September 2020 Newsletter

We Zoomed!  20 members participated in the Whatcom Weavers Guild first ever Zoom business meeting and show and tell, on August 22, 2020. We had a chance to catch up on Guild business, see each other's faces, and chat a bit!. As a silver lining to all this Coping with Covid, we got to see members who live far away, and wouldn’t be able to attend otherwise. We voted to continue having Zoom meetings on our regular meeting dates, and to invite guest artists to present remotely. 

Earlier in August the Muslin Mondays sewing skills group met via Zoom, for a program led by Susan Torntore on hand-stitched buttonholes. We watched a video, saw samples, and I, for one, learned a lot about making handsome and sturdy buttonholes in handwoven cloth. It has been reported that the new issue of Threads has a long article on handmade buttonholes, with lots of photos and step-by-step instructions!

I am thrilled with the Fall 2020 line-up of Programs and meetings! Be sure to save the dates on the Schedule below and look for the emails with the links to the Zoom meetings. We may continue with remote presentations in 2021 as well, it all depends. 

Daryl Lancaster, one of our favorite teachers and speakers, has created a power point training especially for Zoom participation in programs like hers. There will be a practice session scheduled the week before the September 19 program, so that we can all figure out Zoom and improve our skills, BEFORE she gives her talk. Daryl has traveled extensively for her teaching for many years, and thanks to Covid, she has been able to enjoy her home and garden every day this summer. Another silver lining. ​

And here it is, September. Eleven apples grew on the tiny tree we planted last fall, and they are now full size! They ripen in October, so you can expect a report on the taste testing in about a month. After all those years of getting ready for school in the Fall, this time of year my internal clock just feels ready to clear up some old stuff, renew, and start something new. I will be winding warps and dressing looms for the Guild Challenge(s), and starting to plan deflected double weave for cozy wool shawls. I have Harrisville Shetland and Highland, Borgs Tuna, Faro, and Mora, plus some colorful handspun yarns to experiment with. Looking forward to wet finishing to see what these different wool yarns will do. Of course, I must weave them first - but that’s the most fun part! 

I so hope you’ll be able to join in the remotely delivered meetings and programs this Fall. Electronic technology is not the same as hands-on, but we are always learning in our crafts. We can do this too!

Be safe, and keep your fiber dry (except when wet-finishing)!

Carol Berry
2019-2020 WWG President

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