September | Handweavers Guild CT

September 21, 2024 STATE MEETING

Open: Bringing Historical Weaving to Life, Margaret Liljedahl

While handweaving itself is undoubtedly a historical trade, the techniques and materials used in the craft have become steadily more modern. All it takes is a lucky run-in with an antique barn loom to remind the modern weaver of what was available to local practitioners a few centuries ago. Over the past several years, Margaret has descended down the rabbit hole of historical weaving techniques and has the privilege of working with several historical sites and museums across Connecticut and New York to get their barn looms singing again. In this talk, she will share a brief overview of her story, some insights into what makes barn looms so magical, and what the future can hold for the tradition of c.18th and 19th century weaving.

Mini #1: Pockets and Buttonholes in Handwoven Fabrics, Mary Ruth Shields

Handcrafted buttonholes and pockets are possible in your handwovens, even with thick or slippery yarns. Learn how to place and sew two styles of buttonholes and three styles of pockets that will look professional every time. This is a demo style class with handouts provided.

Materials fee: none Class size: 14

Mini #2: Cane-Wrapped Stones, Lois Matson

Learn the simple craft of wrapping smooth stones with cane or leather using a Japanese basket-like technique to create gifts for healing, mediation, or just adorn your space with a natural element from nature. Stones and supplies will be provided. However you are welcome to bring a special stone or embellishments (button, shells, sticks, etc.) of your own.

Materials fee: $5 Class size: 8

Mini #3: Introduction to the Threading Draft, Anne Graham

We’ll cover the basics of weaving drafts: threading, tie-up, and treadling, and the different forms drafts take. Also how you can do a heddle count, and what to do with those pesky brackets. We’ll end by looking at actual drafts from HWN, Marguerite Porter Davison, and other sources, examining how their presentation of the essential components may fool us.

Participants should bring: pencil, calculator (on phone is fine)

Materials fee: $4 Class size: 12

Mini #4: Ratings, Dorrie Hunt

Ratings is a program offered by the Guild to help members expand their weaving knowledge and skills. We invite everyone interested in finding out more about Ratings to attend this mini workshop. Ratings follow a sequence of requirements. All weavers start with the Apprentice level, and can then move onto Journeyman and finally may decide to challenge themselves with the Master Weaver level. In this mini we will discuss how to get started, explain all the requirements for each level and talk about the support available to help you on your way. Bring your questions.

Materials fee: none Class size: 16

Afternoon Program: Textile Manufacturing in Connecticut - 18th Century to Present, Mary Ruth Shields

Connecticut has a deep and varied history in textile manufacturing throughout the entire state. Many buildings hiding in plain sight once housed textile and apparel related businesses. Important manufacturing milestones occurred in your own community! Our shared textile story is intertwined with historic individuals such as George Washington and events such as the Civil War. Do you know where textiles are still being manufactured in CT? Find out the secret and not so secret history of textile manufacturing in the land of Yankee Ingenuity!