Experience the rich history and art of Florentine silk textiles, with visits to ateliers, showrooms and museums, followed by a 5 day workshop at Florence textile institution Fondazione LISIO, weaving on antique jacquard looms.

The Fondazione Arte della Seta LISIO is dedicated to the art of traditional and contemporary weaving using the finest techniques for hand-weaving silks and precious metals. LISIO is located in the hills surrounding Florence and houses antique jacquard floor looms for production and teaching, a specialist library and archive.

Itinerary

Day 1

Checkin at Hotel Pendini and join us for an aperitivo followed by dinner.

Days 2-4

We begin with a private guided visit of the stunning handwoven textile workshop and showroom Antico Setificio Fiorentino.

Master weavers of Florence, Antico Setificio Fiorentino have been producing luxurious silk brocades, damask, taffeta and passementerie since 1786. Historical designs and fabrics are woven here on antique hand looms and semi mechanical looms from the 14th – 19th centuries.

Other Florentine artisans we visit include Legatoria Cozzi S.Agostino paper marblers and bookbinders since 1908, hand embroiderers TAF - Tovagliati Artistici Firenze and leather & parchment artisan Paolo Carandini in Santa Croce’s leather district.

We also visit Prato’s textile museum Museo del Tessuto and some of Florence’s most beautiful museums and textile collections, including Palazzo Davanzati and Museo Nazionale del Bargello.

Days 5-9

Fondazione LISIO have customised a 5 day jacquard weaving workshop for us, where you can punch your own cards and weave a small personal project. This is a unique cultural experience and an intensive weaving experience, rather than a strictly educational weaving workshop. It is an opportunity to work with an Italian master weaver on antique jacquard looms and supporting equipment.

Workshop facilitator Eva Basile is a designer and textile artist. She studied textile design and weaving at the Istituto Statale d'Arte Firenze, Visual Arts at University of Bologna and Jacquard woven design at Fondazione LISIO. She has exhibited widely, collaborated with various textile companies, and has studied weaving practices in Ghana and Turkey. Eva has been teaching at LISIO since 1994 and has facilitated this course for us since 2018.

This workshop is limited to 5 participants and is suitable for intermediate to experienced weavers and textile designers with some basic weaving experience. The workshop is in English and workshop hours are approximately 9am – 5pm daily. A small amount of pre-workshop preparation is required. Photos from previous workshops are on our Blog.

Day 10

On our final morning together we visit the Palazzo Medici Riccardi museum including the Magi Chapel, leaving the afternoon free. In the evening we get together for dinner in this beautiful city.

Day 11

Checkout of Hotel Pendini and final farewells.

Accommodation

We’ll be staying at the historic pensione Hotel Pendini in the heart of Florence, allowing the opportunity to access everything this city has to offer outside workshop hours.

Hotel Pendini is centrally located within walking distance of Florence’s sights, on both sides of the river. Rooms will be located in a quiet part of the hotel, away from the main piazza.

Inclusions

• Accommodation – 10 nights at Hotel Pendini Florence

• Meals – 10 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 3 dinners

• Workshop - 5 day intensive weaving workshop at Fondazione Lisio including all materials.

• Transportation – Private minivan transfers between Florence hotel, Fondazione Lisio and Prato textile museum.

• Museum entries – Palazzo Davanzati, Museo Nazionale del Bargello and Palazzo Medici Riccardi in Florence, Museo del Tessuto in Prato.

• Atelier, store and workshop visits - Antico Setificio Fiorentino, TAF - Tovagliati Artistici, Atelier Paolo Carandini and Legatoria Cozzi S. Agostino.

• Guide – Access to local Florence guide for assistance during the trip

Cost

US$5800 Individual room

Booking

A US$250 non-refundable deposit payment is required to reserve your place in the workshop. Final payment for this workshop is due 90 days prior to the workshop start date. Please ensure you read the specific Booking Terms and Conditions for this trip below as well as our Covid-19 Policy.