Edmonton Weavers’ Guild News

Weaving as an Art Form: From Ancient Myth to Modern Day Morocco – December 3, 2018

EWG member and instructor, Kim McCollum provided an insightful and stimulating presentation on her recent trip to Morocco, artist Anni Albers, and Kim’s own approach to weaving. This was the second lecture in the “Master Wannabees” series open to all EWG members.

Kim showcased the weavers that she met in Morocco and described their inventiveness in making looms and their weaving tools, their teamwork, and the symbols and communication in their weaving. A beautiful example of symbolism was the Moroccan weaver calling the warping mill the heart of weaving – good weaving starts with a strong heart (a good warp).

Kim scheduled her travel to Morocco to be able to experience Anni Albers’ retrospective exhibition Weaving Magic at the Tate Modern in London. Anni Albers’ combination of the “ancient craft of handweaving with the language of modern art” has inspired Kim in her current MFA studies which explore new intersections between weaving and abstract painting.

Thank you Kim for an amazing presentation that touched on history, culture, and philosophy of weaving, and your push to continue its evolution.

General Meeting – Saturday, November 24, 2018

Members enjoyed Christmas baking, information and an inspirational Show and Tell.

Annual Sale

• Thanks to all the volunteers for the success of the sale.  Paid attendance was up 14% over last year. A special thanks to Shannon in charge of Publicity, and Mary Lou for compiling the sales statistics.  The 2018 sale statistics are posted on the Members page.
• A number of suggestions were made to improve next year’s sale.  Volunteers are invited to join a committee to work on these.
• The Standards Committee congratulated members on all the beautiful and inspiring creations that were submitted for the sale.

Remembering Betty Takahashi

• Earlier this year, EWG lost long-time member Betty Takahashi,  Her family donated her large stash of yarns for EWG members to use and enjoy.
• Members who knew Betty shared memories of her many talents not only as a weaver, knitter and sewer, but as a maker of delicious soup, a silversmith and adjudicator of Irish Dance.

VP Needed

• The EWG needs a Vice President. Please consider volunteering for this position.

Next Meeting

• February 23, 2019 at 10:00 a.m., featuring The Fibre Nook.

Show and Tell

• Our talented members showcased their weaving, knitting, felting, and spinning, including a drop spindle made with a paint brush, and red felted boots! Here are is a small sample of what was shared at the meeting.

Nuno Felted Scarf Class – Saturday, November 17, 2018

Participants had a fun and productive day with Carolyn Agopsowicz learning to make nuno felted scarfs. Amazing creations!

EWG has other felting, spinning and weaving classes and workshops. Check our Classes and Workshops page.

Annual Sale – Saturday, November 3, 2018

A big thank you to the community and EWG members for supporting our sale!

Fibre to Felt Study Group October 16, 2018

Members of the Fibre To Felt Study Group have a “show and tell” of recently completed felt textiles, some of which will be available for purchase at our annual sale.

Judy’s landscape                          Natalia’s hat and gloves                          Vicky’s scarf                                      Carole’s bag

Everything a Weaver Needs to Know About Yarn (but is afraid to ask)

EWG members benefited from the knowledge of Master Spinner, Jen Black, in a presentation on October 15, 2018 on Everything a Weaver Needs to Know About Yarn.  This session is the first of four, organized by the Master Wannabees Study Group and open to all EWG members.

Sandra, Master Wannabees Study Group Leader welcomed Jen.  Jen introduced the basics of how yarn is constructed.  She demonstrated spinning a long fibre – silk, a short fibre – cotton, and wool.  The participants learned that the amount of twist in a yarn is dependent upon the fibre’s characteristics.  A long fibre like silk needs less twist than a short fibre like cotton.  She had many samples to illustrate.  Jen stressed the importance of weavers understanding the characteristics of the fibre they wish to weave.  She answered a list of questions generated by the Master Wannabees and took questions from participants.  An informative evening. Thanks Jen!

Alberta Culture Days September 29, 2018

EWG members demonstrated carding, spinning and weaving at a Sheep to Throw Demonstration held at the Alberta Craft Council as part of Alberta Culture Days. Below is a photo of the throw woven that day.  See more photos on our 65th Anniversary web page.

General Meeting September 18, 2018

Members were welcomed back with a lively meeting with inspiring work.

65th Anniversary

• Sheep to Throw Demonstration at Alberta Craft Council on Saturday, September 29.
• Paint Chip Challenge.  Members are challenged to create a fibrework in colours from a randomly selected paint chip.
• Spring Juried Show celebrating EWG skill and creativity at the Alberta Craft Council.
• For more information contact Publicity@edmontonweavers.org

Melissa Arnold Workshop

Elizabeth, Joan and Gillian brought their fabulous Shibori Felted Wraps created in the September workshop.

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Ondule Weaving

• Kathy wowed us with a number of handwoven products using EWG’s new fan reed.
• She recommended reading the book Ondule Textiles – one of the many publications that members can borrow from the EWG library.
• Members can also borrow the fan reed with a deposit. Please contact weaverentals@edmontonweavers.org.

Blanket and Afghan Weaves Course

• Diane K brought in a rya rug and mohair blanket that she wove over the summer.
• She wove the blanket as an example of what can be learned in her upcoming course.
• Make your own blanket! You can learn 4 and 8-shaft weaves suitable for blankets in Diane’s Blanket and Afghan Weaves course.

Show and Tell

• Among the benefits of membership is being able to use Guild looms. Gillian’s wool rug was completed on the rug loom at the Guild. Her beautiful wool/silk turned twill shawl was completed on Get Sett’s new 8-shaft Ashford table loom.

• Barbara’s 2-18 wool/silk (Zephyr) dress woven in a spot Bronson.

• Diane’s Blanket and Afghan Weaves course starts on November 4.
• Check it out on our Courses and Workshops page.

After socializing over a delicious potluck dinner, and the business meeting, the Juniors Study Group shared their fibre creations from the last year, and Members  told stories of their early fibre creations from wall hangings, knitted self-portrait dolls, weaving, felting and quilting. Click on the pictures to enlarge them.

Posted May 15, 2018

The Edmonton Weavers’ Guild sponsored two prizes in the FFAA Competition “Climate Change”.

The Felting category was won by Juanita Sauve from Ottawa for her piece Wildfires; A Terrible Beauty

It was wet felted roving and sari silk on art felt
paper with needle felting, hand stitching and angelina fibres. Mounted on altered gallery canvas.

Dimensions – 45 cm w and 35 cm h.  Completed February 2018.

The Tapestry Weaving category was won by Vladimira Fillion-Wackenre from Surrey, for Split Custody

It is a 10.5” x 8”, woven tapestry, framed with cotton warp set at 13 EPi, and weft of wool and cotton and completed in 2016

Posted May 11, 2018

Feltscape, the Spring Flowers Edition was a great weekend workshop. Students picked their favourite posies to recreate in felt. We spent the first day picking flowers, colours and design. Our pieces were pressed, albeit still wet, and ready to go for the following day. Mary Wilton lead us to our machines on day two. Mary shared her expert machine embroidery techniques. Some students preferred the hand-stitched versions, but you can see they all made beautiful pictures, putting us in the mood for Spring!

Posted April 7, 2018

To celebrate EWG’s 65th Anniversary, for the May Annual General Meeting (AGM),   members are asked to bring one of the first fibre creations (whether you started creating in the 1950s or just last year), so that we have can see the evolution of our members’ fibre work over the decades. Members are also asked to bring their creation from last year’s AGM stash exchange challenge

Members were reminded to record their volunteer hours in the binder in the library.

May to October 2018 opportunities for members to demonstrate their fibre arts skills for the Guild are posted on the Demonstrations page. If you can volunteer or have questions, please contact demos@edmontonweavers.org

Members showcased a woven jacket and shawl, and a funky felted hat.

Posted March 28, 2018

EWG members recently benefitted from the exceptional knowledge and teaching skills of Ontario weaver, Jette Vandermeiden. She was hosted by Focus on Fibre Arts Association (FFAA) to provide a public lecture and two weaving workshops, March 20 to 25, 2018. EWG is a member of FFAA.

In her public evening lecture, Jette presented “Canadian, Eh?”, an informative and entertaining travelogue of the history and diversity of textiles in Canada. Jette began on the West Coast with Chilkat blankets, and continued across the country. She included Catalogne weavings from Quebec, Pangnirtung tapestries from the Arctic, and so much more.

Over 3 days, Jette shared her knowledge of weave theory and structure and cloth design of block weaves using profile drafts. Participants experimented with 8 different block weaves on 4 and 8 shaft looms. Pictured are the participants’ samples of “Quigley, broken twill”, an 8 shaft, 4 block, 4-tied weave.

In the 2-day “Confessions of a Crackle Addict” workshop, participants learned the theory and structure of crackle weave, and experimented to see what cloth was created when it was treadled as Bronson, Summer and Winter, twill, and many other ways. Magic!

A big thank you to FFAA and Arlene Tomnuk for bringing Jette to Edmonton.

Posted December 6, 2017

At the Master Wannabees Study Group, Diane K.  guided members through the requirements for the Guild of Canadian Weavers basic requirements for the Summer and Winter weave structure on 4-shafts.  She covered theory, and assisted weavers in the design of their thread-by-thread and profile drafts.  Members completed their two-block drafts and warped their 4-shaft table looms at home.  Two additional evenings were spent at the Guild under Diane’s guidance, experimenting with different wefts and the three methods of treadling.  Thank you Diane for sharing your expertise and for your excellent instruction!

Posted December 3, 2017

We had two fully booked classes for our children’s weaving class this year. Each participant wove a scarf (or cowl) about 30 inches long by 7 inches wide on our Dorothy looms. Our children ranged in age from 6 to 13 and every one of them did a great job!

For our second project, they wove 3-dimensional paper stars (snowflakes) that could be hung as decorations in a window or on a Christmas tree. Many were so proficient that they even made two!

Posted November 27, 2017

The November 26, 2017 General Meeting featured a report on the Annual Sale, a discussion on courses and workshops, “Show and Tell”, and socializing over baked treats.  New courses and workshops are being posted regularly. Members showcased felted boxes, a felted landscape, a tencel scarf woven on the Guild’s 12-shaft loom, a colourful band woven on an inkle loom, and knitting with handspun yarn.

Posted November 19, 2017

Their next conference is July 6 – 12, 2018 in Reno, Nevada.  Online registration will open November 29, 2017.  Please check their website for information on sessions, special events, tours and more.

The Convergence® Delegate Registration Book will be an insert in the next issue of Shuttle Spindle & Dyepot magazine and is available for download now.  The Edmonton Weavers’ Guild is a member guild of HGA.

Posted November 5, 2017

Posted September 14, 2017

Members were welcomed back.  The summer was busy with 24 members demonstrating spinning, weaving, and felting at 7 events.  New members have joined bringing our membership up to 135.

As this is the last general meeting before the November 4th Annual Sale, members were reminded about important dates for standards submission that were noted in the newsletter.  Standards for sale items can be found in Forms and Documents section in the Members area of the website.

The “Show and Tell” featured a felted jacked, tencel scarfs woven in 8-shafts in a Bronson Dogwood Lace (thanks to Mary Lou for allowing Get Sett weavers to tie on to her warp), a bamboo and cotton scarf woven with 12-shafts in autumn shades, and some amazing knitted socks!

Posted September 7, 2017

FibreNook – see them at 9864 – 63 Avenue        780-756-8077

https://www.thefibrenook.com

Posted August 16, 2017

On August 13, 2017, Guild members had a peaceful day spinning and felting at Mission Hill Day at Father Lacombe Chapel in St Albert.

Tammi, Katherin and Brenda demonstrated spinning on wheels and drop spindles. Vicki was felting hearts and stars in cookie cutters (clever lady) for visitors to try their own hand.

You can experience the fun of sharing your fibre arts skills by volunteering.  Members with skills at any level are welcome. This is a great way to meet and mingle with fellow members, and meet new friends. If you are not able to volunteer but would like to stop by, bring a drop spindle and come along!

See events and dates where we need your help on the Demonstrations page.

We made friends with the Michif Cultural Connections who were wearing, weaving and braiding ceintures fléchées. We shared with the St Albert Quilters who were hand stitching beautiful appliques and Julian entertained us with his cello and even played Metallica for us!

Brenda Foster  

Posted July 27, 2017

If you are interested in teaching a class on dyeing warp or weft, particularly with procion dyes, please email classes@edmontonweavers.org.

Posted July 18, 2017

Read about the connection between Edmonton weavers and a women’s weaving cooperative in Guatemala by clicking on this link http://mailchi.mp/changeforchildren/weaving-bonds-in-guatemala-1932397?e=9c60dd1f3b

Posted June 26, 2017

Focus on Fibre Arts Association (FFAA) and its member guilds are part of The Works Art and Design Festival in downtown Edmonton.  EWG volunteers demonstrated felting, spinning and weaving on June 23, 24, 25 and 26. Enjoy the fibre arts exhibit and chat with volunteer demonstrators at Site 3, the Vignettes Building (formerly the location of the Reuse Centre) at 10016 – 103A Avenue.

Posted June 5, 2017

President Brenda Foster presented Carole Dodd with an Honorary Membership to the Edmonton Weavers’ Guild in recognition for her years of service. Carole has been a member for 20 years and held several positions including webmaster as well as often volunteering for demonstrations, starting up the children’s class of “Weave a Gift for Christmas”, and organizing several of the annual sales.  A well deserved recognition for a long-time hard working member! Carole – A big thank you for your leadership and support to EWG!

The Juniors Study Group wowed us with their many projects completed over the past year including felting, rag rugs, and a tapestry hanging.  Treasurer Mary-Lou Hogg got into the Canada 150 spirit with her “shawl” and bag ensemble.  The meeting including a Canadian History Fun Fibre Facts quiz and a “stash exchange”.  Stash participants were challenged to be inspired by their new stash items and to complete a project for the November general meeting.

Posted June 3, 2017

EWG member and instructor, Kim McCollum has opened Okapi Weaving. Their “mission is to inspire the creation of textile art by providing the modern weaver with access to unique, beautiful, high quality weaving supplies.”  You can order online at www.okapiweaving.com or by contacting kmccollum@okapiweaving.comor (780)278-7660 to make an appointment to shop in person at their Griesbach location.

Posted May 28, 2017

Join us for our potluck Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Wednesday, May 31st at 6:00 p.m., upstairs at our Guild home in Strathcona.  Two budget documents are now posted in the Members Area of the website under Forms/Documents.

• This year’s theme is Canada 150 — so wear your red and white Canada day outfit!
• Activities include a Stash Swap.  Please bring an item or two from your stash of the quality that you would like to receive.  The item will go to a fellow member and will be the inspiration for our Stash Challenge.  More details will be presented at the AGM.  Inspirational stash items can include yarn, fibre, felt, or something like buttons that can be incorporated into a spun, woven or felted item.
• Don’t forget your “dish” to share at our potluck, as well as your own placemat, napkin, plate, cup and utensils, and if you have a new creation for “show and tell”.

See you Wednesday evening, May 31st.

Highlight of General Meetings is Show and Tell where members inspire each other with their recent creations.  Some examples from the April 8th General Meeting which included the results of the March 26th Nuno Felted Scarf class.

Nuno Felted Scarf Class

Posted March 2017

Participants had fun making colourful nuno felted scarfs at a Guild class on Sunday March 26, 2017.  Nuno Felted Scarf is offered again on April 30th.  You can make a Felted Purse on April 28th, or learn Advanced Wet Felting on May 7th.  Check out the Classes webpage as new courses are posted regularly.