March 2019 Newsletter
One month ago, I wrote confidently that winter was turning into spring. Then it snowed. A lot. Who besides me is working with wool? Using time indoors for weaving and sewing; baking as way to heat the kitchen; carrying knitting wherever you go, just to have an extra layer of warmth? Well, thanks to time not spent outside, my crayon challenge piece is off the loom, ready for finishing. (Yes, I made the decision to weave after knitting a few samples that didn’t quite work.) Cotton warp, in my main color – purple, first supported a weaving sample “side trip,” due to having to zero empty bobbins for weaving the “real” challenge piece. The cardboard quills I like to use aren’t expensive, so … I had a PILE left over from other projects, and no empty ones. Monday was the day. I thought I’d weave random stripes for a placemat or two. Six hours later, with a short break for lunch, I had woven two and a half yards, and emptied 60 (!) quills. See the photo.
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Great stripe-y fun scarf, but I’m most proud of those empty quills. And I did replicate some of the sample striping in my “real” challenge piece, more closely oriented to my actual crayon colors. This was a genuine challenge, as I am naturally more of a “use all the colors in the entire box of crayons” type of designer. The downside of getting a challenge done early is second thoughts… what if I did that differently, changed my stripe arrangement, used a wool warp instead of cotton, what about a different weave structure…How could this be better? The best thing about fiber arts is that completion of one project leads to design ideas for several more. Plus there is always some leftover material that needs to be used. For now, I’m continuing to work with wool. As soon as the temps move up a teeny bit, setting up seedling trays on the porch is on the schedule, for dye plants and some vegetables. Spring is really going to happen, one of these days.
Carol Berry,
2018-2019 WWG President
Carol Berry,
2018-2019 WWG President
Upcoming Programs
March 16 - WWG Meeting
The March Program is a movie matinee and planning for the Dye Plant growing season. Two films created by the Maiwa foundation will be screened. Dye plant seeds for sharing will be brought in, and tips for starting seedlings and using the harvest will be shared as well. Members with plant dyed examples, or dried plant dye materials or seeds to share should bring them to Show and Tell! |
See whatcomweaversguild.org/events for further program information or contact as at [email protected].
Membership Dues 2019
NOW IS THE TIME TO RENEW YOUR GUILD MEMBERSHIP! So far, 34 members have paid their 2019 dues — thank you! If you haven't yet paid, you can send your check to WWG, PO Box 403, Bellingham 98227. Individual dues are $25; for students, $20; and $35 for a family membership (living at the same address).
NOW IS THE TIME TO RENEW YOUR GUILD MEMBERSHIP! So far, 34 members have paid their 2019 dues — thank you! If you haven't yet paid, you can send your check to WWG, PO Box 403, Bellingham 98227. Individual dues are $25; for students, $20; and $35 for a family membership (living at the same address).