October 2023 Newsletter

Greeting Fiber Friends,

We have moved into one of my favorite seasons and I'm loving the crisp air that invites the soft woven scarves to drape themselves around my neck once again. I'm dreaming of making holiday gifts and decorations and starting to mull some new directions with my looms and yarns. For many of us Autumn is the beginning of the year, partly because of the calendar - schools & guilds start up again after a summer holiday - and partly because the seasons move us from outdoor to indoor activities and we move (back) into creating with renewed vigor and inspiration.
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Our new year for Whatcom Weavers Guild kicks off with our meeting on October 21st. We are ushering in the return of in-person meetings with a new meeting place and a commitment to continuing both in-person and Zoom meetings throughout the 2023-2024 year. I am excited to shake off the isolation off the last couple years and gather together with my fiber friends, there is nothing like the camaraderie and fun of a roomful of weavers/spinners/makers. Although I am ever grateful to Zoom meetings for allowing our guild to thrive through the pandemic, I am looking forward to stepping out of those little boxes and exchanging hugs and engaging in informal chitchat, maybe even pick up a piece of handwoven beauty from the show-and-tell table and examine it closely. It will be refreshing and bright and we are going to have so much fun this year! Check out the program info below for details on the new meeting place and zoom setup.

​And speaking of fun, wait till you see this year's Guild Challenge! The annual challenge is a prompt - here's a colorway or an inspiration photo, let's see how we all interpret it through fiber and textiles. This year we are going to play a game, Weavers Poker, to mix things up and add a light-hearted touch (seriously, I have blue hair, you should not be surprised by this!). At our October meeting those who want to play will draw 6 cards, one from each deck (Color & Design; Weave Structure; Fiber, Grist and Yarn Structure; Final Use; Amp My Weave; and Inspiration) and our challenge is to incorporate as many of the cards in your piece as possible. You are allowed to lay down and redraw up to 2 cards at the meeting. Additionally, we have a wild card – LeslieAnn discovered a cone of thousands of yards of pale lilac lurex – you can trade any card for a bobbin of this fun sparkle to incorporate into your piece. If you can't attend the meeting or will be there on Zoom, do not fret - we'll make sure you get a hand, too.

​It should be a lively meeting and I hope it sets the tone for a year of enjoyable gatherings filled with both stimulating discourse and the informal, spontaneous fun that comes from being together in person. I hope to see you there.


​LeslieAnn Bestor
WWG President, 2023-2024
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2023 – 2024 Whatcom Weavers Guild Challenge: 
Weavers Poker 
What can you make with the hand that you are dealt? ​

Picture
Each year Whatcom Weavers Guild members have the opportunity to participate in a challenge project. Those who want to take part will weave/create a piece following the parameters of the challenge. In June we will share what we’ve made at our end-of-year-meeting-and-stash-sale-extravaganza. 

I love a yearly group challenge because it stretches me to try new things I might not have otherwise considered. The second-best part is the delight of seeing the many different ways our members interpret the challenge. Past challenges have included weaving something for the guild display at ANWG (regional weaving show) in 2023 and using a photo of the ruins at Ephesus, Turkey as inspiration in 2022. This year we are going to amp up the fun factor and play Weavers Poker! 

Weavers Poker begins with 6 decks of cards, each deck representing a different aspect of a textile piece (Color & Design; Weave Structure; Fiber, Grist and Yarn Structure; Final Use; Amp My Weave; and Inspiration). At our October meeting we will all draw one card from each deck and our challenge is to incorporate as many of the cards in your piece as possible. You are allowed to lay down and redraw up to 2 cards at the meeting. Additionally, we have a wild card – LeslieAnn discovered a cone of thousands of yards of pale lilac lurex – you can trade any card for a bobbin of this fun sparkle to incorporate into your piece.  

This is meant to be a light-hearted challenge; you can use wide latitude in describing how your piece fits with your cards. And if you trade cards with a buddy, that’s fine, too. The point is to give you some ideas to stir your creativity and maybe look at things from a different perspective, see what happens when you combine different elements or maybe try something new. Use whatever textile format stirs your interest and creative juices – weave on any type of loom, spin, felt, weave off-loom pieces like baskets, stitch, upcycle. No limits (as long as it includes fiber/textiles), show us where you can go with this challenge. 

There will be prizes!! Not a juried or voting kind of thing, these will be precious little participation prizes to encourage y’all to play along. We’re still working out what this will look like but probably something along the lines of ‘the more cards you use the more tickets you get for the prize raffle’ or everyone who enters a piece gets a cute badge, something like that. It’s all about having fun!  
For those who can’t make it in-person to the October meeting:  
If you are Zooming with us we can have someone in the room draw cards for you and show them to you on the screen (unlike regular poker you don’t need to keep your cards secret). If you can’t make the meeting either in person or by zoom but still want to participate, we can mail you your hand of cards. 


Challenge Guidelines 
 The Challenge begins October 2023 and completes with a presentation of finished pieces at the June 2024 Guild meeting. 
Use any form of textile/fiber expression using whatever loom or off-loom techniques you want 
Size: the sky’s the limit (or you could go Lilliputian on us, why not?) 
Type of piece: functional, whimsical, ‘art’? Yes, please, try all the things!  ​

​​News from Committees and Interest Groups

The Tapestry Focus Group

​We meet once a month, in the Community Room at the Ferndale Library, the exact days are to be determined by the availability of room at the Library. In an effort to keep our meeting days on the second Tuesday of each month, the times may change a little for each session. I will try to keep everyone informed of changes well in advance. We would like to keep meeting at the Ferndale Library but so do many other groups. I have the next two months nailed down as follows:
October 10th 2:30 - 4:30 and November 14th 3:00 - 5:00.
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We do 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.
We held our first fall meeting on Sept 12. Due to surgeries, illness, out of town visits, and work schedules, we had only three members attend. We talked about future meetings and a suggestion that the format be a little different. I would like have a different member of the group facilitate the meeting every month. That person could 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. 
   
We have a new member. Her name is Susie Davis and we will welcome her in Oct. Great to have new members. Thank you all for making this such a fun group and I hope to see way more of our recovering members at the next meeting
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 at the October 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 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.
We recently held a zoom workshop with Laverne Waddington, Andean Pebble Weave Bands, and hope to show the results in our October Show-&-Tell meeting.
For more information, please contact Carol Berry, [email protected].
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     janestaffordtextiles.com
Rebecca Mezoff     Online learning — Rebecca Mezoff
Schacht School of textile arts     Schacht School of Textile Arts
Lunatic Fringe Yarns     Lunatic Fringe Yarns
Cally Booker     Cally Booker
Jennifer Moore     Teaching — Doubleweaver
Longthread Media     Long Thread Media Workshops
Natalie Drummond     Natalie Woven
Sarah Ward     Lark & Bower (larkandbower.com)
Gather Textiles      GATHER TEXTILES

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.

One Organization is Whatcom Hospice. They use handmade washcloths (knitted, crocheted, or woven) in an ancient ritual that is offered to all families under their care. That is the ritual of washing the deceased body in preparation for burial. The family then has the option to keep the washcloth as a memory object.

For year 2023 we have been donating handwoven washcloths to them and they have been wonderfully received, they LOVE them. So far for 2023 we have donated 128 washcloths. They all have been used.

WWG wishes to continue this community outreach project so are requesting that we all contribute when we can and as often as you can.

Cloths must be about 10”x10”, made of more than 60% cotton, and in light colors. No neon colors or dark somber colors. They do not need to be hemmed other than straight or zigzag stitch on a machine and leave very short fringe. Wash and dry with NO Fabric Softeners. Bring batches of cloths to meetings to be collected or can be dropped off at Carol Berry’s Studio.

For questions please contact: Sheila Atwater, Outreach Chairperson at [email protected] or call/text 360-201-0818


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.  
As of Fall 2023, 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. This is a work in progress as we transition back to in-person meetings while still keeping a remote option available for our members that 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. 

In-person meetings will be held at: 

First Congregational Church 
2401 Cornwall St.* 
Bellingham 

Doors Open at 9:30 for social time and discussing your projects. 
10:00 am: A brief business meeting followed by Show and Tell 
11:00: A short break  
11:15 – 12:45(ish): Program featuring speaker presenting information about a variety of textile-related subjects
October – ANWG & Other Stories   -   Show and Tell Extravaganza!!!


​Join us for our kickoff meeting for 2023-24.
Those who went to ANWG and those with items in our award winning booth will share their experiences. Study groups will share their items and wrap ups from last year with a vision for this year. Workshop attendees and general membership will bring recent projects to share. Our new Member Packets will also be available.
Our upcoming yearly challenge will also be presented!!!

Come join us for a long-awaited hybrid meeting about us--the Whatcom Weavers Guild
WWG ANWG Booth
Color Confidence Workshop Group Photo
November – Terry Bibby 
Saori Weaving
Terri Bibby started weaving over 30 years ago in Edmonton when the quilting class that she wanted to take was full – but there was a spot in a weaving class. She jumped in and joined the Edmonton Weavers Guild and took the Master Weavers classes at Olds College.
She moved to Salt Spring Island in 2004, hoping to do more weaving. Since first seeing SAORI weaving in 2005, Terri has immersed herself in the philosophy and practice of SAORI weaving. There was no turning back. The freedom, the colour, the textures and the beautiful philosophy of SAORI was life-changing.

This will be a Zoom program.

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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.
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​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.
A one-third scale Noh coat prototype on the final enlarged tweed prototype for the finished Noh coat; Shetland yarns, 2/2 twill color-and-weave with houndstooth and stepped twill patterns.Original designs inspired by a Glen Urquhart District Check tweed from Scotland.
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.


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.


April – Mary Zicafoose
Program to still be chosen.
This will be a Zoom Program.


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.

From the Jansen

Classes and Dye Days at the J

​The J’s fall quarter classes are now open for registration! Check out the wonderful new offerings at the Jansen Art Center Textile Studio! 
The Textile Studio’s schedule of classes for fall quarter:

Rigid Heddle Weaving
  • Handspun Woven Lace Scarf with Leslie Ann Bestor, Wednesdays, Oct. 11-25
  • 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
  • Towel Extravaganza with Sheri Ward, Darlene Mathias & Ann Hinz, Friday through Sunday, Oct. 13-15
  • 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
Tapestry
  • Beginning Tapestry with Val O’Conner, Fridays, Oct. 6-27
Basketry
  • Interwoven: Barks & Fiber with Judy Zugish, Saturday, Oct. 28
Inkle
  • Inkle Woven Ornaments with Leslie Ann Bestor, Sunday, Dec. 3
Kids​
  • Garlands, Swags & Pompoms with Leslie Ann Bestor, Saturday, Dec. 2
Felting
  • Felted Witch Hat with Donna Hunter, Saturday, Oct. 14
  • Felted Picture with Donna Hunter, Saturday, Nov. 4
Dyeing
  • Wool Immersion Dyeing, Thursday, Oct. 5
  • Dyeing in the Morgue, Thursday, Oct. 26
  • 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
For any of these classes or workshops, check the J's website for details. ​
Inkle woven ornaments scaled
Felted Witch Hat
​botanical printing 1536x2048
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.
For the Studio Showcase, feel free to submit art to this exhibit, even if you’re only an occasional visitor to the Textile Studio.  All guild members are invited to participate.  Contact Sheri Ward, [email protected] if you’re interested.
​
Come join us for the opening night, or any time these exhibits are on display!
Towel Extravaganza at the Jansen Art Center!!

Friday through Sunday, October 13-15
Have you woven some time in the past, but not recently? Have you wanted to get back to weaving, but you’re feeling a little intimidated? Or would you simply like to walk into a studio with pre-warped looms, and spend your time weaving rather than preparing the loom? This class is for you!

The humble dish towel, beyond being a great gift, is also a wonderful way to try out new weave structures and colors without investing a lot of time and money. And they’re so practical! We will have floor looms pre-warped with a variety of fibers and weave structures appropriate for dish towels.

Our towels include a huge variety of structures:
  • an 8-shaft turned twill,
  • an 8-shaft huck lace,
  • M’s & O’s,
  • Swedish lace,
  • a straight draw twill,
  • an 8-shaft turned taqueté,
  • a classy Bauhaus summer and winter weave,
  • a rosepath twill,
  • a broken twill, and
  • an 8-shaft twill.
So many great structures and colors!

Come build some confidence at the loom, refresh you skills, and leave with a nice bundle of hand-woven dish towels.You can weave off as many dish towels as time allows.

This class also provides an opportunity for discussions and demonstrations to hone your weaving skills, refine techniques, and gain confidence at the loom.

To register, please visit www.jansenartcenter.org
Towel Extravaganza

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.

​Calendar of events of interest to Guild members!

Please contribute details of upcoming events of interest to WWG members to [email protected].
​28th Annual Weaving History Conference, October 23-25, 2023

The Weaving History Conference is a virtual conference filled with fascinating presentations, engaging conversation, and a shared love of all things weaving and fiber. It was founded by the Thousand Island Arts Center and Handweaving Museum in Clayton, New York, to celebrate, promote and share scholarly work and reflections on the subject of handweaving and all fiber arts. This year's line-up of presentations is now online and conference registration is open, click here.
Susan Torntore is presenting at the Weaving History Conference again this year. Her talk, "Exploring the Woven Fabrics of Bonnie Cashin—By Hand," will discuss the second, hands-on phase of her research project about the handwoven tweed fabrics of American designer Bonnie Cashin. She will focus on learning to weave favorite Cashin tweeds, and designing and weaving her own tweed Noh Coat for the 2023 ANWG Challenge.
Tapestry Artists of Puget Sound (TAPS) will be opening an exhibit of their tapestries at the Jansen Art Center on October 26th and run through Dec. 22. 

At the special request of WWG member Katia Paroczi, they have agreed to hold an informal Q&A, discussion, and information session, with the artists, from 4:00-5:30pm, where the TAPS exhibition will be on the second floor, hallway and concert hall. The session will be open to all weavers and not just tapestry weavers. 
Afterwards, the official opening night will begin, from 6:00-8:00pm.
--Katia Paroczi, Tapestry Artist and Sheila Atwater, Tapestry Focus Group facilitator.


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.
​Beyond Fibre… Artisans’ Sale Langley Weavers’ and Spinners’ Guild Annual Juried Show and Sale

November 4 & 5, 2023 – Looking for unique, one-of-a-kind gifts to give or to keep for your own enjoyment? Beyond Fibre features woven, knitted, spun and felted items handcrafted by Guild members as well as a wide variety of products handmade by guest artisans. Come and enjoy the ongoing fibre arts demonstrations. Are you a fibre artist? You’ll find yarn, fibre, supplies and equipment at the sale. ​
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)

​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.