August 2022 Newsletter

Seated in the shade, pitcher of iced tea, sprinkler going under the blueberry bushes… a black-capped chickadee is enjoying the water spray and cooling breeze with me. A dye project is soaking in its final rinse. All that’s left to do is pull it out of the (cool) water bath and hang the skeins up to dry.

The weld in my garden (which yields an almost neon-bright yellow with calcium carbonate added to the dyebath) is six feet tall. Sadly, my Japanese Indigo seeds I started in May never germinated. It just wasn’t warm enough for them this spring. However, the dyers chamomile starts, given to me last spring by another guild member/gardener/dyer came back in force. For the most part, I purchase the plant dye materials I use, but growing what I can is satisfying, and a way to feel connected to artisans through the ages and all over the world.

Weaving Around the World seems to be a theme for our Guild Programs this year. We have a full schedule, not just weaving of course, including a couple of hands-on programs, if we can safely meet in person. We had a fun get together at Marine Park in July and met some new members in person! Our August “Swap, Shop, and Social” will be an opportunity to re-home fiber supplies and equipment and see old and new friends. There will also be show and tell, and information about study groups, mentoring, and community projects. Zoom meetings and programs will resume in September, with some monthly meetings combining in-person and online options.

This outdoor weather won’t last forever. We’ll be planning and settling down to indoor projects before you know it. For now, there is iced tea, the latest Handwoven Magazine just arrived, and enough blueberries that I can share some with the birds. Fiber life is a good life, and it’s my life!

Warmly,

Carol Berry
2022-2023 President, Whatcom Weavers Guild

Washcloths for Hospice show and tell at the July get-together. For information about this project, contact Sheila Atwater.

Sharon and Barbara at the Park, July get-together. “Long time no see!”

Weld plants, AKA “Dyer’s Rocket” reaching for the sky. 

News from Committees and Interest Groups

Swap, Shop & Lunch – August 20 program

All members are encouraged to attend the first in-person Guild event being held since February 2020 in indoor and outdoor meeting spaces at Saint James Presbyterian Church! To refresh members and especially help new members, the space that the Guild typically uses is a large indoor area called the Friendship Hall and there is also an outdoor portico (covered). There is parking behind the building and there is street parking as well.

First, the Sales and Swap part of the event will be outside on the portico. In the Friendship Hall will be tables for displays by the study groups and for “Show and Tell” items (without the “Tell” part). After a quick clean-up, there will be plenty of space for members to set up their chairs and have time together and enjoy a brown bag lunch you bring. And let’s wonder how many of us might bring a small hand-held loom, spinning wheel, or a project on knitting needles or crochet hooks?!

Following are the details about the event, and then more information for any member wanting to have a table for offering items for sale and the highly anticipated social part of the event. And members are welcome to bring items to donate to the Guild sales table.

8:30 am: Set up team arranges tables
9:00 am: Sellers arrive, set up their items
10:00 am: Sale opens to members!
11:00 am: Sale opens to the Public (friends and neighbors)
12:45 pm: Sales end; and clean-up and take down (Take Down Team)
1:00 – 2:00 pm: Brown Bag lunch and social time

To reserve a table or part of a table or that you will be bringing donations for the Guild sales table, contact Sharon Allen via email at [email protected]

Members to “staff” their own tables from 10 am to 12:45 pm.
Six members are needed, to take down and put away tables at 1:00 pm. Contact Dori Painter, Carol, or Sharon to volunteer for the Take Down Team.
Sharon asks for pictures of your sale items, sent to her, to be attached to the weekly updates to help entice others to the sale, and will remind everyone all items are to be priced before the sale, cash sales only.
Checks can be accepted from Guild members for Guild items; members selling at tables can accept checks if they wish.
Those bringing donations for the Guild table are asked to have them priced and arrange them on the Guild table when you arrive.
Questions about pricing for your own items or items donated to the Guild Table can be directed to Sharon Allen, anytime before the event.
Please send some photos to Sharon that she can use in event reminder emails and on the Guild’s private Facebook page to entice people to attend.
For those unable to attend, contact Sharon or Carol to drop off donations for the guild sales table before the sale.

Tables inside the Friendship Hall will include examples and information about Study Groups:

Let Sharon or Sheila know if you want a table for a display inside.
Sheila will have information and sign-up sheets for study groups or requests for membership.

More general information:

This is a rain or shine event and will require masks while inside or outside.
Masks not required if seated outside (Lunch and Social).
Masks and hand sanitizer will be available at each end of the sales table area and inside the Friendship Hall at the study group table area and show and tell area.
Bring your own chair and brown bag lunch.
Event information is being shared with the Skagit Valley Weavers Guild.

Please plan to attend all or even a part of this event for a chance to spend time together. And, we’re going to have simple “My name is …..” name tags because it’s been a while and there are a lot of new members since early 2020!
Are you excited yet for the Swap, Shop and Lunch on Saturday the 20th? Sigrid has already shared these two photos of items she plans to have at a table:

Swap, Shop & Lunch: Sigrid's RH Loom

Swap, Shop & Lunch: Sigrid's RH Loom in Bag

Skill Share Space at the Bellingham Public Library

As part of the Education and Outreach Committee we have in past years presented a Small Looms group in the Skill Share Space at the Bellingham Public Library, located at 210 Central Avenue. It is designed to introduce, and hopefully spark interest in, the craft of weaving to the public. We are focused on the use of small looms to show that it doesn’t have to be an expensive or space-consuming activity. We show frame looms, pin looms, tapestry looms, rigid heddle looms, tiny beginner looms, and cardboard looms you can make yourself. We answer a LOT of questions, recommend resources for information and supplies and even let people try it out themselves.

The newly remodeled space has an upgraded ventilation system. We are asking for a few volunteers to come to chat with people and demonstrate what they do on a small loom. We don’t need many and you don’t have to commit to every session. We would like to have 3-4 minimum at each session. We are scheduled for the first Saturday of each month from Noon to 3:00 p.m. If you could come and promote the Guild on an occasional Saturday and meet some really wonderful people please contact: Mary Oates at 360-961-0686, [email protected], or Sheila Atwater at 360-201 0818, [email protected] and let us know.

P.S. We also visit a lot and get to know each other quite well. There is a lot of giggling and storytelling going on as well.

From Diane Banks, Member at Large / ANWG Representative

Member at Large
There was an interest for a rug weaving study group mentioned during our June monthly meeting. It seemed like the members interested (myself included) are beginners in the rug making world. Is there a WWG member with rug making experience who would like to mentor and guild eager-to-learn rug weavers? I would be happy to help get a zoom meeting set up that would be available to all interested members to see what is feasible in starting up a rug weaving study group. Please email me at dianebanks[email protected] to let me know your availability, level of rug making experience and if you are interested in mentoring this study group.

ANWG Rep Report
The conference is less than a year away and the committee is excited to announce the keynote speaker will be Jeanne Carver. She and her late husband Dan have been the force behind Imperial Stock Ranch since the late 1980’s. In 2017, the Imperial Stock Ranch became the first ranch in the world to be Responsible Wool Standard certified. Ralph Lauren chose Jeanne Carver’s wool (Imperial Stock Ranch/Shaniko Wool Company) for the last three Winter Olympics Team USA Uniforms. To learn more about Shaniko Wool Company, click here. Information on Imperial Stock Ranch can be found here.

There will be many events and activities to see and do while at the conference. You may want to spend some time in the exhibits room where you will find the Conference Colors Exhibit, the Juried, Open, and Instructors show exhibits. Some other activities to plan for are fiber art demonstrations as well as door prizes awarded Thursday-Saturday of conference week. If you want to sit and chat for a while working on a project, there will be a Spin-in, Knit-in, Weave-in corner with chairs and tables for you to use. Bring a towel for the towel exchange Wed-Sat. and pick up a different towel on Saturday. Do you like to watch decorated shuttles with wheels compete for a prize on a track? The shuttle race is for you!

More information to come regarding room rates and conference fees and packages…soon!
Here is the conference’s official site for more information.

News on the ANWG Conference in Bend, Oregon, June 11-18, 2023:

We have a booth reserved! So far, we have the design team, set-up, and a tracker in place along with a growing list of volunteers. If you are interested in being a volunteer or a lead for transportation (going to, or returning from), booth take down, or documentation of the event, please email me at [email protected] and I will happily add you to the list. Many hands make light work.

Something to consider over the next few months . . . .
The theme for ANWG’s Fiber Connections reads: “Fiber Connections celebrates all the connections that are made as a result of the coming together of fibers and people”. One way that you can show your connections with fiber is by entering the Open Show and Juried Show Exhibits. The non-juried show is designed to encourage all weavers, spinners, and fiber artists to take the big step of putting their work out on display. This show is also ideal for anyone who has not entered work in prior shows.

Guidelines and entry forms for the Open Show can be found at the Conference website here. There is no fee to enter.

The Juried Show has an entry fee per item is $15 US and must accompany the online entry available January 15, 2023 at Juried Show – ANWG 2023 Conference (anwgconference2023.com).

The Thomas Kay Woolen Mill in Salem Oregon

Thanks to Kelley Dragon of Spindrifters for sending us this fascinating link: “The Thomas Kay Woolen Mill in Salem, Oregon was established in 1889. The mill ceased operation entirely in 1962, primarily due to competition from manmade materials like polyester. Today the mill is a part of the Willamette Heritage Center. The first two floors of the Thomas Kay Woolen Mill building are devoted to telling the story of woolen processing, on its journey from fleece to fabric. Visitors can view machinery used for carding, spinning and weaving wool on the 2nd Floor.” See link for more information: Thomas Kay Woolen Mill: Fleece to Fabric (photo diary) (dailykos.com)

Followup: Outreach Opportunity, Hospice: For Weavers, (and knitters & crocheters)
From Sheila Atwater, Education and Outreach Chair

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.

I donated some washcloths that I had woven and they just loved them. Weaving them uses less yarn and takes much less time than knitting or crochet. Fast is good as Hospice goes through about 50 kits per month.
We had samples of the cloths at the July 16th meeting, along with Susan Torntore’s Rigid Heddle Design Samplers to give us ideas about possible pattern weaves to use. Meanwhile, here are the instructions:

Use unmercerized cotton yarns. 95-100% works the best (I recommend “Sugar & Cream”)
They should be no larger than 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

Those of you who wish to participate, please keep the purpose in mind and weave with care and love. When you have finished your project, you may drop them off at Carol Berry’s Studio. There will be a marked container on the porch, and you can put them through the mail slot if the door is locked. I will gather the contributions a couple of times a month and deliver them to Hospice House. If you cannot get to Carol’s Studio, contact me at 360-201-0818 (call or text), or email me at sheil[email protected]. 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 & Kit

Hospice Kit Closeup

Namedrafting, from Pat Wrigley:
I enrolled in a scheduled webinar in Namedrafting taught by Janet Dawson June 25th 2022. In 90 minutes she went over her process for Namedrafting including block and profile ND. The highlight of the presentation is the draft generator she has developed (in a Beta version) for free use on her website: WeavingwithJanetDawson.com - I found it there by using her search tool and entering the word “namedrafting,” - I would need more help from her to make good use of this tool but thought others might be interested in trying it.

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!

Upcoming Guild Programs

Whatcom Weavers Guild’s General Meeting, August 20, 2022, 10am-2pm

Member Swap and Shop at Saint James Presbyterian Church. We’ll have tables outside (under cover of the portico) for members who want to buy, sell or trade yarn, fiber, tools, and equipment, and a table inside set up with Show-&-Tell items. Bring your excess fiber stuff (and/or your cash or checkbook), portable fiber crafts, show-&-tell, an outdoor chair. There will also be space inside the Fellowship Hall.

Show & Tell this month will be live only, and a table will be set up inside the church.

Upcoming meetings

September 17: Slide show about the history of the Whatcom Weavers Guild
October 15: Flóra Carlile-Kovács
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.
Everyone who loves textiles knows about kente cloth from Ghana, but there are many other beautiful weaving styles from West Africa. Dr. Amanda Gilvin, an art historian who has done research in West Africa since 1999, is available to give a Zoom presentation on three types of weaving done in the West African country of Niger--the téra-tera, the sakala, and the kounta. In her talk “A Bird’s Eye View of Textiles from Niger,” Dr. Gilvin will talk about the people who make the textiles and the techniques that they use. The talk also includes an introduction to the DIMA School in Niamey, Niger, where instructor Abdoulwahid Goumer is teaching a new generation of artists the weaving skills that he has perfected during his decades working at the Musée National Boubou Hama du Niger.

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.
Guatemala is a beautiful country of highland lakes, towering volcanoes, and amazing handwoven textiles. The modern-day Maya, whose ancestors built pyramids and studied the stars, continue their traditional weaving of complex fabrics on simple backstrap looms. Take a virtual tour of this fascinating country from a weaver's perspective. View vivid images on PowerPoint, examine many wonderful textiles, and hear fascinating stories from the auspicious time of December 2012, the end of the calendar, and the beginning of a new era in Mayan Cosmology.

Whatcom Weavers Guild Library

WWG Equipment Library

The Guild has equipment for short-term loan to members. J ust 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 [email protected] 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.

Library Spotlight #9: Newly purchased item in the Library!

The Weaving Explorer by Deborah Jarchow & Gwen Steege
The by-line under The Weaving Explorer says it all; “Ingenious Techniques, Accessible Tools, & Creative Projects with Yarn, Paper, Wire, & More”. Authors Deborah Jarchow & Gwen W. Steege have compiled a book alive with ideas, clear instructions, and beautiful photos that break down weaving into its most basic components using simple equipment. How can rocks, twigs, & string be so lovely!
Steege quotes Paul Klee who said that drawing was like “taking a line for a walk”. She then invites us to follow along on a walk with yarn. I may have to buy my own copy of this book. It’s available in the WWG library now, well it will be when I bring this copy back anyhow! And thanks to the Saturday library weavers who recommended it.
- Lynn Berman, WWG Librarian

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, including details of the Call for Entries. Please help us ensure the success of this Festival by passing this information along to your Guild members and encouraging them to enter. We know the Pacific Northwest is home to many talented quilt and fiber art artists and we would love to be able to include them all in our exhibit!

This is a juried and judged exhibit, with three cash prizes being offered. $500 for Best in Show (must be a judged piece), $500 for People’s Choice – Quilts, and $500 for People’s Choice – Fiber Art & Wearables. Visit this page for more information or contact the Museum at (360) 466-4288.

Thank you for your assistance in supporting the Museum.

Sandy Hatfield
Member, Board of Directors

Amy Green
Executive Director
(360) 466-4288 ext 103
www.qfamuseum.org

From the Jansen

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 & 18: Bark Weaving a Pouch, and Petrichor (willow bark weaving)

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.

If you would like to have your baskets included in the exhibit, some dates to keep in mind:
Submissions by Sept. 19
Delivery of artwork: by Oct. 15
Exhibit on display: Oct. 20 - Jan. 6

Petrichor-Zugish Basket

Mixed Barks Pouch

Flora 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 workshops will be:

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

Nunofelt Mosaic Scarf

Felted Tulip Bouquet

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:

Beginning Weaving with Marcia Ford, Aug. 10-31
Lace Weaving with Sheri Ward, Sept. 27-Oct. 18
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:

Introduction to Rigid Heddle Weaving with Leslie Ann Bestor, Aug. 13
Rigid Heddle Warping Refresher with Leslie Ann Bestor, Sept. 7
Lace Weaves on the Rigid Heddle with Leslie Ann Bestor, Sept. 8 & 15
Beginning Rigid Heddle Weaving with Leslie Ann Bestor, Sept. 20-29
Rigid Heddle Warping Refresher with Leslie Ann Bestor, Nov. 29
Textured Weaves on the Rigid Heddle with Leslie Ann Bestor, Dec. 6 & 13

Tapestry Weaving

Beginning Tapestry Weaving with Val O’Conner, Sept. 24-Oct. 15

Kids’ classes:

Fiber Sampler, ages 10-14, with Leslie Ann Bestor, Aug. 16-19
Inkle Weaving for Kids, ages 6-9, with Leslie Ann Bestor, Aug. 23-26
Explorations in Fiber Arts, ages 6-9, with Leslie Ann Bestor, Sept. 13- Oct. 18
Weaving Adventures, ages 10-14, with Leslie Ann Bestor, Sept. 15- Oct. 20
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:

Beginning Spinning with Chris Paul, Sept. 16-30
Beyond the Basics with Chris Paul, Dec. 2 & 9

Dye Days: generally the first Thursday of the month:

Block Printing with Dyes, Thursday, Sept. 1
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

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)

Norwood Cherry Four shaft loom - Everett WA; $700 OBO
I am an expat owner of this model of Norwood floor loom, in good/excellent condition, which has been in storage for many years. I will be in the Seattle area August 5 and will have access to the loom then. I plan to inventory the assorted accompanying parts that came with the loom and provide a list and photos of the actual equipment once I arrive. The attached photos are representative images only.

I am looking for a good home ASAP as I will be leaving the PNW after 18 August.

Includes:
4 Harness, 45”weaving width, Norwood floor loom and bench
approximate floor footprint of loom is 50”x50”
2 reeds (dent-size to be provided after 5 Aug)
shuttles (stick and boat)
warp board
spare heddles
misc. other weaving tools, inventory & pictures to be supplied
$700 / OBO
pick up from Everett; shipping can be arranged at buyers expense

Deirdre
Email: [email protected]
Mobile: 203-997-5502
Email or text me if you are interested or have any questions; I will not check voicemail. I will send photos to you once I have them.

In Search Of (ISO)

This is a newer addition to our Classifieds. You may be asking for a cone of 8/2, a partial cone of 3/2, an item that’s difficut to find, or accessories that you don't want to pay top dollar for. You get the idea! So that means it’s appropriate to ask for Free items in addition to things you are willing to pay for.

Calendar of events of interest to Guild members!

Please contribute details of upcoming events of interest to WWG members to [email protected] !

Slow Yarn Crawl PNW
May 27 – September 5, 2022
http://www.slowcrawl.com/

Northwest Washington Fair
August 11-20, 2022
NW Fairgrounds and Event Center, Lynden, WA
https://www.nwwafair.com/

Pacific Northwest Fiber Exposition
October 1-2, 2022
Port Townsend WA
(https://www.pnwfiberx.com/)

This will be a Fun Filled Fiber weekend in Port Angeles Washington October 1-2, 2022. The event will include a craft marketplace, workshops, demonstrations and hands on activities for all ages. Entrance is free for the marketplace and demonstrations. Information on workshops and associated costs is available on the website.

Our goal is to bring together all the talent and skills of the region to create a unique venue to celebrate the wide range of fiber related arts and crafts. From Spinning to Felting, Knitting to Basketry, Quilting to Rug-hooking and much more, we plan to showcase, demonstrate, instruct and inspire. This event will provide an opportunity for all ages to learn heritage craft skills and to connect with those who are passionate about fiber arts.

Beth Witters
Marketing Coordinator
Pacific Northwest Fiber Exposition

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 [email protected]. 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.