April 2024 Newsletter

Hi fellow fibers friends!

As many of you have already heard, both our President LeslieAnn and I are going through difficult times this month, so here is your somewhat abbreviated WWG Newsletter for April. 
We hope to be back to normal next month. In the meantime, LeslieAnn has included a couple of her beautiful eco-prints to share with you all. May your springtime be lovely and full of joyful blooms...

​
Wendy Eakle, WWG Newsletter Editor
Eco Prints

​​News from Committees and Interest Groups

The Tapestry Focus Group
​
​Our next meeting will be on Tuesday April 9, 3-5:00pm, at the Ferndale Library.
For more information, email Sheila Atwater, sheilag1948@comcast.net
The Rigid Heddle Weaving Study Group

The group will meet 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 has been working independently since fall 2023.
For more information, please contact Carol Berry, [email protected]
Band Weaving Group

​The Band Weavers Study Group continues to meet monthly to share our projects learn, and be inspired by one another’s work. 
For more information, please contact Carol Berry, [email protected].
Online Workshop Opportunities, From Sharon Allen, retiring Workshop Chair

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.

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
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.
Small Looms at the Library
We are going strong with increasing attendees.  We still need volunteers to help out, more than ever.  There is an online option called “Sign Up Genius” to help you choose which Saturday you would like to volunteer. Go to the Guild webpage, click the Community Outreach tab, scroll down to Small Looms and click on sign in and it will take you to Sign Up Genius.  Pick your Saturday and click to sign up.  Hope to see new faces.
Thanks to all those who have been helping out.
Sheila Atwater,  Outreach and Education Chair

​Upcoming meetings

Guild meetings are held the 3rd Saturday of the month, September-June.  
For location details, please see the Meetings page on our website.
April – Mary Zicafoose, Ikat: Notes from the Field
Guild Lecture followed by Q & A 
Ikat wrapped yarns, when dipped in vats of saturated dye, instantly become timeless, immersed in an ancient partnership between tradition, design, and color.
This Guild presentation is a compelling and lavish textile travelogue stopping at the major ikat producing centers around the world. The talk highlights the unique and culturally distinct ikat cloth produced over the ages as well as introducing the signature style of several notable contemporary American ikat artists.
Mary will share many images of her studio, process, and weaving and speak about her lifetime work in ikat.

Mary Zicafoose-short bio
Nebraska artist Mary Zicafoose is well known for her work in weft ikat, a complex resist-dye weaving process. Her ikat tapestries have been represented in the International Triennial of Tapestry, Lodz, Poland; Museo de Textil, Oaxaca, Mexico; China National Silk Museum, Hangzhou and the collections of over two dozen United States Embassy’s abroad. Her education includes a BFA from St. Mary's College, Notre Dame, IN, with graduate studies at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and the University of Nebraska. A three-time USA Artist Fellowship nominee, Zicafoose is co-director emeritus of the American Tapestry Alliance. Extensive exhibition, teaching, mentoring and lecture venues include the de Young Museum, San Francisco, Penland School of Craft, Penland, NC, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Gatlinburg, TN and universities, conferences, Guilds, and textile programs worldwide. She is the author of “Ikat: The Essential Guide to Weaving Resist Dyed Cloth” published by Penguin Random House.
www.maryzicafoose.com

This will be a Zoom Program/hybrid meeting
May 18   -   Mae Bash  -  Band Weaving

Band weaving isn’t only plain weave, and even the plain weave is cool! This presentation will explore some of the many possibilities of band weaving, along with pattern design and techniques. We’ll also discuss some of Mae’s senior capstone project, “Verb strings and other weavings: An exploration of grammatical structures, visual arts, and language teaching,” specifically looking into the process of turning abstract, non-textile, concepts into patterns and the different techniques used to weave them. 
Mae Bash first started weaving as a small child, and ever since they have been practicing a variety of textile arts, including crochet, sewing, embroidery, knitting, and of course, weaving. Mae recently earned a degree in linguistics from Western Washington University, culminating in a senior capstone project merging weaving with their major. When not attempting to do weaving and linguistics at the same time, Mae studies Latvian band weaving techniques and volunteers to help teach English classes in Bellingham.

March meeting will be held at the Bellingham Public Library on Saturday May 18.
The meeting room is in the lower level of the library; go down the stairs/elevator just inside the front door.

The library does not open until 10:00, so we'll start the business meeting at 10:30 which will give us time to set up chairs and tables.
We have the space until 3:00 pm, so plenty of time for socializing afterward.

Whatcom Weavers Guild Libraries

WWG Equipment Library

The complete list of our equipment available for our members' use can be accessed HERE. For more information, please contact Sharon Allen, [email protected].
​

​WWG Book and Literature Library

Library News

If it’s been a while since you’ve been to the WWG Library you still have time before gardening and summer activities capture your attention.  We’ve many new donated books that haven’t even made it to the shelves yet but April will be a good month for me and my devoted helpers Wendy, Carol, & Sharon to do an annual purge of the shelves for books to donate to our summer sale.  

Until then, if you haven’t seen it yet, come by to borrow the winter issue of “Shuttle, Spindle & Dyepot” that has an article about our very own Susan Torntore’s contribution to the 2023 ANWG Conference Noh Coat Challenge.  Having to leave our last Guild meeting early, I missed Susan’s presentation though I did see her beautiful coat.  I confess to being a little ignorant about historic Noh fashion & theatre (14th century Japan though originating in China) so after reading the article in SS&D my curiosity sent me to Wikipedia where I went down the rabbit hole to find more……..and more about Noh Coats which, of course, took me to the American designer Bonnie Cashin’s contribution to woven Noh Coats in the 1960’s.   Whew!  There went a couple of rainy day hours!

We also have a lovely book “The Enigma of Shadow Weave Illuminated” by Rebecca Winter.  Beautiful color photographs, original drafts developed by Mary Meigs Atwater in 1942, and so much more for those of you interested in Shadow Weave technique. 

If you’re looking for a fun book filled with crafts from yarn, paper, wire, etc., inspiring and enjoyable crafts, some easy enough to do with grandchildren, come and check out “The Weaving Explorer by Doborah Jarchow & Gwen W. Steege.

Lastly, thanks for supporting Whatcom Weavers Guild.  Your participation and contribution is what keeps the vibrant technique of fiber arts alive in our community. 

Lynn Berman,WWG Librarian
​

​
To access the Whatcom Weavers Guild Library’s catalog, the link is here. 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 checkout, contact Carol Berry [email protected].

From the Jansen

Classes and Dye Days at the J

For details, please visit www.jansenartcenter.org

The J’s spring quarter classes are now open for registration!

For Spring Quarter we have:
  • Inkle Weaving, A to Z, with Leslie Ann Bestor, Tuesdays, April 23 - May 21
  • Threadbenders Club with Leslie Ann Bestor, Wednesdays, April 24 - May 15 and/or May 22 - June 12
  • Beginning Tapestry Weaving with Val O’Connor, Thursdays, April 25 - May 16
  • Beginning Weaving with Darlene Mathias, Tuesdays, April 30 - May 21
  • Natural Dyeing with Sock Blanks with Sheri Ward, Thursday,  May 2
  • Felted Ballerina Slippers with Donna Hunter, Saturday, May 4
  • Weave a Lovely Lace Scarf with Leslie Ann Bestor, Tuesdays, May 28 - June 11
  • Beginning Card Weaving with Leslie Ann Bestor, Tuesdays, June 4 - 18
  • Block Printing with Dyes with Sheri Ward, Thursday, June 6
  • Basketweaving:  Willow Rod Trays with Judy Zugish, Friday, June 14
  • ​Summer & Winter Weaving with Sheri Ward, Fridays & Saturdays, June 14-22

To register and  for more information please visit www.jansenartcenter.org

Summer quarter will be here soon.  In the coming weeks, look for more details about these classes during July and August:
  • Standing Rib Vaseworks with Judy Zugish
  • Sitka Basket with Judy Zugish
  • Beginning Spinning with Erica McCurdy
  • Painted Combed Wool Top with Erica McCurdy
  • Spinning Painted Wool Top with Erica McCurdy
  • Pre-Warped Towels: Bauhaus & Turned Taqueté with Sheri Ward
  • Pre-Warped Summer & Winter Color Study with Sheri Ward
Front Street Arts Festival at the Jansen Art Center!

On Saturday, July 27, the Jansen Art Center will be hosting the first annual Front Street Arts Festival, complete with artist booths, demos, live music, and food!  

Maybe there is a group of guild members who would like to rent a booth - sell their creations and promote the guild?  Contact the Executive Director Cluny Madison, [email protected], for more info. 

Save the date!   Hope to see you there!
Be sure to check the J’s website for more information and to register: www.jansenartcenter.org
Summer & Winter
Block Printing
Sock Blanket Dyeing
Your Towel Warp is Ready for You!

We have a lovely assortment of towel warps on floor looms, ready to weave.

As part of our experiment in providing pre-warped floor looms for towel weaving, we have some warps still available. These are all in cotton or cottolin, mostly 8/2, and with a nice variety of structures.

Our towels include:
  • an 8-shaft turned twill in a natural warp, your choice of colors for weft
  • an 8-shaft huck lace, in greens and turquoise
  • M’s & O’s in a natural warp, your choice of weft colors
  • Swedish lace in blues and greens
  • a straight draw twill in blue, yellow and natural
  • an 8-shaft turned taqueté in jewel tones
  • a classy Bauhaus summer and winter weave in irregular stripes, your choice of colorways
  • a rosepath twill in natural, your choice of colors for weft
  • a broken twill in natural with colored stripes, and
  • an 8-shaft twill in turquoise and rust

So many great structures and colors!

You will be provided with the draft and all supplies. Choose how many towels you’d like to weave.

When you register, we will ask your preference of towel structures and schedule a mutually agreeable time. Once you’ve agreed to a time, please try to finish a towel within a few days or a week, to free up the loom for the next person.

For independent weavers.
$25 per towel, all materials provided.
To register, please visit www.jansenartcenter.org
Sheri Ward
Towel-weaving

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.
Classifieds
Ashford SampleIt rigid heddle loom: 
10”, barely used. New they are $185, plus s/h
All accompaniments and booklet included: 7.5 dpi reed, instruction booklet, 2 10” shuttles, threading hook, warping peg and clamps, 10 cardboard warping sticks.
Asking price: $150

Swedish double-table spinning wheel, built in 1973. Double-drive, single treadle. A large, high-speed wheel in lovely condition, comes with a custom-built lazy kate and 9 bobbins.
Asking price: $300.

Please contact Anna Hosick-Kalahan at [email protected]
Ashford SampleIt rigid heddle loom
Swedish double-table spinning wheel
LeClerc Nilus Loom for sale, $500
Please contact Joyce Noordmans, 360-384-1930
Older Jack Loom in good working condition, 36” weaving width, 4 shaft, 6 treadles, cloth apron, and custom built low castle for shuttle storage
Includes original owners manual, and extra wire heddles
1 reed, 12 ppi
Loom bench included, 23”H x 38”W, with under seat storage and 2 side bins. Seat is 24”W
LeClerc Nilus Loom and Bench
Various Looms and Equipment for sale
Gilmore 4-Shaft, 6 treadle Floor Loom. 40” weaving width $350.00
Made 1953-1956. Sectional warp beam. Good Condition.
New Inserted-eye wire heddles. New Texsolv treadle tie-up.
52” total width. 44” depth when open. Folds for moving.
Price includes 2 temples, 4 repair heddles, new 5-dent reed,
useable 12-dent reed. Shaft Block. 7 boat shuttles.

Schacht  Rigid Heddle Loom – 25” wide, with stand. Like new. $400
Includes “Wolf Trap” tool tray, 8 dent, 10 dent and 12 dent Heddles.

Schacht Rigid Heddle Loom – 20”wide. Like New. $300
Includes “Wolf Trap” tool tray, 10 dent and 12-dent Heddles.

Schacht Vari-dent heddle for 25” Rigid Heddle Loom – New - $152.00

Schacht Raddle – Like New - 25” $41.00

Schacht Horizontal Warping Mill – Like New - $450
2 yard circumference, up to 18 yard capacity.

Handmade Inkle Loom - $5.00.
​
Located in central Bellingham. Contact Janet Strong 360.671.1406 [email protected]
ISO

26"-36" Floor Loom
8 shaft. Excellent working order
Michele Roberts
[email protected]
928-856-0440

Upcoming events of interest to Guild members!

Please contribute details of upcoming events of interest to WWG members to [email protected], or Newsletter Editor Wendy Eakle [email protected].
When Hollywood Needs a Historically Accurate Outfit

Hey Weavers! Check out this article featured in the current issue of Smithsonian Magazine – and go to the website for photos and more.
When Hollywood Needs a Historically Accurate Outfit That Looks Just Right, It Turns to Rabbit Goody. 
How do filmmakers get period clothing to look the part? Take a look inside a textile workshop where the past comes to life. Rabbit Goody’s Thistle Hill Weavers have woven cloth for Films including Master and Commander, Winter’s Tale, Road to Perdition. Featured in Smithsonian Magazine, April May 2024. Article by Rachel Dickinson 

​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 preceeding 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], 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 Wendy at [email protected] if you have questions.