November 2022 Newsletter

Wooly Weather

Rain at last. What a joy to spend a morning heating up the kitchen with soup on the stove and cookies baking in the oven. The two little 3-year-old apple trees in my front yard yielded 16 very nice eating apples this year! Time to think about blankets, pull the wool scarves into rotation again, and search out the fingerless mitts. Spring bulbs (the kind you plant in the fall because March is going to come and tulips will be needed for emotional support), have been ordered, and should arrive any day, so I’m hoping for a few warmish, dryish days for planting.

Mostly, I am ready for the indoor activity season, excited to try new things and learn new weaves. Making a basket in a workshop at the Jansen Center is on my schedule. Delving into the weave structure known as Crackle, or Jamtlandsvav, has been a wish for a few years now, and I’m signed up for a study group. I am so glad to be approaching this complex weave in a group setting. Don’t go to a scary place all alone, right? Four blocks on four shafts, with “incidental threads”?!! Staying calm. Taking it one step at a time. Trying not to get stuck on choosing the warp yarn. Measuring and beaming the warp. Only then taking on threading the heddles (Four different blocks! Incidentals! Yikes.) Re-writing the threading by hand on large graph paper is how I tackle it, then threading the heddles one section at a time, checking off each group as I go. Paying attention to ergonomics. Protein snacks, not sugar… no podcasts or books on tape while I’m threading…

Loom mechanics are not hard for me but remembering a sequence of numbers for long enough to treadle a pattern unit, especially with two shuttles, and tabbies in between… Having found that others share some of these same challenges – there has been talk of a “Dream Weavers” Study Group session or series, sharing methods for managing threading and treadling when the challenges of a busy life, household member’s needs, or brain fog make it harder to coordinate mind, eyes, hands and feet. Anyone else have a hard time with this sometimes? Let’s talk. We are in this together.

Warmly,

Carol Berry
2022-2023 President, Whatcom Weavers Guild

Knitted mitts and woven scarves

Florina and Belmac apples fresh off the trees

Sock Monkeys and friend in sweaters and scarves

P.S. Our November 19, 2022 Meeting and Program will be in-person at the Jansen Center, with a Zoom option, featuring Basketry Artist Judy Zugish. Members can expect the reminder, schedule, and Zoom link in your email inboxes a few days before the meeting. See you then!
P.P.S. Red Japanese Maple leaves are still hanging on my tree, waiting for any eco-dyer who needs them.

Red and Gold Leaf on rusted metal glazed with rainwater

Blueberry bush in fall color

News from Committees and Interest Groups

The Tapestry Focus Group...

...met on Oct. 10, 2022. Member Marion Scichilone shared a presentation of her experiences at the Handweavers Guild of America’s Convergence conference in Knoxville TN this summer. She shared pictures of the conference and fashion show, samples of items she brought home, and stories of people she met. It was very interesting and exciting. Especially if you watched Marion’s face light up as she shared with us. She obviously had a wonderful experience. Thank you, Marion.

We also had a group talk session about finishing our creations and preparing them for display with many examples of different methods. We were focusing on display possibilities for the ANWG conference in 2023.

Our next meeting will be Nov 14th 1-3PM at the Ferndale Library. We still have room for one or two more members. If you are interested text or email Sheila Atwater at 360-201-0818 or sheilag1948@comcast.net.

Tapestry

The Rigid Heddle Loom Study Group

The Rigid Heddle Study Group meets on the third Thursday every month, 1-3 pm. Although the group normally meets at the Ferndale Library, our November 17th meeting will be held at the Jansen Art Center, 321 Front St., Lynden WA.
In October, we started planning our Mixed Warp projects, doing yarn windings to see how the colors and textures will work (see photos). In our November meeting, we will start warping and weaving our projects.
For more information, please contact coordinator Susan Torntore at [email protected].

Burgundy mix, includes Shetland, worsteds, rayon boucle, painted rayon chenille, and an acrylic "butterfly" novelty yarn.

Blue mix, includes Nature Spun sport weight, linen-cotton, worsted, a worsted single, a silk tweed, and a "curly" novelty.

ANWG Conference Colors--Yarns & Fibers

The five colors chosen for the Association of Northwest Weavers Guild’s (ANWG) 2023 Conference connect us with the other states and provinces of ANWG, with whom we share great waterways, majestic mountains, vast forests, and rich fields. This ANWG website gives you all the information you need to source yarns in conference colors from 22 different vendors, and several patterns you can use to make towels in these colors.

Wednesday Weavers

Hi Friends,
It seems we are all happy working on our projects at home these days, so we are going to shift a bit. Effective right now, this minute, we are switching to meeting once a month. Meeting dates will be the 1st Wednesday of the month at LeslieAnn’s from 10 am to 1pm.
The November gathering is right around the corner...Wednesday, November 2nd, 10am-1pm.

Please contact Sharon for location and directions.
Sharon Allen, 360-305-0111

Community Outreach

Skill Share Space/Small Looms Group at the Bellingham Public Library

Small Looms at the Bellingham Library:
I must apologize for last month’s picture accompanying the news article. That was a picture of the OLD Skill Share space before Covid. We meet again on Nov. 5th from 12-3 pm and I will get pictures of the newly remodeled space for comparison. Attendance by the public is increasing steadily and those who visit us are very interested and enthusiastic about what we are sharing.
I do need 2 more volunteers to come and share with us on Nov. 5th. Come, share, demonstrate your weaving, and be prepared to answer lots of questions.
If anyone is planning to attend, please email or text: Mary Oates at 360-961-0686, [email protected], or Sheila Atwater at 360-201 0818, [email protected].

Hospice Washcloth Project

A huge thank you to those who have generously given their time and talent in the making of these treasured washcloths. As of Oct. 20th, we have donated 112 washcloths. Great work and keep them coming as often as you are able. Hospice is very pleased and grateful for our support. I recently shared an article on our Facebook page, that originally was on the Whatcom Hospice Foundation’s Facebook page.
For information about how to participate in the project, please contact me at 360-201-0818 (call or text), or email me at [email protected]

Thank you in advance from the Hospice Care Teams and me,

Sheila Atwater, Education and Outreach Chair

Washcloths bagged up

Lavender Bath Kits, ready to go!

From Diane Banks, Member at Large ANWG Representative

ANWG Rep Report

Hello Fiber Friends,
ANWG now has available the 2023 conference schedule for seminars and workshops. If you are a planner like me, you might enjoy taking a look at what is available during the conference starting on Monday June 11th through Saturday the 18th.

Here is your link to the Autumn edition of the ANWG newsletter.

These items in the newsletter caught my eye and may interest you:

A tapestry study group open to all guild members within ANWG is starting up.

More updated information regarding the up and coming ANWG Conference June 11-18, 2023 in Bend, OR

Diane, ANWG Rep

Upcoming meetings

November 19: Judy Zugish on Basketry

See upcoming email for more information: This will be a hybrid meeting, both in person at the Jansen, viewable via the link given in your email for those who don’t wish to attend the live presentation, and we will have a WWG Zoom link sent out by email with further instructions for the Guild business portion of our meeting.

December 17: Jane Stafford on a Weaving Trip to Ethiopia
January 21, 2023: Our own Donna Hunter and Lisa Nakama presenting Felting
February 18: Amanda Gilvin: Zoom presentation on three types of weaving done in the West African country of Niger--the téra-tera, the sakala, and the kounta.
March 18: Kelly Marshall with Weaving by Design. A broad spectrum talk on design, rep weave, and the development of a weaving business.

April 18: Linda Hartshorn presenting a Textile Tour of Guatemala.

Whatcom Weavers Guild Library

WWG Equipment Library

The Guild has equipment for short-term loan to members. Just a few of the items are a yardage counter, bobbin winder, shuttles, reeds in commonly used sizes, shaft table looms and Rigid Heddle Looms. The complete list and the equipment reside with Sharon Allen. Contact [email protected] for info or loan arrangements.

WWG Library

To access the Whatcom Weavers Guild Library’s catalog click on this link. 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 check out, contact Carol Berry.

From the Jansen

For any of these classes or workshops, check the J's website for details.

Judy Zugish - Basketry Exhibit & Classes Coming in the Fall

Coming this fall, the J will host two one-day basketry workshops by Judy Zugish, a wonderful basketry artist based in Marysville. Along with the workshops, there will be an exhibit of basketry, including Judy’s work, but also open to entries from our guild members. The exhibit will be up until Jan. 6. Be sure to come have a look!

Her workshops will be:

Nov. 5: Petrichor Basket (willow bark weaving) (Waitlisted)
Nov. 18: Mixed Barks Woven Pouch

These workshops are both appropriate for beginning basketry makers.

Judy will also be presenting the guild program on Nov. 19. Her presentation will be accessible remotely as well as in person.

Petrichor-Zugish Basket

Mixed Barks Pouch

Classes and Dye Days at the J

The Textile Studio's schedule of classes for fall quarter:

Weaving on Harness Looms:

Crackle Weave Mysteries and Magic with Sheri Ward, starting Nov. 10
Beginning Weaving with Marcia Ford, Nov. 30-Dec. 21 (Waitlisted)

Weaving on Rigid Heddle Looms:

Rigid Heddle Warping Refresher with Leslie Ann Bestor, Nov. 29
Textured Weaves on the Rigid Heddle with Leslie Ann Bestor, Dec. 6 & 13

Kids’ classes:

Weaving Adventures, ages 6-9, with Leslie Ann Bestor, Nov. 1-Dec. 13
Rigid Heddle Weaving for Kids, ages 10-14, with Leslie Ann Bestor, Nov. 3-Dec. 15
Seussian Swags, Garlands & Wreaths, ages 6+ (4-5 year olds with an adult), with Leslie Ann Bestor, Dec. 3

Basketry classes:

Petrichor Basket with Judy Zugish, Nov. 5 (Waitlisted)
Mixed Barks Woven Pouch with Judy Zugish, Nov. 18

Spinning classes:

Beyond the Basics with Chris Paul, Dec. 2 & 9

Dye Days: generally the first Thursday of the month:

Warp Painting, Thursday, Nov. 3
Wool Immersion Dyeing, Thursday, Dec. 1
Eco-Dyeing, fourth Saturday of the month: Nov. 26

For any of these classes or workshops, check the J's website for details.

Rigid Heddle Weaving

Crochet Class

Crackle Study Group

We’ve changed the Crackle Weave workshop planned with Liz Moncrief to a study group led by Sheri Ward. Liz is not able to lead this workshop due to some family medical issues. Our thoughts are with her and her family.

Summer & Winter Color Study warp available

There’s some warp that was originally provided as a round-robin project for the Summer & Winter weaving class at the Jansen Art Center. There’s plenty of warp left over, and it’s open for you to weave a table runner or decorative piece.

There are seven colors across the width of the warp. A common way to weave it is to repeat those seven colors in the weft. That, of course, is up to you.

The fee is $5 for each 7-color repeat, or its equivalent, payable to the Jansen Art Center. That includes use of the loom and all materials. If you’re interested, please contact Sheri Ward at [email protected].

Summer & Winter Color Study

Tapestry drop-in sessions

Starting in October, there will be a regular tapestry drop-in group at the J, on Wednesdays, 11 am - 1 pm. Val O’Connor, the person teaching tapestry at the J, will be hosting these, and she would welcome anyone who wants to join in!

Classified Ads

For Sale

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. (FYI, I cannot download embedded photos, so would have to omit them from your ad. -Wendy E., Newsletter Editor)

In Search Of (ISO)

Temples & Reeds
Looking for temples of various sizes and reeds that are 36” or wider.
Please contact Andrea Lahr:
Cell: 206-853-2135
Email: [email protected]

Looking for Old Cashmere Sweaters
I am in need of old cashmere sweaters in any condition. I have a local resource that will turn them into Chemo Caps. Sharon Allen [email protected], 360-305-0111

Calendar of events of interest to Guild members!

7th Annual Whidbey Weavers Guild Sale: Uncommon Threads
November 4-5: Friday 10-7:00, Saturday 10-3:00
Nordic Hall, 63 Jacobs Rd, Coupeville WA 98239 (approx. 1 mile south of Hwy 525 & Main St)

The Langley Weavers' and Spinners' Guild Beyond Fibre...Annual Artisans’ Sale
West Langley Hall on Saturday and Sunday November 5 and 6

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. 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 Wendy via her mail address in the Membership list or to [email protected]. 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 if you have questions.