Here's a listing of past programs you may have missed!
INKLE WEAVING WITH PICK-UP (and a little "Inkling Around") with Carol Purdy and Friends
November 16, 2013 - Our November guild meeting's program will include a general overview of some basics of inkle weaving along with a special focus on pick-up techniques. Members are encouraged to bring their own inkle creations to share for show and tell, to help us illustrate the endless variety of patterns and products we can weave on this simple loom!
We will extend our time after the meeting is over. Pack a lunch and come prepared to inkle! You will have the opportunity to practice warping, weaving, and pickup on an inkle loom. Bring your inkle looms from home, either pre-warped or empty. We can help you warp your loom, please bring your favorite yarns to create the pattern you desire. 5/2 cotton or rug yarn work very well, or any smooth, strong fiber.
We will extend our time after the meeting is over. Pack a lunch and come prepared to inkle! You will have the opportunity to practice warping, weaving, and pickup on an inkle loom. Bring your inkle looms from home, either pre-warped or empty. We can help you warp your loom, please bring your favorite yarns to create the pattern you desire. 5/2 cotton or rug yarn work very well, or any smooth, strong fiber.
Towel Exchange!
November 16, 2013 - Bring your handwoven towel for the towel exchange during the meeting. If you bring a towel, you will take home a towel. If you don't bring a towel, you will still get a chance to see all the beautiful towels to inspire you next time!</body
Western Ukraine and Ural Mountain Weaving with Nina Suntzeff
October 19, 2013 - In 1991 and subsequently each year during the 1990s, I went to visit family in Western Ukraine where the textile traditions were still very strong. I made friends among a number of artists in my family's city, and we traveled to the Carpathian mountains numerous times. I also visited other parts of western Ukraine, especially villages that were known for their textile traditions. I was able to buy handwoven and hand embroidered textiles and traditional clothing in many villages. I have also bought from collectors and so my trove of textiles is pretty large. I'd like to share some of them with the weaving guild and talk about some of the symbology and of course, the traditions.
Mayan Weaving Sale
October 19, 2013 - ALSO at the October meeting
All over the world, Mayan weavers are recognized as talented textile artists, but most of them live in conditions of extreme poverty. Mayan Hands’ mission is to assist these women in their quest to rise from poverty. Working with fair trade, the women can count on a modest and regular income. With an income, they feed their families better, send their children to school, improve their homes and even save a little. By selling their handwoven textiles at a fair price, the women are gaining control over their lives.
Come to the October meeting and do some early Christmas shopping! To find out more, check out the Mayan Hands website www.mayanhands.org
All over the world, Mayan weavers are recognized as talented textile artists, but most of them live in conditions of extreme poverty. Mayan Hands’ mission is to assist these women in their quest to rise from poverty. Working with fair trade, the women can count on a modest and regular income. With an income, they feed their families better, send their children to school, improve their homes and even save a little. By selling their handwoven textiles at a fair price, the women are gaining control over their lives.
Come to the October meeting and do some early Christmas shopping! To find out more, check out the Mayan Hands website www.mayanhands.org
WEAVING SOFTWARE-THANK HEAVENS! with Linda Adamson
September 21, 2013 -Remember when software became available for weavers? Those of us who were fighting learning the computer first said "Oh no, not another program!" Then computer usage became easier (thank you, Steve Jobs and Bill Gates) and (Drumroll Please!) we could actually create designs of our own and see the results ahead of time.
The question for me, as for many others, is not whether to use weaving software but which program is the best. Joining me to delve into this question are Mary Alice Donceel, Tina Hilton, Anne Reaves and JoAnne Tuffnell. We will each talk about our software programs and share with you some pros and cons of five different programs. This will be followed by a hands-on time at different stations, so that you may get a feel for each one and try it for yourself. You can enhance this opportunity by bringing a list with you of what you want a software program to do. So write down those questions and come ready to try them all.
The question for me, as for many others, is not whether to use weaving software but which program is the best. Joining me to delve into this question are Mary Alice Donceel, Tina Hilton, Anne Reaves and JoAnne Tuffnell. We will each talk about our software programs and share with you some pros and cons of five different programs. This will be followed by a hands-on time at different stations, so that you may get a feel for each one and try it for yourself. You can enhance this opportunity by bringing a list with you of what you want a software program to do. So write down those questions and come ready to try them all.
Doubleweave Pleats with guest speaker Sara Nordling
August 17, 2013 - Sara has a BFA and MFA in textiles. Some of her accomplishments include: teaching at Contemporary Handweavers of Texas Conference, publishing articles on weaving in Handwoven and Complex Weaver's Journal, and showing her work at area and national fine craft and textile shows. Sara says she is a weaving addict because there is always something new to learn and be curious about.
Sara Nordling’s current exploration is on double weave pleats and she will be giving a talk on her process at the August meeting. This work is a continuation of her MFA thesis work. Double weave pleats are a variation of double weave and can be done on as few as 4 shafts. A double back beam is required though (or an improvised one) as one set of warp threads is significantly longer than the other. Sara finds excitement in the surface design possibilities afforded by various ways the dimensional pleats can be arranged in weaving. The very tactile and sensual quality of the surface of these woven works emphasize what drew Sara to weaving to begin with, the desire to touch and enjoy woven cloth. To see more of Sara’s work, please visit her website: www.saranordling.com
Sara Nordling’s current exploration is on double weave pleats and she will be giving a talk on her process at the August meeting. This work is a continuation of her MFA thesis work. Double weave pleats are a variation of double weave and can be done on as few as 4 shafts. A double back beam is required though (or an improvised one) as one set of warp threads is significantly longer than the other. Sara finds excitement in the surface design possibilities afforded by various ways the dimensional pleats can be arranged in weaving. The very tactile and sensual quality of the surface of these woven works emphasize what drew Sara to weaving to begin with, the desire to touch and enjoy woven cloth. To see more of Sara’s work, please visit her website: www.saranordling.com
Diversified Plain Weave with Mary Alice Donceel and Donna Hudson
July 20, 2013 - Occasionally you come across a weave structure identified in a book or magazine that you really don’t know anything about. That is just what Diversified Plain Weave (DPW) was to Mary Alice Donceel and Donna Hudson. They researched all they could find out about the structure and still had unanswered questions, so they started weaving samples of their own.
A very versatile structure that is completely reversible, DPW is a Thick and Thin structure that allows for allover fabric designs or complex block weaves without having to worry about long floats. Come to the July meeting to hear what Mary Alice and Donna have uncovered about the structure, and let them peak your interests to discover the vast range of possibilities Diversified Plain Weave can offer you.
A very versatile structure that is completely reversible, DPW is a Thick and Thin structure that allows for allover fabric designs or complex block weaves without having to worry about long floats. Come to the July meeting to hear what Mary Alice and Donna have uncovered about the structure, and let them peak your interests to discover the vast range of possibilities Diversified Plain Weave can offer you.
Sewing with Handwoven Fabric with Cindy Wilson
June 15, 2013 - Handwoven fabric can create some beautiful clothing and unusual and artistic wearable art. We will learn some techniques for sewing with handwoven fabric and discuss the various fibers that might be good for weaving fabric. If you have experience in sewing but are hesitant to use that skill on your handwoven fabric, I hope that this session will help. If you have woven fabric that you would like to sew, feel free to bring it along, and if you have clothing you have already sewn, bring that also to share your experience in handling it.
SHAKER WEAVING with Kris Seel and Alice Burr
May 18, 2013 - The Shakers are known for their fine weaving, using especially even and finely handspun wool, linen, cotton and silk fibers.
The unique weaving contributed by the Shakers were the S twist versus the Z twist weft stripes, plain weave in fine threads, especially silk, where a different color warp versus weft created either subtle color shading or iridescence and the dogwood overshot, used only at Pleasant Hill. We will share the history and show some examples of this weaving.
The unique weaving contributed by the Shakers were the S twist versus the Z twist weft stripes, plain weave in fine threads, especially silk, where a different color warp versus weft created either subtle color shading or iridescence and the dogwood overshot, used only at Pleasant Hill. We will share the history and show some examples of this weaving.
BLOCK WEAVE VIDEO
April 20, 2013 - The April meeting will be a showing of video by Madelyn van der Hoogt explaining block weaves.
For a preview of the video, take a look at this YouTube video.
From the video: "When you understand block weaves, you hold the key to a world of exciting weaving possibilities. In this video, former Handwoven editor and owner of The Weavers School, Madelyn van der Hoogt shows how block patterns work, how to read and weave block drafts, and how you can use blocks to create an infinite number of designs by combining color, pattern, and weave structure. You'll learn to plan a block design to work with your loom, how to weave block designs in summer and winter, turned twill, warp rep, lace, and many other block weaves, and tips to ensure that your patterns will come out perfectly. The projects on this DVD will help you to understand the theory of block weaves and to satisfy your weaver's soul by creating spectacular fabric."
For a preview of the video, take a look at this YouTube video.
From the video: "When you understand block weaves, you hold the key to a world of exciting weaving possibilities. In this video, former Handwoven editor and owner of The Weavers School, Madelyn van der Hoogt shows how block patterns work, how to read and weave block drafts, and how you can use blocks to create an infinite number of designs by combining color, pattern, and weave structure. You'll learn to plan a block design to work with your loom, how to weave block designs in summer and winter, turned twill, warp rep, lace, and many other block weaves, and tips to ensure that your patterns will come out perfectly. The projects on this DVD will help you to understand the theory of block weaves and to satisfy your weaver's soul by creating spectacular fabric."
TURNED TAQUETE with Peggy Siders
March 16, 2013 - The March program is about Turned Taquete. I discovered this technique when I bought a pattern from Webs and made a scarf for the Aurora Borealis challenge. I loved the way the wave undulated down the scarf. Even though I put on enough warp for two scarves, by the time I got them woven off, I still had no idea what turned taquete was or how it worked. So the next time I used the pattern I decided to pay more attention and try to figure out just how turned taquete worked.
But first I had to explore Taquete. And then I had to explore summer and winter. And along the way I learned about unit weaves too. I will share what I have learned with you and will have lots of examples and information to see. Hope to see you at the meeting in March!
But first I had to explore Taquete. And then I had to explore summer and winter. And along the way I learned about unit weaves too. I will share what I have learned with you and will have lots of examples and information to see. Hope to see you at the meeting in March!
MEDIEVAL THREE-HARNESS LINEN WEAVING with Anne Reaves
February 16, 2103 - Be prepared for lots of images of several types of medieval looms, fabric (made with three-harness plus many more harness looms), and details of this unusual form of weaving, different than more recent three-harness techniques. What? You've never used a glass paperweight to finish your fabric?! Hear more about it.
10-year Anniversary Brunch!
January 19, 2013 - We will have brunch served by the board members. We have a great canvas tote bag (large) for sale with our logo embroidered on it (outside pockets) for $25. Optional Initials are $2 extra.