December 2024 Newsletter

Time to flip over another page on the calendar to December. Depending on how you were raised, it’s either the 12 days of Christmas or the 24 days of goodie filled Advent calendars. My cats were so sad when I came home from Trader Joe's empty handed this year, since they had already sold out of the daily kitty treats calendars...... it’s a rough life at our house!My loom is full of light and dark greens, white, reds and yellow – my attempt at something Christmasy in the form of towels. I put on a huge warp, which I’m now starting to wonder if I’ll ever get done! But it’s a simple mindless weave and does go fast when I can find the time. In my usual fashion, I’m already thinking ahead about what I want my next project to be.........rigid heddle, 4 shaft, or 8shaft. What colors, what fiber and just WHAT should I create? Lots of ideas, but I can never seem to commit to an idea until after the current project is finished. ​
I think my colors for December are all the twinkling lights and festive streamers of the holidays. With December having the longest nights of the year, I think of all the shades of black, and how that makes colors pop out even more. And I enjoy seeing the sparkle in a young child’s eye when they see a Christmas tree and all the presents on Christmas morning.  Here's wishing you and your family the peace and joy this holiday season and may all your weaving projects get finished! Looking forward to seeing you soon.   ​
​​
Meg Spaulding
WWG President 2024-2025
December Weaving Colors

December 2024 WWG Fall Program

The WWG December meeting will be held at the Bellingham Public Library on Saturday Dec. 21. The meeting room is in the lower level of the library; go down the stairs/elevator just inside the front door.
Whatcom Weavers Guild strives to be available and accessible to all members. With this goal in mind, we would like to ask any member or guest that is attending a meeting or other WWG function to refrain from using perfumes or strongly scented lotions or other products for the health and safety of our members who have allergies or respiratory problems. Thank you for your consideration.

​The December meeting is a social time for us!!
We will start with setup at 10 am with the fun starting at 10:30.
We will be in the Bellingham public library and will also have zoom going.
  • We are going to have fun - bring your favorite Christmas or non Christmas treat to share, and we will eat and snack the morning away!!
  • There will be LOTS of time for show and tell. If you have something, bring it - weaving, knitting, spinning or other fiber arts.  If you can get a picture to Susan T.  at [email protected] it's helpful so we can see it up on the BIG screen, but if you don't get it off the loom til Friday night or Saturday morning, no worries.  
  • Study Groups - leaders or members....... each group will give a short presentation about what they have been working on and hopefully show some samples. This should inspire others to become involved. 
  • We will be talking about the BQC, ANWG and any other initials I can think of. 
  • Nancy says if folks send pictures they have from our year she will make a slide show to run during our social time. Send to [email protected]
  • Finally, we are hoping to have some door prizes to gift away, so if you'd like to bring something {maybe that extra skein of yarn you don't need ? or ???) feel free to add to the excitement. 

​​News from Committees and Interest Groups

For more descriptions and information about each of the WWG Study Groups, please see our web page for Education.
The Tapestry Focus Group
​​
The tapestry focus group continues to meet in the Large Conference Room at The Ferndale Library on the First Monday of each month from 1pm-3 pm.  Topics will vary from meeting to meeting, but will always be something new, exciting and different.
 
Sheila Atwater
Tapestry Focus Group coordinator
[email protected] 
Text:  360-201-0818
The Rigid Heddle Weaving Study Group

The group meets monthly on zoom at a to be determined day/time, and once a quarter in person for show and tell. 
​For more questions contact Meg Spaulding at [email protected].
Ikat Study Group

​The Ikat Study Group is continuing this year, with self-directed learning and meeting semi-monthly for sharing and show and tell. We are working through the projects in the book Ikat The essential Handbook to Weaving with Resists, by Mary Zicafoose. The group meets at the Jansen Art Center.
For more information, please contact Carol Berry, [email protected].
​
Band Weaving Group



The Weavers of the Band met in November for an introduction to tablet weaving mini workshop. Fun was had by all! Contact Cindy Harris for more information.
November Bands
Online Workshop Opportunities

Although we do not currently have a Workshop chairperson, please see our Study Groups page for a list of recommended online courses and other learning opportunities.
Driveway parties  (a.k.a The Loomatics)

We are taking a break for the winter.  See you next May!
Sharon Allen, 360-305-0111

Community Outreach

Whatcom Weavers Guild sponsors several Community Outreach programs. For more information about these projects, please access the Community Outreach page on our website:
  • Small Looms at the Bellingham Library Skill Share Space
  • Hospice Washcloth Project
  • The Sno-Cap Project
Small Looms at the Library
(12 noon–3PM)
We continue to hold our Small Looms sessions at the Bellingham Library Main Branch on the first Saturday of each month from noon to 3PM.  We are also seeing a steady increase in the numbers of people stopping in to see what we have to offer.  This means we could use more volunteer help each month as well. Just bring a small project that you are working on to demonstrate what we do. Then be prepared to answer questions and maybe even get someone started on a project of their own using the materials we provide.  Please consider joining in the fun and be a volunteer, there is a sign-up link in the outreach section of our website.  Thank you.
 
Sheila Atwater, Education and Outreach Chair
[email protected] ​
Small Loom gathering
Hospice Washcloth Project
 Our members turned in another 19 washcloths for the Hospice washcloth project.  That brings our November total to 218.  Let’s keep them coming and make that total 250 by the end of the year.

Once again here are the instructions for weaving washcloths for Hospice.
  • Use un-mercerized cotton yarns, 60-100% works the best.
  • The finished cloth should be 10”x10”
  • 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.
  • Bulky hems are discouraged. ‘These cloths are folded small to fit into the kits.
  • When finished, wash in hot water and mild detergent.
  • Dry in the dryer with no softening agents.
  • These cloths will be used once and offered to the families to keep as a memory keepsake.
  • When weaving, please keep the purpose in mind and weave with care and love.
Turn in your finished cloths at the monthly Guild meeting.  Keep them coming.
 
Sheila Atwater, Outreach Chair
[email protected]
Hospice Goal Chart

Whatcom Weavers Guild Libraries

WWG Equipment Library

​Contact Sharon Allen at [email protected] for information on the items available.
WWG Book and Literature Library
​
The Whatcom Weavers Guild Library is a collection of over 700 books, magazines and DVD’s.  Primary for weaving, but including all forms of fiber art.  The collection is listed online, utilizing Librarything.com, a free service for libraries of all types and sizes. No password required.
While this gives you a list of all the books and magazines in the library, it does not tell you if your item is currently available.
Email Carol Berry at [email protected] to check available and arrange for porch pick-up.

From the Jansen

Classes and Dye Days at the J

Here are the J’s upcoming classes! Mark you calendars and sign up!

Coming up, we have:
  • ​​Come Weave a Towel by appointment, on-going
  • Immersion Wool Dyeing, Dec. 11
  • Controlled Ikat or Warp Painting, Dec. 4; Thursday, Jan. 16 (these are separate dye days; sign up for them individually) ​
  • Indigo Dyeing with Erica McCurdy, Thursday, Dec. 5 (waitlist)
  • Double Weave with Sheri Ward, Fridays & Saturdays, Dec. 6 – 14 (waitlist)​
  • Felted Double Wall Bowl with Donna Hunter, Saturday, Jan. 11 
  • Kids’ Intro to Small Loom Weaving with Dana Murphy, Tuesday, Jan. 14
  • Youth Small Loom Weaving with Dana Murphy, Tuesday, Jan. 14
  • Bead Loom Weaving for Kids with Dana Murphy, Wednesday, Jan. 22​
  • Rug Hooking with Meg Jobe, Friday, Jan. 31
  • Embellishing with Beads, Sequins, and Embroidery with Dana Murphy, Tuesday, Feb. 4
  • ​Mixed Media Collage with Dana Murphy, Tuesday, Feb. 4
  • Warp Painting with Natural Dyes with Erica McCurdy, Thursday, Feb. 6 
  • Twill Weaving with Sheri Ward, Fridays & Saturdays, Feb. 7-15
  • ​Weaving Barks with a Positive Bias with Judy Zugish, Saturday, Feb. 8
  • Quilled Paper Snowflakes with Dana Murphy, Wednesday, Feb. 19
  • Intro to Needlefelting with Dana Murphy, Wednesday, Feb. 19
  • Beginning Tapestry with Val O’Connor, Fridays, Feb. 21 - March 14
  • Traditional Haida Berry Basket Necklace with Lisa Telford, Saturday, Feb. 22
  • Natural Dye Day with Erica McCurday, Thursday, March 6
  • Beginning Weaving with Darlene Mathias, Saturdays, March 8 - April 5
  • Round Reed Basketry with Dana Murphy, Wednesday, March 12
  • Round Reed Basketry for Kids with Dana Murphy, Wednesday, March 12
  • Beginning Spinning with Erica McCurdy, Fridays, March 21 & 28
  • Little Brown Jug Basket with Judy Zugish, Saturday, March 22
To register and  for more information please visit www.jansenartcenter.org

As a reminder, the J’s hours have changed for the fall and early winter to:  9:30 am to 5 pm, Tuesday through Saturday.  The J is closed on Sundays and Mondays.
A positive bias
Double wall felt bowl
Natural Dye Day
Rug Hooking
Warp painting, Natural Dyes

Classified Ads

For Sale & ISO (In Search Of)
​
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.
I am downsizing and here are weaving tools and accessories for sale:
​
  • Electric Nilus Leclerc Bobbin Winder              $50
  • Vertical Warping Mill 72”H x 40”                    $100 OBO
  • Lamxd Yarn Ball Winder 10 oz with metal gears        $55
  • Wooden Umbrella Swift yarn holder              $60
  • Electric scissors for cutting rag rug strips       $20
  • McMoran Yarn balance                                   $35
  • Set of Weaving sample yarns/colors from Yarn Barn $25

Other photos upon request. Will need to pick up in Bellingham, WA. Email if interested at [email protected].
Warping reel
Thread Winder
Ball winder & swift
Balance cutter & colors

Upcoming events of interest to Guild members!

Evergreen Quilters 2025 Quilt & Fiber Arts Show
​
Evergreen Quilters invites you to be a vendor at the 2025 Quilt & Fiber Arts Show.   Once again, the show will be held at the Ferndale Events Center, an 18,000 sq. ft. venue, in Ferndale, Washington.  The show dates are Friday, September 19 and Saturday, September 20, 2025.  Vendor setup is Thursday, September 18.

This is a very popular quilt show and with our increased publicity, we expect it to be even bigger than before! .  This is on a "first come, first served" basis.  We have asked for a February 1, 2025 commitment.  If you wish, you can respond to the email below, however, booth space is only guaranteed once we receive your check. 

Contact Liz Sipes at [email protected] for the Vendor Invitation and Vendor Response forms. I look forward to hearing from you soon!
St. Distaffs'Day

The Spindrifter’s Guild would like to invite you to St. Distaff’s Day spin-in and marketplace.
ANWG Conference – Hotel Option for WWG

​It’s not too early to think about hotel accommodations in Yakima for the 2025 Association of NW Weavers Guilds (ANWG) Conference. The Whatcom Weavers Guild has arranged a special deal for our members. The Ledgestone Hotel, .5 mile from the Conference Center, offers suites with full kitchenettes, for a Group rate of $139 for a Single Queen Bed, $149 for a Double Queen. These rates are available to Whatcom Guild members who reserve by telephone, before May 23, 2025.  Conference rates are available for the week of June 15-21, 2025. This includes pre-conference workshops in addition to the Friday and Saturday Conference and Seminars. A reservation for the entire week is not required. 
For full details and the reservation codes,  Contact Carol Berry, [email protected]
ANWG Name Badges, in Progress
Tapestry Artists of Puget Sound

​Tapestry Artists of Puget Sound will open an exhibit in late January in Auburn. This diverse group of artists share their artwork and ideas that inspire them. Each artist has a unique approach, uniting technique, material, and concept in the medium of handwoven tapestry.

​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 preceding month, unless otherwise specified.  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 [email protected] or [email protected] with “newsletter” included in the subject line. 

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 Tricia at [email protected] if you have questions.