Mid Island Weavers and Spinners (and other fibre enthusiasts) Guild

This is the Mid Island Weavers and Spinners (and other fibre enthusiasts) blog page. The group meets the first Wednesday of the month during the fall/winter/spring (September through to June). Meetings are now being held at the library downtown on Commercial St upstairs in their meeting room. Guests are welcome to come...bring your knitting, spinning wheel or other fibre addictions. Meetings usually consist of 5 minutes of business, show and tell (bring something), tea and cookies, and some sort of workshop, seminar or talk where you will learn something fibry and interesting.
We now have an email address: MIWSGuild at gmail.com

Monday, December 3, 2012

The silk spin-in reeled them in

The Nov spin-in was a great success with 18 people turning up!!  Margo brought her silk hankie and caps stash and generously shared.  We all took a hankie, punched a hole in the middle, stretched it out, broke it into one long strip, drafted it, and then spun it.

Kathy spinning
from her coat rack
Kathy brought an old coat rack draped with a towel and placed a silk cap on it and drafted it as using the coat rack as a distaff.

We did an impromptu show and tell and even the brand new people had things to share.  Fiona showed us her latest knitted shawl and inspired us to spin silk for a lace shawl.
Close up of Fiona's shawl









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This has been a Mid Island Weavers and Spinners Guild blog update. If you are reading this as an email, and can't see this in its full glory, click here to see this item in its full glory, images and all: http://miwsguild.blogspot.com.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

3rd Wednesday Spin-in -plus spinning silk hankies

Silk cocoons, silk hankie and
silk yarn spun on a tahkli spindle
The Mid Island Weavers and Spinners (and other FibRe FReaKs) are hosting another 3rd Wednesday of the month spin-in on Nov 21st, 7p.m. in the basement of St. Paul’s Church downtown Nanaimo. The spin-in is open to anyone (a devious plot in which we hope to lure people into joining the MIWSGuild). Learn how to spin silk or just bring your favorite fibre or just come and kni and meet like-minded peoplet. 
The Guild now has a carder, so if you have some fleece you would like to card, feel free to bring it and use the carder.
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This has been a Mid Island Weavers and Spinners Guild blog update. If you are reading this as an email, and can't see this in its full glory, click here to see this item in its full glory, images and all: http://miwsguild.blogspot.com.

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Updated Upcoming Workshops

Felted bison from the fashion
show at Olds College Fibre Week
 last week of June 2012 
The Mid Island Weavers & Spinner Guild blog (this page) has been updated to have links to Workshops Coming Up (over to the right)  from mostly local organizations, but also a few other key places.  Check those links on a regular basis to find out what's happening.
If you have a workshop schedule link to add, please send it to MIWSGuild at gmail.com.


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This has been a Mid Island Weavers and Spinners Guild blog update. If you are reading this as an email, you should click here to see this item in its full glory, images and all: http://miwsguild.blogspot.com .

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Set aside February 8,9 and 10, 2013 -DreamSpin is coming. Lake Cowichan is booked and the kitchen staff is getting ready to prepare wonderful meals once again. Full information and registration package will be available very shortly. Look forward to seeing all the regulars and new faces too. Happy Spinning Jeanette Roberts

Monday, October 29, 2012

Could you please circulate the following information about the Woolgathers Sale at Royston. Thanks Lynn Hilton November 3, 2012 WOOLGATHERS SALE Fallen Alders Hall 3595 Royston Road November 3rd, 10 am to 4 pm Entrance of $2.00 Includes Tea Door Prize [PLEASE NOTE THAT THE SALE HAS BEEN MOVED TO FALLEN ALDERS HALL. ROYSTON ROAD IS LOCATED ACROSS FROM THE ROYSTON COMMUNITY CENTRE (TURN LEFT AT THE LIGHT). FOLLOW ROYSTON ROAD PART WAY UP AND ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE OF THE ROAD YOU WILL SEE A SIGN FOR THE FALLEN ALDERS HALL. HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE.

Friday, October 26, 2012

Designer talks history and creativity Designer and stitchery expert Anita Luvera Mayer will talk about her creative journey at a special lecture at the Cowichan Exhibition at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, October 27th. edited to add 2013 (NEXT YEAR) It's a great chance to hear about and see her garments, clothing that honours past generations of women. Tickets are $10 each. Call Alison Irwin at 250-746-6330 for more information.

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Show and Tell

Here's a few picture from the October Show and Tell.  In November, we expect to see some Show and Tell from the inspiring Read'in, Ritin', Rithmatic weaving workshop.
Crystal's scarf
Linda's baby hat
 
Heather's shiboria scarf 

Linda's pottery

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This has been a Mid Island Weavers and Spinners Guild blog update. If you are reading this as an email, and can't see this in its full glory, click here to see this item in its full glory, images and all: http://miwsguild.blogspot.com.
Kathy's fleece

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Afghanistani women spinning

Mid Island Weavers and Spinners (and other FiBre fReAks) Guild is having another spin-in on Wed 17th, 7pm.   It’s open to spinners and wannabe spinners. Want to spin but don't know how?  Come and learn, we have spindles you can try. Learn how to make your own yarn. The spin-in is free and open to anyone.   Bring a friend.

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This has been a Mid Island Weavers and Spinners Guild blog update. If you are reading this as an email, and can't see this in its full glory, click here to see this item in its full glory, images and all: http://miwsguild.blogspot.com.

Cowichan Fleece and Fibre Fair


 +  
Cowichan Fleece and Fibre Fair!
 
Once again, the oldest fibre fair on the Island is opening its doors on Saturday, October 20 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Eagles Hall on Boys Road just off the Island Highway, south of Duncan (near Buckerfields, turn west at the Boys Road lights).
 
We are having more vendors this year so more selection as well as our popular kids' program and expert knitting help for beginners and more.
 
There will also be food available right in the Hall and good parking all around.
 
Hope to see you there!
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This has been a Mid Island Weavers and Spinners Guild blog update. If you are reading this as an email, you should click here to see this item in its full glory: http://miwsguild.blogspot.com.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Free e-book on dying yarn with natural dyes

Spin-off magazine and Interweave Press are offering a free e-book Guide to Dyeing Yarn: Learn How to Dye Yarn Using Natural Dyeing Techniques.  Check it out: http://www.spinningdaily.com/media/p/8951.aspx 
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This has been a Mid Island Weavers and Spinners Guild blog update. If you are reading this as an email, you should click here to see this item in its full glory: http://miwsguild.blogspot.com.



Thursday, September 13, 2012

3rd Wednesday Spin-in

Joseph-Athanase Aufray "By the Spinning Wheel"




It's that time of year again when the wheels come out and we have a 3rd Wednesday Spin-in

Mid Island Weavers and Spinners (and other FiBre fReAks) Guild is having another spin-in on Wed 19th, 7pm. Yes, we are back to hosting the 3rd Wednesday of the month spin-in.  It’s open to spinners and wannabe spinners. Want to spin but don't know how?  Come and learn, we have spindles you can try. Learn how to make your own yarn. The spin-in is free and open to anyone.   Bring a friend.

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This has been a Mid Island Weavers and Spinners Guild blog update. If you are reading this as an email, and can't see this in its full glory, click here to see this item in its full glory, images and all: http://miwsguild.blogspot.com.

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Reading, 'Riting, 'Rithmatic


Is reading a weaving pattern all 'Greek' to you?
It won't be after this introduction to the 3Rs for weavers.  Learn the basics of drafting a pattern, choosing a sett, dressing a 4-shaft loom from back to front, and filling in drawdowns.  By the time you head back into your own studio, you'll have a much better understanding of all the numbers you need to know when planning and weaving a project.
The end product is a cottolin sampler with twenty different treadlings, all of them suitable designs for use in a tea towel or hand towel.  Six of them can be seen in the attached image
.
NOTESThis is not a round robin workshop, each student works on her own loom. The first day is a warping day.  You will learn Alison’s adaptation of Joanne Hall’s method of dressing the loom, a method that takes the dread out of warping.
When: Three days, 9:30- 4:30, Sat 22 for warping and Sat/Sun Sept 29/30 for the weaving.
Where: Location will be announced once you are registered.
Fee:  $120 for MIWSGuild members, $140 for non-members (includes membership).
Registration: Maximum of 8 students!  Register early.  Full fees are required to hold your seat.  MIWSGuild members have first dibs on seats up until Sept 5th.  After September 5th, non-members will be put on a wait list and will be given seats after Sept 5th.  A cheque for the full amount, post-dated September 22rd is required at the time of registration, and a wait list in order of fees received will be taken for non-members. The cheques will not be cashed unless a seat is available.  Fees are not refundable unless we can find someone else to fill your spot.  Fees can be paid in person at the Guild meeting on September 5th.  Or by mail to  MIWSGuild c/o L. Kaarremaa, 148 Capt Morgan’s Blvd, Nanaimo, BC, V9R 6R1. Please email MIWSGuild@gmail.com if you are interested....or...better yet, join the Guild and come to the September 5th Guild meeting.  
Supplies:  Each student is responsible for her own warp and weft yarns - two or three colours of cottolin.  An alternative is 2/8 cotton.  Since just a little is needed of a third colour, perhaps that colour can be shared by several in the class.  Three local sources for cottolin: Jane Stafford on Salt Spring, The Loom at Whippletree Junction just south of Duncan, and Knotty By Nature in Victoria.  There may be others.  More details closer to the time of the class.

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

intro to wet felting. Discover the magic of wet felting in this beginners class. You will learn basics of wet felting techniques; felted balls, cords, ropes and flat felt. This hands-on class will help you develop your own creative journey in the world of wet felting (two local artists, "Joy of Felting" and "because ifelt like it" both took this class!). We will use merino & silk fibres, and beautiful yarns for your first wet felt projects. Everything is included, materials, fibres and fun! Class size: 5 students 2nd Saturday of every month, 10:30am - 1:30pm Class fee: $55 All ages and all abilities welcome, 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is through Knotty By Nature Fibre Arts Refundable up to 48 hours prior to the class. info@kbnfibres.ca 1704 Lillian Road 250-412-0198 Follow us on Facebook And Twitter!

Spinning next Wednesday August 15th

Wednesday August 15, 7 pm-9 pm is our next spinning get together at Lynne’s Here’s the information: She lives at 503 Poets Trail Drive (in Hawthorn near 2nd and Wakasiah where 2nd becomes Jingle Pot).RSVPs would be nice so she knows how many to expect. Telephone 250 591 8610. Outside on her deck or in her air conditioned studio depending on the weather. Heather .

Monday, May 28, 2012

3rd Wednesday - an update

The Spinner, Goatherd of the Auvergne,
Jean-François Millet 
 

The May third Wednesday was a hit!  They came from all over the world: Nanaimo, France and Vermont!!  Charlotte and Fiona continue to amaze us.  Everyone told a story and everyone shared their spinning samples.  Great fun was had by all.
|Note: We do not have the hall for the 3rd Wednesday in June.  If the weather is good, then maybe we can spin outdoors.  Stay tuned.
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 This has been a Mid Island Weavers and Spinners Guild blog update. If you are reading this as an email, and can't see this in its full glory, click here to see this item in its full glory, images and all: http://miwsguild.blogspot.com.

Monday, May 14, 2012

Wednesday Spin-In

Irish spinning wheel. Library of
Congress collection, from Wikipedia

Yippee! Another 3rd Wednesday of the month Spin-in.  The Mid Island Weavers and Spinners (and other FiBre fReAks) Guild is having another spin-in on May16th, 7pm. It’s open to spinners and wannabe spinners or those who just want to hang out and chat with other fibre people.  Bring your knitting.  Want to spin but don't know how? Come and learn, we have spindles you can try. Learn how to make your own yarn. The spin-in is free and open to anyone.
Location: St Paul's Church Hall, 100 Chapell Street, Nanaimo.  Map is here.
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 This has been a Mid Island Weavers and Spinners Guild blog update. If you are reading this as an email, and can't see this in its full glory, click here to see this item in its full glory, images and all:http://miwsguild.blogspot.com.

Sunday, May 13, 2012

A Great Good Deal More on Four

Samples from A Good Deal  More on Four
workshop
More of Alison's samples
 Seven Guild members were wowed by Alison Irwin's workshop - A Good Deal More on Four.  Alison is a master of investigating weaving techniques and breaking them down into easily understandable parts.  This workshop showed us how to get more out of the four shaft looms by teaching up pick-up techniques like Finnweave, Mock Satin Damask, and Doubleweave Pick-Up.  These techniques open up a whole new world! Along the way, we also learned a few other tips, like the fact that Dorothy looms can be folded for transport WITH the warp on, like the fact you can make a bobbin winder from a hand blender, like warping in groups using paper bags and raddles over the castle!  The next workshop with Alison will be one designed for beginners and  long-time weavers: Readon, 'Riting, 'Rithmatic -- sometime this fall.  Stay tuned.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Wednesday Spin-in


Turkmen woman spinning wool with a
drop spindle.
 Photo from InternetRugs.
Yet another 3rd Wednesday Spin-in Mid Island Weavers and Spinners (and other FiBre fReAks) Guild is having another spin-in on April 18th, 7pm. Yes, it is the 3rd Wednesday of the month, hard to believe we are already there. It’s open to spinners and wannabe spinners. Want to spin but don't know how? Come and learn, we have spindles you can try. Learn how to make your own yarn. The spin-in is free and open to anyone.
Location: St Paul's Church Hall, 100 Chapell Street, Nanaimo.  Map is here.
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 This has been a Mid Island Weavers and Spinners Guild blog update. If you are reading this as an email, and can't see this in its full glory, click here to see this item in its full glory, images and all: http://miwsguild.blogspot.com.

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Classes

Tapestry
Workshops
2012


Learn to Weave Tapestry: May 22-25, 2012. Students will learn the basics of tapestry weaving: warping a loom; lines, diagonals, shapes. Copper pipe looms will be available for use. All yarns are provided. Cost: $175.00 plus HST.


Tapestry Weaving Inspired by Nature: June 12-15, 2012. Using nature as our inspiration each student will design and weave a small tapestry. Copper pipe looms will be available for use. All yarns are provided. Cost: $175.00 plus HST.


Tapestry Inspired by the Zapotec Weavers of Oaxaca: July 10-13, 2012. The geometric designs inspired by the ruins of Mitla and Monte Alban will be our inspiration for learning to weave tapestry or honing skills for more advanced weavers. Natural dyed wool yarns and portable copper pipe looms will be provided. Image presentations daily. Cost: $200.00 plus HST.


Tapestry Weaving: Exploring materiality to express your ideas in tapestry. September 25-28, 2012. Each student will weave a sample or small tapestry using wools, cottons, silks, linens, textured and shiny yarns. Portable copper pipe looms will be provided as well as yarns. Cost: $200.00 plus HST.


Tapestry Weaving: Not for Beginners Only. October 23-26, 2012. This course is designed for students who would like more individualized instruction. Students will bring tapestries they are currently weaving or they may bring ideas for future tapestries. Each student will need to identify their own goals for the class. Students supply their own materials and looms. Cost: $175.00 plus HST.


The courses are held either at the Bradley Centre in Coombs, BC or at Elaine's home/studio in Errington. Participants need to bring their own bag lunch, tea and coffee will be provided.

Contact Elaine: email: elaine@elaineduncan.com or phone: 250-248-1270 or visit her website: www.elaineduncan.com for more information.

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Peruvian Textiles Travels

Tapestry by Peruvian artist Maximo Laura
Brenda with some of her
Peruvian collection
Brenda Nicolson, from the Victoria Hand Weavers and Spinners Guild gave a wonderful talk on her travels in Peru.  Brenda was there for 21 days and took part in four different textile workshops. She brought back weavings, yarn, carved gourds, tapestries, felted hats, etc to show us and her slide show gave us a real feel for that part of the world.  Thanks Brenda!

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This has been a Mid Island Weavers and Spinners Guild blog update. If you are reading this as an email, you should click here to see this item in its full glory, images and all: http://miwsguild.blogspot.com.

Sunday, March 4, 2012

tapestry in Ontario this summer

The Toronto Weaving School is a non profit organization dedicated to providing enriching learning experiences in weaving located at 255 Royal York Road near Lakeshore Blvd in Toronto. It is located close to buses, streetcars, subway and GO train. It offers intensive summer courses in weaving presently during the months of June and July. This years offering can be found at: http://weavingworkshops.blogspot.com/. It also offers year round weaving instruction from September to June. This summer, this is the course that is offered to tapestry weavers.

DESIGNING FOR TAPESTRY WEAVING
An intensive painting and design course for the tapestry weaver without art training.
Instructor: Line Dufour
June 18 - 22 10am to 4pm
255 Royal York Road, Toronto, On
$250. plus materials, $300 if you would like to include lunch.
Contact: Line Dufour tapestryline@sympatico.ca

Registrations must be done as soon as possible as the rooms must be booked and rented if there are enough registrants.

Toronto Weaving School is also accepting submissions from other weaving instructors in all kinds of weaving (including tapestry) for the summer program. Instructors are asked to please submit a cv, 10 digital images of their work and/or student work, a proposal for the course they would like to teach, an outline of the course of daily activiities and what they expect in terms of financial renumeration. Class sizes are kept to a maximum of 15 and an assistant who is knowledgeable in weaving is provided. For more information please contact: Line Dufour, tapestryline@sympatico.ca or call 905 836 1321.

Line Dufour

Guild Photos

Heather Sinclair's tapestry
Guild photographs are available here:
2012 Guild photos and
2011 Guild photos

Friday, March 2, 2012

textile workshop

Vasudevan
TASARA INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP ON TEXTILE, 1 July to 15 August 2012
A residential workshop exploring a variety of weaving and surface-design techniques, in a secluded, family-run setting. Experience India's legendary monsoon season in a place with year-round mild temperatures on Kerala's green coast.
Techniques include handweaving, natural dyeing, shibori, multicolour batik, wood block printing, silk screen printing, felting, tie and dye, etc. Instruction will be provided 5 days a week, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
Four-week residencies are offered during the workshop session which will run from 1 July (Sunday) to 15 August (Wednesday) 2012. The fee for a four-week residency will be 900 Euros per person, double occupancy, or 1200 Euros single occupancy. The fee covers tuition and basic workshop materials, accommodation in a spacious guest house, and all meals, including breakfast and dinner of south Indian cooking and self-catered lunch.
For more information and to register, please contact by March._26th. Confirmation of your registration by payment of 50% of the fee will be due by _30th April.
Registration is limited to 10 participants
Email: vasudevantasara@yahoo.com
Youtube: Tasara weaving centre
Skype: vasudevantasara1

Monday, February 20, 2012

information I tried to post earlier on Sarah Swett Workshop

Sarah Swett

Desert Sage Spinners & Weavers Guild -

Tapestry Weaving Workshop

"The Value of Value"

September 20 - 23rd, 2012

Thursday to Sunday at the

Shatford Centre for the Arts

760 Main Street, Penticton



How do images come alive on a warp? What gives things the appearance of
volume? How can a collection of woolen shapes exude energy, movement and
mood? In this workshop we will study these questions and more by working
with the relationships between light, color, yarn and image.

The class begins with a series of exercises in blending and value
progression, exploring how they can be used to model form. We then apply
these principles to a cartoon based tapestry, working with pencil, paper and
wool as they train mind, eyes and hands in weaving flat objects that come
alive on a weft faced surface.



· Warp and Weft provided

· Students should bring;

1. A "Brennan Style" copper or pvc frame loom.
Other portable tapestry looms (mirrix etc)
are suitable as long as the student is comfortable and
familiar with its use. (instructions will be sent to participants

2. scissors, drawing paper, ruler or tape measure,
large eyed "tapestry" needle,

Maximum of 15 students will be accepted to the class, so register early!



4 days - $350.00 (coffee/tea & lunch provided each day)

Sarah Swett workshop

Subject: Sarah Swett Tapestry workshop in Okanagan


Hi Guild members, I am the workshop coordinator for the Desert Sage Spinners and
Weavers Guild in the Okanagan, based in Oliver. We are a teaching guild of
65 members and are holding a Sarah Swett Tapestry weaving Workshop in
Penticton from September 20 - 24, 2012. I have tried to find a general
email address for the BC tapestry weavers society but it doesn't seem to be
active so I am hoping it is okay to be contacting you directly.

If you believe anyone in your society would be interested in attending this
workshop, I have attached our registration form. We are excited to have
Sarah coming our way and through grants, we are able to keep the cost
affordable. Our guild members, where possible will try to co-ordinate
billeting for out of towners. Thanks so much for forwarding this along as
appropriate ~ take care. Hilary Robertson

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Spin-in week

Fiona's dark lace weight and Melody's
green fingerling weigth.
Dreamspin 2012 and the Mid Island Weavers and Spinners Guild were there.  36 hours of spinning, followed by a couple of days of rest and then a Wednesday evening spin-in.
Dreamspin was great fun with at least 50 spinners from north, south and from across the water.
We had a new spinner come and try out a wheel for the first time and she was smitten with spinning.
A close up of the 'nipples'
Fiona and Melody were both taking part in Lynette's KAL (knit-a-long) on Ravelry and brought their knitting to show.  Lynette from Mad about Ewe is releasing a different section of the scarf/shawl every couple of weeks. Fiona is her test knitter.  Check out Fiona's knitting, not bad with only 1 year under her belt!!!
Fiona's version of 'Dark of the Morning'

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Yet another 3rd Wednesday Spin-in

Photo: Carding and spinning in Norway
Mid Island Weavers and Spinners (and other FiBre fReAks) Guild is having another spin-in on Feb15th, 7pm. Yes, it is the 3rd Wednesday of the month, hard to believe we are already there.  It’s open to spinners and wannabe spinners. There will be a variety of wheels there and spindles you can try. Learn how to make your own yarn. We had such a good time last month, we decided to try a spin-in tis month too. The spin-in is free and open to anyone.   

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This has been a Mid Island Weavers and Spinners Guild blog update. If you are reading this as an email, you should click here to see this item in its full glory, images and all: http://miwsguild.blogspot.com.

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Elaine Duncan's classes

The following are courses I am planning for this year 2012. Please feel free to pass this information on to anyone whom you feel might be interested.

Learn to Weave Tapestry: May 22-25, 2012

Tapestry Weaving Inspired by Nature: June 12-15, 2012

Tapestry Weaving Inspired by the Zapotec Rug Weavers in Oaxaca, Mexico: July 10-13, 2012

Natural Dye Days: August 14 and 15, 2012

Indigo Dye Days: August 21 and 22, 2012

Tapestry Weaving, Exploring Materiality: September 25-28, 2012

Tapestry Weaving, Not for Beginners Only: October 23-26, 2012

For a complete description of the above classes, please visit my website: http://www.elaineduncan.com/classes/ . If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me.

Thanks very much,

Elaine

Elaine Duncan Handweaving Studio

POBox 623,

1219 Dobson Road,

Errington, BC V0R 1V0

250.248.1270

www.elaineduncan.com

elaine@elaineduncan.com

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Greater Vancouver Weavers & Spinners Guild Annual Memorial Lecture


Greater Vancouver Weavers & Spinners Guild
Annual Memorial Lecture 
Monday, March 5th, 2012
7:30 pm
Kanata Co-operative Community Building
7155 Blake Street, Vancouver, BC
ALL TEXTILE ENTHUSIASTS ARE INVITED TO THIS FREE LECTURE
Guest Speaker Judith MacKenzie presents "The Tinkuy Conference in the Sacred Valley of Peru"
Judith MacKenzie, has been a textile artist for the last 30 years. Her work appears in private and public collections. Judith teaches throughout North America, is a published author and regularly featured in Spin-Off Magazine.
In 2010, Judith was present when four hundred weavers of the Americas gathered in Urubamba, Peru, in the Sacred Valley near Cusco for Tinkuy de Tejedores.  Participants travelled from the Navajo Nation, Mexico, Guatemala, Ecuador, Bolivia, Argentina, and Peru for this unique textile conference.  Judith will transport us to Tinkuy de Tejedores both visually and through her experiences to this ground breaking event. 
Join us for light refreshments following the lecture. 
DRIVING DIRECTIONS (Visit Guild websitehttp://www.gvwsg.com/ for map and location of Hall)
From the east and north
Exit Highway 1 heading south on Boundary Road.  Continue south on Boundary, crossing 49th Avenue and turn right at Arbor Street - the first traffic light south of 49th Avenue.  Turn right at the “T” on Matheson Avenue and continue right, around a loop until the road straightens out.  On your right you will see a small parking lot beside the Community Building.  You can park in the lot or on street
From the west and south
Travel east along 49th Avenue to the corner of Tyne Street.  The Salvation Army has a building on the northeast corner of this intersection you can use as a marker.  Turn right down Tyne and continue past 54thAvenue.  At this point Tyne becomes Champlain Crescent.  Turn left at the second street on your left after 54thAvenue.  This is Blake Street.  The Community Building will be on your left about halfway up Blake with the parking lot adjacent to it.
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This has been a Mid Island Weavers and Spinners Guild blog update. If you are reading this as an email, you should click here to see this item in its full glory, images and all: http://miwsguild.blogspot.com.

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Fibre exhibit

I went to see this on Thursday and it is well worth seeing. Heather


TOSH Exhibition of Fabric Arts

11 Jan 2012

fabric artist credit: Kathy & Selby Saluke

The Old School House Arts Centre kicks off its twenty-fifth anniversary year with an exhibition of west coast fabric arts. Location: Qualicum Beach, Vancouver Island, B.C.

Fabric art has had a long history in decorative as well as functional applications. Its wide spectrum ranges from needle arts to tapestries that were not only beautiful but also kept the castle walls warm.

Modern fabric arts also involve a wide array of technique and creations. TOSH’s exhibition will highlight tapestries, quilting and appliqué by wonderfully creative fabric artists who take the simplest of materials and create magic.

Several of the artists featured in this show work in groups, such as the Mid Island Surface Design group, whose members encourage each other as they develop their technique in the coloring, patterning, and structuring of fibre and fabric. This technique involves the creative exploration of processes such as dyeing, painting, printing, stitching, embellishing, quilting, weaving, knitting, felting, and papermaking. Another participating group is the local tapestry making group, Tapis, that was formed in 1993 to bring Vancouver Island tapestry weavers together to share their enthusiasm for hand-woven tapestry, partake in group projects and exhibit their work. Many of the Tapis members are internationally known artists.

We are also featuring fabric artists who exhibit individually and live in various parts of Vancouver Island. Among these artists are Laine Canivet, Paulette Cornish, Donna-Fay Digance, Susan Duffield, Cecile Jacobs , Alison Kobylnyk, Susan Purney Mark, Ionne McCauley , Christine Rivers, Marianne Sadik, Kathy & Selby Saluke , Gillian Smith, Elserine Sprenger, Jens Von Draby and Coreen Zerr.

The exhibition runs from January 16 to February 18 with an opening reception on Wednesday, January 18 at 7pm. The reception is open to everyone and is an excellent opportunity to meet many of the artists. (writeup credit: TOSH)

Monday, January 30, 2012

Introduction to Spinning on a Spindle

Learn the easiest way to spin...on a spindle. This Wednesday evening at the Mid Island Weavers and Spinners (aNd otHer fiBRe freAks) Guild meeting the program will focus on spindle spinning.
"Spinning on a wheel is quicker by the hour but spinning on a spindle is quicker by the month."  That's because you can always take a spindle with you in your purse, ready to put it to use at any moment to fend off boredom: spin on the ferry, spin in the car (not while driving), spin at the doctor's office, the airport, on a plane, on the beach...anywhere!.  If you have a spindle - bring it and if you have extra, please bring them so those without can give them a spin.  Liz (and others) will demonstrate a variety of spindles.  Wool will be provided and spindles will be available.
WARNING: Please be aware that spindle spinning can be addictive!

Monday, January 9, 2012

Linda Wallace
"Margaret of Austria without Issue",
1999
The new issue of Fiber Art Now is out, and it has an Artist Profile on local tapestry weaver Linda Wallace.  The article is available here.  There is also an artists statement and biography on the American Tapestry Alliance with more pictures of her incredible work.  Check it out here.

Thursday, January 5, 2012

DreamSpin Spinning Retreat


The 9th Annual DreamSpin Spinning Retreat
Feb 10, 11 &12th, 2012
Cowichan Lake Outdoor Education Centre

Motel style accomodation $269
Dorm style $245
Meals included.  $25 deposit

Make your reservation soon as this fills up quickly.  Contact Sharon Pickard checkergrass @ yahoo.com, Box 146, Errington, V0R 1V0
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This has been a Mid Island Weavers and Spinners Guild blog update. If you are reading this as an email, you should click here to see this item in its full glory, images and all: http://miwsguild.blogspot.com.