October 2022 Newsletter

Important News!

The Whatcom Weavers Guild October 15, 2022 meeting and Program will take place at the Jansen Art Center. Members and Guests are invited to attend in person. NOTE: This will be a hybrid meeting! A Zoom link will be sent to all members during the week before the meeting, so that members unable to attend in person will have access. The Meeting, and the Program, featuring Artist Flora Carlisle-Kovacz, will also be recorded, for Weaver’s Guild members to view later. Flora’s beautiful Felted artworks are on display at the Jansen Art Center now through October 15, and can be viewed on the Jansen Center’s website here.

In other news, it is now officially Fall 2022, unless you are in the Southern Hemisphere, where it is officially spring. For those who like to count threads and other things, it has been 24 months since we learned that Zoom is a thing we can do, online workshops work, and that fiber sharing and learning can stretch all the way around the globe! We’ve been weaving, and felting, and knitting, and crocheting, and dyeing and more.

We have kept our fiber community strung together (pun intended) even when we couldn’t physically be together. Can we keep that community together as group gatherings become the norm? I, for one, will continue to enjoy Program Speakers we wouldn’t be able to bring here, and stay connected with weaving pals I wouldn’t know if we hadn’t been forced to try a new way of meeting. Still, it is such a relief to have options, and employ the “Weavers Handshake” (If you know, you know) once again.


Warmly,

Carol Berry
2022-2023 President, Whatcom Weavers Guild ​

M's & O's Towel-cottolin-cotton-ANWG2023colors

​​News from Committees and Interest Groups

Eco-DyeingWorkshop Report
​
Recently a small group of us spent the day in Edison at the home of Wendy Pare of the Skagit Valley Weavers Guild, where she taught us the basics of Eco-Dyeing. We had a lovely day, she provided delicious treats and a beautiful setting for our lunch. Here are some of our results.  ​

Eco-Dyeing 01

Eco-Dyeing 02

Eco-Dyeing 03

The Tapestry Focus Group...

...is back from a short summer break and moving ahead. We currently have 2 open slots and have changed our meeting date to the Second Monday of each month. Our next meeting will be on Monday October 10 from 1-3 PM at the Ferndale Library, large meeting room. If you are interested in joining us, call, text or email Sheila Atwater at 360-201-0818 or sheilag1948@comcast.net. 

The Rigid Heddle Loom Study Group

​The Rigid Heddle Study Group is up and running for this year. Exciting plans for our year include exploring mixed yarn warps (starting in October), lace weaves, and color-and-weave patterns. We will spend a month or two learning techniques and possibilities with a sampler, and then plan and complete a personal project to use our new skills. We currently have 7 members, and room for 4-5 more, if you would like to join. RHSG is a hands-on, skill-building and project-oriented exploration of RH weaving, open to any weaver, beginner to more advanced; mentoring and one-on-one assistance available. We meet on the third Thursday every month, 1-3 pm, at the Ferndale Library. Contact coordinator Susan Torntore at sjtorntore@gmail.com.

ANWG Conference Colors--Yarns & ​Fibers

The five colors chosen for the ANWG 2023 Conference connect us with the other states and provinces of ANWG, with whom we share great waterways, majestic mountains, vast forests, and rich fields. This ANWG website gives you all the information you need to source yarns in conference colors from 22 different vendors, and several patterns you can use to make towels in these colors. Spinners and felters take note--Eugene Textile Center carries Merino top in the ANWG colors--"DIY Merino Yarn (ANWG Colors)" in 1 ounce pieces (https://www.eugenetextilecenter.com/diy-merino-yarn-anwg-colors). And many spinners are finding their colors at Foxglove Fiberarts Supply--they carry a wide range of Merino tops to match ANWG colors (https://www.foxglovefiber.com/). ​

Driveway Weavers
​
We have been called many things, the Wednesday Weavers, the Loomatics, but whatever name we have used, our weekly gatherings have been so much fun! As the seasons change we will be transitioning to LeslieAnn’s house. So stay tuned for our next gathering. It’s been fun, friends!

Driveway Weavers 01

Driveway Weavers 02

Driveway Weavers 03

Driveway Weavers 04

Driveway Weavers 05

Stay tuned to the Gallery on the WWG website - the Guild Challenge 2022 images of the Ephesus photo are being uploaded for your viewing pleasure!

From Marion Scichilone, Membership chair:
The current WWG membership is 83 members! Four new members have joined since June. Welcome and let's look forward to the hybrid meetings planned for October, November and December. For those who attend in person, it's wonderful for members to see each other and greet new members.

Community Outreach

Skill Share Space/Small Looms Group at the Bellingham Public Library

Small Looms at the Bellingham Library:
We now are in the fourth month of our return to the Bellingham Library’s Skill Share Space. The space itself has been all remodeled and is bright, airy and very nice.
The purpose of the Small Looms group is to introduce the public to the skill of weaving. We demonstrate different methods of weaving on Small Looms to promote the idea that weaving can be done by anyone, any age, anywhere and at a low cost. We invite visitors to try their hand at some of the looms we have at hand: cardboard looms, frame looms, hoops or any loom that we have brought along. There is one tapestry loom that is set up to have people try out weaving and create a community tapestry using strips of fabrics.
This group meets on the first Saturday of each month from 12-3 PM. We need a minimum of four members or a maximum of 8 members at each session to assist. Bring something you are working on to demonstrate, be prepared to answer a lot of questions, and talk with the public about the textile experience.
The number of visitors has increased each month and we anticipate more growth now that fall has arrived. So we need a lot of helpers, please pick a month or more, sign up and if you unexpectedly cannot attend, email Sheila at sheilag1948@comcast.net to let her know. 

• Nov. 5  Mary O, Sheila A, Diane B
• Dec. 3 Mary O, Sheila A, Diane B
• Jan. 7 Mary O, Sheila A, Diane B
• Feb 4 Mary O, Sheila A, Diane B
• Mar 4 Mary O, Sheila A, Diane B
• Apr. 1 Mary O, Sheila A, Diane B
• May 7 Mary O, Sheila A, Diane B
• June Mary O, Sheila A, Diane B
• July Mary O, Sheila A, Diane B

As you can see we need at least 2 or 3 more names in each month.

If anyone is planning to attend, please email or text: Mary Oates at 360-961-0686, meoates@comcast.net, or Sheila Atwater at 360-201 0818, sheilag1948@comcast.net.

​Skill Share Bellingham Library

Hospice Washcloth Project

Whatcom Hospice is a remarkable institution here in Whatcom County that cares for the dying, and their families as well. Everything is done with care, concern, love and compassion.

One of the rituals they offer to families of patients who pass away under Hospice care is the option of bathing their loved one’s body as a final goodbye. The families are given kits that contain a handmade washcloth and a small vial of Lavender Oil to scent the water. These washcloths are lovingly made by volunteers who knit or crochet them. The families may then keep them as a memory keepsake. They are used only once.

Here are the instructions:

• Use unmercerized cotton yarns. 95-100% works the best (I recommend “Sugar & Cream”)
• They should be approximately 10” x 10”
• They do not need to be fancy, plain weave is fine
• You can choose the weight and sett that you prefer to make a soft, medium weight cloth
• Please use lighter colors. No black, navy, brown, or dark greens please
• A machine-sewn edge is OK for the finish, as is a short fringe
• When finished, wash in hot water and mild detergent
• Dry in the dryer with no softening agents or fragrances
• These cloths will be used once and offered to the families to keep as a memory keepsake

When you have finished your project, you may drop them off at Carol Berry’s Studio, in a marked container on the porch, or put them through the mail slot.They will be gathered and delivered to Hospice House. If you cannot get to Carol’s Studio, contact me at 360-201-0818 (call or text), or email me at sheilag1948@comcast.net. I will arrange to pick them up.
​
Thank you in advance from the Hospice Care Teams and me,
Sheila Atwater, Education and Outreach Chair

​Hospice Washcloth Project 1

Hospice Washcloth Project 2

​From Diane Banks, Member at Large ANWG Representative

ANWG Rep Report

Hello Fiber Friends,
ANWG now has available the 2023 conference schedule for seminars and workshops. If you are a planner like me, you might enjoy taking a look at what is available during the conference starting on Monday June 11th through Saturday the 18th.

If you are curious there will be:
 9 - 3 day workshops
13 - 2 day workshops
17 -1  day workshops, all happening Mon.-Thurs.
44 seminars with in-person instructors on Fri.-Sat.
5 virtual seminars to attend in person or by Zoom on Fri.-Sat. 

Here are the links that might be helpful while planning your conference experience:

https://anwgconference2023.com/instructors/  
https://anwgconference2023.com/sessions-by-subject/
https://anwgconference2023.com/workshop-schedule/
https://anwgconference2023.com/seminar-schedule/  
https://anwgconference2023.com/workshops-and-seminars-by-experience-level

The conference committee is hard at work getting online registration up and running by the middle of January 2023. There will be a conference package which will include 3 seminars of your choice on Friday and Saturday (including in-person access to the virtual seminars), and admission to the evening events that include:

• Thursday Marketplace Shopping Extravaganza and Opening Reception, sponsored by Heddlecraft® Magazine, our good friend Robyn Spady
• Friday’s Banquet and Keynote Speaker, Jeanne Carver
• Saturday’s grand finale Reception and Fashion Show sponsored by Lunatic Fringe Yarns.

​Let the planning begin,
Diane, ANWG Rep

​Upcoming meetings

• October 15, 2022 Meeting: Flóra Carlile-Kovács
  

See President’s Column above for more information: This will be a hybrid meeting, both in person at the Jansen, viewable via link given above for those who don’t wish to attend the live presentation, and we will have a WWG Zoom link sent out by email with further instructions for the Guild business portion of our meeting.

• November 19: Judy Zugish on Basketry
• December 17: Jane Stafford on a Weaving Trip to Ethiopia
• January 21, 2023: Our own Donna Hunter and Lisa Nakama presenting Felting
• February 18: Amanda Gilvin: Zoom presentation on three types of weaving done in the West African country of Niger--the téra-tera, the sakala, and the kounta.
• March 18: Kelly Marshall with Weaving by Design. A broad spectrum talk on design, rep weave, and the development of a weaving business.

• April 18: Linda Hartshorn presenting a Textile Tour of Guatemala.

​​​​Whatcom Weavers Guild Library

WWG Equipment Library

The Guild has equipment for short-term loan to members. Just a few of the items are a yardage counter, bobbin winder, shuttles, reeds in commonly used sizes, shaft table looms and Rigid Heddle Looms. The complete list and the equipment reside with Sharon Allen. Contact Sharon.newchapter@gmail.com for info or loan arrangements.

​
WWG Library

​To access the Whatcom Weavers Guild Library’s catalog click on this link. A password is not needed. This gives you a list of all the books and magazines in the Library. It doesn't sort by topic and doesn't say if the book is checked out or not. To find out if a book is available for check out, contact Carol Berry.

Announcements

The Pacific Northwest Quilt & Fiber Arts Museum is once again presenting its annual International Quilt & Fiber Arts Festival, October 7-9, 2022, at the Edward D. Hansen Conference Center in Everett, WA.  Click here for more information.

HGA Spinning and Weaving Week, coming up the first week of October - the schedule looks awesome! Most programs incur a cost to participate, but it is small. Our very own regional Loom Whisperer, Liz Moncrief, is doing two programs. Click here for more information.

27th Annual Weaving History Conference, October 24-26, 2022
​
Thousand Islands Arts Center ~ Home of the Handweaving Museum, Clayton, NY 
Join us virtually for three days filled with dynamic speakers covering a wide range of weaving and fiber related topics. This annual conference draws textile enthusiasts from around the world and is the only one of it's kind centered around the history of handweaving. Take a look at this year’s lineup of presentations in the link below and register today! There is a suggested donation of $50 to attend, but any amount is greatly appreciated. All proceeds benefit the Handweaving Museum. The conference is virtual and held over Zoom. 
​Susan Torntore is one of the presenters for the Weaving History Conference this year. Her talk, "Exploring the Handwoven Fabrics of Bonnie Cashin," highlights how Cashin’s signature use of handwoven tweed fabrics is related to mid-century innovations in American and British woven textile design through the work of weavers Dorothy Liebes, Boris Kroll, Bernat Klein, and Scotland’s tweed industry.

​Cashin Fabrics Collage

From the Jansen

Flóra Carlisle Kovács Felting Workshops and Exhibit

We are delighted that Flóra Carlile-Kovács will be returning to the J this fall to teach a couple of workshops and to present the guild program on Oct. 15. There is also an exhibit of Flóra s felting work, and that of felters from our own guild, which will be on display now through Oct. 15th. Her guild program on Oct. 15 will be available remotely as well as in person.
​
Her workshops will be:

• Oct. 13: Felted Floral Jewelry
• Oct. 14: Mosaic Scarf​

Nunofelt Mosaic Scarf

Felted Tulip Bouquet

Judy Zugish   -   Basketry Exhibit & Classes Coming in the Fall

Coming this fall, the J will host two one-day basketry workshops by Judy Zugish, a wonderful basketry artist based in Marysville. Along with the workshops, there will be an exhibit of basketry, including Judy’s work, but also open to entries from our guild members.

The workshops will be:

• Nov. 5: Petrichor Basket (willow bark weaving)
  
• Nov. 18: Mixed Barks Woven Pouch

These workshops are both appropriate for beginning basketry makers.

Judy will also be presenting the guild program on Nov. 19. We will be making her presentation and that of Flora Carlisle Kovács (in October) accessible remotely as well as in person.

Petrichor-Zugish Basket

Mixed Barks Pouch

Classes and Dye Days at the J

The Textile Studio has a new schedule of classes for summer and fall quarters:

​Weaving on Harness Looms:

• Crackle Weave Mysteries and Magic with Liz Moncrief, Nov. 10-11
• Beginning Weaving with Marcia Ford, Nov. 30-Dec. 21

Weaving on Rigid Heddle Looms:​

• Rigid Heddle Warping Refresher with Leslie Ann Bestor, Nov. 29
• Textured Weaves on the Rigid Heddle with Leslie Ann Bestor, Dec. 6 & 13

Kids’ classes:​​

• Weaving Adventures, ages 6-9, with Leslie Ann Bestor, Nov. 1-Dec. 13
• Rigid Heddle Weaving for Kids, ages 10-14, with Leslie Ann Bestor, Nov. 3-Dec. 15
• Seussian Swags, Garlands & Wreaths, ages 6+ (4-5 year olds with an adult), with Leslie Ann Bestor, Dec. 3

Felting classes:

• Felted Floral Jewelry with Flóra Carlile-Kovács, Oct. 13
• Mosaic Scarf with Flóra Carlile-Kovács, Oct. 14

Basketry classes:

• Petrichor Basket with Judy Zugish, Nov. 5
• Mixed Barks Woven Pouch with Judy Zugish, Nov. 18

Crochet Class:

• Beginning Crochet with Jan Burton, Oct. 22-Nov. 12

Spinning classes:

• Beyond the Basics with Chris Paul, Dec. 2 & 9

​Dye Days: generally the first Thursday of the month:

• Indigo Dyeing, Thursday, Oct. 6
• Dyeing in the Morgue, Thursday, Oct. 27
• Warp Painting, Thursday, Nov. 3
• Wool Immersion Dyeing, Thursday, Dec. 1
• Eco-Dyeing, fourth Saturday of the month: Aug. 27, Sept. 24, Oct. 22 & Nov. 26

For any of these classes or workshops, check the J's website for details. ​Events for the summer quarter will appear on the website in early June.

Rigid Heddle Weaving

Crochet Class

Summer & Winter Color Study warp available

​There’s some warp that was originally provided as a round-robin project for the Summer & Winter weaving class at the Jansen Art Center. There’s plenty of warp left over, and it’s open for you to weave a table runner or decorative piece.

There are seven colors across the width of the warp. A common way to weave it is to repeat those seven colors in the weft. That, of course, is up to you.

​The fee is $5 for each 7-color repeat, or its equivalent, payable to the Jansen Art Center. That includes use of the loom and all materials. If you’re interested, please contact Sheri Ward at sheri.ward@icloud.com.

Summer & Winter Color Study

Tapestry drop-in sessions
​
Starting in October, there will be a regular tapestry drop-in group at the J, on Wednesdays, 11 am - 1 pm. Val O’Connor, the person teaching tapestry at the J, will be hosting these, and she would welcome anyone who wants to join in!  ​

Classified Ads

For Sale
​
Please keep ads clear and concise, with title of item for sale, asking price, an accurate description, and your name, contact information, and general location. Photos must be in jpeg format, and emailed as attachments, rather than embedded in your email. (FYI, I cannot download embedded photos, so would have to omit them from your ad. -Wendy E., Newsletter Editor)

In Search Of (ISO)

Temples & Reeds
Looking for temples of various sizes and reeds that are 36” or wider.
Please contact Andrea Lahr:
Cell: 206-853-2135
Email: andrealahr@gmail.com

Looking for Old Cashmere Sweaters
I am in need of old cashmere sweaters in any condition. I have a local resource that will turn them into Chemo Caps.  Sharon Allen sharon.newchapter@gmail.com, 360-305-0111

​Calendar of events of interest to Guild members!

Please contribute details of upcoming events of interest to WWG members to info@whatcomweaversguild.org !
​​
HGA's Spinning and Weaving Week
October 3 – 9, 2022. Mark your calendars now!

The schedule for ANWG 2023 seminars and workshops is out (although we can't register yet) and I'm sure that some of us have started making a list of which seminars and/or workshops we might want to take as well as 2nd and 3rd choices. BUT what can we do this year? Why not check out HGA's Spinning and Weaving Week, October 3 – 9, 2022.

Events are scheduled from 10 am until 8 pm and include Virtual Exhibit Hall, Marketplace Live, Art Sparks, and Thread Talks. Of course, many topics, many presenters, including our very own Skagit County resident Elizabeth (Liz) Moncrief, who will be discussing different aspects related to weaving equipment on:

•         Oct 6: Art Sparks:A Weaving Loom Compendium 7-8 pm
•         Oct 8: Art Sparks:A Weaving Loom Compendium 4-5 pm
•         Oct 9: Art Sparks:A Weaving Loom Compendium 1-2 pm

For complete information about the events of the week, see https://weavespindye.org/spinning-and-weaving-week-2022/ NOTE: All times listed are Eastern Standard Time, so remember to deduct 3 hours from the listed schedule.
- Gloria

North Country Shifu with visiting artist Velma Bolyard
Workshop Date: Friday October 28, Saturday October 29 and Sunday October 30, 2022
Location: Blaine, Washington

This October, join us for a rare workshop with paper artist Velma Bolyard in conjunction with Linda Marshall of Washi Arts. Learn to mark, spin and weave handmade Japanese washi into paper cloth using Velma’s unique techniques.

North Country Shifu will introduce you to a version of shifu making. You will learn how to mark, cut and prep a beautiful piece of handmade Japanese paper for spinning, spin it into thread (kami-ito), fabricate a simple ‘stump’ loom, then using the loom and needle, weave your kami-ito into shifu (paper cloth). This workshop will also include demonstrations of different types of Japanese

papers and techniques for treating and decorating them including konnyaku, kakishibu and marking and staining with sumi, indigo and persimmon. There will be many side trails to explore as we deepen our shifu experience which will include all sorts of delicious extras.
For workshop details visit washiarts.com/workshops.

The Langley Weavers' and Spinners' Guild Beyond Fibre...Annual Artisans’ Sale
West Langley Hall on Saturday and Sunday November 5 and 6

​Our Monthly Show & Tell

Submitting content for the newsletter

The deadline for submitting content for the newsletter is 5:00 p.m. on the last Sunday of the preceeding month. The newsletter will be on the WWG website around the first Sunday night of each month or in the first few days of the following week. The goal is for members to be reading the newsletter about mid-way between Guild meetings and programs, which are on the third Saturday of each month.

Please send content for the next newsletter to Wendy via her mail address in the Membership list or to info@whatcomweaversguild.org. For photos and images, please send individual JPEG files (please no .tif, .png, .gif etcetera), as attachments only! Do not embed them in the body of your email. Text can be typed into the body of an e-mail or be sent as a Word document that is saved as a doc or docx but not as a PDF. Contact Wendy if you have questions.