November 2020 Newsletter

​​​I am so relieved to have the temperatures “warming up” to the 50’s (Farenheit) this week! That bracing blast of freezing temps was a wake-up call. Where did I put the gloves and mittens when we cleaned out and re-painted the pantry/coatroom last summer? I found half a pair of fingerless mitts and two different halves of those dime store one-size fits all glovies. Luckily, the rights and lefts are interchangeable, but really! I am a weaver, but I knit some, too. It is time to get out the sock yarn remnants and get some mittens made, because we are going to need them full-time, soon!

Another benefit to the (brief) weather warm-up: I can dig up the Madder roots. I have been putting it off so the seeds can mature on the plant. I have a lot of seed this year and will share, whenever you are ready. Madder is a gangly plant and takes three years for the roots to mature into dye-quantity and quality. If you have a spot where it can be propped up on a trellis and grow for three years, contact me for seeds in early spring. I’ll also start little plants to put out again in 2021 and am sure to have extras to share.

A pair of deflected double weave scarves came off the loom earlier in the month. The yarn is Harrisville Shetland and Highland wool, which I had not used before. I worked up the nerve, and after soaking one in the sink overnight, agitated it in the washing machine for 3 minutes (set the timer, like they say to do) then, moved the dial to SPIN to extract the water. I laid the damp scarf out on the laundry table, and gently pushed, pulled, and patted it into shape. When it was dry, I gave it a good steam pressing. It worked! What came off the loom stiff and somewhat fragile (though in lovely colors and patterns) is now thick, soft, and cuddly. The deflected double weave patterning is even more distinct, and the angles have turned into curves and circles. Lots of treadling variations to try out with this weave. Did I mention that the Shetland has a quick to thread sett of 12 EPI in this weave?

I am not the only happy weaver around here. You will enjoy the photos of Sophie, a protégé of Sharon Allen, who is learning to weave – or I should say, burning up the warp – on a structo loom! Sophie will be done with her set of mug rugs by the time you read this and is graduating to a larger artcraft table loom. Maybe a Twill Gamp is next? I can’t wait to see what Sophie, and all of you, will have to share with us next month.

I am getting used to our Zoom meetings and programs, and looking forward to joining all of you in the coming months without having to brave icy streets in the bitter cold! – Having presenters from far away, without the travel issues is awesome! I may be a little late getting to the (virtual) party, and I am still more of a hands-on person – but more and more grateful for online communication. I hope it is working for you as well.

Gift-giving season is getting close. I hope you will all remember to shoot photos of your work as it comes off the loom, needles, felting table… and share them with all of us via the newsletter.


Warm woollies to all,

Carol Berry
2019-2020 WWG President

Guild Meetings and Programs – Fall 2020 – Online

November 21 - Marilyn Romatka,
Ikat weaving in Uzbekistan
Meeting starts at 10 am - break 11-11:15, 
Program starts 11:15am - 12:45pm. 
Zoom link and PDF will be sent the week before.


December 19 - Zoom Business Meeting, Potluck, Show and Tell.
Bring snack and a beverage for one! 
Meeting starts at 10 am - break 11-11:15, 
Potluck and Show & Tell starts 11:15am - 12:30pm. 
Zoom link will be sent the week before.

Announcements

Guild Library contents online

Dori Painter, the Guild’s librarian is pleased to announce that the entire library inventory can now be viewed online (click here to see the inventory). The magazines and other resources are now also being uploaded to the site.

Guild Library new check-out procedure

The majority of items in the Guild Library have been moved from St. James Church to Carol Berry’s Studio in Bellingham. Books, magazines and videos can be accessed two ways:
A book or video can be requested and Carol will pull the request, fill out the check-out card, and place the book in a bag on the enclosed porch to be picked up at a pre-arranged time. 
Guild members can make an appointment to view the collection in person and select items to check out. Studio visitors will be required to be Covid symptom free and wear a mask at all times while in the building.

The Guild Library is located about 1.7 miles from St. James Church, in Bellingham. There is a bathroom, with handwashing and hand sanitizer available, adjacent to the room where the books are kept. Appointments to access the Guild Library are available most days of the week, between 9 am and 4 pm. Contact Carol by email to make an appointment [email protected]. She will give you the address and a number to text or call before your arrival. 

For those who have checked out a book and haven’t been able to return it for the last 6 months, You can return your books now! Send an email to [email protected], with book return in the subject line. Carol will get back to you about dropping it off curbside at the Studio. A reminder message will be sent out soon to folks who have books checked out. ​

​A request from Karen Selk

Hi members,
Many of you know I am in the throws of writing a book, In Search of Wild Silk:  Revitalizing a Sustainable Cottage Industry.  I am writing to ask a favour.  My publisher wants me to expand my "platform".  That means, they want me to increase the number of people signed up for my blog.
If anyone is interested in helping me pump up my blog numbers, I would be very appreciative.  I will give you the link and you can sign up.  At the bottom of the blog page is a place for your name, email address and then just hit "subscribe now".  When I write a new blog, you receive an email with a link to the blog which you can read here.
Thank you for your consideration.  Karen Selk

Special Event: Virtual Pop-up shop

A virtual Pop-Up Shop will be held Saturday, November 14 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific time. To visit the shop, go to www.lydiasflock.com/shop.
Items for purchase will include yarn, raw fleeces, roving, batts, pelts skulls and more!
About Lydia’s Flock, Lydia says:
We pasture raise our flock of Icelandic and Shetland sheep using regenerative agricultural methods focusing on happy sheep and healthy soil in the production of superior quality single-source, small-batch yarns and other fiber products.
As fiber artists ourselves, we selectively breed for exceptional fleeces in a variety of vibrant and unique colors only Mother Nature could create. The fleeces are then carefully processed into lustrous and lofty yarn that highlights each breed’s specific characteristics, creating a totally traceable and transparent yarn from our sheep to your hands.
Support your local fiber farmers and see the difference in fleece quality that well loved sheep produce.

Sheltering in Place

​From Toby Smith:
On the left is a linen tablecloth in dark moss and navy. It is woven in one long strip, cut and joined down the middle. The two sides do not match perfectly and I don't care. It is an 8 shaft M & W draft. The second photo is a detail. The photo on the right is a table cloth made the same way and the two sides match and I do care. It is a straight twill made in 2/8 cotton set at 24epi. I started from the left side so did not need a floating selvedge on either side. 

From Marion Scichilone:
I still feel very new to tapestry.  My plans this year included attending the Handweavers Guild of America’s Convergence conference in Knoxville in July and had signed up for three classes.  The conference was postponed to 2022 but the unjuried small format exhibition called Renditions 2020 and organized by the American Tapestry Alliance became a virtual event.  Last year I had attended Rebecca Mezoff’s Weaving on Small Looms online class and students from any of her classes submitted works as a group.  The Renditions piece was only my second one done on the Big Sister Mirrix loom I got around the holidays and set up during the January snows.

​Most of the weft is Harrisville Highland worsted weight yarn.  I created the piece in the last two weeks of March.  At the time, COVID-19 cases in Italy were dominating the news.  Both my husband and myself had great grandparents who came to the US from Italy.  So Italy and crossing the Atlantic Ocean to the US was on my mind.  At first, my cartoon had Washington state fir trees but technique for that seemed challenging.  And, COVID-19 was increasing in the US.  That change led me down the rabbit hole of doing letters and figuring out closing some slits.  And learning that red yarn weaved next to off white yarn can lead to some interesting little fiber bleeding.  Weaving buildings next to each other is one of my many project ideas as I’d like to replicate an art piece that is above our fireplace that depicts an Italian town of houses in Mediterranean colors with clay roofs.

​With the help of a neighbor who’s a photographer, I got.a JPEG photo ready and submitted the piece just by the deadline in late March.  An ATA volunteer emailed to make sure they had the spelling of my last name correct.  And, a few short months past and arriving in my mailbox was the printed exhibition catalog with almost 300 entries.  It’s humbling to see all the artistry included and while my piece looks like a beginner’s one, I’m quite proud of it.  Al entries in the exhibition can be viewed on the ATA’s website at https://americantapestryalliance.org/exhibitions/unjuried-small-format-tapestry-exhibition/renditions-2020-unjuried-small-format-exhibition/ 

I have spent a lot of time since March with my sewing machine and cotton material for sewing masks for friends, co-workers and family and teleworking.  Plans now are to delve back into the tapestry practicing and pin loom projects.  Sheila and Carol were kind to connect with me and asked if I’d share my story about this small tapestry and its ATA exhibition entry.  And I’m interested in finding a Guild tapestry mentor and excited for the Tapestry small study group starting in January.  Reading the WWG newsletter and attending the Zoom meetings are fun and informative and I join everyone in looking forward to when meetings can be in person.

​A visit from some witches
After spending months in the same old costumes they wore for the Anita Meyer fashion show, the ladies in the front window of the Jansen Art Center’s front window were up for something more adventurous. And what better time for a new costume than Halloween? And what better than a glamorous witch! They say they like them so much they may keep these new outfits all through November, but are already planning something really special for the December holidays.

From Judy Newland:
“My plan was educating the community about dye plants and sharing the growing experience and dye pots with the Boys and Girls Club kids who meet nearby. I now have bags of dried flowers and indigo ready to go for next year when we can all meet safely again. I’ll plant indigo again next spring, plus coreopsis, pin cushion flower and black-eyed Susan and hope to try two new things – gypsywort and murasaki. My chocolate cosmos may produce color, but is worth having just for the wonderful scent and I have hollyhock and dyer’s chamomile started. At home I planted Hopi sunflowers to dye with and madder is planted at my son’s house nearby. Madder has been in the ground for two seasons (I actually brought plants from Colorado) so I will harvest next year late summer if all goes well!”

2020-2021 Guild Challenge(s)

Every year, the Challenge committee dreams up a fun challenge for our collective creativity! Last year’s Challenge yielded lovely results, based on founding member Linda Rees’s lifetime collection of yarn color wraps. It was fun just to see all of Linda’s color schemes, and choose what we liked, or what we thought would help us “push the envelope” creatively. The results included tapestries, towels, a tote bag, shawl, scarf, Inkle bands and more!
This year, we have several source ideas to challenge us, which can be pursued separately, or combined. 

Whatcom Weavers Guild 2021 Challenge Options

“World’s Best Handtowels - from VAV, the Swedish Weaving Magazine
This handtowel pattern is a reconstructed draft, based on handtowels woven at the “Hamsta Home” a care home for men with disabilities, in Timro, Sweden. The latest issue of VAV - available in the Guild Library, has an article about the origin of these towels and the author/designer’s personal connection. The project requires a four shaft loom, and is very suitable for a table loom or a floor loom. The project will be warped on the Guild Table Loom, and a narrow version, for mug rugs, will be warped on the Guild’s tiny “Structo” loom, which members can check out of the Library and take home for weaving. 

VAV magazine has generously provided us with a PDF of the project instructions and draft for these towels. (Link to PDF here) As designed, they are woven in 16/2 cotton, two threads to a heddle. They can also be woven in 8/2 cotton, or in 22/2 cottolin, one thread to a heddle. Bonus Detail: These towels are finished with a zig-zag stitch and a sweet little fringe - no hemming! ​

Sophie Bardsley-Tayor is weaving the VAV Challenge hand towel pattern as mug rugs on a structo loom.  A happy weaver!

“Bento Bag” - from Handwoven Magazine
Several members have made this type of bag, in a class at the Ragfinery. Very simple sewing! We had a little discussion about making a Bag as a Guild Challenge this year. And then there it was in the latest issue of Handwoven!  If you don’t subscribe, the magazine is available in the Guild Library. The project as shown in the magazine was woven on a rigid heddle loom. It could be any type of fabric of medium weight and drape. All it takes is a piece of medium weight cloth 3 times as long as it is wide.  A section of “World’s Best Hand Towel” fabric, from the VAV project, would work very well!

ANWG 2021 Conference Colors 
The “Worlds Best Hand Towels” as designed, call for a natural unbleached warp, and any colors you like for stripes in the weft. Bobbin buster!  OR - Use the ANWG conference colors for Fiesta stripes, and triple your challenge accomplishment. (Link to PDF of the ANWG Conference Colors)
Samples of the Bockens Cotton versions of the Conference colors, in 16/2 and 8/2 will be available at Carol’s Maple Street Weaving Studio.

Whatcom Guild Challenge Details
Start planning now to complete 1, 2, or all 3 parts of the 2021 Challenge. We will set up an online interest group, ask questions and chat about our progress. The Big Reveal, where we show off our results will be the May and/or June Meeting Show and Tell sessions.  We also share photos of Member Challenge projects in monthly newsletters, as they are completed and submitted.

If you would like assistance planning your project, ordering yarn or assessing the usability of yarn you have, measuring a warp, dressing a loom, or want to borrow a table loom, email [email protected], with WWG 2021 Challenge in the subject line.
​
ANWG 2021 Challenges (from Susan Torntore)
Susan has information about the Conference Challenges for the ANWG 20121 Conference in Salem, OR, next summer! See the ANWG Notes below for details and links.

Education and mentoring

Well guys, our outside small groups, are coming to an end as fall closes in.  But that does not mean, we can’t share our knowledge and information.  We can still keep out community connected.  Remember, we do have mentors to answer questions or teach a new skill.  There are also some study groups of 5 or less forming in a January at the Jansen. There will be a tapestry study group starting on the 3rd Tuesday of January, an eco dye group the first Tuesday of the month, and if there is interest, a rigid heddle group.  There are still openings.  It will only cost    $20 per group, per meeting.  All safety protocols will be followed.  If you are interested in either mentoring or a study group just email me through our guild email and I will get back to you.  
​Mary Oates

Upcoming Events at the Jansen Art Center

Classes and study groups

​Here's a summary of current plans for classes and study groups.

There's still room in the Beginning Weaving class with Sheri Ward and Marcia Ford. Dates are Thursdays, Nov. 12, 19, Dec. 3, and 10, from 12-3 pm. Sheri and Marcia have agreed to co-teach the class, with up to four students in the back studio, and up to four others in the front studio. We'll be within the social distancing guidelines, five people in each room, and plan to keep everyone safe. For information and registration for this class, click here. 

Other activities, current and planned, at the J:

• We have a small study group weaving towels on the table looms, round robin style. There are four of us, we're using cottolin for warp and weft, with two looms set up for weaving towels in twill or plain weave, one in huck and one in M's and O's. It's been fun having the companionship of other weavers, and we're nearly done with this project.
• The next round-robin weaving group will be focused on rep weave. If, in the future, you would like to participate in these groups, please contact Sheri. The rep group is already full at five participants.
• Carol has been leading a group weaving cottolin towels on one of the Glimakra looms. Some people who originally signed up for this group have not been able to come to the J, so there is room for someone who wants to participate. Contact Carol if you have an interest.
• We'll be doing double weave blankets on the other Glimakra loom at the J. We'll soon be planning this, with a lot of that via email. If you're interested in participating, contact Sheri. If you happen to visit the J, there is a color sample card for possible yarns, and a blanket. Have a look! We'll likely get started with this after the turn of the year.
• The Eco-Dyeing group is meeting on the first Tuesday of the month. Contact Mary Oates if you're interested.
• The Tapestry group will be meeting the second Tuesday of the month in the Library at the J, starting in January. Contact Mary Oates if you would be interested.
• A block-printing study group or class is in the offing. Marilyn and Sheri have been testing the techniques they learned from the Ajrakh block printers last fall, and plan to share that sometime soon.
• Some left-over double weave projects: There are a couple of floor looms that still have projects on them from the Double Weave class in September 2019.  One is overshot-patterned double weave, which can be used to make mug rugs or a very skinny table runner.  The second is the double weave project with the colored squares, which would make a nice table mat or hanging.  Anyone who would like to weave on either of those is welcome to do so.  Contact Sheri if you're interested.

If you plan to use the studios at the J, be sure to make an appointment for each visit. Due to Covid restrictions, we need to be sure no more than five people are in a room at the same time. Contact Sheri to schedule.

Exhibit: Winter Explorations
​
We are excited to be hosting a textile exhibit at the Jansen Art Center, for December through February.

You are invited to exhibit your new textile creations this coming winter at the Winter Textile Explorations at the Jansen Art Center.   The dates for this exhibit are the months of December 2020 through February 2021.  The exhibit will be open to all guild members, Jansen students and instructors, and members of the Jansen textile group.  This exhibit will be similar to those we’ve had in past years associated with Fibers and Beyond.  
 
If you're interested in participating, we need information about your piece by Sunday, December 1.  Please include your name, the title of the piece, medium (weaving, felting, eco-dyeing, etc.), finished size, and a price if you wish to sell the item.  We would also like a photo and an artist's statement.  Please send all that to Sheri Ward, at [email protected].
 
Guild members and Jansen textile group members will be needed to help hang the exhibit on Wednesday, December 2..  Please let us know if you'd like to help in this way.   
 
As you're thinking about what pieces to submit for this exhibit, please consider how the piece could be best displayed.  If a supporting rod at the top of the piece would help, please attach that; if your piece would benefit from being shown on a mannequin, please let us know that.  We have a few display props, but it's always helpful to have them provided by the artist.  Thanks!

A Podcast You Might Enjoy

Have you ever wondered if the textile making in the Outlander series is historically accurate? Or have you read Deborah Chandler’s book Learning to Weave, and wanted to pick her brain for more weaving tips? If so, you may be in luck!
A new podcast, The Long Thread, features interviews with fiber artists, including Charlotte Kwon from MAIWA, color expert Keith Recker, natural plant dyer, Terry Mattison and more!
The interviews are short, most are less than 30 minutes. They have an informal feel, like you are sitting in a cozy living room, listening to a conversation between fiber artists. You can either download the podcasts for free or purchase them here.
Happy Listening!

How to submit to the newsletter

Have something to add to the newsletter?
​
Whatcom Weavers Guild Newsletter welcomes news about textile related activities.  We do not accept commercial advertisements of goods or services.
Please e-mail your submission to:  [email protected].
Your submission should include: title of event (e.g Eco Dyeing Workshop), name of Instructor or group leader (e.g. Donna Hunter), and location, time and cost (if any).  It may also be helpful to give directions to the location.
If you are including any photos, they must be attached to the e-mail and be in JPG format. (Do not embed the photo in the email.)
Deadline for submissions is the 25th of the previous month.  (e.g. deadline for March would be February 25).
We do not charge for listing sale of weaving or spinning equipment.  Please see the listing in this issue for an example.  Your ad will run for 60 days. ​

Activities and Schedules of other Organizations

Due to the uncertainty around us regarding how and when organizations may again begin meeting and/or holding events, we are not able to provide updated information. Below is contact information for many of these groups in our area.

Olympiaweaversguild.org
Whidbeyweaversguild.org
Liz Moncrief, www.aweaversway.com
Skagitcountyweaversguild.org
Spindrifters: Contact Kelley Dragon ([email protected]) 

News From ANWG
​
​The Association of Northwest Weavers Guilds (ANWG) is located in the Pacific Northwest and Western Canada including Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, Alaska, Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories and the Yukon.  ANWG provides services and support that might not be available to the individual guilds such as a classifieds ads site for members.  Your membership in the Whatcom Weavers Guild includes full access to ANWG.
 
The ANWG newsletter address is:  [email protected]
 
Susan Torntore is the guild’s voting  representative to the ANWG board. Questions about ANWG?  Contact Susan [email protected].
 
Fiber Connections,  the 2021 ANWG Conference will be held at Willamette University, Salem, OR, June 7-12.  Workshops will be held Monday-Thursday, seminars will be on Friday and Saturday.  Check the conference website for more information.
 
Open and Juried Show Exhibits include a runway show and a towel exchange.  Calls, entry criteria forms and deadlines can be found here.

The Conference Colors Exhibit offers attendees to create a space where they can present items in the conference colors including towels, garments, yardage and other items.  For further information visit this page.
 
Towel Exchange:  Stay tuned for More information about this popular activity.  

STUDY GROUP OPPORTUNITY—Weaving Challenge ANWG Noh Coat
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).

This study group will:
Provide the Threads article and coat pattern
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 ZOOM STUDY GROUP for this challenge, beginning in September, email Susan Torntore ([email protected]).

Get ANWG Challenge info here. ​

Classified Ads

FOR SALE
Schacht Tension Box – Used with the sectional warp beam, the Schacht Tension Box features a mounting bracket that adjusts to fit all Schacht looms: Wolf, Standard or Cranbrook. It would be compatible with other floor looms as well. Features include: two-sided sturdy construction with a reed at the back, an adjustable tension knob, a heddle to make the cross and a swiveling reed at the front to adjust the feeding width of the warp. Like new; never used. $220 (Current online price is $340).
Contact Kelley Dragon, [email protected]

FOR SALE
Shaw Island Fleece Company wood floor loom. $400 (open to negotiation). 48” x 48”. 4 harnesses, t treadle, sectional beam. Warping wheel is included. The loom is near a doorway for easy viewing and social distancing will be respected. 
Beautiful white tapestry yarn for sale: Very large skeins going for $4.50 each, a quantity of 10 pounds total enough for a big project.
Contact: Denise Snyder, [email protected]. ​

4-Shaft Cherry Norwood Floor Loom - My friend, Cathy Markham is selling this beautiful, lightly used 4-shaft, cherry Norwood floor loom.  It has a 40” weaving width (49” overall width) and a sectional beam.  She acquired the loom in 1982 and wove on it for about 5 years. Afterwards it traveled with her and was set up as a beloved piece of furniture. Her job required a lot of traveling and she turned to other fiber arts that were more portable; knitting, needle work, quilting and rug hooking. She has downsized, has no room to set up the loom and realized that it needs a new home. She is selling it with the original matching cherry bench that opens for storage, many extra metal heddles, 4 reeds (6, 8, 10 and 12 dent), a Harrisville Designs wooden bobbin winder, 4 boat shuttles with extra bobbins 2 ski shuttles, other miscellaneous weaving tools, a few weaving books and a handmade sectional warping board. See attached photos. The loom has been well cared for and is in excellent condition.  Asking $950 or best offer.  Please contact Cathy Markham for any questions about the loom - 360-722-4267, [email protected]. The loom is currently set up in my studio on Camano Island - a drive-on island north of Seattle. Questions regarding pick up or transport should be directed to me, Sandra Swarbrick, [email protected].

I recently received this awesome sewing machine through a Facebook group that I am part of.  It needs a Molly Chambers tune up for a potential issue with reverse, but is free to anyone who will use it.

Sharon Allen
[email protected]