February 2023 Newsletter

Get warped, not weft behind!

​How is writing like weaving? Well, often rectangular in format; writing a newsletter item, like a fiber project, takes some planning, maybe a little research, inspiration, but mostly, sitting down and getting started! Start with step one – be that getting out the yarn, looking at colors, pulling out books or magazines for drafts or inspiration, editing a prior piece, trying it again with a new approach. Of course, a deadline is always a super motivation…

Speaking of deadlines, inspiration and motivation, have you been thinking about our Annual Guild challenge? Me too – but now, it’s time for me to motivate! Just to review, this year, our Guild is taking the opportunity to show what we do in a display booth at the 2023 ANWG Conference, June 11-17, 2023, in Bend, Oregon. (ANWG = Association of Northwest Weavers Guilds, pronounced an-wig). A number of Whatcom Guild members are making plans to attend the conference, but all of us can be there in spirit and in fiber, by creating a project for display in our booth.

Annual challenge doesn’t mean the project takes all year. Just saying. Doesn’t mean the piece has to be big. The theme for this year’s challenge is Color and Community. Using the theme colors chosen for the Conference, (Rust, Purple, Blue, Green, Gold), create a project that reflects your interpretation of our fiber community.

Several Study groups, as well as individuals, are working on projects using these colors. The Tapestry weavers are working on their pieces, and the Rigid Heddle Group is going strong. At least one person in the Jane Stafford Zoom Group is weaving a shadow weave in these five colors, and I have seen it. Lovely!

The band weaving group is re-convening in February, with room for more members. If you want to join up for inkle, card weaving, small heddle weaving, let me know. Let’s get together to share patterns, explore colors and yarns, get warped, and weave! A collection of bands, bookmarks, shoelaces, bracelets, key fobs, will help fill out our booth display – small, portable weaves are so much fun to do, and fit my bandwidth! I’m also planning crackle towels in theme colors, and I’ll have woven bands to sew on for hanging loops, when I hem the towels.
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The difference between writing and weaving? No fringe to twist, no wet finishing, and no hemming!

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Carol Berry
2022-2023 President, Whatcom Weavers Guild 
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To read the entire newsletter please click here.
To see details about our upcoming meetings and events please click here.
To see who our board members are please click here.
To browse through our "Resources" page please click here.

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