Textile Weaving Workshop ~ Prato & Florence, Italy 2023

We had 2 fantastic groups for Pat Kinsella’s textile weaving workshops this May, with weavers from USA, Australia, UK, New Zealand and Belgium. Great to catchup with familiar faces and also welcome some new weavers and their partners.

Hannah spinning recycled plastic

“The field trips were really great. Pat is such a wonderful teacher. I was happy to have space to play and find what I wanted to learn. The conversation around sustainability was great. Learning about what Pat does was great. I am a better weaver for attending.” – Shannon, New Zealand

Karen @theoregonweaver

“Hearing about Pat’s life as a sample weaver for industry, having conversations about reducing textile waste, hearing about Prato’s textile industry past and present, and touring the rag picker, met all my hopes for this experience. Pat had many project activities ready for us to sample and remarkably they all helped reduced her textile “waste” in her studio too. Imagining new uses for bits of weaving projects that might have been discarded can be fun! 

Getting to know each of the tour group members added a rich texture and those connections certainly add to the experience. 

Having you, Sarah, and Valeria, guiding us through these adventures has been stimulating and wonderful. I will continue to share the textile tours with others.” - Karen, USA

Hannah wearing Karen’s @theoregonweaver experimental textile

“I loved the workshop with Pat, giving so much thought and ideas about recycling materials that I had never considered. Valeria was an excellent guide, she is so enthusiastic and went above and beyond to ensure we all got the most out of our time in Florence. She was an absolute delight. Wishing you and Simon the very best of health and happiness and I very much look forward to another tour studio experience.” – Gail, Australia

Mary @maryhandweaver

Pom pom Karen @theoregonweaver

Patricia Kinsella Textile Weaving Workshop ~ Florence, Italy 2019

Pat Kinsella’s Textile Weaving Workshop at Tessilarte in Florence was a huge success. We had a fantastic group of participants from USA, Canada, Australia and Ireland including absolute beginners and highly experienced weavers. Here are the scarves and samplers. Grazie mille Pat, we’re looking forward to next year’s workshop!

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I really loved it all, and the light touch you and Simon bring to a tour. To me it was essentially so much more wonderful than I dared to imagine! Thank you!
— Mary, Australia
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I have been thinking a lot about Florence and the workshop, and I just loved every minute of it. The accommodation was perfect and in a great location, and the tours were great. Now to the workshop with Patricia: there is only one word: FANTASTIC! Everybody loved it. You and Simon were so caring and organised as well that you made every day just wonderful…. As much as I am trying to think about, there was nothing negative at all! Thank you again for a wonderful time
— Michele, Australia
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After experiencing your wonderful tour in Florence I’m so impressed with the standard of your tours
— Gail, Australia
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Handwoven Textiles ~ Fondazione Lisio Workshop, Florence Italy 2019

Thank you Eva and Cecilia at Fondazione Lisio for another wonderful textile weaving workshop. Our weavers found the workshop challenging and rewarding, producing some fabulous samplers on Lisio’s incredible antique jacquard looms. We’re looking forward to returning next May.

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This was the trip of a lifetime for me! I love Italy, weaving and history, so the tour was the perfect combination. Highlights for me were the class at Lisio, getting to design and weave a project on a Jacquard loom was a dream come true. I also loved the places that you arranged for us to visit, an amazing variety of experiences. Getting to meet and interact with the owners and family businesses was so exciting. I thank you for a wonderful tour and hope our paths cross sometime
— Jennie, USA
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So happy to have been able to weave on these looms!!
— Sharon, Canada
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An awesome experience
— Gail, Canada
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Instructor Eva Basile

Only 2 places left in our 2020 Handwoven Textiles ~ Fondazione Lisio Workshop. Signup now.
Read more about this workshop and tour from our 2018 weavers HERE