HANDWEAVERS’ GUILD OF CONNECTICUT
WORKSHOPS 2009-2010

The Guild meets five times a year the third Saturday of the month, bimonthly from September through May. All meetings are held at The Emanuel Lutheran Church, 311 Capitol Ave Hartford, CT.  The Maxi Workshops are usually one or two days before the Guild meeting.

Guild Meeting Schedule:

9-10 am               Weftovers, Library, Guild Services, Snack, Vendors (at some meetings)
10-11:45 am         Workshops (Open and Minis)
11:45 am-12:30     Lunch (brown bag and/or purchase), Library, Weftovers
12:30-1:15           HGC Business Meeting for all members
1:15 - 2:30           Program Speaker
2:45 - 3:30           HGC Board business meeting

MAXI WORKSHOPS


Thursday November 19 and Friday November 20, 2009
Weaving the Perfect Towel
Tracy Kaestner

What’s a perfect towel? It’s a beautiful functional towel that serves your needs. After weaving hundreds of towels Tracy has put together a handout detailing exactly what makes the perfect towel perfect! Topics covered are fiber, sett, size, structure, design and more. Tracy will share her personal collection of wonderful towels woven by an assortment of wonderful weavers to illustrate her hand out! Presenter will provide handout, drafts for all of the warps in the workshop and a kit with the yarns needed for your warp and weft. Each warp will be long enough for samples for the class plus 1 or 2 finished towels for you to keep.
Fee: $140 (includes all warp and weft fibers.
Location: The Hartford Artisans Weaving Center, 40 Woodland St. in Hartford

Thursday March 18 and Friday March 19, 2010
Weaving Shaker Linen Textiles
Mary Elva Erf

The Shaker Linen Workshop will be a two-day workshop with a possibility of including the Saturday Mini at the March Guild meeting. All of the drafts will be woven on 4 or 8 shaft floor looms. Each student will have an opportunity to sample various weave structures used by the Shakers in the 19th century—Twills, Bronson, Huck, M&O, Dimity and more—and to develop skills in weaving with fine linen or cotton, and to study a variety of finishing techniques. Join us for two days of the simple life.
Fee: $55 
Location: The Hartford Artisans Weaving Center, 40 Woodland St. in Hartford

 

HGC STATE MEETING SCHEDULE 2008-2009

September 19, 2009

OPEN WORKSHOP: Forty Years of Rugs
Terese Ridgeway

This workshop will be a review of rugs by Terese beginning with her very first, a rag rug woven 40 years ago. She will show and discuss Native American saddle blankets, Krokbragd, Rep weave and eight shaft Summer and Winter weft face block designs.

MINI WORKSHOPS:

  1. Trims and Fringe on Inkle Looms - Bonne Backe
    This workshop will begin with simple tapes on an inkle loom and then progress to fringe and fancy effects - on the same warp. In order to get right to it, students will work on pre-warped keel style inkle 'loaner' looms. Anyone wishing to work on his or her own inkle should contact the instructor 2 weeks in advance.
  2. Paddle Warping II - Kathleen Grant
    Warping for Impatient Weavers. This is the follow up on paddle warping from the March 09 Mini. We will go over any problems and refine your skills. Newcomers welcome, as we will also go over the basics, using Leslie Voier’s book, which will be available for purchase..

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  3. Rigid Heddle Weaving - Ginger Balch
    Almost every weaver has a rigid Heddle loom stashed away somewhere. Ginger Balch, of ‘In Sheep’s Clothing Fibre Arts Studio’ will demonstrate why everyone should dust theirs off and give this often overlooked, under appreciated loom a chance. A fast direct warping method and patterning techniques will be demonstrated. The use of a second rigid heddle will also be discussed. Find out why rigid heddle weaving has become the “next big thing” for fiber lovers.

Program:  The Life and Work of a Miniature Weaver - Bonni Backe

Bonni’s zig zag path toward miniature weaving started with Popsicle sticks, continued to the Fashion Institute in NYC, went on to production weaving alpaca scarves, sample weaving for the textile industry, to being head textile designer in the Garment District. That’s where the fine yarns presented ‘The Challenge’. Could she use these yarns to create the illusion of scale in dollhouse textiles? You decide, while looking at miniature rugs, table linens and coverlets woven on full sized floor looms.

 November 21, 2009

OPEN WORKSHOP: A Reenactment of the life of New England Woman, During the Years of 1740-1840
Gail McKenney

Gail will present a historical perspective of domestic arts and the everyday life in early New England including the changes seen during these one hundred years. Gail will also discuss the process of creating a living history persona from facts and research. Goodwife Abigale McKenney will greet you as you arrive

MINI WORKSHOPS:

  1. Color Inspiration from the Masters - Tracy Kaestner
    Learn how to create a color palette using a favorite painting or photo. This is a fun group activity where everyone participates in creating a palette for each participant using Color Aid paper. The result being a pleasing color palette you can take home and translate in to a finished project. Materials fee: To be determined (less than $5)
  2. Covering Books with Handwoven Fabric  -Darcy Topper
    A great way to showcase small amounts of your handwoven fabric is using it to cover books or journals. In this mini we will discuss appropriate fabrics, various construction methods, potential embellishments and uses of the books themselves. Come for the show and tell, handout and discussions or bring a blank book and fabric and get group input on possibilities, leave with a plan. If you intend to work on a book in class, bring one and paper and fabric scissors, thread to match, a needle and a few pins. Covered books make nice small gifts; think holidays!
  3. Making Rugs from Braided Roving  -Selma Miriam
    Come and learn to make a long lasting, weaver friendly rug! During this mini you will have the opportunity to create a small sample suitable for a mug rug with guidance from Selma. Examples of these beautiful rugs will be on display during the September Guild meeting. Materials fee to be determined..

Program:  Fun With Four Shafts   - Tracy Kaestner

Do you suffer from shaft envy? Are you one of those people who have a 4-shaft loom, but wish you had more? Well, be envious no more. There are lots of great 4 shaft drafts, learning how to make them successful is the key. Tracy will cover the keys to a successful piece of fabric. Included in this lecture is a color handout with 10 of Tracy’s favorite 4 shaft drafts accompanied by color copies of their swatches.


January 16, 2010

OPEN WORKSHOP: Silas Burton, Stratford CT Weaver 1775-1827
Rebecca Arkenberg 
Many weavers are aware of Stratford weaver Silas Burton (1775-1827) through his draft book of patterns for table linen, coverlets, and carpets. However, the draft book is but one document among many that were donated to the Stratford Historical Society. Burton's daybook, account book, weaving and reed memoranda, carpet receipts, will, inventory, and miscellaneous papers supplement the draft book and provide insight into his personal and professional life. Rebecca Arkenberg has entered the information from these documents into spreadsheets that allow her to analyze his weaving production as well as identifying some of his well-known contacts. Come find out about the 10-shaft diaper pattern known as "Stratford Beauty" and how it may have been named. CD-ROM facsimiles of the draft book will be available for purchase.

MINI WORKSHOPS:

  1. Button , Button, Who’s Got the Button? - Sharon Baker Kelly
    This will be a longer mini, starting at 9:30.
    Woven fabric is perfect for garments but weavers freeze at the thought of machine made buttonholes on our wearable art. In this hands-on workshop, the students will explore new ways to think about closures for handwoven garments. Many techniques will be sampled, from simple loops and ties to the dreaded bound buttonhole. Students will create samples of various closure possibilities, and will hopefully be inspired to add them to their own repertoire. Basic sewing experience required. Bring a Sewing Machine, oiled and in working order, the manual, sharp scissors or rotary cutter and mat, hand needles, sewing machine needles, thread, bobbins, tape measure, ruler, fabric, handwoven if possible, any handwoven garments for inspiration and friendly critique. Materials fee will be $7 to $10.

  2. Finishing and Embellishment Techniques - Janney Simpson
    Enhance your handwovens with a variety of finishing and embellishment techniques. This will be a hands-on session covering several variations of beaded edges, adding beads to fringe, hemstitching with beads, and embroidery and beading directly on the fabric. Fabric, beads, beading and embroidery thread, needles and instructions will be provided. You are welcome to bring in your own handwovens to discuss embellishment ideas for them. Please bring small scissors, optional-magnifying glasses, portable light or Ott light and extension cord. Materials fee $5.00

  3. Diversified Plain Weave -Fran Curran
    Fran will discuss this fascinating weave and bring in samples to share. Learn to weave this structure using one of the most deceptive combinations of threads. You can create a beautiful complex looking fabric, on only four shafts.

Program:  Handwoven Garments: What’s my style? What’s the best Pattern? How do I Plan it? Help!!  - Sharon Baker Kelly

In this inspiring presentation, we will examine garment industry suggestions of flattering styles for different body types, an overview of what to look for in patterns appropriate for handwoven fabric, and tools for determining fiber, sett, and yardage when weaving for handwoven garments. Sharon, the Diva Weava, will show some of her own award winning garments, and encourages others to bring questions, challenges, and garments they have created for friendly, informative critique. Sharon brings 40 years of sewing experience to her handwoven garment construction.

March 20, 2010

OPEN WORKSHOP: Exploring Contemporary Bead Work - Peggy Dembicer

Peggy will present a series of designs and methods of creating contemporary beadwork.

MINI WORKSHOPS:

  1. Repairing and Conserving your Textile Treasures - Susan Jerome
    This mini will focus on simple textile conservation techniques. The participants will learn basic repair stitching, proper storage techniques for textiles, and discuss questions concerning more involved textile-conservation procedures. Participants are asked to bring a basic sewing kit that includes needles, pins and scissors. They may also bring one small conservation problem for discussion and repair. $5.00 materials fee for underlays, overlays and material for stitch samples.

  2. Rep Weave--Four Harnesses and Up - Lucienne Coifman
    Tips and tricks for designing and weaving Rep weave on up to 8 shafts. A step-by-step approach to color, design and drafting will be presented. A set up loom will be available for demonstration and hands on during this mini. Bring pencil, paper, any Rep weave item you own for discussion. Materials fee $1.00.

  3. Round Bottomed Pincushion Basket - Elisa Kessler-Caporale
    In this mini we will make a Nantucket-look basket, 4”x 3”, with reed and cane, and stuff it to make a pincushion. Bring: Scissors, old towel- for spills, 8 x 8” fabric square if you want special fabric and matching thread. Materials fee: $5.00 for reed, fabric and stuffing.

PROGRAM: Weaving Comes of Age, From Hand to Machine  - Susan Jerome

The advent of mechanized textile production in the first decades of the nineteenth century changed forever the way people thought of time. The ability to purchase inexpensive, printed cotton fabrics gave rise to the idea that weaving and other needlecrafts were leisurely activities, ones that demonstrated the artistic and feminine attributes of the maker. Fashion, too, was changed by the availability of ready-made fabrics. The invention of the sewing machine accelerated the development of clothing (and fabric) as disposable objects. Ms. Jerome, Collections Manager at the University of Rhode Island Historic Textile and Costume Collection, will explore how textile history influenced our cultural ideas and values of things made from cloth.

May 15, 2010

OPEN WORKSHOP: I Like Her Work, But Can She Teach? - Kathi Spangler
This mini will focus on simple textile conservation techniques. The participants will learn basic repair stitching, proper storage techniques for textiles, and discuss questions concerning more involved textile-conservation procedures. Participants are asked to bring a basic sewing kit that includes needles, pins and scissors. They may also bring one small conservation problem for discussion and repair. $5.00 materials fee for underlays, overlays and material for stitch samples.

  1. Rep Weave--Huck Lace and Finger Lace  - Scott Norris
    In this mini, Scott will present a demonstration of techniques combining loom-controlled 8-harness huck, pick-up huck, and finger laces. Bring notebook and pencil.
  2. Troubleshooting for Beginners Lisa Green
    This is a “what for” and “how do I?” mini. Bring your weaving problems and questions to a more experienced weaver. Make a list of specific topics you need to hear about and email them to weavemaster@handweaversguildofct.org a few weeks before the class
  3. Iridescence in Weaving Pat McMullan
    Are you tired of weaving your comfort zone colors? Want to add a little zing? This workshop will explore the factors which help some textiles shimmer and appear to change color as they move: hues, value, size of threads, luster, weave structure, drape and others. Guild members are asked to bring any iridescent fabrics they have, handwoven or commercial, so we can look at them together. Please bring a color wheel if you have one.
    Materials fee: $2 for handout. Color wheels and value scales will be available for optional purchase.

PROGRAM: Three Handwoven Hand Dyed Tablecloths  - Scott Norris

The story and discussion of three handwoven hand dyed linen tablecloths.
From Scott’s website: elamswidow.com “I’m inspired by this fabric, and excited by the prospect of making cloth with similar qualities of gracefulness, strength, and utility. For that reason, almost everything I make consists of functional household textiles intended to be used every day. I weave with linen whenever possible, because it remains resilient and lustrous as it fades and softens over time. When treated respectfully, cloth woven from linen can last nearly forever, providing an element of permanence that I admire.”

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