Children “Weave a Gift for Christmas”
Posted December 5, 2022
Prairie Interlace – An Exhibition of Textile-based Art Includes EWG Member Pirkko Karvonen
Updated September 26, 2022
Prairie Interlace Weaving, Moderisms and the Expanded Frame
University of Calgary Nickle Galleries
September 9 – December 17, 2022
Prairie Interlace is an ambitious travelling exhibition that examines the explosion of innovative textile-based art on the Canadian Prairies between 1960-2000.
The 48 artists featured challenged traditional approaches to weaving, and embraced new techniques, materials, form and scale. Among those innovators is EWG member Pirkko Karnoven, who immigrated from Finland and is inspired by the colours and textures of the prairie landscape.
Information is available on their website at prairieinterlace.ca.
General Meeting September 3, 2022
Posted September 3, 2022
Twenty-four in-person and more virtual EWG members participated in the first in-person General Meeting in more than two years.
- Annual Sale – will be held in-person on Saturday, November 5, 2022. Members are asked to prepare items for the Sale.
- Standards – a working group has been working on a revision to update the Standards. Their report will be available soon.
- 70th Anniversary Working Group – 2023 is the 70th Anniversary of the EWG. Volunteers are sought for a Working Group to plan activities to mark our 70 years. Contact president@edmontonweavers.org.
- Guild Floor Looms – Members should contact Arlene at weaverentals@edmontonweavers.org to book the use of a floor loom at the Guild.
- Covid Protocols are still in place. Members are asked to stay home if ill and to continue to mask, social distance and hand sanitize while at the Guild.
- Appreciation to Tara – Allan thanked Tara for all the work she did donning the multiple leadership roles of President and Vice President.
- Pirkko’s Fibre – members can help themselves after this meeting, and the October General Meeting. Cash donations are welcome to reimburse volunteers for fuel costs.
EWG Members and Friends Learn Dyeing at Twisted Sisters August 27 and 28
Posted September 2, 2022
EWG members and friends had a great day visiting with alpacas and dyeing at Twisted Sisters Fiber Mill. Read more.
A Successful Fibre Mart Saturday April 9
Posted April 9, 2022
EWG members, friends and the public took advantage of hundreds of items priced to sell of yarn, fleece, weaving and spinning equipment and books in our first EWG “live” event since early 2020. Thank you everyone for wearing a mask and social distancing while shopping.
Considering Enrolling in a Master Weaver Program?
Posted March 9, 2022
On Saturday morning, March 5, 2022, Linda Wilson provided EWG members with a presentation on the differences between the Master Weaver Program at Olds College (Olds) and the program through the Guild of Canadian Weavers (GCW).
Twisted Sisters Fiber Mill Presentation
Posted February 26, 2022
EWG members had a Zoom opportunity on Saturday, February 26 to learn about the Twisted Sisters Fiber Mill.
Twisted Sisters Fibre Mill is a local family business specializing in alpaca yarn and finished alpaca yarn products. One of the owners, Leanne Sept had a conversation with EWG members about raising alpacas, the two different breeds of alpacas they raise, and the differences in their fleece. She described how the alpaca is processed and their different products. Four lucky EWG members won door prizes.
The farm and mill can be toured during Leduc County’s Rural Routes Tours on July 17 and August 21, or during Alberta Open Farm Days on August 14. Until then, a video tour can be viewed online.
Express Yourself Creatively With E-Textiles
Posted December 18, 2021
Imagine if technology was soft, fuzzy, stretchy, and DIY! encouraged Dr. Lee Jones in her virtual presentation to EWG members titled Express Yourself Creatively with E-textiles on December 18th.
Dr. Jones received her PhD in Digital Media from Carleton University, and her thesis research focused on hybrid crafts and how DIY e-textile techniques can be taught. E-textiles or electronic textiles are interactive textiles with sensing and actuating properties. Imagine textiles that can sense touch, change color, heat up, play music, or shift into different shapes, all while remaining soft and flexible. This can be done with weaving, knitting, felting etc with conductive threads or components, such as zippers, metal snaps or buttons, and attaching these to a micro-controller (a computer as small as a quarter).
Guild Members Visit Briggs & Little Woolen Mills Virtually
Posted October 28, 2021
EWG Spinners Connect with Others in Online Spin Along
Posted October 23, 2021
On Saturday, October 23rd, EWG hosted an open invitation virtual Spin Along event for 22 participants from EWG, several guilds in Alberta, Vancouver Island and a participant from Ireland.
We met our goals which were to have fun, reconnect and share. Many participants knew each other but had not been in touch (either in person or virtually) in years. There was also sharing and showing of current and past projects, asking questions and advice, and learning from fellow fibre artists. A great way to spend a gloomy, rainy Saturday!
(Thanks to Melanie for this article)
From Head to Toe … We’ve Got You Covered!
Posted September, 2021
An Exhibition of the work of EWG members. See photos.
General Meeting Features Persian Carpet Designer
Posted September 25, 2021
The September General Meeting was held as a videoconference. Information and discussion was primarily on how to implement the new public health restrictions, and the November sale.
Mahla Takhti was a guest speaker at the meeting. Originally from Iran, Mahla studied Persian Carpet Design at university, and has her Masters and PhD in Art History with a focus on Persian carpets. Although she described herself as more of a designer than a weaver, Mahla demonstrated on her loom, and shared with us some of her very beautiful work. It is great to know that we have such a talented resource. Thank you Mahla!.
EWG Members Visit Schacht Virtually
Posted June 12, 2021
On Saturday, June 12, 2021, 31 EWG members were treated to a virtual visit to the Schacht Spindle Company in Boulder, Colorado.
The staff at Schacht provided a history of the 50 year old company, gave a tour of the factory floor where we met the people who craft Schacht products. They highlighted their favourite weaving and spinning products and projects. Project ideas are on their website. A number of fabulous door prizes were also won.
Shannon from Gather Textiles, our local Schacht dealer, shared with us some of her hacks of Schacht products and what is available at Gather. Thank you Schacht and Gather for an intimate and engaging presentation!
This online presentation is just one of the benefits of EWG membership!
Kathy Buse Honoured at Annual General Meeting (AGM)
Posted May 31, 2021
33 members participated in the EWG AGM on Saturday, May 29, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. via Zoom.
Kathy Buse was granted an Honorary EWG Membership for her many years of exceptional service. A member since 1980-81, over the past 40 years, Kathy has freely shared her time, knowledge and love of spinning and weaving. She has filled almost every position on the Executive – Vice President, President, Secretary and Newsletter Editor. When the Guild hosted conferences, she was there to coordinate workshops, etc. She has led a number of weaving and spinning study groups, and today leads the More Than Four study group and Weaving at Strathcona Seniors. Over the years she has given our Guild countless hours of her time. A big thank you to Kathy for all that she has done for the Guild!
Members also elected the 2021-22 Board of Directors. Congratulations to the Executive:
- President – Tara Nixon
- Vice President – Allan Shemanko
- Secretary – Carole Dodd
- Treasurer – Mary Lou Hogg
February News and Events
Posted February 13, 2021
Upcoming Events
- General Meeting, Saturday February 20, 2021 at 10 a.m. via Zoom
- Q and A with Jane Stafford, Saturday, February 27, 2021 at 10 a.m. via Zoom
Updates
Our first online sale held in December 2020 was a success due to the hard work of Gather Textiles and many EWG volunteers. A big thank you. The report is posted on the Members’ Forms web page.
Here are three examples of the many members’ projects featured in the February 2021 newsletter.
Guild Closed but still Active
Posted April 1, 2020
Although we are not meeting in-person, Guild members continue to be active and are connecting with each other while maintaining their physical distance, and are taking advantage of their stashes of fibre, fleece, and yarn to be creative and to inspire each other.
- Study Groups are sharing their projects with each other via e-mail.
- EWG sends out regular e-mails with photos and descriptions of member projects.
- Members are learning online.
- The Board of Directors is meeting through video-conferencing.
Guild Members Inspire Each Other
Posted May 7, 2020
Although we are physically distancing, Guild members continue to inspire each other – sharing images of yarn stashes, home studio space and fibre creations.
Junior member Ava wowed us with her sweater knit with $10 worth of garage sale yarn.
General Meeting – February 15, 2020
Posted February 21, 2020
Highlights of the meeting included Jen’s tribute to long-time Guild member, Ilya Oratovsky, Carol’s fibre adventures in France and Show and Tell.
Show and Tell
- Gillian’s rug woven on the Guild’s Mighty Wolf loom
- Cheryl’s shibori weaving
- Lyn’s 8-shaft turned twill in Zephyr (merino/silk) with beaded fringe.
(Thanks to Colynn for the photos and text)
General Meeting – November 23, 2019
Posted November 24, 2019
Highlights of the meeting included a display from Monday Morning Weaving Study Group and a presentation from Angela Kelly from Gather Textiles.
General Meeting – September 21, 2019
Posted September 22, 2019
After updates and Members’ Show and Tell, Diane Kozens did a presentation on Colour and Inspiration.
Exploring One Warp, Many Structures with Denise Kovnat
Posted May 26, 2019
EWG hosted Denise Kovnat from Rochester, NY, for a fabulous 3-day workshop exploring the magic of extended parallel threading or Echo threading. Read more
Needle Punch for Beginners – April 13-14, 2019
Instructor Angela Kelly scratched the creative itch of participants who designed a rug and then learned how to use a punch needle to hook a rug.
General Meeting and Fibre Mart – April 6, 2019
EWG member and textile artist, Pirkko Karvonen was the guest speaker.
86 years young, Pirkko shared her journey of creativity, and many examples and photographs of her textile art and drawings.
General Meeting – February 2019
Posted February 23, 2019
We had guest speakers from the Fibre Nook and as always, an inspiring “Show and Tell” from our members.
Leslie Latta and Ros Gullickson from the Fibre Nook (9864 – 63 Avenue) were guest speakers. They have a philosophy of community partnership and focus on Canadian spun, dyed or milled yarn, and ethically produced yarn from outside Canada.
General Meeting – November 2018
Posted November 24, 2018
Nuno Felted Scarf Class
Posted November 17, 2018
General Meeting – September 2018
Posted September 19. 2018
Melissa Arnold Workshop
Elizabeth, Joan and Gillian brought their fabulous Shibori Felted Wraps created in the September workshop.
Ondule Weaving
Kathy wowed us with her weaving using EWG’s fan reed. She recommended the book Ondule Textiles. The fan reed can be borrowed by EWG members.
“Crackle Addict” Jette Vandermeiden
Posted March 28, 2018
EWG members benefitted from the exceptional knowledge and teaching skills of Ontario weaver Jette Vandermeiden. She was hosted by Focus on Fibre Arts Association to provide a public lecture and two weaving workshops, March 20 – 25, 2018.
Over three days, Jette covered block designs using profile drafts. In the 2-day Confessions of a Crackle Addict, participants learned the theory and structure of crackle weave and experimented with creating cloth treadled as Bronson, Summer and Winter, twill and many more.
Pictured are participant samples of Quigley, broken twill, an 8 shaft, 4 block, 4-tied weave.
