April / May 2021 Newsletter

Weather to Weave?

Even after 40 years of making my home in the Pacific Northwest, I am still a fool for this time of year. I am so glad I got those bulbs in the ground in November, because I crave the spring flowers, but it is just too cold and wet to get outside in March. And then, as of now - though things will probably have changed by the time you read this - it’s been sunny for a number of days. I have actually been outside without a sweater. Snap pea starts are in the ground, and weeds are  suddenly huge. And  yet, I know in another week the weather will turn  back to “normal” and the question of whether to garden or to weave won’t be a conflict. 

This season is always a new beginning, even more so this year.  As a Guild, we have navigated new ways to communicate and support our common interests. Missing in-person connections, we have developed online interest groups. Small groups are meeting in settings that provide levels of safety the members are comfortable with. Wanting to learn and improve our skills, we have signed up for online workshops and classes, and redoubled our efforts to learn from books and videos. 

In 2021, it is the aim of the Whatcom Weavers Guild Board to ensure that each member is able to connect and continue our shared interests in the Textile Arts in settings that are safe, healthy and inclusive. How will we connect  this year while protecting our own health, that of loved ones, and what about those of us that are kept apart by closed national borders? The plan is to continue monthly all-member meetings and programs via Zoom for the immediate and foreseeable future. Small groups, meeting in person, or online, as decided by the small group membership, are providing additional learning and community connections.  Several groups have formed, and new groups are being asked for!

 Read the full newsletter to see the list of study & interest groups, and groups that are forming. Whether you want to learn to warp an inkle, borrow a rigid heddle loom, or meet up with others who share your current textile passion, let it be known.

Warmly,

​​Carol Berry
​2020-2021 President

Annual Challenge Reveal ​

June 19 - VAV Towels Challenge! - the Big Reveal of the Towels and other items we have woven in response to our annual Guild Challenge takes place at the June meeting! It’s not too late to warp and weave your own version of this lovely, fun, simple and fast weave. Requires a four-shaft loom. A 4-shaft table loom is available to loan from the Guild equipment Library Weave in 16/2 cotton, doubled, or 8/2 cotton or 22/2 cottolin. Link to the PDF of the Draft here.

Guild Meetings and Programs - 2021

Meetings are held on the Third Saturday of the Month, 9:30 am - 1:00 pm. 
See the schedule below each program. 
Online meetings and programs using ZOOM will be the norm, at least through June 2021. A Zoom meeting invitation will be sent to all members a few days before each meeting.
 
Note!  For clear and detailed Show and Tell viewing on Zoom, Submit photos of your fiber work for Member Show and Tell, by the Wednesday before the Saturday meeting, to Sharon Allen or Susan Torntore.
[email protected] or [email protected]

Knit 1 - Felt 1: Fine Gelfand - April 17, 2021 - for those who missed it
Artist, Felter, knitter Fine Gelfand treated us to a wonderful presentation documenting her exploration of aa new project that caught her imagination early last year.  Her obsession revolved around how to creatively combine knitting and nuno felting.  The resulting series culminated in two dozen (24) finished scarves, all variations on the same theme with some quirky detours permitted. Fine ( pronounced Feena) recorded her program, and will provide a link to any Guild member who missed it, or would like to view it again! Contact her at [email protected] and ask for the link.

May 15, 2021 - Elizabeth (Lisa) Hill  - Off The Grid
Feeling hemmed in by the ho hum of parallels and perpendiculars? Join Master Weaver Lisa Hill in an adventure out of the straight and narrow! We will examine multiple samples in structures that allow the warp and weft to shift and move, creating a dizzying array of curves, undulations and textures. We will discuss techniques and tips for weaving these structures, do drafting exercises and examine many fabric samples.

Elisabeth (Lisa) Hill is a weaving enthusiast. She has been weaving for over 25 years, and completed a 6-year Master Weaver Program at Hill Institute in Florence, MA in 2012. 
Elisabeth is past Program Chair for the Weavers of Western Massachusetts and formerly a tech editor for and frequent contributor to Handwoven Magazine.  She has taught at guilds, weaving conferences and folk schools all over the country and has kept a weaving blog since 2010. 
Elisabeth has designed weaving patterns for WEBS yarn store and Gist Yarns, and continues to create original designs for sale through plainweave.net.
 
Social time 9:30 - 10 am
Meeting starts at 10 am - break 11:00-11:10am 
Member Show and Tell after the Business meeting.
Program 11:15am- 12:30pm
 
Zoom link will be sent the week before.

June 19, 2021 - Robyn Spady, Weaving TnT:  Dynamite Tips 'n Techniques for Every Weaver
Robyn Spady has been weaving for over 50 years.  Yep, she started young. Having earned the HGA Certification in Handweaving in 2004, she is committed to turning the weaving world on to double-faced fabrics, four-shaft weaves, uncommon and advanced weave structures, and passementerie techniques.  Robyn is also the founder and editor of Heddlecraft® magazine.

Robyn’s program for us in June will feel like an interactive show-and-tell and will introduce over 36 offbeat tools, techniques, or tricks to assist weavers in all phases of weaving.
 
Social time 9:30 - 10 am
Meeting starts at 10 am - break 11:00-11:10am 
Member Show and Tell after the program
Program 11:15am- 12:30pm
 
Zoom link will be sent the week before.

Request A Program or Workshop! Nancy Ridenour – Program Coordinator
To request a program presenter for our guild please use the link below to the online request form. Please fill out as fully as possible, including your email. The first and last name of the Presenter/Workshop instructor you would like, and what they/you would like them to present are required fields. If you can provide a website and/or Contact information for the presenter, that is very helpful.  
You can find the Program request form here.

Member Show and Share

Weaving School In Niger
Several Weavers Guild members are assisting a developing weaving school in Niger, West Africa.  To get involved, contact Judith [email protected]. For more information about the Weaving School click here. - a note from the School, with photos taken at the end of March:
“The students are well-behaved and serious.  They are making rapid progress.   Please notice the patterning in the weaving--these kids are really moving along!

Sophie Bardsley-Taylor is weaving a huck Gamp, using Lunatic Fringe 3/2 Cotton

Cathy Meyer adapted a Gist Pattern to create these minimalist “Equinox Napkins”
The yarn is 8/2 cotton, 20 epi. Of the set of 6 napkins, three are woven in natural, and three in black. Photos show Cathy’s yarn wrap, checking the proportions in the planned warp; her warp on the loom, ready to weave, and the transition between the whit and black napkins. Cathy reports that weaving plain weave requires serious attention to detail, because the smooth texture shows any discrepancy in the beat!

Rigid Heddle Study Group  by Susan Torntore

In this past pandemic year, Whatcom Weaving Guild saw the creation of a new study group for members interested in learning more about weaving on a rigid heddle (RH) loom. This is a hands-on, project-oriented exploration of RH weaving, coordinated by Susan Torntore. We meet once a month by Zoom, and hope to start hybrid in person/zoom meetings in April at the Jansen Art Center. We started out exploring sakiori rag weaving under Susan’s direction. Our first project focused on a small tote bag made from a generous donation of wool rug hooking strips using 8/4 cotton as warp. As we moved into using cotton fabrics for weft, projects have included placemats, table runners, and small bags. Current projects focus on the design possibilities of rag weaving with a Log Cabin pattern. At our April meeting, we will discuss next directions, such as pick-up patterns, color-and-weave designs, and expanding yarn resources for RH. While we all also weave on multi-harness looms, Susan has shared many tips and tricks about warping and using a RH loom. We meet on the 4th Wednesday of each month, 1-3pm, and are open to anyone in the guild, from the beginner to more advanced weaver.

Sakiori Log Cabin Table Runners
8/4 cotton rug warp/batik fabrics
Mary Oates

Sakiori Log Cabin Table Runners
8/4 cotton rug warp/batik fabrics
Sheila Atwater

Sakiori Placemats/Table Mats
3/2 pearl cotton warp/batik fabrics
Sheila Atwater

Sakiori Placemats/Table Mats
3/2 pearl cotton warp/batik fabrics
Sheila Atwater

Sakiori Tote Bags
8/4 cotton warp/wool rug hooking strips
Sheila Atwater​

Sakiori Placemats/Table Mats
3/2 pearl cotton warp/batik fabrics
Susan Torntore

Announcements: Study Groups and More

JST study groups - Sheri Ward and Sharon Allen

We will soon be starting a couple of study groups, based on lessons from Jane Stafford's On-Line Guild.  Some of you may be members of it, others not, but you're all invited to participate in any case.  Because of our desire to honor copyright issues, access to the videos is not included, but access to the pattern sure is.

Sharon Allen will be hosting one of these study groups at her home, and I'll be hosting a second one at the Jansen Art Center.

Sharon's 1st study group is currently full.  It is using a technique called denting.  Stay tuned for a future Show and Tell to see our results.

At the J, we'll be weaving a sample from Season 5, Episode 2:  Exploring Canvas Weaves.  Jane starts with the basic idea of canvas weave, and shows how it is the basis of several lace weaves:  Huck, Swedish Lace, Spot Bronson and Atwater Bronson.  

Sharon and I will soon be placing orders for the yarns needed for these two study groups.  The kit for the Canvas Weave sampler consists of 500 g of 16/2 linen in Linen White and 100 g of 16/2 linen in Stone Gray.  If each person weaves a 4-yard sampler plus a runner of 2 yards or so, we would use most if not all of the white linen, maybe not all of the gray.  Someone who's done this sampler believes one kit would be sufficient for two weavers, plus we can order extra of either of the colors of linen if we like.  Each kit is $73 USD.

So who would want to participate, and would you like to weave a runner as well as the samples?

If you'd like to participate in the Canvas Weave study group, please email me at [email protected].  

More Study Groups forming!

​Groups can be via Zoom, or in-person, weekly, monthly, or in-between. Each group is made up of individuals who share experience to learn from and with one another. 

• Getting Back into Floor Loom weaving? Are you past the basics, but want to share your experiences, challenges, and keep on learning? A Group for “Weavers who want to Fly” is forming! Email [email protected], with “Flying Weavers” in the subject line.
• Want to learning more about Inkle Weaving? An interest group is forming for those who wish to learn together. There are many books of patterns and instruction in the Guild Library. Email [email protected], with “Inkle” in the subject line.

Using color in Weaving - Email [email protected], with “Color” in the subject line.

Current Study Groups
​

• Andean Pebble Weave:  Coordinator Carol Berry.  Meets Wednesdays at 9:00am on Zoom.
• Rigid Heddle:  Coordinator Susan Torntore.  Meets the 4th Monday of the Month, at the Jansen Center
• Tapestry:  Coordinator Sheila Atwater.   Note! Currently the Tapestry Group is full, with 10 participants. 
• Jane Stafford Online Guild:  2 Groups - Coordinators Sharon Allen and Sheri Ward 
• Eco dye study group:  Coordinator Dori painter. Schedule TBD​

Other education news:  a reminder that if you have questions or ideas you would like to discuss with another weaver, we do have a list of mentors you can reach out to.  Contact Mary Oates [email protected].

A message from Seiko Purdue - Kumihimo Exhibition Update
​
“I hope that everybody is doing well and enjoying the warmer weather.  It is good to be outside!
Thank you so much for returning the Kumihimo disk(s) with your hand-woven rope and wishes. I enjoy receiving the individual Kumhimo work.  I see some people putting a lot of time into this project.  I was very impressed by the unique expressions and creativity.  I got some from various states in US and from various countries like Italy and Morocco.  I really appreciate the people who spread this project and helped sending and collecting. 
I have about 250 works back and I am still waiting for a little more than a hundred works.  If you haven’t returned yours please do soon.  The firm deadline is May 23 but sooner is better. My exhibition at Jansen Art Center will happen for sure.  I visited the art center to contribute 40 Kumihimo kits to the community a month ago. They are excited about the project.   I think that the exhibition  will be June 3 – August 27.   (I will confirm soon.)  There will no opening event but I am hoping that they can organize a closing event or something. 
Best, Seiko A. Purdue, 
Professor, Fibers/Fabrics, Department of Art and Art History, Western Washington University
For more information about the project and exhibition go here.

Ten new Books have been recently added to the Guild Library!

Weaving on 3 Shafts, by Erica de Ruiter. Andean Pebble Weave on Inkle Looms, and More Andean Pebble Weave Patterns, by Laverne Waddington. A second copy of Learning to Weave, by Deborah Chandler, and a second copy of Hands On Rigid Heddle Weaving, by Betty Linn Davenport - both donated by a member of the community, who also donated a Cricket Rigid Heddle Loom, used once, to the Guild Equipment Library
Creative Crafts of the World, by Marilyn Romatka, and The New Beadwork, by Kathyn Moss and Alice Scherer, Donated by the Handweavers Guild of America
Anatomy of a Tapestry,  Techniques, Materials, Care, by Jean Pierre and Yadin Larochette

To see a list of all the books available, go to https://www.librarything.com/catalog/whatcomweaversguild

To check out a book, contact Carol Berry via the Weavers Guild email: [email protected]. You can make an appointment to come to the Library, located in central Bellingham, most any day of the week, or ask Carol to pull a book, magazine or DVD for porch pick-up.

Online Resources & Activities

Local Fiber Groups

​Due to the uncertainty around us regarding how and when organizations may again begin meeting and/or holding events, we are not able to provide updated information. Below is contact information for the groups in our area.

olympiaweaversguild.org
whidbeyweaversguild.org
skagitvalleyweaversguild.org ​

Handweavers Guild of America

HGA Textiles & Tea Careers in Textiles with Jacqueline James, a British Weaver who grew up in Bellingham was interviewed for  HGA Textiles & Tea. During the interview, Jacqueline speaks with detail about the dyeing process she uses to create color design schemes for her unique rugs, and shows beautiful photos of her work.
​Interview on April 20, recorded and viewable on HGA Facebook here.

Heddlecraft Magazine

Heddlecraft® is a digital weaving magazine designed for weavers who already know how to weave and desire a better understanding of weaving and weave structures . . . and possibly an interest to create unique designs and patterns. Heddlecraft® is published six times a year.  Each issue has a weaving 'theme' focused on a particular weave structure or weaving topic.  Heddlecraft® is published by Spady Studios and is edited by Robyn Spady.  To learn more about Robyn, go to www.spadystudios.com.

Handweaving.net

Handweaving.net is a digital weaving archive with drafts, historic weaving documents, and more. This website contains 74596 hand weaving drafts, many of which are public domain. Handweaving.net is supported by subscriptions, but many of the resources are available at no charge.

The Jansen Art Center

Textile Exhibit at the Jansen Art Center - Sheri Ward

The Textile exhibit currently in the Jansen Art Center Library will continue on display until Friday, May 28.  There was a slight change of plans along the way.  Originally, there was to be a Studio Showcase exhibit during the month of May, which would have included items from Ceramics and Jewelry as well as Textiles.  But the other studios have put off participation until next year.  What we'll be doing instead of the original plan is to refresh the exhibit that's been there since early March, return items that individuals want back, and add in some new items.  Be sure to stop by and see the refreshed exhibit. 

Current Covid restrictions

The J is now open to the public Thursday through Saturday, noon - 4:30.
We are permitted to have up to 25% capacity in the studios.  For the various rooms, that translates into:

• Front textile studio, 10 people
  
• Eleanor's Room (back textile studio), 8 people
  
• Dance studio (ours temporarily), easily more than 10
  
• Library, 8 people
  
• Alley Workshop, 7 people
  

During those times the J is not open to the public, you would need to make an appointment, just so the staff knows to be on the look-out for arrivals.  Times available for appointments are Tuesday through Friday, 9-5, and Saturdays 10-4.  To make an appointment, email [email protected] and indicate your date and time of arrival.  Please try to allow 24-hour notice.  The staff is very happy to accommodate us in this way, but they are sometimes on Zoom or phone calls, so please be patient if you happen to be left waiting for a few moments.

The tradition of "open studio" on Thursdays has returned.  For programming, we'll first be looking at one-day events - dyeing and felting perhaps - before we start re-scheduling multi-week classes.
With this change, the same safety procedures remain in place - sign in and out, wipe down hard surfaces you’ve touched just before you leave, and wear your mask at all times (exception:  you’re alone in the room).
Be assured that there would always be someone else in the building, a staff member, even with this arrangement. 

Jansen Art Center meeting space

Since we will now have access to the Alley Workshop and Library, some of our interest groups can resume, whenever they're ready to do so:  felting, tapestry, eco-dyeing, and dye days.  When you're ready, please reserve these rooms ahead of time, since they are shared spaces.  The rigid heddle group has already made plans to meet at the J on the fourth Wednesday of the month, 1-3 pm, in Eleanor's Room.  Incidentally, the ceramics studio members have been reminded that they need to clean up the Alley Workshop after they use it, so that room should be cleaner than it was late last fall.

The use of the Alley Workshop would involve a fee of $10 per person, just as it was before for various dye days and felting days.  Similarly, rental policy and rates for looms remain unchanged.

In connection with room usage, the J is interested in promoting membership at the art center.  When groups meet in the Library or one of the Textile Studio rooms, the J would like to regard that use as a perk of membership in the Jansen Art Center.  The annual membership fee at the J is $35 for seniors, $45 for individuals.  It also comes with other perks - discounts in the gallery, for classes, and for performances (whenever they return).  The J would want to be sure that any fee doesn’t present a barrier, so if someone didn’t have a membership, maybe $5 per use per person, or less if the person was on a limited budget.  

J staff is also working on some scholarship funds, to be on offer for adults and children.  The J very much wants to reduce any perceived or actual barriers the public may have with participating.

Double-Wide Blanket Group

 We will soon be starting a group project weaving double-wide wool blankets at the Jansen Art Center.  We will have use of both of the Glimakra looms there, which are 65" and 40" wide.

There will be an organizational meeting at the Jansen Art Center on Thursday, April 29 at 1 pm.  If you're thinking about participating, please email [email protected] ahead of time for some more particular information on the plans for this project.

Videos You Might Enjoy

The Lost Textile of Ryukyu 

This Video provides a view of the textile traditions of Okinawa, Japan. A documentary, the video includes a history of the Island of Okinawa, in the context of a “lost” textile tradition, shows studios of Okinawan Textile masters, and recounts efforts to research the fiber and possibly re-construct this revered textile. Guild members may remember  Japanese Textile Designer Sudo Reiko, whose work was introduced to us in a 2018 WWG Program by Diana Sanderson of Sanjo Silk & the Silk Weaving Studio on Granville Island, Vancouver, BC.

Classified Ads

Note! If you have fiber supplies or equipment that need re-homing, you can place them in the Classified section of the newsletter. An 8-shaft table loom listed has found a good home – and its new owner is now a member of our guild! ​

Gilmore Jack 4 harness floor loom with 45" weaving width and sectional beam. Manufactured in Canada based on Gilmore plans. Good condition. Acquired last year in Canada at an estate sale. Includes 10 dent reed and Leclerc tension box. Contact Sigrid via phone or text at 360-913-3656. Located in Snohomish County but delivery is an option. ​Asking $350. 

Glimakra Standard, 8-shaft Countermarche Loom, many extras, $2,500
Contact Jan Nilsson for more information – 509-999-2118 (Text Ok)
Click here to see PDF document with photos.

Price Reduced!
​Harrisville Designs Floor Loom, bench, warping board and tools $500. 48”wide x 39”D x47” high. Weaving width 40” Back beam folds in for a folded depth of 29”. The loom has 4 harnesses and 6 treadles. This is in the Factoria area of Bellevue and would need to be picked up there. Contact Anne Regan (text 206-953-9402.

Gilmore 26 Inch Floor Loom , bench, Accessories for sale. Loom was originally purchased new in Stockton, CA in 1998.
​The loom is located in Lynden, WA. There are accessories with the loom including bench, warping board, (2) reeds, the usual items to dress a loom, and (2) baskets of yarn. The asking price for the loom alone is $2,000. The asking price for loom plus accessories is $2,500.
Contact Shirley Reed by phone only (360)223-9003

Free to Good Home: Silk Painting dyes, paint tray and tools. Pick up in Bellingham. Contact Carol Berry [email protected]

45 inch, 6 shaft Kissenich loom with bench. 
Also included:  4 reeds, raddle and 2 detachable side shelves. 
Asking $700. OBO. 
​Mary at 360-961-0686