In June 2011 I took the opportunity to return to Penland to take Amy Putansu's multi-layer weaving class. Amy is an incredible weaver, teacher, and person. Suzanne Gernandt had suggested that I take Amy's class and I am very grateful for the wonderful suggestion. I was able to use a 12-shaft Macomber loom during the 2 week class and really explore not only double-layer multi-block weaves but was also able to experiment with weaving up ot 6 separate layers on the loom - playing with the way they intersected one another. 
In her own work, Amy was experimenting with sculptural effects from multilayer weaving and she showed us some interesting effects using hardening agents. It was a wonderful 2 weeks for experimenting and for starting to seed ideas for future work. A year & a half later, I am still working through ideas that started in that class.
The students in the class were also wonderful. Lynn McClure was in both this class and the first class that I took at Penland – and it was
great to see her again. She lives near Penland and graciously opened her home to use for an afternoon away from the studio.It was a much needed break and a really pleasant afternoon.We all had a wonderful time working together and expanding our knowledge and ideas.
Amy Putansu leads the Textile Arts Program at Haywood.