In the first semester, dive into both Weaving and Machine Knitting to see what inspires you most. After exploring both, you’ll choose a major that reflects your passion—and from there, the journey gets even more exciting. Whether you’re drawn to crafting unique one-of-a-kind pieces or designing high-quality production goods, you’ll build a strong foundation in both theory and practical skills.
Your instructors are professional and practicing artists, here to help you find your artistic voice and turn your creativity into a thriving career or meaningful practice. The four-semester program blends traditional textile techniques with modern approaches, including artificial and natural dyeing, spinning, felting, screen printing, and more. The studio is passionate about sustainability, encouraging the use of natural materials and promoting human-scale, ethical production.
From colour theory and design to material knowledge and studio work ethic, you’ll develop the tools you need to succeed in the vibrant world of textiles. You’ll also gain a solid grounding in visual storytelling, entrepreneurial thinking, and the business of being a working artist.
Here, we believe in community over competition and in making the world a softer, more creative place. Through experimentation, applied research, and self-reflection, you’ll push your boundaries, explore new ideas, and shape work that reflects your imagination and values.
When you graduate, you won’t just have a diploma—you’ll have a body of work, a toolkit of valuable skills, and a clear direction for your future in the growing global textile arts community.
Jackie Bourque
(jackie.bourque@gnb.ca)
Instructor, Textile Design Studio Head
Jackie Bourque is the Acting Studio Head for Textile Design and the weaving instructor. Prior to taking on this position, she was the Studio Technician for Textile Design for seven years, and she also taught many textile related workshops. She is known to be a calm and reassuring influence on the entire department. Her expertise is clear from the moment she touches the loom, like a musician with her instrument.
In this course, students learn the sequential steps to create woven-textile fabrics on floor looms. They are introduced to basic four harness weave structures, including plain weaves and twills. They apply colour theory and design principles in the making of samples and projects. They learn to choose the right fibre and weave structures for the intended end use. In addition, students are introduced to weaving design software and its potential application in designing hand-woven textiles.
NBCCD Textile Design Studio is home to more than 25 looms, which students can use any time.
In this course, students learn advanced knit cloth structures and finishing techniques. They further develop their skills with machine knitting by practicing different structure types, designing complex cloth and producing a sample binder. Combining this knowledge with colour and design principles, students create original pieces with sophisticated machine knit patterning.
The New Brunswick College of Craft and Design offers two streams in its Textile Design program: Knit and Weave.
In this course, students learn the techniques for colouring yarns and cloth with natural-dye materials. Using substances such as flowers, insects, roots and wood, they create hues that demonstrate sensitivity to value and chroma while acquiring knowledge of chemicals used to shift colour safely.
In this course, students learn the techniques for colouring yarns and cloth with natural-dye materials.
In this course, students prepare processed and raw fibre to produce different yarn types using the spinning wheel and various tools.Technical sensitivity and sophisticated design techniques are emphasized as they gain an understanding of the properties of various fibres and yarns. In addition, students explore the use of acid dyes on fibres to create colour variations.
In this course, students learn the skills to market and distribute their work to a wholesale, retail and consignment marketplace. Business tools are reinforced, such as basic bookkeeping, cash flow, pricing, overhead, tracking consignments, creating estimates and invoicing. Student prepare for retails and wholesale marketing opportunities and maintain an online presence.
At NBCCD, we believe in nurturing creativity, innovation, and strong business skills, ensuring that our graduates are not just skilled artisans but also savvy entrepreneurs, ready to make their mark in the ever-evolving world of craft and design.
