Author:
Sandra Urvak

Weaving: Pick-up Woven Belt */**

Teacher: Piia Rand

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Piia Rand

The belt has always been an important element in traditional folk costumes. Particularly beloved in Estonian native textile art are women's pick-up woven belts, known for their geometric patterns created by picking up pattern yarns row by row. These rich geometric designs have not only adorned belts but have also been adapted for use in carpets, gloves, and even carved into beer mugs.

In this workshop, participants will work with a simpler pick-up woven belt pattern. They will set up the loom and learn the main techniques of pick-up belt weaving. There are two weaving options available:

  1. A short belt or sample woven on belt looms.
  2. A more traditional setup where the loom forms a closed circle around the weaver. This type of belt is portable and can be continued at home, allowing for the completion of a longer belt.

Before the workshop, participants will receive an email confirming details about the weaving method and the available patterns (including their origins from specific areas or parishes). Those wishing to make a full-sized belt may choose their preferred pattern. Participants with prior experience in (belt) weaving may begin the loom setup at the start of the course.

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Belt weaving

The participation fee covers linen and wool yarns (for warp and weft) for one belt, as well as the use of a belt knife. The looms are provided for use during the course, and additional tools for personal use may be purchased at an extra cost. This workshop is suitable for both beginners and intermediate weavers.

Piia Rand completed her master's studies in Heritage Technology at the University of Tartu, Viljandi Culture Academy, in 2020. In her master's thesis, she focused on Estonian pick-up woven belts, with a particular emphasis on the belts from Saaremaa. Piia has been working with these belts for many years, weaving them herself and sharing her expertise through teaching. In addition to her research, she has created her own collection of historic belts, based on her studies of museum collections. Piia is also the author of Estonian Pick-up Woven Belts, a book that covers the basics of belt weaving and features patterns from each parish in Estonia. She teaches belt weaving and ribbon plaiting at the Estonian National Museum's Folk Costume School, as well as at various other workshops. In her daily life, Piia works as a craft teacher at Tartu Tamme School. The assistant and translator for the belt weaving course is Angela Mettus, a student in the Native Textile program at the University of Tartu, Viljandi Culture Academy.

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