Name: SAORI Weaving Workshop - Ballarat
Start: 2025-08-30T00:00:00+10:00
End: 2025-08-30T06:00:00+10:00
Location: Centre for Rare Arts & Forgotten Trades - Ballarat

Discover SAORI Weaving with Prue Simmons at the In this full-day workshop at the Centre for Rare Arts and Forgotten Trades in Ballarat.
In this workshop you will learn the SAORI weaving technique and discuss its rich history and origins in Japan. Prue will guide you in basic weaving techniques and you'll play with colour and texture to create a gorgeous scarf, wall hanging or table runner to take home and cherish. Find your Zen at the loom!

Inclusions: This is a fun, engaging workshop where everything is provided. Looms will be threaded up and ready to go and all materials provided. At the end of the session, you will take home your gorgeous woven piece.
Cost: $405 per person
Skill Level: No previous experience required. Beginners welcome!
What to bring: Snacks, lunch, water bottle, notepad and pen. Your enthusiasm for experimental creativity!
Clothing guidelines: Comfortable clothes and closed-toed shoes.
Venue: The Centre for Rare Arts and Forgotten Trades
Address: The Gold Museum building - 383 – 389 Bradshaw Street, Ballarat VIC 3350
Dates: Saturday 30th August 2025
Time: From 10am until 4pm
📷 Photo: The Centre for Rare Arts and Forgotten Trades

Workshop Style: Freestyle, fun, imaginative.
Prue says:
SAORI weaving is for everyone, it’s a beautiful freestyle form of weaving, it’s just about pure creativity. I am one of three accredited Saori weavers in Australia after I studied the art of the loom and fabrics in Japan where it all began. The process delivers for the weaver the freedom of texture and colour rather than follow a designated pattern.
Anyone, any age, any ability can sit down and immediately start using a SAORI loom to tap into that beautiful creativity.
Centre for Rare and forgotten trades say:
Prue changed direction from being a zoologist to a weaver and a teacher. Since 2014, she has been teaching SAORI weaving full time at her studio, Dyeing to Weave. Her workshops connect hundreds of people each year through this creative and expressive art form.