In this Issue: | April 23rd Meeting | May 21st Meeting |
 | Sample Weaving Recap | 

Wednesday, April 23rd 

The third in our series of meetings devoted to learning some weaving tips and making samples continues Wednesday, April 23rd. Our hands-on weaving experience continues at Arlene's studio. Please RSVP to Arlene.

Remember, you'll be starting your own sample notebook filled with various weave structures that you will have  woven.  Your drafts will be set up for a three-ring binder, so you'll want to have one on hand to file your drafts and samples.  Not only will you be learning new paterns, you'll be trying out various looms that have been set up for use.

If you missed meetings, don't worry, you can still begin your samples at these on-going sessions.  See you at the meeting.

Location: Arlene Sakmar's Studio
Arrive at 6:30 pm   Meeting at 7:00 (R.S.V.P to Arlene)

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Wednesday, May 21st Meeting

We will continue weaving samples at the May meeting.

Location:  Arlene Sakmar's Studio
Arrive at 6:30 pm   Meeting at 7:00 (R.S.V.P to Arlene)

Remember this is YOUR guild!  If you have ideas/suggestions for meetings or something you want published in the newsletter, send an email to Nancy Bishop.

.Sample Weaving recap

Our second evening meeting devoted to hands-on weaving and starting our weave structure sample books took place on Monday, March 24th at Arlene Sakmar's studio.  Workshop participants spent the evening learning to weave on several loom types while using accompanying weaving drafts.  Arlene also gave a weaving draft review session for several members who missed last month's workshop as well as a quick explanation and demonstration of her large, mechanized dobby loom complete with air compressor-powered floor treadles.

Eventually participants may fill their own sample notebooks with various weave structure drafts and samples.  This ongoing workshop will continue at our Wednesday, April 23 meeting at Arlene's studio. Participants who'd like to weave between meetings may do so by contacting Arlene to set up a time and date.  Again, thanks to those who spent time preparing for and those who attended our very enjoyable work-shops.  Special thanks to Arlene once again for hosting this event.

Workshop advice, handy tips and tidbits:

• Individual weaving samples complete on the same loom should be separate by cardboard strips and nametags for identification once the warp is removed.

• Weave in weft tails within the warp threads above to avoid catching them on loom parts.

• Add new weft by overlapping with previous weft in the middle of a row/pick.  Taper weft ends if possible (Navajo weaver's trick) to avoid thick weft joins.

• When alternating weft threads, always catch the previous weft with the current weft to avoid skipping end warp threads, always catch the previous weft with the current weft to avoid skipping end warp threads.

• Calculate weft for color blocks/sections by measuring across the warp width and adding 50%.  In other words, weft needed for one row/pick is equal to one time the warp width.

• Avoid over-winding weft shuttles as they may catch in the sheds of small looms.  Measure the correct amount for one section/color block using the method described above, and then multiply to find the right amount to wind onto shuttles.

Workshop weave structures so far. 
We'll be added a few more looms soon.

• Thick/thin rag rug

• Log Cabin

• Twill

• Rosepath

• Huck Lace

• Overshot

• Tabby

• Rep Weave

Resources

The Weaver's Companion by Madelyn van der Hoogt

Textures and Patterns for the Rigid Heddle Loom by Betty Davenport

The Magic of Handweaving by Sigrid Piroch (our neighbor to the north)

The Ashford Book of Rigid Heddle Weaving by Rowena Hart

Great links from Interweave Press: http://www.interweave.com/weave/resources/related_links.asp

Excellent commercial weaving website: http://www.woolery.com/

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Weaving Volunteer Wanted

Earth Day at Frick Park on Saturday, April 19 from 10am to 4:pm Millie will be demonstrating dying, Robin will be spinning, someone is needed to demonstrate weaving. 

Submissions for the Newsletter

We need help with the newsletter and program planning.  If you'd like to contribute an article and/or any personal kudos or weaving experiences, problems etc. please e-mail Nancy Bishop.

Archived Past Newsletters

| January 08 | February 08 | March 08 |

| January 07 | September 07 | October 07 |

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