Barbara Weber earned her MFA in textiles from RISD in 1996. After school she moved to New York City and worked for a jacquard woven upholstery mill. It was a combination of watching the looms operate on the mill floor and collaborating with the individuals who each had a hand in the development process that solidified her love of woven cloth. Proficient in handweaving as well as designing for Dobby and Jacquard looms, she has continued to explore textiles and the textile industry by working with mills, editors and more recently, through teaching.
The process of collaboration has been central to Barbara's work as a designer. The studios she has been a part of have given her the opportunity to develop work with creatives inside and outside the field of textiles. Barbara has found that the approach of someone unfamiliar with the materials, tools and constructions used in weaving can expand the way a project develops. She keeps those experiences in mind and tries to impart a sense of discovery and possibility in her approach to new design challenges.
Courses
Fall 2024 Courses
TEXT 4840-01 - INTERIOR FABRICS
LevelUndergraduate
UnitTextiles
Subject Textiles
Period Fall 2024
Credits 3
FormatStudio
Mode In-Person
Start date
End date
TEXT 4840-01
INTERIOR FABRICS
LevelUndergraduate
UnitTextiles
Subject Textiles
PeriodFall 2024
Credits3
FormatStudio
ModeIn-Person
Start and End2024-09-04 to 2024-12-11
Times: T | 1:10 PM - 6:10 PMInstructor(s): Barbara Weber, Jaclyn DeLamatreLocation(s): College Building, Room 331Enrolled / Capacity: 12Status: Open
SECTION DESCRIPTION
This senior level course is offered to those interested in pursuing work for an interior end use, such as furnishing fabric, wall covering, or carpeting to be produced by hand or industrially. At the start, students select an architectural space as a framework. Through analysis and sampling, they will arrive at their own design solutions, which will be showcased as a collection at the end of the class. Researching the design field will generate topics for discussion in class. Techniques include surface pattern, printing, weaving and knitting, along with invented techniques.
Estimated Cost of Materials: Varies based on use of advanced equipment; additional fees may incur.
Elective
FD 2523-01 / TEXT 2523-01 - TEXTILES TRANSFORMING INTO FURNITURE
LevelUndergraduate
UnitTextiles; Furniture Design
Subject Furniture Design
Textiles
Period Fall 2024
Credits 3
FormatStudio
Mode In-Person
Start date
End date
FD 2523-01 / TEXT 2523-01
TEXTILES TRANSFORMING INTO FURNITURE
LevelUndergraduate
UnitTextiles; Furniture Design
Subject Furniture Design
Textiles
PeriodFall 2024
Credits3
FormatStudio
ModeIn-Person
Start and End2024-09-04 to 2024-12-11
Times: M | 1:10 PM - 6:10 PMInstructor(s): Barbara Weber, Patricia JohnsonLocation(s): Washington Place, Room 237AEnrolled / Capacity: 12Status: Closed
SECTION DESCRIPTION
This research course focuses on the experimentation with soft materials utilizing techniques of textile construction to create functional furniture with structural integrity. This course will rely on teamwork between Furniture Design and Textile students to take advantage of each other's expertise in furniture making and textile construction. In the beginning of the course students will be introduced to examples of contemporary furniture design, which use soft materials in unconventional ways to create unexpected forms and experiences. Reading will be assigned that covers these contemporary examples in detail. Parallel to this students will be exposed to weaving and knitting techniques, but should also consider other techniques such as crocheting, knotting, basket weaving etc. Students are encouraged to alter these techniques according to their needs to discover unique design solutions. Additionally, students will be introduced to unconventional materials not necessarily associated with furniture to generate innovative results. Substructures constructed out of solid materials can be used to provide rigidity as well as glue/resin to reinforce soft materials. Since this course focuses on material research, students are expected to engage in sustained in-depth inquiry, which should be documented in a meaningful way throughout the entire process.
Offered as TEXT-2523 and FD-2523. Preference is given to Textiles and Furniture Design Students.
FD 2523-01 / TEXT 2523-01 - TEXTILES TRANSFORMING INTO FURNITURE
LevelUndergraduate
UnitTextiles; Furniture Design
Subject Furniture Design
Textiles
Period Fall 2024
Credits 3
FormatStudio
Mode In-Person
Start date
End date
FD 2523-01 / TEXT 2523-01
TEXTILES TRANSFORMING INTO FURNITURE
LevelUndergraduate
UnitTextiles; Furniture Design
Subject Furniture Design
Textiles
PeriodFall 2024
Credits3
FormatStudio
ModeIn-Person
Start and End2024-09-04 to 2024-12-11
Times: M | 1:10 PM - 6:10 PMInstructor(s): Barbara Weber, Patricia JohnsonLocation(s): Washington Place, Room 237AEnrolled / Capacity: 12Status: Closed
SECTION DESCRIPTION
This research course focuses on the experimentation with soft materials utilizing techniques of textile construction to create functional furniture with structural integrity. This course will rely on teamwork between Furniture Design and Textile students to take advantage of each other's expertise in furniture making and textile construction. In the beginning of the course students will be introduced to examples of contemporary furniture design, which use soft materials in unconventional ways to create unexpected forms and experiences. Reading will be assigned that covers these contemporary examples in detail. Parallel to this students will be exposed to weaving and knitting techniques, but should also consider other techniques such as crocheting, knotting, basket weaving etc. Students are encouraged to alter these techniques according to their needs to discover unique design solutions. Additionally, students will be introduced to unconventional materials not necessarily associated with furniture to generate innovative results. Substructures constructed out of solid materials can be used to provide rigidity as well as glue/resin to reinforce soft materials. Since this course focuses on material research, students are expected to engage in sustained in-depth inquiry, which should be documented in a meaningful way throughout the entire process.
Offered as TEXT-2523 and FD-2523. Preference is given to Textiles and Furniture Design Students.
Times: TH | 1:10 PM - 6:10 PMInstructor(s): Barbara WeberLocation(s): College Building, Room 210Enrolled / Capacity: 14Status: Open
SECTION DESCRIPTION
This is an elective course for students who want to continue studying woven pattern. Using the NedGraphics software for pattern and Point Carre jacquard software for drafting woven structures, students will develop patterns through experimentation with material and color. The intended end use of the fabric will be a consideration throughout in the design decisions.
