The Weavers Guild of Springfield

2022-2023 PROGRAM

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

Location: Unless otherwise noted, meetings are held at the Springfield Elks Lodge, 440 Tiffany Street, Springfield, MA 01108.

Meeting time: Meetings start at 10:00 am, with morning programs from 10:00-noon, lunch and business meeting noon-1:00, and afternoon programs 1:00-3:00. 

Massachusetts Sheep & Woolcraft Fair
Cummington Fairgrounds, Cummington, MA
May 27-28, 2022
http://www.masheepwool.org/

Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival
Look Park, Northampton, MA
July 16, 2022
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
http://www.glasgowlands.org/

Shelburne Grange Fair
Little Mohawk Road, Shelburne, MA
August 2022
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
http://www.shelburnegrange.org/shelburne-grange-fair.html

Big E Fiber Arts Festival
Eastern States Exposition, West Springfield, MA
September 16 - October 2, 2022
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
https://www.thebige.com/p/competitions/creative-arts/

2022-2023 PROGRAMS & SCHEDULE

SEPTEMBER 10, 2022

Morning: Western Massachusetts Fibershed - Michelle Parrish & Peggy Hart

A 'fibershed' is a geographic region and its network of fiber flows connecting farmers, fiber producers, processers, and consumers. A Fibershed is an 'end-to-end' concept - from farm to yarn to body to compost - interlinked with geographic boundaries, meaning that all the materials and processing steps for a certain product consumed under this 'end-to-end' concept stem from within the same region. The Western Massachusetts Fibershed extends from the Connecticut River Valley to the Berkshires in Massachusetts and includes parts of Southern Vermont with the goal of creating locally sourced sustainable clothing and textiles in Western Massachusetts. Join us for a talk by two founders of the Western Massachusetts Fibershed, local weavers Michelle Parrish and Peggy Hart, to learn about local efforts to promote this effort in our region.

Afternoon: Handweavers Guild of America - Elizabeth Williamson

Elizabeth Williamson, Executive Director of the HGA, will give a presentation about the organization. Founded in 1969 to inspire creativity and encourage excellence in the fiber arts, the Handweavers Guild of America, Inc., brings together weavers, spinners, dyers, basketmakers, fiber artists, and educators. Elizabeth will speak about their educational programs, conferences, and the quarterly publication, Shuttle Spindle & Dyepot, as well as their scholarship opportunities and Convergence.

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OCTOBER 1, 2022

Morning: The Nadeau Loom - Cheryl Walker

Cheryl Walker will demonstrate weaving on this very unique loom, the Nadeau Hand-Skill Loom.  Whenever a weaver sees one of these looms, they want to know how it works as well as why it came into being.  Developed in 1950 by Elphege Nadeau the loom operates completely by hand by turning a wheel with pins in it to move the shafts.  Cheryl will demonstrate weaving on this very unusual loom.

Afternoon: Help with Questions About Weaving - Members (led by Loris Epps)

If you have a question or need to know how to complete a task in weaving, this is your opportunity to obtain all the answers.  Submit questions to Loris by September 24th  Some items that have been suggested: winding a bobbin, using a doubling stand, warping more than one end at a time, warping with a paddle, toolbox, how to care for your loom, and record keeping.

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NOVEMBER 5, 2022

Morning: Weaving in Miniature - Loris Epps

Ever wonder how those intricately woven miniature pieces you see in doll houses are actually woven?  Guild member Loris Epps will lead a program discussing the design and construction considerations when weaving miniature pieces.  On display will also
be  samples of beautiful woven doll house furnishings.

Afternoon: The Weavers Guild of Springfield Library - Barbara Eves

Guild Librarian Barbara Eves will lead a program introducing members to the gems in our extensive library.  Members will be encouraged to check out a library book and give a short review of one library book as part of the program.  Learn about books that you many have overlooked and get familiar with the collection.

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DECEMBER 3, 2022

All day: Holiday Celebration –  Annual Holiday Party and Gift Exchange

Bring a wrapped gift and join us for our annual craft project, luncheon, and gift exchange. 

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JANUARY 7, 2023

Morning: Saori Weaving - Mihoko Wakabayashi

Saori is an art of weaving by hand that is dedicated to free expression and self-development for everyone, regardless of physical or mental ability, age, or artistic aptitude. SAORI Weaving is pure improvisation from the heart, with no premeditated pattern in mind. Colors unfold, designs emerge, and beauty blooms directly from the genius of each unique individual working in harmony with loom, thread, and the spark of the moment. SAORI Weaving is a profound inner journey, yet we can enjoy it socially, working alongside others. Join us for a lecture and demo on Saori weaving by Mihoko Wakabayashi, owner of SAORI Worcester.  Mihoko is an engaging speaker and you will learn about this unique aesthetic that embraces the natural beauty of unintended "mistakes" and encourages exploring the unknown. 

Afternoon: Weaving on a Rigid Heddle Loom - Pat Billingsley

Rigid heddle looms are typically less expensive, more portable, faster to warp, and easier to use than a table or floor loom, making them good starter looms for anyone who wants to try their hand at weaving. But even experienced weavers may find them useful for sampling, or enjoy the challenge of working on a simpler loom than usual. A rigid heddle loom is like a two-harness loom but with a single moving part, the rigid heddle, that does the work of the individual heddles, shafts, reed, and beater on a more complex loom. Guild member Pat Billingsley will demonstrate weaving on a rigid heddle loom, explain what got her interested in trying one, and discuss the many design options these looms still make possible. Members who have a rigid heddle loom are encouraged to bring theirs to the meeting as well to give others the chance to see a range of models.

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FEBRUARY 4, 2023

All day: Making a Zippered Pouch with Handwoven Fabric

Learn to sew a small zippered pouch with either your own handwoven fabric or commercial fabric – your choice. Members will learn how to set a zipper and create a small useful bag. These bags make excellent gifts and are extremely useful and use only a small amount of fabric. Members with sewing machines should bring their machines and those not owning portable machines will be able to share. Guild Member Jo Ann Miner, a master weaver, sewer and all things crafty, will lead the program. Members should be able to make at least one pouch and perhaps more in this day-long program. 

Please note: The February meeting will take place at the Agawam Public Library, 750 Cooper Street, Agawam, MA 01001.

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MARCH 4, 2023

All day: Designing and Weaving Boundweave – Susan Wright

Boundweave is an easy and colorful structure. With a relatively simple threading, often on just four shafts, you can create beautiful, weft-faced cloth perfect for cozy rugs, wall hangings, and many other household items. Whether done in traditional Scandinavian colors, or using a more contemporary palette, boundweave is a classic structure that is always in style. This all-day workshop will have members designing their own boundweave on graph paper and then weaving mug rugs on their own pre-threaded four shaft loom. This is not a round robin. Members will  be able to weave a set of mug rugs of their own design. This technique also helps use up odds and ends of wool you may have from weaving or knitting!

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APRIL 1, 2023

Morning: Fingerweaving - Jane Devlin

Fingerweaving is the art of making textiles without a loom and is a Native American art form used to create belts, sashes, straps and other similar items. Unlike loom based weaving, there is no separation between weft and warp strands, with all strands playing both roles. Learn how to do the basic techniques for fingerweaving with Guild Member Jane Devlin.

Afternoon: Study Group Wrap-Up

A presentation of members' creations as a result of the study group chosen in the fall. Members will show their variations on the theme.

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MAY 6, 2023

All day: Annual Year-End Meeting and Luncheon

Guild members will conduct the annual meeting of the Weavers Guild of Springfield and enjoy a lunch together.

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At the events below, guild members offer weaving demonstrations and guided hands-on introduction to weaving for all ages.

Massachusetts Sheep & Woolcraft Fair
Cummington Fairgrounds, Cummington, MA
May 27-28, 2023
1:00-4:00 pm
http://www.masheepwool.org/

Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival
Look Park, Northampton, MA
July 15, 2023
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
http://www.glasgowlands.org/

Shelburne Grange Fair
Little Mohawk Road, Shelburne, MA
August 26, 2023
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
http://www.shelburnegrange.org/shelburne-grange-fair.html

Big E Fiber Festival
Eastern States Exposition, West Springfield, MA
September 15 - October 1, 2023
https://www.thebige.com/p/competitions/creative-arts/


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