December 2019 Newsletter

Is it really December? - The last Newsletter of 2019, looking ahead to 2020.

Well, it is cold dark and wet outside, nights are long, and I am spinning my fleeces! Okay, last night I got the spinning wheel upstairs, picked out an already carded bat, spun two bobbins full, and plied them into a pretty nice 75 yard worsted weight skein. It’s a start. My Ashford traditional, a wedding present from Great-Aunt Bertha (yes, I really did have an Aunt Bertha, a supporter of handcrafts) is still in good shape. I’m not ready to enter my yarn in the NWWA FAIR, but I have time to work up to that. We are not officially thinking about the Fair just yet. As I write, the pecan pie has not yet been baked for Thanksgiving, though it will have been consumed by the time you read about it. It is past time for me to pick out a pattern and measure a warp for holiday towel gifts.  Speaking of towels, a new group project is starting at the Jansen Center. Folks can’t get enough of the 8-shaft block twill towels in cottolin, so we are doing it again! The loom is scheduled to be warped December 12. My towels at home are going to be a four-shaft M’s & O’s, in bright stripes this time. I want to see bright patches of color with plain weave color blends. The waffle weave washcloths of last month are ready and waiting to be hemmed. Many of us are still floating on a cloud of inspiration from visiting Anita Mayer’s studio and Anacortes in October, the WWG fall field trip. Anita generously opened her studio, sharing her artistic process, highlights of her life and travels, and showed her latest projects. At 87 , she is still working on new projects! We were joined by new WWG members and a number of Jansen Center affiliates, and had a great time. The December meeting promises to be just as much fun, with Donna Hunter leading a hands-on activity, of felted ornaments. We meet in Bellingham at St James Church on 14th street on Saturday December 21. Bring your show and tell, and a hot dish, appetizer or dessert to share for our annual holiday potluck meeting. 
I look forward to seeing you all soon!

​​Carol Berry,
2018-2019 WWG President

---

Upcoming Programs ​​

December 21   –   Felting Fun with Donna Hunter

Come play, make some felt items – possibly holiday themed – and enjoy time with your fiber friends. 

See whatcomweaversguild.org/events for further information or contact us at [email protected].

Program Notes

Looking Forward: December Guild Program
Felting Fun with Donna Hunter
Our December guild meeting, on Dec. 21, will feature a hands-on felting event.  This will be a great opportunity to make some last-minute decorations or gifts, and enjoy the company of your fellow guild members.  This meeting will be at St. James Presbyterian Church.

Thanks!
Sheri Ward, Program Chair
​

Ixcaco is a rare heirloom cotton that most all modern cotton (upland cotton) traces its lineage to. Archeological records show that it was first cultivated by the Maya some 7000 years ago. When grown in the wild, it grows as a large shrub (15 ' high) and does not require supplemental water or chemicals. Its takes many hours for these master weavers to complete a piece. They are involved in every part of the process. From harvesting the cotton, then cleaning the seeds and spinning. The spinning is done with a small spinning stick called a drop spindle. The lady that is seen in picture is using the drop spindle that was given to her by her grandmother. Finally, the Ixcaco yarn is woven on traditional backstrap looms. Though the tradition and the plant is rare today, there are still a few women weavers in Guatemala which know how to spin Ixcaco and where the plants are. The cotton actually grows wild and some are grown in weavers home gardens.

Upcoming Classes at the Jansen Art Center

For winter quarter, 2020, with dates yet to be finalized, but approximate:

• Twill Weaving with Sheri Ward, Jan. 10, 17, 24 & 31
• Felted Bowl with Donna Hunter, Jan. 16
• Beginning Spinning with Chris Paul, Jan. 22, 28, Feb. 5, 12
• Beginning Weaving with Sheri Ward, March 20, 27, April 5, 12

There are also on-going study groups in felting, eco-dyeing, rag rugs, and a soon-to-be formed study group for double-width blankets.

​To see details and to register, visit https://www.jansenartcenter.org/textiles-studio. 

Jansen Art Center News

JANSEN ART JINGLE (December 7 - from Marilyn Olsen)
​Just a reminder that a Jansen Art Center-wide holiday celebration will be held Saturday, December 7 from 11am to 3pm.  All studio spaces will be open and studios are invited to hold studio fundraisers, with all
proceeds going to support that studio.
The Textile Studio will use our back studio space for this purpose. There we will offer for sale a variety of textile themed items created by our wonderful volunteers.  Such items may include handmade holiday ornaments, woven items like scarves, place mats, mug rugs.  The sale can also feature knitted, crocheted or felted items, small quilted items.  The J will be participating in the Lynden-wide Elf on the Shelf event, so it is likely that there will be a lot of children attending. Items like soft toys or other items the kids will beg their parents (or even more likely grandparents) to buy for them will probably be popular.
Donated items may be left in the Textile studio anytime between today and December 6.  Again, your generosity can make a difference in the financial success of the Textile Studio.
If you have any questions about any of this, feel free to e-mail Marilyn Olsen [email protected]

EARLY AMERICAN WEAVING IN MARCH
Laurie Duxbury will be offering a workshop on Early American Textiles at the Jansen Art Center March 10-12.  
​Come learn how to weave textiles that were in common household use during the 18th and 19th centuries. Students will weave a number of samples, depending on class size, of different fabrics. Huck-A-Buck, M’s and O’s, Spot Bronson, and Overshot were common structures used for household linens and clothing. Other fabrics included cotton toweling, linsey-woolsey, and wool blanketing. In this three-day workshop we will weave on pre-warped looms in round robin style. Spend time with friends connecting with each other while remembering the weavers of the past.  

For the March guild meeting, on March 21, our program will be given by Linda Gettman, who participated in the ANWG program, “Wrapped in History.”  She will share information from things she has woven from historical drafts, and plans to introduce members to many of the historical publications related to weaving, such as Atwater's Recipe Book, Keep Me Warm One Night, The Coverlet Book, Robin & Russ pamphlets, Shuttle Craft Monographs, old Weavers publications from the 60's.  Her friend and fellow participant in the program, Isabelle Fusey, may be at our guild meeting as well.

From other guilds and Study Groups

Spindrifters Meetings: 
Spindrifters meet the 2nd Saturday of the month and share with Skagit County. To be added to their e-mail list contact Tina [email protected]. There you have it: You are always welcome at the "J" on Thursdays which is open studio from 11-7. Happy Spinning!! Chris Paul. [email protected].
​

Workshops in Fibers and other interesting stuff: 
Dyeing, soaps, lotions, felting, spinning, weaving, botanicals… Please check my website as my schedule is always changing and usually current.
Liz Moncrief, www.aweaversway.com, 970-692-3949

---

From the Whidbey Weavers Guild: 
Meetings are on the first Thursday of the month and run from 10:00 to 2:30, bring your brown bag lunch and cup. Meeting place: 15 NW Birch Street, Coupeville WA 98239, www.whidbeyweaversguild.org.

Small Looms Group, from Mary Oates 
Small Looms Group will be meeting the first Saturday of each month at the Bellingham Public Library from 12-3.  Please come to support this popular monthly outreach event.  Bring what you are working on to demonstrate, as well as anything you’d like to make available for our guests to have some “hands on” experience.

Pacific NW Wool Drop-In Studio
Kelley Dragon, WWG member, spinner, and owner of Pacific NW Wool (Awesome Carded Fiber for spinning and felting) is opening her work studio the fourth Sunday of every month, from March through October. Drop-in times are Noon to 4 pm. Bring something you are working on, buy wool, see the machinery, spend time with other lovely, artistic people. The Pacific NW Wool work studio is located in the Grandview Business Center, on Portal Way between Ferndale and Custer. Suite 102. Please email Kelley if you have questions, [email protected].
www.pacificNWwool.com

Interest Groups and Mentoring
Are you interested in a technique, weave structure, type of loom, particular fiber? A countermarche loom group is starting; members get together for plant dying and eco-printing; spinners love to spin together; Sprang, Small Looms, Inkle, Tablet weaving, Finger Weaving, Rigid Heddle, garments, knitting, crochet, tapestry… what is your thing? Find a mentor or be a mentor. Shout it out and share the learning, practice and fun.

Announcements

Snow Hat Project: A note from Anne Poulson, Maple Alley Inn
Thanks to your donations of hats and scarves, guests of the Maple Alley Inn hot meal program will be warmer this winter!  Maple Alley Inn is a program of the Opportunity Council, and serves an average of 400 meals per week to anyone in need of a hot meal.  The hats and scarves will be distributed at the annual holiday meal, on December 18th.  The tradition for the past two decades has been that gifts are given out during this meal.  Tables are set up with various things – hygiene products, flashlights, travel sewing kits, protein bars, warm socks, hats, gloves and scarves, and guests can choose what they would like. The gift of something handmade is so appreciated – thank you for your generosity of time and spirit!
Anne Poulson, Maple Alley Coordinator

THE PROMISE OF COMMUNITY ACTION
Community Action changes people's lives, embodies the spirit of hope, improves communities and makes America a better place to live. We care about the entire community and are dedicated to helping people help themselves and each other.

Library news from Dori Painter
Whatcom Weavers Guild now has an account with Librarything to catalog our library online. I am still transitioning over to the role of librarian. With two weeklong retreats (sewing with Daryl Lancaster and weaving with Dianne Totten and Kathrin Weber), and with the guild being away from our home location at the church, I have not been able to start getting books online, but plan to do so in the coming weeks. Initially it will be an online listing of what we have available. Please be patient as I was kicked out of typing class in high school because I was a "college bound" student, not a "business student", so I only type with 6 fingers! We will still have a catalog in the library, and the library will be open on guild days at the church!
​See you soon! Dori

Resource: Free Index to Handwoven Magazines from 1980-2001
Looking for that project that you know you have, but not looking forward to scanning through your stack of Handwoven back issues, or searching every issue in the Guild or Jansen Libraries until you find it? An index for 21 years of Handwoven Magazine articles, projects and contributors is available as a PDF, to download free, or view online, courtesy of the Zadock Pratt Museum website. Indexed by project, technique, and author/designer.

STUDY GROUP OPPORTUNITY--Weaving Challenge ANWG Noh Coat (Susan Torntore)
ANWG Conference 2021 in Salem OR
The ANWG challenge is based on the work of American fashion designer Bonnie Cashin. The Noh Coat was one of her iconic designs from 1950s-1970s, and Threads Magazine generously provided a pattern for the challenge (Oct/Nov 1990 No.31), and an image (PNG).
 This study group will:
·        Learn the designer’s inspiration and philosophy for this the garment
·        Explore the innovative handwoven fabrics that Cashin used in her designs
·        Sample some of Cashin’s and other fabric structures to design our own coat fabric
·        Make a full size pattern and muslin/fabric coat samples that fit us
·        Explore methods of binding our coat fabric, even making our own handwoven binding
 If you are interested in joining a study group for this challenge, email Susan Torntore ([email protected]), and plan to stay after the January meeting to make plans.

Eco dye study group (from Mary Oates)
An Eco dye study group will begin meeting at the Jansen Art Center on the first Tuesday of each month. The first meeting will be January 7, 2020 at 11:00. Please contact Dori Painter ([email protected])or Mary Oates ([email protected]) to reserve a spot as space is limited.  The cost will be $10.00 a session per person.   Either Dori or I will contact you before January to discuss supplies and logistics.  Eco dyeing is an adventure.  You never know what will happen when you unwrap your bundle.  

East Hungary Felt Tour 
Apr 16-27, 2020
During the 12-day Felt Tour in Hungary you can take classes from some outstanding felt masters while having a full cultural immersion. Internationally recognized instructors will be teaching project-based classes eg. Felted Jewelry, Prefelt Pillow Pad, 3D Home Decor and Bottle Holder with Nomad Design. Classes are very informative and well balanced with side trips, a folk festival, craft markets, and a special private trunk show and seasonal programs.  
You can access the 2020 East Hungary Felt Tour itinerary here with all the details.
To see photos and read blog-posts and testimonials about previous tours, please visit my website.
If you have any questions about the tour, contact me at [email protected]

Sarah Jackson Color Confidence Workshop - May 1, 2, 3, 2020 
This is a workshop suitable and beneficial for beginning to advanced weavers.
Sign up & questions via email to Sharon Allen [email protected]

Sarah Jackson: "Sharing my knowledge, experience, and expertise gives me an opportunity to encourage other people and inspire them to be confident in their own creative ability. It would be a privilege to share my passion and skills with your guild."

Color Confidence 
Students will explore color compositions, learn how weave structures impact color interaction and discover fresh ideas for developing color studies. This workshop is a combination of presentation, discussion, and weaving; it is not a round robin workshop. Students will complete the workshop with a greater understanding of how colors interact in woven cloth. They will know how to sample effectively and how to evaluate ideas for cloth using their sample color combinations. They will leave the workshop with woven samples and confidence in their own creativity and ability to work successfully with color. 

Whatcom Weavers Guild Workshop Information
This is a three-day workshop
Friday May 01, 2020      10-4
Saturday May 02, 2020    9-4
Sunday May 03, 2020      9-4

Location: Whatcom County Fire District 4
4142 Britton Loop Road
Bellingham, WA
​
 You will need a 4 shaft table or floor loom.  If you need to borrow or rent a loom, or need help getting it warped, please ask!  A small team of weaving fairies will be there to assist you.
The cost is currently broken down as follows and is based on 20 participants: $115.00 + a $45.00 Materials fee.
$45 Materials fee: Includes a pre-wound warp (mailed 1 month prior to the workshop), a selection of over 100 colors of 8/2 cotton for weft, handouts, etc.

A $50.00 deposit will hold your spot.
Your deposit check should be mailed to:
WWG 
PO Box 403
Bellingham, WA 98227

Warped For Good
Karen Isenhour’s blog provides tips and insights, and a view of her own handweaving journey. She has learned by working through all the projects in the BIG BOOK OF HANDWEAVING by Laila Lundell, and shows details of her progress, as well as videos, rag rug tips, and a weaving glossary. Sign up for her Blog, and get periodic posts that will inspire and inform your own handweaving.

For Sale

​45” Nilus Leclerc 4 Harness Loom

​Guild Member Sigrid is offering for sale a Nilus Leclerc 4 harness loom with 45" weaving width and 10 dent reed and Leclerc bench.   Only two owners. She is asking $500. The loom is located in Snohomish County. Transportation can be provided if within 50 miles for an additional $25.
​Contact Sigrid via phone or text (360)913-3656. 

​Ashford Wheel and accessories
A member of the community came forward at the Fair and confessed she was not spinning and might want to sell her Ashford Wheel and accessories. This lovely wheel is in perfect condition and ready for a new home, just in time for the “indoor spinning months” of December, January and February... Comes with four bobbins, Kate, wool cards, and the original book. $475 for all, firm.
​Contact Theresa, [email protected]

45” Nilus Leclerc Colonial counterbalance loom. 
Asking $300 Canadian, but the price is negotiable. 
This loom is located in Vancouver, BC
[email protected]
778 325 3425