Community Outreach

Small Looms at the Bellingham Library

Volunteers from WWG demonstrate Small Looms at the Bellingham Library (210 Central Ave) on the first Saturday of each month from Noon to 3PM. This is an impactful and hands-on way to engage our community in the world of textile arts. We have gained many new Guild members from this activity.
We need 5-6 volunteers each month to help with the following:

Bringing supplies
Setting up / breaking down the space
Talking to the public
Demonstrating what you are working on

Small Looms Chairperson: VACANT

Washcloths for Hospice

Volunteers lovingly knit, crochet or weave washcloths to support one of the rituals of farewell offered to families of patients who pass away under Hospice care. This is the option of bathing their loved one’s hands, face or 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. The families may then keep the washcloth as a memory keepsake. It is used only once. Whatcom Weavers Guild members have made and donated over 1000 washcloths to date. Hospice gives about 50 kits per month to families.

Instructions and guidelines for handwoven washcloths:

Use un-mercerized cotton yarns, 60-100%
The finished cloth should be 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 green.
A 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.
These will be used once and then offered to the family to keep as a memory keepsake.
When weaving, please keep the purpose in mind and weave with care and love.

Washcloths Chairperson: Tricia Morell

The Sno-Cap Project

Knitters and Crocheters! Grab your needles and hooks. It’s time for the annual “Snow Caps Project”. Named after WWG’s own Barbara Snow, this heartfelt project produces warm garments and accessories for Whatcom County’s children and adults in need. It’s been going strong for more than 12 years.
The items are distributed through the fall and winter months by collaborating organizations. This includes (but is not limited to) The Opportunity Council, Northwest Youth Services, The Lighthouse Mission, and several elementary schools. It’s a great way to use up those orphan skeins of yarn that we all have in our stash, and to make someone happy and warm.
You create! We distribute! Patterns and yarn provided if needed.
Contact JP MacConnell for more information: 360-201-4600 and [email protected]
You will be glad that you did!

Teach the Teacher Program: Community Outreach Projects

The Whatcom Weavers Guild is always happy to assist other community groups with their own fiber related projects. Public and private school groups, clubs and organizations have asked our assistance with many fiber related projects. Since our goals are education and community service, we eagerly welcome inquiries for this kind of assistance. We do not, however, take on projects that contradict that idea. Such as a fundraising projects or entertainment.

We can assist you by:

Consulting with your representative to determine if the project idea falls into our definition of education or community service.
Outlining and defining expected outcomes of the proposed project.
Helping to select age-appropriate activities.
Providing a list of required materials.
Setting up proper equipment, if necessary. In some cases, this may even be a loom to loan out.
Holding an in-person instruction session, for all teachers and volunteers that are conducting the workshop, prior to the workshop date.
A limited presence at the workshop for consulting and advice.
Requests for this service must be made well in advance, 4-6 weeks, of the planned event.

For information please contact: [email protected] with your request.
We look forward to assisting others in spreading exposure to the fiber arts.