Loom Projects.

In 2018 Deb had a personal tour of Tessiture Bevilacqua, a handweaving velvet studio in Venice that has been in the same building for centuries. “As we toured,” she explains, “I asked a million questions and my husband Marty took pictures.”  Her presentation will show us velvet weaving on the original 18th century looms.  We’ll see the way the looms are set up, the fabrics created, and how the tradition The Guild welcomes visitors. The Illinois Prairie Weavers Guild was organized in 1949 to promote and advance hand weaving. We come together to teach, encourage, and inspire one another. We share knowledge and resources, and provide the opportunity to learn from experienced weavers. Members come from the western suburbs and Chicago. The guild is open to anyone interested in weaving.