November 2023 Newsletter

Greetings, fiber friends!

I write this letter as the rhythm of the rain and the sounds of migrating birds fill my ears. We just finished a week of gloriously sunny (though quite nippy) weather, probably the last stretch of such days for a while. I am inspired by the riot of color around me and the rapid pace of change. There is a flurry of activity preparing for upcoming winter weather and celebrations.

There is a seasonal and cyclical rhythm to our creativity and making. For some of us, this lines up with the seasons in nature - the warm sunny weather beckons us outside to garden and hike/boat/play and we return to our looms/wheels/needles during the colder/darker months when it's cozy and bright inside. Others weave throughout the year and are perhaps tuned into different cycles - holiday gifting and sales, entry deadlines, availability of materials. And some follow a more spontaneous flow, exploring different things as their interests take them.

Although I work on textile projects year-round, I do find my activities are connected to the weather. This year in particular I feel a bit like the animals stockpiling food for the winter, gathering my supplies so that I will have (creative) sustenance to carry me through the grey months ahead. I'm focused on botanical printing right now because the leaves are at their peak and they're about to be gone. So there's an urgency to not only print as much as I can but to preserve as much as possible so that I can continue to print during the winter.
Exhausting sometimes, yet I know it's just a moment and the next part of the cycle will be quieter. (Well, once I get through making things for the gifting season ahead). At least that's what I tell myself, as I think about the new things I want to try during the 'quiet' time of the year while I snuggle on the couch with the dogs and handwork in my lap.

Enjoy the vibrancy of Autumn! Our next meeting is November 18th at our new meeting location (see info below), I hope we see you there!

​
​LeslieAnn Bestor
WWG President, 2023-2024
Sunset
Leaves
Botanical Print
​

New Meeting Space

As of Fall 2023, all monthly Meetings will take place both in-person and online. In-person meetings will be at the WECU in Ferndale (see below) and a Zoom link will also be sent 2-3 days before the meeting. All meetings will have both options, regardless of where the program presenter is. This is a work in progress as we transition back to in-person meetings while still keeping a remote option available for our members who can’t come to our meeting space. Please bear with us and do share your feedback with our board members as well as any suggestions for how to improve our meetings for everyone as we figure this out. 

Whatcom Weavers Guild will be meeting in-person at 
Whatcom Educational Credit Union (WECU)
5659 Barrett Rd, Ferndale, WA 98248
WECU has a large conference room that they are sharing with us for our meetings. Thank you, WECU!
The space is fully accessible and includes restrooms and a little kitchenette area. We will have chairs and tables to sit at and a screen for Zoom presentations.
Parking: the bank is open for business during our meetings, so they ask us to leave parking spaces closest to the building available for their customers and those with mobility needs.

Setup/take down help needed!
We will need to set up and take down all chairs/tables for each meeting. The space is only available during the bank's open hours, which are 9am - 1pm on Saturdays. We'll send around a signup sheet for volunteers at the first meeting, for November we encourage helpers to show up at 9am to help us set up our new space!

​​News from Committees and Interest Groups

The Tapestry Focus Group

Our next meeting will be on Tuesday Nov 14th at the Ferndale Library from 3-5 PM. Our presenter for this month will be Mary O. 

Thank you to Katia P. for arranging the TAPS, Tapestry Artists of Puget Sound, group presentation of their entries at the latest Jansen Art Center Exhibit. It was wonderful and their work is amazing. The exhibit will be there until Dec. 22, 2023 so there is time to visit and see their work. 
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We offer one on one mentoring sessions for the absolute beginner, or anyone having a particular problem, on a case-by-case basis. We bring our looms, yarns, books, ideas, and talk, weave, solve problems, answer questions and laugh a lot. So if you have an interest in Tapestry Weaving join our group and grow your craft.

Our current format is to have one member focus on a subject that interests them, or a specific problem they are having, what types of equipment they favor, a new type of yarn they have discovered, present a video on a new technique they would like to try, or review an old technique that is a favorite. Perhaps introduce a new book they have discovered and give a review. This would be followed by general discussion to answer questions, go in depth on a certain issue. 

Sheila Atwater, Coordinator
For more information, text or email Sheila Atwater at 360-201-0818 or sheilag1948@comcast.net
The Rigid Heddle Loom Study Group

We are planning a special RHSG show-and-tell slide show at the November Guild Meeting to celebrate our work from the past five years and, hopefully, encourage new leadership and members to carry on with this incredibly versatile, functional, and popular loom.

For more information, please contact coordinator Susan Torntore at [email protected]
Ikat Study Group

​An Ikat Study Group formed after an inspiring presentation at the ANWG conference. We are meeting monthly via Zoom and working in our own studios and at the Jansen Center. The group elected to follow the projects in the new “Weavers Studio: IKAT” book, by Mary Zicafoose.
For more information, please contact Carol Berry, [email protected]
Band Weaving Group

​Band weavers in the group are primarily practicing Inkle and Tablet Weaving at this time. We have been meeting in person at member’s homes. We have some new books, purchased with study group funds, that will be available in the Guild Library after the study group members have had a chance to review them.
​
For more information, please contact Carol Berry, [email protected].
Botanical Printing Group

On October 29, a band of experienced Botanical Printers invited a couple of novices to experiment with Botanical Printing. Instructed to collect leaves and mordant our fabrics, we arrived...with scarf blanks and vintage linens, followed instructions...arranged our leaves, warmed our hands and waited while our bundles steamed... and unwrapped to reveal the magic of leaves, tannins and minerals! ​
Botanical Printing lace and leaves
Botanical Printing show and tell
Botanical Printing hands on
Botanical Printing Close Up
Botanical Printing ooh and ahh
Online Workshop Opportunities, From Sharon Allen, retiring Workshop Chair

To date, there is no Workshop Chair replacement for Sharon, so she has kindly researched ways in which we can all continue to take workshops online until a volunteer steps up. This list can grow with new suggestions, and will at some point be migrated to our website. (FYI, these are recommendations only; the Whatcom Weavers Guild does not have any official affiliations with any of these teaching sites). - Wendy Eakle, Newsletter Editor
Jane Stafford School of Weaving is justifiably famous for excellent online and live workshops in weaving techniques, with support forums and study groups. janestaffordtextiles.com

Rebecca Mezoff, reknowned author of The Art of Tapestry Weaving offers several formats for learning tapestry weaving, from video courses, to online Zoom classes and in-person classes and seminars. Online learning — Rebecca Mezoff

Schacht School of textile arts, featuring many helpful beginner classes, and advanced as well. Class subjects include: Frame & Tapestry Loom weaving, Inkle Loom, Rigid Heddle, and Shaft Loom weaving, Spinning, and other textile crafts. Schacht School of Textile Arts

Lunatic Fringe Yarns features many project-specific kits &/or instructions available, as well as videos and live online classes (e.g., Double Rainbow On-line Class with Jennifer Moore!). Lunatic Fringe Yarns

Cally Booker, a quote from her website: “I am a handweaver based in Dundee on the east coast of Scotland. I love to teach the art and craft of weaving and, since the pandemic, I have mainly been doing so online.... to meet weavers from around the world and support them in developing their skills and growing their creative confidence. In my Warp Space blog I offer resources with the same intention: to help you achieve the results you want at the loom.” Cally Booker

Jennifer Moore wrote THE book about Doubleweave, and offers excellent guild programs, books, workshops and online courses. Teaching — Doubleweaver

Longthread Media, publishers of Handwoven, Little Looms, Spin Off and Piecework; an annual membership will give you access to back issues of their publications, plus 145+ streaming video courses, bringing you up close to experts in spinning, weaving, needleworking, felting, and dyeing. Learn from an amazing collection of the greats, including Tom Knisely, Judith MacKenzie, Karen Selk, Sara Bixler, Jennifer Moore, Madelyn van der Hoogt, Robyn Spady, Diane Totten, Anita Luvera Mayer - you get the idea! Long Thread Media Workshops

Natalie Drummond offers workshops and information about Deflected DoubleWeave, Dimensional Felting, and Ice Dyeing - see also her Notes tab online. Natalie Woven

Sarah Ward offers all sorts of delightful workshops, such as Off-Loom Weaving, Rock Weaving (honestly!), Paper Weaving, and Darning & Visible Mending. Lark & Bower (larkandbower.com)

Gather Textiles offers projecct-oriented workshops, and Online Classes in both 4 shaft weaving and rigid heddle weaving​.   GATHER TEXTILES
Meanwhile, I’ve been shopping for discounts for you…just in case you need to go shopping:

Cotton Clouds, the company that carries the UKI cotton that we used in the Sarah Jackson workshop has agreed to extend the free shipping on your orders. Simply enter WORKSHOP at checkout. I have color cards if you need to borrow them. www.cottonclouds.com

Spincycle Yarns, that carries not only their own luscious locally made yarns, but also Brassard and GIST, has agreed to extend the 20% off of your purchase at their brick and mortar store of all the yarn in their weaving room! Simply identify yourself as a Whatcom Weavers Guild member to receive your discount. 112 Grand Ave., Bellingham
Northwest Yarns & Mercantile wants to be in on the party as well. They are offering 10% off all yarns with the exception of Lunatic Fringe Yarns. 206 W Magnolia St., Bellingham

Northwest Yarns & Mercantile wants to be in on the party as well. They are offering 10% off all yarns with the exception of Lunatic Fringe Yarns. 206 W Magnolia St., Bellingham
​
Sharon Allen

Community Outreach

Small Looms at the Bellingham Library Skill Share Space

​​Small Looms at the Main Branch of the Bellingham Library is back in session, starting on Oct 7th. We will be there on the first Saturday of each month from Noon to 3PM thereafter. 
We need volunteers, about 5-6 each month to talk to the public, demonstrate what you are working on and even teach on a small cardboard loom. This is the best way we have found to engage others in the world of textile arts. We have gained a few new Guild members, from this activity, as a result.

We especially need someone to volunteer to bring all the supplies and set up the space before we begin. This needs to be done at about 11:30 so we're ready to start at Noon. If you have questions or want to volunteer for either activity, please contact Sheila Atwater at [email protected]. 
Hospice Washcloth Project & the Sno-Cap Project

​Whatcom Weavers Guild supports two community groups by donating projects to them.
​
Hospice Community Outreach Project

Volunteers lovingly knit, crochet or weave washcloths to support one of the rituals of farewell offered to families of patients who pass away under Hospice care. This is the option of bathing their loved one’s hands, face or body as a final goodbye. The families are given kits that contain a handmade washcloth and a small vial of Lavender Oil to scent the water. The families may then keep the washcloth as a memory keepsake. It is used only once. Whatcom Weavers Guild members have made and donated over 150 washcloths to date. Hospice gives about 50 kits per month to families.

Instructions and guidelines for handwoven washcloths:
  • Use unmercerized cotton yarns. 60-100% works the best (I recommend “Sugar & Cream”).
  • They should be approximately 10” x 10” (finished size)
  • They do not need to be fancy, plain weave is fine
  • You can choose the weight and sett that you prefer to make a soft, medium weight cloth
  • Please use lighter colors. No black, navy, brown, or dark greens please
  • A machine-sewn edge is OK for the finish, as is a short fringe
  • When finished, wash in hot water and mild detergent
  • Dry in the dryer with no softening agents or fragrances

These cloths will be used once and offered to the families to keep as a memory keepsake.
For more information, text or email Sheila Atwater at 360-201-0818 or sheilag1948@comcast.net


The Sno-Cap Project

​Knitters and Crocheters! Grab your needles and hooks. It’s time for the annual “Snow Caps Project”. It’s the Fall 2023 drive for handmade hats and scarves.  Named after WWG’s own Barbara Snow, this heartfelt project produces warm garments and accessories for Whatcom County’s children and adults in need. It’s been going strong for more than 12 years.
The items are distributed through the fall and winter months by collaborating organizations. This includes (but is not limited to) The Opportunity Council, Northwest Youth Services, The Lighthouse Mission, and several elementary schools. It’s a great way to use up those orphan skeins of yarn that we all have in our stash, and to make someone happy and warm. 
You create! We distribute!
Patterns and yarn provided if needed.
Contact JP MacConnell for more information: 360-201-4600 and [email protected]
You will be glad that you did!

​WWG Library Notes

New book donations are currently under review.

Lynn Berman
WWG Librarian
[email protected] ​

​Upcoming meetings

Guild meetings are held the 3rd Saturday of the month, September-June.  

Going forward, all of our monthly Meetings will be hybrid: Both in-person and online. A Zoom option will be available; the link will be sent 2-3 days before the meeting. Whatcom Weavers Guild will be meeting in-person at Whatcom Educational Credit Union (WECU), 5659 Barrett Rd, Ferndale, WA 98248
Parking: The bank is open for business during our meetings, so they ask us to leave parking spaces closest to the building available for their customers and those with mobility needs.

Doors Open at 9:15 for social time and discussing your projects. 
9:30: A brief business meeting followed by Show and Tell 
11:00: A short break  
11:15 – 12:45: Program featuring speaker presenting information about a variety of textile-related subjects

Note: Meetings will need to end promptly at 12:45, to allow time for us to tidy up and vacate the conference room by 1:00pm sharp!
Setup/take down help needed!
We will need to set up and take down all chairs/tables for each meeting. The space is only available during the bank's open hours, which are 9am - 1pm on Saturdays. We'll send around a signup sheet for volunteers at the first meeting, for November we encourage helpers to show up at 9am to help us set up our new space!
November – Liz Moncrief
​A Weaving Loom Compendium
This session is intended to be presented as a guild or group program. It is geared towards all weavers and all looms, and is invaluable for every level of weaver, from beginning to seasoned. The program reviews the various types of looms available and what they are designed for in terms of cloth or product to be woven. 
We then explore structural components, discuss the issues often troubling both older and newer looms, and how to correct the problem. If your loom is routinely cared for in the proper order you can avoid recurring problems and improve the quality of your cloth while maintaining the value of this wonderful tool. 
Liz has taken in used and antique looms for 15 years and given them the love and attention deserving of an ‘olde dame’. Some need a total break-down and rebuild, refinishing, retooling and hardware. Others just require a thorough cleaning and adjustment to bring them back to life. As a result, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Nebraska, and Washington are now home to looms that have been reborn into useful service again. Liz has written numerous articles for Handwoven Magazine and has ‘blogged’ on WeavingToday.com on this subject. If you love your weaving, you should love your tools as well.

Liz will be coming to us via Zoom, which you can access from home and we'll have a screen set up at our in person location.
Please note that this is a 2-hour program and we have to end the meeting at 12:30 so the business portion of the meeting will be abbreviated and we will defer Show-and-Tell to our December meeting.
This will be a Zoom program / hybrid meeting.
December – Deb Essens
Supplemental Warps
Deb Essen is the author of "Easy Weaving with Supplemental Warps: " (Schiffer Publishing, 2022), is a frequent contributor for Handwoven magazine and has recorded several DVDs on Supplemental Warps, Pile Weaves with Supplemental Warps, Unlocking Profile Drafts, Pin Loom Projects through Handwoven. She has been weaving for over 30 years and teaches at local, regional and national conferences, guilds and shops. 
​
This will be a Zoom program / hybrid meeting.
2024 January – Susan J. Torntore, PhD
Sample by Sample, Gamp by Gamp--An Approach to Woven Textile Design
Inspired by the tweed fabrics used by mid-century American fashion designer Bonnie Cashin, Susan will talk about the research and design approach to weave her own tweed Noh Coat for the 2023 ANWG Challenge.
​This will be a Zoom program / hybrid meeting.
Torntore - Noh Coat Samples
February – Sally Orgren
Building a Tour of Swedish Textiles
A trip to Sweden for a family reunion in 2019 evolved into two weeks of non-stop textile adventures for Sally Orgren. Enjoy behind the scenes tours of Östergötlands Ullspinneri (a wool spinning operation), Klässbols Linneväveri (four generation linen factory), Almgrens Sidenväveria (Stockholm silk museum), and some of the student textile work exhibited at the University of Borås in this presentation. Tag along virtually as Sally visits weaver Kerstin Fröberg, the 14th Century Bocksten Man (with his clothing mostly intact!) and nearly 400-year-old textiles recovered from the Vasa, a famous Swedish ship that sank in 1628.
This will be a Zoom Program / hybrid meeting.

March – LeslieAnn Bestor
Rigid Heddle Weaving
Leslie Ann will share insights into rigid heddle weaving.
Leslie Ann Bestor has been passionate for textiles most of her life, thanks to a mother that knit and sewed everything, and passed those skills along. She began her professional fiber life as a knitter, selling designs and garments, teaching and writing books. She then fell down the weaving and spinning rabbit hole and has been encouraging others to do the same ever since. She currently teaches both adults and children Rigid Heddle Weaving for the Jansen Art Center, in addition to teaching other techniques for small looms, spinning, botanical dyeing, and playing with fibers in general.
This will be a Zoom program / hybrid meeting.

April – Mary Zicafoose
Program to still be chosen.
This will be a Zoom program / hybrid meeting.

May – Pending.

Whatcom Weavers Guild Libraries

WWG Equipment Library

The Guild has equipment for a 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 information or loan arrangements.

​WWG Book and Literature Library
​
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
The J’s fall quarter classes are now open for registration! For details, please check the J's website. ​
The Textile Studio’s schedule of classes for fall quarter:

Rigid Heddle Weaving
  • Rigid Heddle Lace with Leslie Ann Bestor, Thursdays, Nov. 2-16
  • Rigid Heddle: Using Two Heddles with Leslie Ann Bestor, Wednesday, Dec.
Weaving on Harness Looms
  • Color & Weave Effects with Sheri Ward, Tuesdays, Oct. 17-Nov. 7
  • Beginning Weaving with Marcia Ford, Fridays, Nov. 17-Dec. 15
  • Lace Weaving with Sheri Ward, Tuesdays, Nov. 28-Dec. 19
Inkle
  • Inkle Woven Ornaments with Leslie Ann Bestor, Sunday, Dec. 3
Kids​
  • Garlands, Swags & Pompoms with Leslie Ann Bestor, Saturday, Dec. 2
Felting
  • Felted Picture with Donna Hunter, Saturday, Nov. 4
Dyeing​​
  • Warp Painting, Thursday, Nov. 2
  • Explorations in Botanical Printing with Leslie Ann Bestor, Friday & Saturday, Nov. 10-11
  • Block Printing with Dyes, Thursday, Dec. 7
Textile Exhibits at the J
​This fall, there will be two exhibits at the Jansen Art Center involving textiles, both opening on Thursday, Oct. 26:
  • A tapestry exhibit by the Tapestry Artists of Puget Sound, Oct. 26 - Dec. 22 (see more information under the Upcoming Events section of the newletter).
  • Studio Showcase, Oct. 26 - Dec. 22, a collaboration of the studios at the J. The theme of this exhibit is Art a La Carte, featuring appetizers, entrees, and desserts made of everything but food.
​
If you haven’t yet had a chance to see these exhibits, be sure to visit the J between now and Dec. 22!
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

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
​My partner and I recently said goodbye to our beloved old dog, Luna. We are now looking for someone who can spin dog fur into yarn. Also we are interested in someone who can use dog fur to make a felted hat. We understand it may need to be mixed with wool or alpaca.
Luna was a blonde, very fuzzy rescue mix of border collie, shepard and possibly malamute.
If you are interested, please contact Jennifer Cartwright at [email protected] or 734-645-8148. Thank you.
​In Search Of...

I am looking for a copy of the Wiksten Haori/Kimono/Unfolding Jacket pattern. Wiksten patterns is out of business, and I cannot locate this pattern anywhere on the internet!?
I would like to sew this jacket from weaved fabric. If appropriate, will you please place something in the newsletter asking if anyone has this pattern - either to purchase or copy?

Thank you! Andrea Lahr [email protected]

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].
A note from Mae Bash, a member of the Guild and the Band Weaver's Study Group

Mae is graduating from Western this December and will present an Honors capstone project. And you are all invited! The project is called Verb Strings and Other Weavings: An exploration of grammatical structures, visual arts, and language education. It will be at 1pm on Monday, December 11, in Old Main 330C on Western's campus. 

While it involves linguistics and language teaching, the presentation is not going to be too technical. Most of it will be about the development and execution of a series of bands that I've made in these past months, all of which represent grammatical structures of different languages. It will also be on zoom, so let Mae know if you'd like that link. [email protected]
Tapestry Artists of Puget Sound (TAPS) has an exhibit of their tapestries at the Jansen Art Center running through Dec. 22. 

​Tapestry Artists of Puget Sound (TAPS) was founded in 1990 for the exchange of techniques, philosophy and inspiration within the world of tapestry. The group provides a forum for the exchange of ideas and an opportunity for critical review through discussion, exhibition and publication. Each artist has developed and refined a body of work that expresses a unique vision and commitment to the art form.
"Currents", a group project of Tapestry Artists of Puget Sound.
This set of tapestries will be part of the exhibition at the Jansen Art Center, along with pieces from TAPS members.
St. Distaff’s Day 2024 Spin-In and Marketplace

The Whatcom Spindrifters spinning group is holding St. Distaff's Day for January 2024 in Burlington and we are recruiting vendors and volunteers now.
For more information, please contacct Emilie Carrillo, [email protected]

What Is Saint Distaff’s Day? (And what does it have to do with rocks?) | Spin Off (spinoffmagazine.com)
Arte Noir Gallery: The Ties That Bind Us: Woven Stories of Celebration
​
Visit our latest exhibit, The Ties That Bind Us: Woven Stories of Celebration, featuring the fiber artistry of the Pacific Northwest African American Quilters.
Up now through January 7, 2024. 
Arte Noir is a relatively new Seattle gallery, ”...celebrating and spotlighting the dynamic creativity of the Black arts community – locally, nationally, and internationally.”
ARTE NOIR is located at 2301 East Union St., Suite H, Seattle, WA 98122
Hours:
Weds to Saturday - 11AM to 7PM
Sunday - 12PM to 6PM
Monday + Tuesday - Closed

​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.
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​Please send content for the next newsletter to [email protected], with “newsletter” included in the subject line.
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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.