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Pat Kinsella -Tessitura del Mandorlo - Weaving School in Tuscany

Courses

Choose from a variety of workshops designed to fit your schedule and interests. From half-day introductions to intensive five-day programs, each course combines expert instruction with a welcoming, creative environment.


Class hours:

Half-day courses: 3 hours, morning or afternoon

All other courses: 6 hours per day, 9:00am-1:00pm/2:30pm-4:30pm

Maximum 6 participants per course

All materials are included in cost of each course

Half-Day Workshop

3 hours, morning or afternoon, by appointment 

Try your hand at weaving, experimenting with a range of yarns on pre-set looms to create a small project, such as a bag or table mat. 

Suitable for beginners 

Children welcome


  • Days: 1 Morning or Afternoon
  • Total Hours: 3
  • Dates:by appointment
  • Cost: €70 (€40 children under 16)

Full-Day Workshop

6 hours, by appointment 

Weaving on pre-set looms, participants will have the opportunity to create a larger project, such as a pillow or table runner. Using simple weaves, the emphasis will be on color and texture. 

Suitable for beginners 

Children welcome


  • Days: 1 day
  • Total Hours: 6
  • Dates:by appointment
  • Cost: €140 (€80 children under 16)

Introduction to Weaving

2 days, 12 hours total

Day one, students will learn basic weaving theory and technique and weave samples of the​ primary weaves on pre-set looms.

Day two,  In consultation with the instructor, students will develop an idea from the previous day's samples and create a project on the pre-set looms.

Finishing techniques, such as knotting, braiding, twining and chaining will be covered. 

Suitable for beginners


  • Days: 2 days
  • Total Hours: 12
  • Dates:February 7–8, 2026
  • Cost: €280

Fundamentals of Weaving

5 days, 30 hours total

In addition to basic weave theory, weaving technique, and sample weaving on pre-set 4 shaft looms, students will learn weave drafting, how to prepare a warp and how to thread the loom. Students will then design and weave a project from concept to finished fabric.

No previous weaving experience necessary


  • Days: 5 days
  • Total Hours: 30
  • Dates:March 9–13, 2026
  • Cost: €700


Special Topics: 
Leno Weaving

5 days 30 hours total

Leno is an ancient technique​ whereby the warp threads are twisted to create beautiful open, yet stable, textile structures.  We will explore a loom controlled version of this weave, called bead leno, on pre-set looms. After learning the technique through sampling, students will design and weave a bead leno project from concept to finished fabric.

Some weaving experience required


  • Days: 5 days
  • Total Hours: 30
  • Dates:April 20–24, 2026
  • Cost: €700


Special Topics: 
Recycled Materials

2 days 12 hours total

Join me for a weekend of experimentation: We will prepare materials such as industrial scraps, loom waste, textile remnants, plastic, paper, and old clothes to weave on looms preset with different pattern threadings.  We will then combine our fabrics with leather or textile scraps to create a fashion or home accessory.  Feel free to bring any materials you would like to recycle.

No previous weaving experience necessary


  • Days: 2 days
  • Total Hours: 12
  • Dates:October 10–11, 2026
  • Cost: €240


Special Topics: 
Passementerie

5 days 30 hours total

This class will focus on fabrics used for embellishment. Students will learn how to create ribbon, braids, passementerie, trims, fringe and tassels using basic weaves on 4 to 8 harness floor and table looms. Both woven and non-woven techniques will be presented, including supplementary warp and weft, leno, circular and flat braiding, card weaving and knotting. Emphasis will be on the creative use of non-traditional materials. 

No previous weaving experience is necessary


  • Days: 5 days
  • Total Hours: 30
  • Dates:June 15–19, 2026
  • Cost: €700

Special Topics:
Pattern Weaving

5 days 30 hours total

Summer and winter, shadow weave, warp rep, overshot, and undulating twills are some of the weaves we will explore in this 5 day immersion. After experimenting on pre-set 4 and 8 shaft looms, students will select a pattern, design and weave a project from concept to finished fabric.

Some weaving experience required


  • Days: 5 days
  • Total Hours: 30
  • Dates:TBA
  • Cost: €700




Special Topics:
Multi-Layered Weaving

5 days 30 hours total

Learn the ins and outs of multilayered weaving in this intensive course. On pre-set 4 and 8 shaft looms, students will weave double and triple cloth, tubular fabric, double cloth pick up though shed switching, loom control double cloth and deflected double cloth.

Students will design and weave a project from concept to finished fabric.

Some weaving experience required


  • Days: 5 days
  • Total Hours: 30
  • Dates:TBA
  • Cost: €700


To sign up for a course or a work​shop, please contact us.  You w​ill receive confirmation with payment details and other useful information.