Pat Kinsella returns in 2024, presenting her weaving workshop from her private studio in the Italian city and textile capital of Prato. With a textile manufacturing history dating back to the 12th century, Prato has become Europe’s largest textile district. Textiles have been recycled here since the 1840s and Prato has become one of the largest centres for recycling textiles in the world.

Pat’s weaving workshop will focus on design, experimentation and sustainability, utilising recycled materials from local Prato mills. In addition to the weaving workshop, this trip also includes industry and museum visits in Prato, and atelier visits in Florence.

Pat Kinsella is an award winning freelance textile artist and designer of wovens for apparel and home furnishings. An expert weaver, she has taught courses in weaving, the principles of textiles as well as Italian fashion and culture since 1982.

In 1985 Pat opened her textile design studio in Prato, where she continues to work for many local mills. Pat has been teaching weaving courses in Florence since 1987, teaching at several Florentine institutions, including Polimoda, Syracuse University, SACI, IED and FIT Florence.

Pat has curated several textile exhibits at the Textile Museum of Prato. Her work has been exhibited in Italy, USA, France, Switzerland, Japan and Germany, and is represented in collections across Europe and the US including Museum of Arts and Design NY, The American Craft Museum NY, The Longhouse Foundation Southampton NY, The National Design Collection of the Smithsonian Institute NY and Cooper-Hewitt Museum NY.

Workshop

Pat’s 4 day hands-on weaving workshop will utilise recycled materials sourced from local Prato mills such as leftover sample fabrics, mill end yarns and selvedge waste, combined with existing yarns from her studio. The workshop will focus on experimenting with recycled materials, exploring various techniques and embellishments such as passementerie (tassels, trims and fringes).

Whilst in Prato there will also be the opportunity to visit 2 local textile businesses and the textile museum Museo del Tessuto.

This workshop is limited to a maximum of 6 participants and is suitable for weavers and textile designers of all levels including beginners. Workshop hours are approximately 9.30am - 4.30pm. Daily lunches and refreshments are included.

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. Shared rooms consist of 2 connected individual bedrooms and a shared bathroom, whilst individual rooms have their own bedroom and bathroom.

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.

Itinerary

Sun 19 May - Day 1

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

Mon 20 - Thu 23 May - Days 2-5

Textile Weaving Workshop with Pat Kinsella at her studio in Prato. Transport between Pat’s studio and the Florence hotel will be by private minibus.

Fri 24 - Day 6

We spend the day in Florence with guided visits of historical silk weaving atelier Antico Setificio Fiorentino and Florence textile institution Fondazione Arte della Seta Lisio. We get together for dinner on our final night in this beautiful city.

Sat 25 - Day 7

Checkout of Hotel Pendini and final farewells.

Inclusions

• Workshop – 4 day textile weaving workshop with Patricia Kinsella including all materials

• Industry and Atelier Visits - 2 industry visits in Prato plus guided visits of Antico Setificio Fiorentino and Fondazione Arte della Seta Lisio in Florence

• Museum entry - Museo del Tessuto textile museum in Prato

• Accommodation – 6 nights at Hotel Pendini Florence

• Meals – 6 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 2 aperitivi & 2 dinners

• Transportation – private minibus transportation between Florence hotel and Prato workshop

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

Cost

US$3075 Shared Room / US$3495 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. This workshop and trip has now SOLD OUT.