Tartan: the journey begins

Description

A Day of Tartan Design and Weaving Blairgowrie, Rural Perthshire Enjoy a creative day in rural Perthshire, Blairgowrie, learning the principles of tartan design and weave through hands-on practice at the loom. This one-day course invites participants into the structured yet expressive world of tartan. Through guided teaching and practical exploration, you will learn how tartan is designed, interpreted, and woven, developing the core skills needed to create your own woven tartan sampler. The course is suitable for complete beginners as well as those wishing to refresh or deepen their understanding of weaving with a tartan focus. Course Objectives • Introduce participants to tartan as a woven system, combining history, structure, and design. • Explain how tartan patterns are translated from colour plans into woven cloth. • Teach the fundamental weaving techniques required to produce a tartan-style tweed sampler. • Encourage individual interpretation and creative decision-making within the rules of tartan design. • Provide an enjoyable, immersive experience connecting participants to Scotland’s textile heritage. Course Outline Tartan: History, Structure, and Meaning • An introduction to the historical and cultural significance of tartan. • Understanding tartan as a repeat pattern based on colour sequence and sett. • How tartan evolved from regional cloth into a global textile identity. Materials, Tools, and Tartan Cloth • Exploring yarn types traditionally and commonly used in tartan and tweed. • Understanding how fibre, colour, and texture affect the finished cloth. • Introduction to weaving tools used in tartan production. Working with the Table Loom • Introduction to the table loom and its key components. • Understanding warp and weft in relation to tartan structure. • How tartan patterns emerge through colour order and weaving rhythm. • Preparing to weave on a pre-warped loom designed for tartan sampling. Designing Your Tartan • Introduction to tartan colour planning and simple sett design. • Understanding balance, symmetry, and proportion in tartan layouts. • Translating a tartan design from paper to woven cloth. • Experimenting with colour changes and texture while respecting tartan structure. Weaving Your Tartan Sampler • Practical weaving of a tartan-inspired tweed sampler on a table loom. • Learning how pattern clarity is achieved through consistent technique. • Exploring subtle variations in texture and finish. • Individual guidance throughout to support confidence and accuracy. Outcome By the end of the day, participants will have: • A clear understanding of how tartan designs are structured and woven. • Practical experience weaving a tartan-style sampler on a table loom. • Greater confidence in reading, designing, and interpreting tartan patterns. • A finished woven sampler to take home as a reference and keepsake. Conclusion This course is designed to deepen appreciation for tartan as both a design language and a woven craft. Participants will leave with practical skills, historical context, and creative confidence to continue exploring tartan weaving independently. Guidance on further resources, tools, and next steps in tartan and weaving will be offered after the course. Practical Information • Refreshments and light nibbles are provided throughout the day. Please advise of any allergies or dietary requirements. • Please organise your own lunch. Blairgowrie has many nearby cafés. • Vegan-friendly sessions can be arranged using cotton, bamboo, and synthetic yarns. Please get in touch to discuss. I can adapt the course specifically for heritage tartan, personal tartan, or educational workshops

What's included in the price?

What’s Provided To allow you to focus fully on design and weaving, all preparation is taken care of: • Pre-warped table loom, ready to weave (Participants may bring their own loom by arrangement; please use the “message the tutor” option.) • Weaving tools including shuttles. • A wide selection of yarns suitable for tartan-style weaving. • Design paper and pencils. • Printed hand-outs and reference material. • Ongoing tuition and one-to-one support. Optional: Participants are welcome to message if they have specific tartan ideas or colour preferences *please message me a week beforehand so the loom can be warped-up.

Cancellation policy

Medium - Cancellation and a full refund can be obtained up to 4 weeks before the course starts

Maker

Tartan Caledonia

with Craft Courses since 2014

Message the tutor

Trained as a Masterweaver and graduated with a 2.1 BDes Hons from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design (DJCAD) in 2012. MA in Art and Social Practise, Ashleigh has a range of various skills, to help you weave and design your own project. Ashleigh runs workshops all year round. The studio's primary focus is now the three T's - tartan, tweed & tuition. The studio also offers a unique service where he can take looms into workshops and visit off-site if required.