November 2019 Newsletter

Double Gratitude! For the reprieve from rain that allowed me to plant daffodil and tulip bulbs that have been resting in the refrigerator crisper drawer since September...And for the back healing that allows for shoveling and raking! Then, to work on a set of waffle weave washcloths. DH (darling husband) mentioned earlier this summer that the face cloth supply in our bathroom was running low and threadbare. Who knew he paid attention to these things? And continued with an observation as to someone he knew could probably weave some really nice replacements… well, it’s been a few months. One has to think these things through. First thought: red cottolin warp, 24 ends per inch, with a variety of colors as weft, because I love red, and it’s so fun to see the color variations in waffle. Then some math, working out the stripes, waffle units, warp with two colors in each pass, or three? This somehow evolved to organic natural colored cotton, because I have some in 8/2, and of course we want soft organic cotton on our faces. The Swedish cottolin is GOTS eco-certified, but I do love the American Maid Organic Cotton from Lunatic Fringe. ...Making yarn selections based on USING WHAT I HAVE, letting the planning evolve... I “discovered” two 8 oz cones of 3/2 natural cream colored organic cotton on the shelf. Really. And happened to have two 1.5 oz cones of 3/2 natural colored organic cotton in dark brown and dark green. What about switching to 15 ends per inch and using the 3/2? These will be some plushy, cushy waffle washcloths. Has anybody besides me been coveting a waffle weave bath towel? Washcloths are a good start. To be done before Thanksgiving, for host/ess gifts, as well as our own use. If they turn out well, I will have to make more!

Hoping you are enjoying your own fiber projects, and that we see each other soon, for some show and share.

Carol Berry,
2018-2019 WWG President

PS - just for fun, the method I used to figure out the yarn yardage for my washcloths is further along in the November Newsletter.

Upcoming Programs

Tour of Anita Mayer’s Studio

Our November guild meeting on Nov. 16 will be a field trip, including a tour of Anita Mayer’s studio and other places in Anacortes of interest to fiber enthusiasts. If you have not yet reserved your spot, please contact Carol Berry as soon as possible.

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

Member Notes

A note from traveling WWG member Cheryl Wolf

“We are finally all settled in our home in Teotitlan del Valle, Mexico. It was an 8 day drive down here; about 3,400 miles. A long ways. But it's worth it when we get here.
I thought I would send a couple pictures of the jacket I made in Daryl Lancaster's workshop at the end of September. I had brought my woven material to the September Meeting. And I have attached pictures of my finished jacket (the best pictures I could get with my cell phone). It was a lot of fun making it. I always enjoy her sewing workshops. I'm just finishing up the silk scarf I was working on at the Fair, now that I have my table loom set up here. Susan Torntore also made a beautiful jacket in Daryl's class; you will see it soon.
Wishing you a great winter of classes and meetings and special events!

Thinking of y'all,

Cheryl Wolf

A Story Problem for Weavers: Waffle Weave Washcloths in 3/2 Organic Cotton
(from Carol Berry)

Planning a project based on USING WHAT I HAVE, and having enough. How many washcloths can I make with the yarn I have? Waffle shrinks up. For 12” washcloths, start with 14” wide on the loom. 14”x15 epi = 210 ends. Lunatic Fringe lists the yardage for each of their cotton cones on their website. 8 oz of 3/2 Organic cotton is 630 yards per cone, and I have 2 cones, so that’s 1260 yards of the natural. The 1.5 oz cones of Brown and Green are 120 yards each.
Keeping it simple, I’m going to warp in all natural. Each yard of warp will yield about 2 washcloths: 14” plus 2” to fold under and hem on each end. Add a yard for loom waste*. 5 yards would then yield 8 washcloths. 5 yards x 210 ends = 1050 yards. I have enough warp, but might run out of weft. (240 yards of green and brown, with 210 yards of Natural left over from warp.) I don’t want to cut it too close and run out of weft. Reduce it to 4 yards, and I can probably squeeze the loom waste down to two feet, by lashing on at the beginning. Washcloths don’t need fringe. I will get six or maybe seven washcloths on a 4 yard warp.
4 x 210 = 840 yards of warp, with 420 yards of Natural weft left over, plus 120 yards each of the Brown and Green = 660 yards total, available for weft. For this balanced weave, calculating the weaving length x the weaving width x picks per inch should be close to the yardage needed for weft. Increase 14” wide to 15” to account for take-up (the over and under of weft crossing warp) 15” wide x 15 PPI is 225 inches of yarn per inch of weaving. Divide by 36 inches in a yard to get 6.25 yards of weft per inch of weaving. 3 yards x 36 inches per yard = 108 inches of weaving. 108” x 6.25 yards of yarn per inch of weaving = 675 yards of weft needed for 3 yards of weaving, for a yield of 6 organic cotton washcloths.

Just because we can’t have two many story problems, adding up the cost of the yarn and dividing by 6 washcloths, the cost of materials comes out to about $6.00 each. And because I am sitting at the computer anyway while writing this, I checked online for mass-produced organic cotton washcloths, and found some for $12.00 per pair. Country of origin unknown. (Yes there are cheaper ones, but...what do we really know about them? And they all look alike: machine made.) I am feeling pretty good about these waffle cloths, and I haven’t even made them yet. The fun of making something you need, yourself, instead of buying it: Priceless!

Happy weaving! Carol B.

*P.S. the 3/2 cotton thrums (loom waste) when this project is over can be knotted together to make a weft yarn with fluffy bits for a future towel.

Krogbragd Class (from Kelley Dragon)
Here is a photo from a workshop I'm taking at the Eugene Textile Center. I dyed the yarns myself (love you, stash sale!)

Upcoming Classes at the Jansen Art Center

For fall quarter:

Weaving with Fabric Strips, Saturdays, Nov. 2, 9, 23 & 30, 11am–2:30pm, with Marcia Ford; $145 plus $10 materials fee
SpiNit has returned! 6-8 pm, on the first and third Thursdays

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
On Saturday, Dec. 7, the Jansen Art Center will be holding an Art Jingle event, to include all the studios at the center. For the Textile Studio, this event will include an open house of the studio, an opportunity to sell your creations – items you might have brought to Fibers and Beyond – and a modest fund-raiser for the studio.

The front studio at the Jansen will host an open house for the studio, including punch and treats, along with demonstrations of spinning and weaving. We will also have some small textile items for sale, and donate the proceeds to the Textile Group.

The back studio at the Jansen will host the guild sale. If you wish to participate by selling your items, or by lending a hand during the sale, be sure to contact Carol. This is a great opportunity to show off your wonderful creations!

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

From Peace Arch Weavers and Spinners Guild:

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

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

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.

Maiwa
Textile Workshops and Lectures are going on this fall, many lectures have tickets available. For a view of the workshops, lectures, handmade goods and supplies that Maiwa offers, go here.

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.

Knitting and Physics (from Sheri Ward)
Here's a fun read, which connects knitting with physics and computer programming.

Heddlecraft (from Sharon Allen)
Have you seen Robyn Spady’s digital weaving magazine Heddlecraft? It is a six times a year resource jam packed with information, samples, .wif files, book reviews, all tailored for weavers using four to eight shaft looms and more.
I recently discovered that Robyn on her Heddlecraft website has created a link for all Upcoming Conferences for 2019, and what is known so far for 2020!
An additional link for On-line Learning Resources is full of access to tutorials, classes, Weave-a-longs, and you guessed it, MORE!

Norwegian Textile Letter (from Sharon Allen)
The Norwegian Textile Letter (NTL) is a quarterly publication for fans of Norwegian (and other Scandinavian) fiber activities, published since 1994. Scholarly or informational articles aim to raise the level of knowledge about historical and contemporary weaving and other textile techniques in Scandinavian countries, and highlight related activities in the United States.

For Sale

Gilmore jack type of 4 harness floor loom
45” weaving width with sectional beam.
Asking $400.
Manufactured in Canada based on Gilmore plans. Acquired at an estate sale last year but recently purchased a 45” Nilus Leclerc and need to make room. Includes 10 dent reed, 1 wooden boat shuttle, Leclerc tension box and handmade spool rack.
Contact Sigrid via phone or text @(360)913-3656.

Leclerc Dorothy 24" 4 shaft table loom.
Asking $150.
Purhased in Canada where it had been used for teaching at local college. Includes reed, 1 wooden boat shuttle and Mary Black's "New Key to Weaving".
Contact Sigrid via phone or text @(360)913-3656.