The Weavers Guild of Springfield

2017-2018 PROGRAM

All are welcome to attend the meetings and events described below.

For a 2-page, PDF version of the program, click here.

2017-2018 MEETING SCHEDULE

SEPTEMBER 9, 2017

Morning: Summer Wrap-up and Program Review – All Members

We will discuss our summer activities, including the Cummington Sheep & Woolcraft Fair, Scottish Festival, and Shelburne Grange Fair. This is a great opportunity to ask questions and offer suggestions for program improvement, as well as catch up on members' activities. This session is always lively and informative.

Afternoon: Master Weaver Presentation – Leslie Craine

Leslie will present and discuss the many beautiful pieces she wove as part of the Master Weaver certification program at Hill Institute, which she completed last spring.

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OCTOBER 14, 2017

Morning: Black Ash Splint Baskets - JoAnn Catsos

JoAnn Kelly Catsos is an award winning traditional black ash splint basketmaker and teacher from western MA. JoAnn's PowerPoint presentation will show all steps of their basket making process- harvesting the tree, pounding the log to make splints, making the mold to weave over and (finally) making a classic Shaker cat head. Then see a variety of black ash splint baskets, both new and antique, and the tools needed to make them.

Afternoon: Evaluating Yarns - Debbie Kaplan

Yarns are a weaver’s raw materials. A project can be successful or not depending on the yarns we use. We will be discussing yarns in terms of type of fiber included and construction characteristics, with the woven end use in mind. Participants may bring up to 3 yarns to be evaluated. Emphasis will be on natural fibers.

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NOVEMBER 4, 2017

Full-Day Program: Constructing a Fabric Pincushion - Susan Wright

IIn the workshop we will make pincushions out of wool and embellish them with embroidery and/or beads. You can use your own handwoven fabric or commercial fabric. The pin cushions will be filled with crushed walnut shells to give them weight so they stay on the top of your loom to hold your needles for hemstitching. Each person should be able to make two pincushions on the workshop. Each person should bring two squares of fabric for the base and scissors. Materials fee $15, which includes pattern booklet and most materials. All other materials will be supplied. Specific details will be supplied closer to the date.

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DECEMBER 2, 2017

Full-day Program: Holiday Party & Craft

Take a break from the hectic pace of holiday preparations to share laughter, good food, a craft project led by Doris Koziol, and gift exchange.

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JANUARY 6, 2018

Morning: Cotton - Laura Freeman

Laura will present information about cotton: history of the use of this fiber, growing, preparing, etc. No materials fee.

Afternoon: More About Cotton (DVD)

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FEBRUARY 3, 2018

Morning: Borders - Loris Epps

Loris will provide instruction on creating borders for your handwoven projects.

Afternoon: Designing, Weaving, and Submitting Handwovens - Ruth Buchman

Ruth will discuss her submissions to weaving shows and publications with a focus on design, execution, and the submission process. She will bring submitted items she still owns and discuss why she no longer owns others. Bring your questions – this presentation will be guided in part by the group's interests. No materials fee.

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MARCH 3, 2018

Morning: 8 Shaft Overshot - Anita Thompson

Anita has been weaving for over 16 years and earned her Master Weavers Certificate from Hill Institute in 2009. Her pieces have won many awards and have been featured in Handwoven magazine. Anita enjoys exploring many different weave structures, but Independent Block Multi-Shaft Overshot is her favorite. She lives in Goshen and enjoys traveling, playing bridge and spending time with her daughter, Megan. $2 materials fee for the handout.

Afternoon: Supplemental Warps - Pam Engberg

In this session we will look at some woven examples of Supplementary Warp patterns and look at how to transform a draft which uses pattern and tabby wefts on a plain warp into a draft which uses a single weft on a pattern and tabby warp. We will discuss several ways in which the warps can be wound and tensioned and how the design might affect which is most appropriate. A sample loom will be available for weavers to try.

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APRIL 7, 2018: Please note that this meeting will be held at the Agawam Public Library.

Morning: Basic Felting Technique - Sue McFarland

In this workshop Sue McFarland, a hand weaver and fiber artist for over twenty-five years, will focus on the creation of fabric and objects from unspun sheep wool. This felting workshop will cover the techniques used to make flat felt, beads, ropes, and felting around a form. Participants are asked to bring an old bath towel, a one gallon zip lock bag and wear comfortable clothing that can get a little wet. Materials fee payable to the guild: $10.

Afternoon: Study group presentations - Participating members

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MAY 12, 2018

Full-Day Program: Annual Year-End Meeting and Potluck Luncheon

Location TBD.

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Massachusetts Sheep & Woolcraft Fair
Cummington Fairgrounds, Cummington, MA
http://www.masheepwool.org/
26 May 2018
Guild activities: Weaving demonstrations by guild members & hands-on weaving for kids.

Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival
Look Park, Northampton, MA
14 July 2018
9:00 am - 9:30 pm
http://www.glasgowlands.org/
Guild activities: Spinning and weaving demonstrations by guild members & hands-on weaving for all ages.

Shelburne Grange Fair
Little Mohawk Road, Shelburne, MA
25 August 2018
9:00 am -4:00 pm, followed by auction
Guild activities: Weaving demonstrations by guild members & hands-on weaving for all ages.

Hatfield Historical Society Fall Festival
6 October 2018
Noon to 5:00 pm
http://hatfieldhistory.weebly.com/events.html
Guild activities: Weaving demonstrations by guild members & hands-on weaving for all ages.

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