Textiles: contemporary tapestry for improvers
Deepen your tapestry weaving skills in this course designed for returning and intermediate frame loom weaving students. We will explore how to build more complex shapes, manage curves and diagonals, blend colour seamlessly and introduce surface variation.
Choose a starting date
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
- Start Date: 12 Jul 2027End Date: 15 Jul 2027Mon-Thu (Daytime): 10:30 - 16:30In PersonFull fee £329.00 Senior fee £263.00 Concession £214.00
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
This course will advance your tapestry weaving skills from competent to confident. Looking at contemporary weavers, emphasis will be placed on precision and tension control, translating imagery into woven structures. Move beyond basic structure to develop refined colour blending, confident shape building and expressive surface techniques. Working from your own imagery or drawings, collage or inspired by a suggested artist, you will translate designs into woven form while strengthening technical control and material sensitivity. This course is ideal for those ready to push their weaving further and develop a more personal visual language.
What will we cover?
Each session combines visual presentations and technical demonstration with supported studio practice. Through sampling, structured exercises and individual feedback, you will build a resolved tapestry piece and a technical reference archive to support your continued practice.
The course will cover:
●Advanced shape building and slit management
● Smooth curves and clean joins
● Optical colour blending (hachure, hatching, layering)
● Incorporating texture: raised areas, mixed fibres wrapping around warp
● Refining warp tension and preventing distortion
● Compositional development and critique
● Finishing, mounting and professional presentation
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
● Confidently translate a drawing, collage or photo into a woven composition
● Control tension and maintain structural stability
● Blend colour gradually and intentionally
● Integrate texture without compromising structure
● Finish and present a tapestry professionally
● Develop independent tapestry projects beyond the course
You will leave with a completed or near-completed tapestry and a structured sample archive for future reference.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This is an intermediate to advanced course. You should have completed a frame loom weaving or introductory tapestry course, or have equivalent experience. You must understand basic warp and weft structure and feel comfortable working independently with a loom.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Teaching will include demonstrations, visual presentations, guided sampling, one-to-one tuition and group critique. You may wish to refine designs between sessions, but no formal tasks outside class are required. The course is studio-focused and process-led.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You may wish to purchase specific yarns depending on your design. Please bring a sketchbook and any visual references you would like to translate into weaving. Frame looms will be provided, however you are welcome to bring your own if you wish.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
City Lit runs a breadth of contemporary textile courses where you can continue developing ideas generated from this course such as City Lit Textiles that runs over a term with a different themes and techniques covered before you work on personal projects. Please browse the website for upcoming dates. General information and advice on courses at City Lit is available from the Student Centre and Library on Monday to Friday from 10:30 - 12:00 then 15:00 - 17:00.
Renata Minoldo is an artist and educator exploring the physical and emotional body through textiles, sculpture and experiences with people. She has academic training in Textiles and Visual Arts and hands on experience in the Textile Industry working in London, New York and Buenos Aires. She is interested in alternative ways to approaching art education, aiming to stimulate an intuitive learning and focusing on the individual processes and needs. She works with a wide variety of people, from children in galleries and primary schools to teenagers and older adults in community centres, charities and public spaces. Her work has been awarded with residencies internationally. https://www.renataminoldo.com/
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.