Rigid Heddle Loom – Understanding Pick-Up with a Pick-Up Stick
Understand pick-up and take your weaving further
You already know the basics of weaving on a rigid heddle loom and would like to explore structures beyond plain weave?
This course focuses specifically on using a pick-up stick. Through a combination of essential theory and a series of woven samples, you will learn how to select specific warp threads and understand how those selections affect the structure of the cloth.
The goal is not to learn a few patterns to reproduce. Instead, you will learn to read, understand and adapt a simple weaving draft, then use those principles to continue experimenting on your own.
This course is offered periodically at Tisse et File. No new date has been announced at this time.
At a glance
✔ 5.5-hour intermediate course
✔ Using a pick-up stick on a rigid heddle loom
✔ Reading, understanding and adapting a simple weaving draft
✔ Weaving a series of samples
✔ Understand structures rather than follow recipes
✔ Two options for loom preparation
✔ Maximum of 7 participants
Practical information
- Next date: To be announced
- Schedule: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- Course duration: 5.5 hours
- Location: Tisse et File, 571 boulevard Saint-Jean-Baptiste, Mercier, Quebec – Montreal area
- Level: Intermediate
- Language: French (English translation or additional explanations available upon request)
- Number of participants: Minimum 3 – maximum 7
Is this course right for you?
This course is designed for weavers who already use a rigid heddle loom and want to move beyond plain weave to begin exploring weave structures.
Before taking this course, you should be able to:
- warp your loom;
- dress your loom correctly;
- achieve consistent warp tension;
- weave plain weave;
- understand basic concepts related to yarn and sett.
If you are new to rigid heddle weaving, we recommend taking a beginner course before enrolling in this class.
Understand what the pick-up stick actually does
A pick-up stick allows you to select specific warp threads independently of the usual movement of the rigid heddle. This opens the door to many structures that cannot be created using only the standard heddle positions.
But knowing how to place a pick-up stick is only the beginning. The purpose of this course is to understand which threads are being selected, why they are selected and how that selection affects the resulting cloth.
You will learn to make the connection between a weaving draft, the selected warp threads and the structure that appears on the loom.
Understanding a structure gives you the freedom to modify it, adapt it and use it as a true design tool.
What you will learn
- Understand the role of a pick-up stick on a rigid heddle loom.
- Identify which warp threads need to be selected.
- Read a simple weaving draft and understand the information it contains.
- Translate information from a weaving draft to a rigid heddle loom.
- Create and use a warp-thread selection with a pick-up stick.
- Observe how different selections affect the resulting structure.
- Adapt a simple weaving draft.
- Use the principles learned in class to continue your own experiments.
The samples
Throughout the course, you will weave a series of samples exploring different possibilities created with a pick-up stick.
Each sample will allow you to observe the relationship between the threads selected with the pick-up stick and the resulting cloth.
Your samples will become useful references that you can keep, compare and consult when developing future projects.
Preparing your loom: two options
Your loom must be fully dressed and ready to weave at the beginning of the course. Two options are available when registration opens.
Option 1 – I bring my own loom ready to weave
Before the course, you will receive a preparation sheet with all the information required to dress your loom. You prepare your warp and dress your loom at home so that you can begin the exercises as soon as the course starts.
This option is recommended if you are already comfortable warping and dressing your rigid heddle loom independently.
Option 2 – I use a loom prepared and provided for my course
You may instead choose to use a rigid heddle loom prepared by Tisse et File. This option includes the warp yarn, preparation and dressing of the loom, and use of the loom during the course.
The additional fee for this option will be indicated when registration opens.
Weft yarn for the samples is provided for all participants.
What to bring
- your fully dressed, ready-to-weave rigid heddle loom if you selected that option;
- something to take notes with;
- comfortable indoor shoes;
- your curiosity and willingness to understand what is happening with the threads.
If you choose the “Loom prepared and provided by Tisse et File” option, you do not need to bring a loom.
Why learn with Tisse et File?
At Tisse et File, learning a new technique is about more than memorizing a sequence of steps. The goal is to understand the principles well enough to use them independently.
- An approach focused on understanding weave structures.
- A direct connection between the weaving draft, thread selection and resulting cloth.
- Hands-on exercises that allow you to immediately test the concepts being studied.
- Samples that become useful references for future projects.
- A small group that encourages questions and personalized guidance.
- A natural progression toward more advanced possibilities on the rigid heddle loom.
A small-group course
The course is limited to a maximum of seven participants so that everyone has time to observe the different techniques, ask questions and receive appropriate guidance throughout the exercises.
A minimum of three registrations is required for the course to take place.
Your instructor: Catherine Malichecq
Catherine Malichecq is the founder of Tisse et File and Cours Tisse et File. Passionate about textile arts for many years, she has progressively specialized in weaving and in the study and understanding of textile structures.
After completing the Senior Level, she is currently working toward the Master Level of the Guild of Canadian Weavers' Master Weaver Program.
Her teaching philosophy is based on a simple conviction: understanding the principles of weaving allows weavers to become more independent, develop their creativity and approach new projects with confidence. Rather than teaching only a succession of techniques or patterns, she helps participants develop the knowledge they need to understand, experiment and gradually create their own work.
Take your rigid heddle weaving even further
Pick-up is an excellent first step for moving beyond plain weave on a rigid heddle loom.
Once you understand these principles, you can continue exploring by combining a pick-up stick with other possibilities offered by the loom, including the use of two heddles.
The Understanding Structures on a Rigid Heddle Loom: Two Heddles and Pick-Up Stick course takes this approach further over two days and allows you to explore a much broader range of structures.
Discover the Understanding Structures course
Discover more
Online courses Looms Resources
Frequently asked questions
Is this course suitable for beginners?
No. You should already be comfortable with the basics of rigid heddle weaving, including warping, dressing your loom and weaving plain weave.
Do I need to bring my own loom?
Not necessarily. You may bring your own rigid heddle loom fully dressed and ready to weave, or choose to use a loom prepared and provided by Tisse et File.
Do I need to own a pick-up stick?
No. The equipment required for the exercises will be available during the course.
Will we complete a project?
No. The course focuses on a series of samples. The goal is to explore and understand different applications of pick-up rather than reproduce one specific project.
What is the difference between this course and the two-day “Understanding Structures” course?
This 5.5-hour course focuses specifically on using a pick-up stick. The two-day course goes further by combining techniques including two heddles and a pick-up stick to explore a broader range of weave structures.
At Tisse et File, we believe that the most rewarding creations begin with understanding. Our courses do more than teach you how to complete a project: they give you the knowledge to observe, understand, experiment and create with confidence.
Registration conditions
When a new date is announced, registration details, loom preparation options and applicable conditions will be provided when registration opens.