September 2018 Newsletter

As I write this in late August it feels like sweater days are here already, though I know there are more warm days ahead before we settle in to wearing wool on a daily basis. Warm or cold, rain or shine, fiber-filled goodness is coming up in September! The Fall Fiber Exhibit at the Jansen Center will feature work by Fibers and Beyond Workshop Instructors and finely-crafted examples by WWG members. The opening reception is September 6! Also open are the new Textiles studio and classroom downstairs in the J. The Whatcom Weavers Guild has been given the Glimakra standard loom of late, nationally-known weaver and artist Jo Morgan. Her classic Swedish loom now has a home in the J Textiles studio.

In Bellingham, September 15 opens the meeting and program year for the Whatcom Weavers Guild. Our theme for the year is Creating Connections: Through appreciation and practice of the fiber arts, including spinning, felting, knitting, crochet, stitching, beading, dying, basketry and weaving, and through our ongoing and new community outreach events and projects.

The monthly programs scheduled for 2018-2019 are diverse and exciting. On September 15, we have a full agenda starting at 10 am, with a Lunatic Fringe yarn raffle, a 2018-2019 Color Challenge, the “real” big reveal of our “Walk the Dog” challenge – I’ll have my vest finished for sure this time – and the interest group, mentoring, knit-along, weave-along, and charitable project options available. You can sign up to carpool to Fiber Fusion in Monroe in October (the October 20 meeting is a field trip). Members will choose 2-3 person hospitality teams, and pick the month when your team will open and set up for the monthly meeting. (Many hands make light work!) The September program, by shepherdess, educator and knitter Lydia Strand, promises to be amazing!

I look forward to seeing you soon,

Carol Berry,
WWG President

PS. Registration for Fibers & Beyond Workshops at the Jansen Center (October 10-13) is now open to the public. If you meant to register early and haven’t done so – it’s time! Get in on the fun, by volunteering to help with the F&B conference and sale. Jury date for items to be included in the sale is September 29, so you still have time to enter and get your work ready.

Upcoming Programs

Sep 15 - Lydia Strand, Icelandic Sheep, Indigo & More
Program (12 noon) Lydia Strand tends a beautiful flock of registered Icelandic and Shetland sheep on her 48-acre farm in the Squalicum Valley near Bellingham. Through pictures, words, and hands-on yarn samples Lydia will introduce us to her flock, her philosophy, and the beautiful fiber, felt and yarn she produces and sells. Preview at www.lydiasflock.com.

See whatcomweaversguild.org/events for further program information or contact as at [email protected].

Program Notes

Looking Back, August 13 - 18, August “meeting”
The NW WA Fair was a great place for weaving, spinning, felting and more during the week of August 13-18! Looms from large to small filled the Wool Show. We had the good fortune to display Jo Morgan’s Krokbrogd tapestries as a special exhibit, including highlights of Jo’s long and productive weaving life, and insights into her design process, thoughtfully compiled by Jo’s daughter, Pamela Jull. The single largest and most colorful attraction was the fluffy, beautiful rainbow wool batt covering three tables, made by “Bonnie Woolmaster” and brought in by Kelley Dragon. Winner of the Best in Show award was Katia Paroczi’s amazing tapestry. The big Swedish loom got a lot of attention, and helped volunteers explain to visitors how all looms work the same way (over and under, over and under) to create the textile interlacements that surround us. The spinners created countless miles of yarn, and the felters created a big stir on Thursday, with hands-on make and take projects for all ages. Wool is wonderful! Kudos to Marilyn Olsen for the fabulous job she has done as superintendent for the past few years; to Lisa Christenson for her display and logistics support, Carla Stellwagen and the spinners, and all the dedicated volunteers!

Looking Ahead, September 15, 2018, Lydia Strand
Lydia Strand will talk with us, show photos and bring yarn from her Icelandic sheep.Lydia is a shepherd, fiber farmer, educator, and avid knitter living with her flock of 60 Shetland and Icelandic sheep on 48 acres in the Squalicum Valley just outside Bellingham, WA. With a focus on producing exceptional heritage breed wool, Lydia and her husband, Jared, have been raising sheep since 2010 using regenerative agricultural practices that heal the soil, providing the happiest and most supportive environment for their flock as nature intended. In addition to fiber, the farm offers registered breeding stock, pastured lamb, and day-long Beginning Shepherding courses. More about Lydia’s Flock can be found on the farm’s website, www.lydiasflock.com and on Instagram @lydias_flock.
In addition to shepherding, Lydia has been a volunteer with Fibershed since 2016 as Producer Outreach Coordinator, first with Three Rivers Fibershed affiliate in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, MN and now within Pacific Northwest Fibershed, working directly with fiber producers to educate, support, and facilitate the implementation of sustainable, Climate Beneficial regional fiber systems.

Thanks!
Carol Berry, Program Chair

Fibers and Beyond 2018

The WWG Annual Sale will take place on Saturday, October 13, at the Jansen Art Center, in Lynden, WA. All are encouraged to put on a warp for towels, runners, rugs, and more. Quality and style in woven, knitted, felted, and hand-dyed items were all in demand by an appreciative public in 2017. This is a fun and lively all-hands event, with volunteer and demonstration opportunities for every interest and skill level. Please view our acceptance criteria and entry form.

All entries for the Fibers and Beyond Sale should be delivered to the Jansen Art Center on Saturday, September 29 from 10am-2:00 pm to the Textile Studio located at the east door next to the picture window with the spinning wheel in it. If you cannot deliver your entry at this time,
please contact Marilyn Olsen ([email protected]) and we will
make other arrangements. Jury date for items to be included in the sale is September 29, so you still have time to enter and get your work ready.

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. Be sure to register soon, to guarantee your spot in the workshops.

We have a wonderful keynote and some great workshops lined up:
Wednesday, Oct. 10:

The Many Ways to be Warped with Sheri Ward and guild members
Ply-Splitting: Braid a Scarf with John Mullarkey
Tablet Weaving: All Warped Up with John Mullarkey
Keynote Address by John Mullarkey: Warping the Fabric of Time

Thursday, Oct. 11:

Tablet Weaving: Two Sided Delights with John Mullarkey

Friday, Oct. 12:

Eco-Printing: Contact Dyeing with Plants with Caryn Friedlander
Stained Glass Felted Shawl with Patti Barker

Saturday, Oct. 13:

Stitching on Eco-Dyed Fabric with Marilyn Olsen
Surface Design for the Weaver: Warp Painting with Liz Moncrief
Collage Nuno Felted Scarf with Patti Barker
The Joy of Weaving with Sheri Ward and guild members
And, of course, the guild sale on Saturday.

Many thanks to Sharon Allen and the Peg Templeton fund for underwriting the John Mullarkey workshops to help reduce the price.
At the June guild meeting, we’ll have bookmarks and posters for you to distribute to your friends.
In the meantime, keep creating your wonderful items for the exhibit and sale!

Join Whatcom Smart Trips on bus to the "J" to view the Fiber & Beyond Exhibit
Whatcom Smart Trips is hosting a guided bus trip on the city bus to Lynden to view the exhibit on Wednesday, September 12th. The group will meet at the Smart Trips office downtown at 314 E Champion St at 10:10am. From there, we'll walk 2 blocks to the Downtown Bellingham Station and catch a bus to start our trip. We'll arrive downtown Lynden at 11:24am. Participants can view the exhibit and buy lunch downtown if they like. The group will return to Bellingham by 2pm. The bus trip is free of charge but participants pay for their own lunch. WWG members are welcome to invite friends to come along.
Space is limited. Call Smart Trips at 360 756-8747 to reserve your spot or with questions.

Jansen Fall Textile Classes, from Sheri Ward

Exploring Overshot, Tuesdays, Sept. 4-25, 1-4 pm with Sheri Ward; $145 plus $15 materials fee
New to Spinning, Thursdays, Sept. 6 & 13, noon – 2 pm with Donna Starr; $50 plus $10 materials fee
Creative Clothing from Simple Shapes, Friday & Saturday, Sept. 7 & 8, 9 am – 4 pm, with Anita Mayer; $200 plus $30 materials fee
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
Classic Wicker Bowl, Saturday, Sept. 22, 10 am – 5 pm with Kay Harradine; $80 plus $30 materials fee
Designing and Weaving for Clothing, Saturdays, Sept. 22 – Oct. 6, 2-4 pm with Sheri Ward & Susan Clueit; $80
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

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].

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 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!

Rigid Heddle Weave along at Sharon Allen’s home
Inspiration from Sarah at Gist Fiber. Click here to read her newsletter and see the pattern.
We all agreed that warping together made it so much more fun...the cookies, Mary Oates lemon bars, and coffee were a plus! We will get together in September to check progress, troubleshoot any problems and watch a video on wet finishing. In October, get ready for our show and tell ️.
BTW, our group of 7 included 3 people who identify as beginners! They were very grateful for the support. I was overjoyed to see all of the people so excited to see their looms warped and ready to go.
If you’d like to join us, our next meet up will be at the home of Sharon Allen on Sunday September 23rd from 1 - 4pm.

Janet King – 3D Felting: Tips, Tricks and Techniques for Fabulous Art, by Whidbey WG
October 5-7, 2018  @ Camp Casey Conference Center, Lower Company Quarters F
Expand your artistic horizons by learning how to create hollow felt forms like bowls, pods and freeform sculptures. Then kick that up a notch by learning how to embed things like stones, glass and metal into your felt structure as well as creating protrusions like spikes, loops and cords. Add interesting yarns, locks and silk if you like. Experiment by layering your wool around resists that will later reveal areas which you can carve, bead or cut for intricate detail.
Class Limit: 16 Students
Price: The preliminary fee of $225 is based on 12 Students
Please note: Registration must be accompanied by a non refundable $75 deposit. By registering for a workshop please understand that you have made a financial commitment to the entire cost of the workshop. If you cancel and you are unable to find a replacement from either, first, the waiting list or, second, your own efforts you will still owe the Guild the remaining cost of the workshop. Fairly, as we only break-even on our workshops, this remaining amount should not be incurred by the other participants in the workshop.
Contact Jodi Welliver at [email protected] if interested!

Bio: Janet King was born and raised in the Northwest and taught public school for 20 years throughout the United States after graduating from Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana. After retiring from teaching, Janet began creating jewelry and felted art. She received a scholarship to the Pacific Northwest Art School in 2010. She moved to Idaho in late 2010 and in 2012 opened an Art Studio & School in Coeur d’ Alene. In 2013 the studio was relocated to her home on Lake Coeur d’ Alene. In early 2014, Janet and her husband made the leap and moved to Coupeville, Washington where she joined the Surface Design Association and the Whidbey Weavers Guild.

Announcements

Creative Clothing from Simple Shapes, Anita L. Mayer
September 7 - 8
Whatcom Weavers Guild and the Jansen Art Center Textile Group are excited to offer a two day workshop given by Anita Mayer on Friday and Saturday, 9/7 & 8, 2018, from 9am – 4pm. Class fee is $240 plus $30 lab fee. This is an opportunity to spend two wonderful days as she leads you through “Creative Clothing from Simple Shapes”. This comes in time to create a beautiful garment to wear for Fibers and Beyond Conference and Sale in October.
This workshop presents the methods for creating wearable, handwoven, contemporary garments constructed from simple shapes. The workshop includes the style of garment, fit, color choices, suggested weaving fibers, and pattern drafting along with methods of edge finishes, joining, linings, and embellishments including shisha mirrors, contemporary embroidery, cords and beading, and a joining stitch (faggotting) along with a crochet join. The instructor’s wardrobe of vests, kimonos, shawls and tops will be available for participants to examine and try on with time to copy patterns. These garments do not involve tailoring or sewing skills and are for “real women” of various sizes who want clothing that is stylish and comfortable.
For more information and to register please click here. You may also contact Joan Cunningham 360-733-8820 for additional information.

Countermarche Loom Seminar with Joanne Hall
Bellingham, WA, Friday and Saturday, October 5 & 6, 2018, 9 am – 4 pm, $125

Weavers with Countermarche looms love the ease of treadling and ergonomic comfort these looms provide. However, countermarche and counterbalance looms can have the reputation of being intimidating.
Beginning to advanced weavers, including those considering acquiring a countermarche loom, or setting up an inherited loom will benefit from this opportunity for hands-on learning with teacher, weaver and loom expert Joanne Hall. Three different countermarche looms will be warped and readied for weaving during the seminar.

Topics Included:

Understanding and getting the most from your Countermarche loom
Everything you wanted to know about warping but were afraid to try on your own.
Introducing the traditional Swedish weavers’ coffee break: “Fika”

Workshop Limited to 6 participants each day. Registration preference given for both days.
Cost: $125 – two days, $75 – one day (Friday or Saturday) Sunday cost arranged
Cost Includes “Fika” – traditional Swedish weavers coffee break.

To register or for more information contact Carol Berry, [email protected], (360)920-6152
Downloadable flyer, includes all information for both days of the Countermarche seminar.

ANWG Thoughts, from Liz Moncrief
Many thanks to all Whatcom Guild members for the Guild's membership in the Association of Northwest Weavers Guilds. If you don't know about ANWG, please ask Liz Moncrief, your Guild Representative. Being a member of the Whatcom Weavers Guild automatically entitles you to the benefits of ANWG, which include member registration to weavers conferences, held every two years. Our 2017 conference held in Victoria, BC was a huge success and may allow the ANWG board to issue financial grants again to the member guilds.

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.

2018 Dues Reminder
If you have not renewed your membership for 2018, it's not too late. You can send a check for $25, made out to Whatcom Weavers Guild, to WWG, PO Box 403, Bellingham, WA, 98227. We hope to see you soon!

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.

Wanted

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