October 2018 Newsletter

October! Lovely cooler days, including some rainy ones where you just have to stay inside and weave, or knit, or spin, or crochet. Or carry that knitting to a coffee shop or meeting. Even a waiting room isn’t so tedious if I have a project. A project bag with yarn and needles for a child’s (or adult’s) hat or a scarf near the door is great to grab and go, and those hats and scarves are eagerly welcomed by local organizations that distribute our craft to folks in our community who need them.  
In early October Joanne Hall will be in Bellingham leading a seminar on countermarche looms, including warping, tie-up, evaluating and moving a used countermarche loom. Several members are taking Joanne’s workshop, so these skills will expand our community knowledge bank. The J Textiles Studio now has two of these awesome Swedish looms, each with 8 shafts and 10 treadles. Group projects for color gamps and blankets are being tossed around now. These looms are light weight to treadle and can handle many yards of warp, so they are great for weaving rep, and one is wide enough to weave a full-size blanket. Want to join in or suggest a group project?
Fibers & Beyond is coming to the Jansen Center next week! Yes, already. John Mullarkey’s keynote is Wednesday October 10. Workshops are on, Oct 10,11,12 & 13. And the Annual guild sale is Saturday the 13th. You won’t want to miss any of it! I’ve heard nothing but praise from folks who have taken John Mullarkey’s workshops. It’s amazing to have this opportunity so close to home, and there are still spaces available in the workshops. I’m taking ply splitting, tablet weaving, and Liz Moncrief’s painted warp workshop.

Our Fall and winter fiber activities promise to be colorful and bring warmth to the community!

All the best,​

Carol Berry,
2018-2019 WWG President

Upcoming Programs ​​

October 20   -   Field Trip to Fiber Fusion, Evergreen State Fairgrounds, Monroe, WA
​October has double the fiber goodness! Our monthly meeting date falls one week after Fibers & Beyond, and on the Fiber Fusion weekend. Fiber Fusion Northwest is 2 days of fiber, education and fun. RV camping on site, or join up with other guild members to make it a day trip. https://www.fiberfusion.net/ Located at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds, in Monroe, Wa.
See whatcomweaversguild.org/events for further program information or contact as at [email protected].

Program Notes

Looking Back, September Meeting
The September program, by shepherdess, educator and knitter Lydia Strand, was amazing, as promised. Lydia Strand, shepherd, fiber farmer, educator, and knitter, showed photos of her flock, and told the story of what brought her to Bellingham with her flock of Icelandic and Shetland finewool sheep. She also brought yarn and roving from her sheep in various weights and natural colors. Some of us may soon be sporting sweaters and scarves featuring Lydia’s wool. More about Lydia’s Flock can be found on the farm’s website, www.lydiasflock.com and on Instagram @lydias_flock. Lydia has promised the guild a farm tour in the spring!
​Looking Ahead, October 20
​The October 20 meeting is an optional field trip to Fiber Fusion Northwest, at the Evergreen State Fairgrounds, in Monroe. Fiber Fusion is open to the Public and free of charge. Several members have mentioned carpooling over for the day. An email message will be sent to all, reply all if you want to carpool. Day Parking is free, too. I will be going over on Friday afternoon, camping at the Fairgrounds Friday and Saturday nights. I’m taking a flax spinning class on Saturday, and hanging out in Allen Berry’s booth part of the time. It will be great to meet up with WWG members, and this is a great opportunity to look at fleeces and yarn of all kinds. https://www.fiberfusion.net/

Thanks!
Carol Berry, Program Chair
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Fibers and Beyond 2018

DON’T MISS THE BIGGEST SHOW & TELL OF THE YEAR!
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Even if you’ve been to every guild meeting and seen every Show & Tell all year long, trust me – You ain’t seen nothin’ yet! Most of the items entered in WWG’s Fibers & Beyond Show and Sale on Saturday, October 13, have never been shown before. Invite friends and family to shop and admire fine, one-of-a-kind items handcrafted by your fellow guild members. The one-day sale opens at 9 am and runs until 5 pm at Jansen Art Center, 321 Front Street, Lynden.

​Please do your part to support the Guild and your friends who have entered items in the sale and show. You will receive an e-mail the first week of October that you can “cut and paste” into e-mails to your neighbors, family and friends. Help us get the word out about this once-a-year day!

Workshop registration is now open! You can register through Jansen Art Center's website by clicking here. Registration is no longer restricted to WWG members, it is open to the public. 

John Mullarkey’s workshops are supported by a generous donation from the Peg Templeton fund, making them more accessible for all.
Members of the Jansen Center receive an additional discount on all workshops. Eco-dying, warp painting, felting, ply splitting, beginning and advanced tablet weaving; these workshops are awesome.

Jansen Fall Textile Classes, from Sheri Ward

  • Painting on Fabric, offered as separate sessions Sept. 11 & 25, Oct. 9 & 30 and Nov. 6, 11 am – 4 pm with Marilyn Olsen; $55 plus $15 materials fee per session
  • Dyeing to Please, Thursdays, Oct. 18 – Nov. 1, 11 am – 4 pm with Barbara Snow; $150 plus $20 materials fee
  • Introduction to Computer Drafting for Weavers, Fridays, Oct. 19 & 26, 1-3 pm with Sheri Ward; $50
  • Wool Dyeing, offered as separate sessions, Wednesdays Oct. 24, Nov. 7 & 28, 11 am – 3 pm with Sheri Ward; $45 plus $3 materials fee per session
  • Felted Boot Slippers, Thursday, Nov. 15, 11 am – 3 pm with Donna Hunter; $45 plus $12 materials fee
  • Vessels of Light, Saturday, Nov. 17, 10 am – 5 pm with Kay Harradine; $80 plus $35 materials fee
  • Beginning Weaving, Fridays, Nov. 30 – Dec. 21, 1-4 pm with Sheri Ward; $145 plus $15 materials fee
  • SpiNit nights, 3rd Thursdays of the month, 6-8 pm; $8 drop-in, $40 for an 8-session punch card
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To see details and to register, visit https://www.jansenartcenter.org/textiles-studio

From other guilds and Study Groups

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].
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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 Langley Weavers & Spinners:
The Langley Weavers & Spinners are having their annual Artisans' sale on November 2nd and 3rd this year. 
This will be their 2nd year in their new West Langley Hall location (rather than Fort Langley) and the days of the sale are Friday/Saturday instead of our previous Saturday/Sunday dates when in Fort Langley.  Check out the flyer by clicking here.
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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 Sharon Allen 
First Saturday of every month at Bellingham Library for the active Small Looms Group. Join in on the fun with your Inkle, tapestry, tablet weaving, rigid heddle or any loom small enough to bring to the library!
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Announcements

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Snow Cap Project 2018 (from B. Snow and K. Hutchinson)
The weather is changing, so get out those knitting needles, crochet hooks, and looms to make something warm for those in need. Please bring them to the November Guild meeting or contact Barbara Snow at [email protected] or Kathy Hutchinson at [email protected]. You’ll be glad you did!
Confluences 2019 Prince George, BC (from Kathy Hutchinson)
The Prince George Fibre Arts Guild invites you to join us for the 2019 ANWG Conference:
The Prince George Fibre Arts Guild is excited to welcome all fibre enthusiasts to join us in our lovely city (the largest city in Northern BC) for Confluences: ANWG 2019 Conference, coming June 11-16th, 2019. Our guild members were inspired by how weaving, spinning, knitting and felting merge together to create unique and beautiful textiles, and want the conference to explore the confluences of these crafts, and celebrate our diversity of skills and knowledge. The theme also reflects the nature of our city, which is located at the confluence of the Fraser River and the Nechako River, is where Highway 97 crosses with Highway 16, and embraces the gathering of many cultures and traditions.
Visit the website for the 2019 ANWG Conference at www.anwgconference2019.com. To view the website, use Edge, Chrome, Foxfire or Safari (Internet Explorer is not supported).
To keep up to date with what is happening, join the mailing list by contacting [email protected].
Presentation given at the AMM 2018 meeting on the ANWG 2019 conference: PDF | PPT
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.
From Sharon Allen:
Check out Sara Hanna Originals on Facebook. 

For Sale

Nilus Leclerc 4 harness, 6 treadle 36" beautifully cared for loom. 
This is Jo Morgan's loom for sale, submitted by Sharon Allen.
I am asking $500.00. Phone 360 305 0111.   ​
From Nancy Bjerke:
I’m downsizing, and after much consideration, I’ve decided to SELL my Babywolf 8 Harness Loom. Here are the details:
8 shaft Baby Wolf with STROLLER and HIGH Castle TRAY: $1,500.00 comes with 2 reeds.
Schacht Weaving Bench, Maple with 2 side bags: $250.00
All in excellent condition, like new. Great workshop loom because of the WHEELS attached! Fits in the back of SUV’s easily (my Subaru forester, for example).
Please contact me at the following:
Phone and text: 360-201-5141
Email: [email protected] or [email protected].

Wanted

Hello Weavers! I am looking for a 24" Rigid Heddle loom to buy. Dana Zia, [email protected].