September 2020 Newsletter

We Zoomed!  20 members participated in the Whatcom Weavers Guild first ever Zoom business meeting and show and tell, on August 22, 2020. We had a chance to catch up on Guild business, see each other's faces, and chat a bit!. As a silver lining to all this Coping with Covid, we got to see members who live far away, and wouldn’t be able to attend otherwise. We voted to continue having Zoom meetings on our regular meeting dates, and to invite guest artists to present remotely. 

Earlier in August the Muslin Mondays sewing skills group met via Zoom, for a program led by Susan Torntore on hand-stitched buttonholes. We watched a video, saw samples, and I, for one, learned a lot about making handsome and sturdy buttonholes in handwoven cloth. It has been reported that the new issue of Threads has a long article on handmade buttonholes, with lots of photos and step-by-step instructions!

I am thrilled with the Fall 2020 line-up of Programs and meetings! Be sure to save the dates on the Schedule below and look for the emails with the links to the Zoom meetings. We may continue with remote presentations in 2021 as well, it all depends. 

Daryl Lancaster, one of our favorite teachers and speakers, has created a power point training especially for Zoom participation in programs like hers. There will be a practice session scheduled the week before the September 19 program, so that we can all figure out Zoom and improve our skills, BEFORE she gives her talk. Daryl has traveled extensively for her teaching for many years, and thanks to Covid, she has been able to enjoy her home and garden every day this summer. Another silver lining. ​

And here it is, September. Eleven apples grew on the tiny tree we planted last fall, and they are now full size! They ripen in October, so you can expect a report on the taste testing in about a month. After all those years of getting ready for school in the Fall, this time of year my internal clock just feels ready to clear up some old stuff, renew, and start something new. I will be winding warps and dressing looms for the Guild Challenge(s), and starting to plan deflected double weave for cozy wool shawls. I have Harrisville Shetland and Highland, Borgs Tuna, Faro, and Mora, plus some colorful handspun yarns to experiment with. Looking forward to wet finishing to see what these different wool yarns will do. Of course, I must weave them first - but that’s the most fun part! 

I so hope you’ll be able to join in the remotely delivered meetings and programs this Fall. Electronic technology is not the same as hands-on, but we are always learning in our crafts. We can do this too!


Be safe, and keep your fiber dry (except when wet-finishing)!
​
​​​Carol Berry
2019-2020 WWG President

Announcements

Guild Library contents online

Dori Painter, the Guild’s librarian is pleased to announce that the entire library inventory can now be viewed online (click here to see the inventory). The magazines and other resources are now also being uploaded to the site.

Guild Library new check-out procedure

The majority of items in the Guild Library have been moved from St. James Church to Carol Berry’s Studio in Bellingham. Books, magazines and videos can be accessed two ways:
A book or video can be requested and Carol will pull the request, fill out the check-out card, and place the book in a bag on the enclosed porch to be picked up at a pre-arranged time. 
Guild members can make an appointment to view the collection in person and select items to check out. Studio visitors will be required to be Covid symptom free and wear a mask at all times while in the building.

The Guild Library is located about 1.7 miles from St. James Church, in Bellingham. There is a bathroom, with handwashing and hand sanitizer available, adjacent to the room where the books are kept. Appointments to access the Guild Library are available most days of the week, between 9 am and 4 pm. Contact Carol by email to make an appointment [email protected]. She will give you the address and a number to text or call before your arrival. 

For those who have checked out a book and haven’t been able to return it for the last 6 months, You can return your books now! Send an email to [email protected], with book return in the subject line. Carol will get back to you about dropping it off curbside at the Studio. A reminder message will be sent out soon to folks who have books checked out. ​

Education Mentoring Option

​The guild recognizes that this is an odd time in our history, and we miss our monthly exchange of information. To help with this, the mentoring program will try to answer some of the questions that members used to bring to our meetings. This could be answers to fixing a problem, or beginning a new skill. 
Email the question or problem to [email protected]. The education chair will then connect the mentor to the student. Depending on the question and participant comfort level, information & assistance could be available through email, phone calls messenger, facetime, or even a one on one with social distancing and masks.
Right now there are mentors for: warping and loom management, 8 shaft and 4 shaft weaving, tapestry, inkle, rag weaving, rigid heddle, sakiori, eco dyeing, natural dyeing, wet felting, drop spindle, kumihimo, and embellishments. 
I hope that this will add a little enjoyment your weaving days.
Mary Oates, Education Chair

Sheltering in Place

Looking for Weaving Ideas? Just ask!
By Barbara Young

Around the end of March I realized I was going to have a lot of weaving time and was running out of project ideas.  So I sent an e-mail to our family saying I’d like to weave for them, included photos of my stash shelves, and said I could make just about anything as long as it has straight edges and 90-degree corners, and I would use only what I have in the stash.  I got a great response!  

My brother and niece both requested towels and didn’t specify colors. I had just selected five colors of 8/2 cotton for a progressive stripe project so warped the loom for four towels. I wove two towels in waffle weave then changed the tie-up and did two in diamond twill, and they each got one of each.  

The next request was from my sister for a “circular, stretchy scarf” — that was a challenge but I came up with a tubular scarf using double weave in 20/2 cotton and an elastic yarn (Colcolastic), and made two for her.  

My sister-in-law asked for towels in dark red and a throw in turquoises.  I used a pattern I’ve been wanting to try from Carol Strickler’s “A Weaver’s Book of 8-Shaft Patterns” for the towels. The throw was fun — I pulled everything off the shelves that even hinted at turquoise, aqua, teal, etc., and wound them in random bunches, sometimes using up to three ends together depending on the weight.  It varies from a heavy “Manos del Uruguay” wool to cotton, cottolin, rayon, zephyr and some others.  It shrank a bit more than I had anticipated but still came out a usable size.  

After she received her towels, my niece suggested I try to replicate the family tartan, and she asked for a triangular scarf (what part of 90-degree corners didn’t she understand — good thing she’s a baker, not an engineer!).  When I researched the tartan I realized I didn’t have enough of the right colors to make a complete project so they became the accent motif on a white, square scarf (she can fold it to make her triangle!).

I’m currently trying to fill my cousin’s requests for towels and a table runner. She was very specific, including colors and the dimensions for the runner. She has made me realize how few pastels I have on my shelves, particularly in cotton.

I’ve been mailing off the projects as they are completed and now they are generating more requests — my brother loved his towels and asked for placemats, and my sister is thinking of a table runner and maybe valances for a couple of her windows.  
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The moral of this story is: If you’re running out of project ideas or feeling stuck in a rut, just ask a non-weaver. You’re sure to get a challenge!

from Joan Cunningham

When we chose one of Linda Rees’ wrappings I chose one for colors I like. I was surprised to find all the yarn I needed in my stash which was enough for two scarves. One 6”x64 and one 6”x84” and the fiber is mostly cotton with a little cottolin and synthetic fiber and an eight harness twill The wrapping on the right is Linda’s and the wrapping on the left is mine.

2020-2021 Guild Challenge(s)

Every year, the Challenge committee dreams up a fun challenge for our collective creativity! Last year’s Challenge yielded lovely results, based on founding member Linda Rees’s lifetime collection of yarn color wraps. It was fun just to see all of Linda’s color schemes, and choose what we liked, or what we thought would help us “push the envelope” creatively. The results included tapestries, towels, a tote bag, shawl, scarf, Inkle bands and more!
This year, we have several source ideas to challenge us, which can be pursued separately, or combined. 

Whatcom Weavers Guild 2021 Challenge Options

“World’s Best Handtowels - from VAV, the Swedish Weaving Magazine
This handtowel pattern is a reconstructed draft, based on handtowels woven at the “Hamsta Home” a care home for men with disabilities, in Timro, Sweden. The latest issue of VAV - available in the Guild Library, has an article about the origin of these towels and the author/designer’s personal connection. The project requires a four shaft loom, and is very suitable for a table loom or a floor loom. The project will be warped on the Guild Table Loom, and a narrow version, for mug rugs, will be warped on the Guild’s tiny “Structo” loom, which members can check out of the Library and take home for weaving. 

VAV magazine has generously provided us with a PDF of the project instructions and draft for these towels. (Link to PDF here) As designed, they are woven in 16/2 cotton, two threads to a heddle. They can also be woven in 8/2 cotton, or in 22/2 cottolin, one thread to a heddle. Bonus Detail: These towels are finished with a zig-zag stitch and a sweet little fringe - no hemming! 

“Bento Bag” - from Handwoven Magazine
Several members have made this type of bag, in a class at the Ragfinery. Very simple sewing! We had a little discussion about making a Bag as a Guild Challenge this year. And then there it was in the latest issue of Handwoven!  If you don’t subscribe, the magazine is available in the Guild Library. The project as shown in the magazine was woven on a rigid heddle loom. It could be any type of fabric of medium weight and drape. All it takes is a piece of medium weight cloth 3 times as long as it is wide.  A section of “World’s Best Hand Towel” fabric, from the VAV project, would work very well!

ANWG 2021 Conference Colors 
The “Worlds Best Hand Towels” as designed, call for a natural unbleached warp, and any colors you like for stripes in the weft. Bobbin buster!  OR - Use the ANWG conference colors for Fiesta stripes, and triple your challenge accomplishment. (Link to PDF of the ANWG Conference Colors)
Samples of the Bockens Cotton versions of the Conference colors, in 16/2 and 8/2 will be available at Carol’s Maple Street Weaving Studio.

Whatcom Guild Challenge Details
Start planning now to complete 1, 2, or all 3 parts of the 2021 Challenge. We will set up an online interest group, ask questions and chat about our progress. The Big Reveal, where we show off our results will be the May and/or June Meeting Show and Tell sessions.  We also share photos of Member Challenge projects in monthly newsletters, as they are completed and submitted.

If you would like assistance planning your project, ordering yarn or assessing the usability of yarn you have, measuring a warp, dressing a loom, or want to borrow a table loom, email [email protected], with WWG 2021 Challenge in the subject line.
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ANWG 2021 Challenges (from Susan Torntore)
Susan has information about the Conference Challenges for the ANWG 20121 Conference in Salem, OR, next summer! See the ANWG Notes below for details and links.

Guild Meetings and Programs – Fall 2020 – Online

September 14, Monday, 10 am - 11 am 
Will be a practice Zoom meeting, available to all members. 
For those who want to test their systems, and try out Zoom before Daryl’s talk.
Zoom Link for the practice session will be sent out via email September 12.


September 19 - Daryl Lancaster
Combining Warps and Structures for Wow! Yardage
Meeting starts at 10 am - break 11-11:15, 
Program starts 11:15am - 12:45pm. 
Zoom link and PDF will be sent the week before.


October 17 - Laverne Waddington,
Weaving on Small Looms in South America
Meeting starts at 10 am - break 11-11:15, 
Program starts 11:15am - 12:45pm. 
Zoom link and PDF will be sent the week before.


November 21 - Marilyn Romatka,
Ikat weaving in Uzbekistan
Meeting starts at 10 am - break 11-11:15, 
Program starts 11:15am - 12:45pm. 
Zoom link and PDF will be sent the week before.


December 19 - Zoom Business Meeting, Potluck, Show and Tell.
Bring snack and a beverage for one! 
Meeting starts at 10 am - break 11-11:15, 
Potluck and Show & Tell starts 11:15am - 12:30pm. 
Zoom link will be sent the week before.

Program News Flash !
Laverne Waddington has developed an online workshop, based on her work with South American weave structures and designs: Andean Pebble Weave Pickup, on inkle looms. Participants must have experience with plain weave inkle, but no pick-up experience required. Interested? Contact [email protected] for more information.

Study Groups, Fiber Show and Share Options

​An interesting project:  In cleaning up my weaving supplies, I came across some pretty bits of weaving that were too pretty to throw out so I made necklaces.  The weaving is a Birdseye pattern woven in tencel.  The “chain” was is a kumihimo braid. I came quite pleased with them.  A good way to say I’m a weaver.

Member Show & Share

Cathy Meyer has been busy, creating a soft, interactive book for her grand-daughter, Nina. This is just too adorable not to share with everyone, especially those of you who are sewists, quilters, and Grands!

“So, for the past several weeks I've been working pretty obsessively on a project.  It's for Nina, but truthfully, it's been so good for me.  I often work on things that are very precise, that require a lot of counting and pattern following, but this time I let myself work more freely.  This was good for my spirit.

“It's called a Quiet Book, but it's more of a floor toy.  It's pretty big.  Each page is almost 18" square.  I saw a group sew-along on FaceBook, based on different rooms in a house, but decided it would be more fun to do a nature adventure, since Nina loves to be outside, so I just kind of borrowed a few ideas from other people and then let my imagination fly.  The hardest part of all was making the doll.  That was a totally new kind of sewing for me.  Good thing this kind of doll is supposed to have wild hair.  I hope Nina has half as much fun with it as I did.”

Studio Photos
Nancy R. is creating a Weaving Studio from scratch! She has the looms, is more than eager to weave, and has asked members to send photos of their work spaces. (Sondra Rose used to refer to her weaving studio, AKA the dining room…) Below is Sharon Allen in her weaving room, a very conveniently arranged and efficient Bedroom-sized space. 

Upcoming Events / Classes at the Jansen Art Center

Until the state government issues a timeline for Phase 3, the studios there will be open only on a very limited basis with just 5 participants allowed in any studio at one time. We are checking with the J to see what the procedures for 5 participants (who are not in a class) are. We will update this newsletter when we know what these procedures will be. You can also visit Jansenartcenter.org for updates. 
At this time, the Textile Group is not offering any classes. So, all we can say at this time is a hopeful COMING SOON. When we can again be offering classes, these will include:

• Beginning Weaving with Sheri Ward
• Felted Slippers with Donna Hunter
• Color & Weave with Sheri Ward
• Beginning Spinning with Chris Paul
• Felting Workshops with Flora Carlisle-Kovács

Felting Workshops with Flóra Carlisle-Kovács, Oct. 12-16; Guild program on Oct. 17

We are excited that Flóra Carlisle-Kovács is returning to the Jansen Art Center to offer a three-day workshop on felted hats and two one-day workshops on Felted Flower Jewelry and Mosaic Scarf. Save these dates if you would like to participate! There will be a short time of restricted registration for guild members and members of the felting interest group. Stay tuned for details.

In addition, Flora will be offering the October guild program on Saturday, Oct. 17 at the Jansen Art Center. Flora plans to talk about how shrinkage works and how we can use the staple direction in order to shape a garment or object. Flora is also open to addressing other felting questions you may have.

Exhibits

Fiber Showcase 2020?
Guild members are invited to exhibit their textile creations this winter at the Fiber Showcase 2020. The show will be on exhibit during the months of December through February. It will be open to all guild members, Jansen students and instructors and members of the Jansen Textile Group. This exhibit will be similar to those we’ve had in the past few years, associated with Fibers and Beyond. Be thinking about what you might want to show off in this lovely exhibit venue and stay tuned for details.
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​WWG Website Gallery section
The Whatcom Weavers Guild Website has a new Gallery section! Go to www.whatcomweaversguild.org, click on the Gallery header, furthest to the right. Founding and Legacy member Linda Rees is the first to be featured, with a brief Bio, Linda’s explanation of her lifetime of work with color in weaving, and an extensive slideshow of her tapestries. The slides are arranged chronologically, and include full photos, and details of many pieces. This is just a selection of Linda’s many, many woven tapestries over her 50-year weaving career!
 
Call For Artists
Whatcom Weavers Guild would like to feature the work of more Artists in the Gallery Section. All guild members are eligible to submit work in any fiber-related media to be featured in this ongoing virtual Gallery. Requirements include: a short Bio and statement about your work and inspiration, clear slides of your artwork. 5-10 slides is a minimum recommended number, but more images can be accommodated on the website. The Gallery section can also show the work of an interest Group, or group project, such as the Felting Group, Dye Group, or Knitting, to name a few. We love to see each other’s work, and share our fiber artistry with the world! Contact [email protected], with Gallery in the subject line for submission details.

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How to submit to the newsletter

Have something to add to the newsletter?
​
Whatcom Weavers Guild Newsletter welcomes news about textile related activities.  We do not accept commercial advertisements of goods or services.
Please e-mail your submission to:  [email protected].
Your submission should include: title of event (e.g Eco Dyeing Workshop), name of Instructor or group leader (e.g. Donna Hunter), and location, time and cost (if any).  It may also be helpful to give directions to the location.
If you are including any photos, they must be attached to the e-mail and be in JPG format. (Do not embed the photo in the email.)
Deadline for submissions is the 25th of the previous month.  (e.g. deadline for March would be February 25).
We do not charge for listing sale of weaving or spinning equipment.  Please see the listing in this issue for an example.  Your ad will run for 60 days. ​

Activities and Schedules of other Organizations

Due to the uncertainty around us regarding how and when organizations may again begin meeting and/or holding events, we are not able to provide updated information. Below is contact information for many of these groups in our area.

Olympiaweaversguild.org
Whidbeyweaversguild.org
Liz Moncrief, www.aweaversway.com
Skagitcountyweaversguild.org
Spindrifters: Contact Kelley Dragon ([email protected]) 

News From ANWG
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​The Association of Northwest Weavers Guilds (ANWG) is located in the Pacific Northwest and Western Canada including Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, Alaska, Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories and the Yukon.  ANWG provides services and support that might not be available to the individual guilds such as a classifieds ads site for members.  Your membership in the Whatcom Weavers Guild includes full access to ANWG.
 
The ANWG newsletter address is:  [email protected]
 
Susan Torntore is the guild’s voting  representative to the ANWG board. Questions about ANWG?  Contact Susan [email protected].
 
Fiber Connections,  the 2021 ANWG Conference will be held at Willamette University, Salem, OR, June 7-12.  Workshops will be held Monday-Thursday, seminars will be on Friday and Saturday.  Check the conference website for more information.
 
Open and Juried Show Exhibits include a runway show and a towel exchange.  Calls, entry criteria forms and deadlines can be found here.

The Conference Colors Exhibit offers attendees to create a space where they can present items in the conference colors including towels, garments, yardage and other items.  For further information visit this page.
 
Towel Exchange:  Stay tuned for More information about this popular activity.  

STUDY GROUP OPPORTUNITY—Weaving Challenge ANWG Noh Coat
ANWG Conference 2021 in Salem OR

The ANWG challenge is based on the work of American fashion designer Bonnie Cashin. The Noh Coat was one of her iconic designs from 1950s-1970s, and Threads Magazine generously provided a pattern for the challenge (Oct/Nov 1990 No.31).

This study group will:
Provide the Threads article and coat pattern
Learn the designer’s inspiration and philosophy for this the garment
Explore the innovative handwoven fabrics that Cashin used in her designs
Sample some of Cashin’s and other fabric structures to design our own coat fabric
Make a full size pattern and muslin/fabric coat samples that fit us
Explore methods of binding our coat fabric, even making our own handwoven binding

If you are interested in joining a ZOOM STUDY GROUP for this challenge, beginning in September, email Susan Torntore ([email protected]).

Get ANWG Challenge info here. ​

In Memoriam

​This has been a hard summer, in many ways. Not the least is the passing of Guild members spouses. Many of us remember these supportive cheerful men, who praised our work, hauled our equipment, built us "things" to make our fiber lives easier.  We loved you guys, and you are missed!

The members whose spouses have passed this summer are:
Barbara Snow, Jim
Sheri Ward, Frank
Marilyn Monahan, Bob
Karen Perry, Dan

Classified Ads

FOR SALE
Schacht Tension Box – Used with the sectional warp beam, the Schacht Tension Box features a mounting bracket that adjusts to fit all Schacht looms: Wolf, Standard or Cranbrook. It would be compatible with other floor looms as well. Features include: two-sided sturdy construction with a reed at the back, an adjustable tension knob, a heddle to make the cross and a swiveling reed at the front to adjust the feeding width of the warp. Like new; never used. $220 (Current online price is $340).
Contact Kelley Dragon, [email protected]

FOR SALE
Shaw Island Fleece Company wood floor loom. $400 (open to negotiation). 48” x 48”. 4 harnesses, t treadle, sectional beam. Warping wheel is included. The loom is near a doorway for easy viewing and social distancing will be respected. 
Beautiful white tapestry yarn for sale: Very large skeins going for $4.50 each, a quantity of 10 pounds total enough for a big project.
Contact: Denise Snyder, [email protected]. ​

4-Shaft Cherry Norwood Floor Loom - My friend, Cathy Markham is selling this beautiful, lightly used 4-shaft, cherry Norwood floor loom.  It has a 40” weaving width (49” overall width) and a sectional beam.  She acquired the loom in 1982 and wove on it for about 5 years. Afterwards it traveled with her and was set up as a beloved piece of furniture. Her job required a lot of traveling and she turned to other fiber arts that were more portable; knitting, needle work, quilting and rug hooking. She has downsized, has no room to set up the loom and realized that it needs a new home. She is selling it with the original matching cherry bench that opens for storage, many extra metal heddles, 4 reeds (6, 8, 10 and 12 dent), a Harrisville Designs wooden bobbin winder, 4 boat shuttles with extra bobbins 2 ski shuttles, other miscellaneous weaving tools, a few weaving books and a handmade sectional warping board. See attached photos. The loom has been well cared for and is in excellent condition.  Asking $950 or best offer.  Please contact Cathy Markham for any questions about the loom - 360-722-4267, [email protected]. The loom is currently set up in my studio on Camano Island - a drive-on island north of Seattle. Questions regarding pick up or transport should be directed to me, Sandra Swarbrick, [email protected].

Leclerc 8 shaft table loom. Free to good home, or long term loan. New aprons. 10 dent reed. 20 inch weaving width. Outside loom dimensions 30 inches wide, 26 inches deep, 22 inches high. Recently used for deflected double weave. Heavy, does not move when you beat. Located in Bellingham. 
Contact Carol Berry, [email protected]

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