All Meetings Through February 2022 Will Be Held on Zoom
September 15, 2021
My Weaving Life So Far
Alice Schlein
Alice will tell the story of how she came to be a weaver, sharing a lighthearted view of her adventures along the way, with notes on people she has met and books she has loved. Alice will include some photos of her weaving (the good, the bad, and the ugly) and finally, she will speculate on where her weaving might go from here.
February 9, 2022
Intersections of Indigenous Design & Art: Issues on the Ethics of Trade, Cultural Appropriation, and Marketplaces for Indigenous Communities
Dakota Mace
This lecture looks at the influence and interconnectedness of visual traditions such as weaving, photography and art from across North America to Central and South America. Indigenous art shares familiar narratives of the interactions and exchange in design and process. Some of these interactions came by way of trade routes and exchanges that took place before European contact. Indigenous art in the Americas has long traditions of practice in many communities, while some are reclaiming natural materials as cultural revitalization efforts progress in Indigenous communities. There is a need to investigate the significance of art-making that connects not only Indigenous peoples but also the value of the process itself in relation to culture. This exploration focuses on looking at the process, structure, and development of artistic traditions and design concepts within Indigenous communities that have helped shape Indigenous art's influence through history.
The Diné (Navajo), is one that many have drawn inspiration from and studied because of the unethical usage of traditional design-work on western apparel. There is a need to place historical context into cultural appropriation through design and material culture to understand the importance of objects and design. A crucial first step into understanding cultural appropriation concerning design and art is how to accurately implement it into higher institutions while introducing the concept of appreciation vs. appropriation. It will provide the opportunity to open up to broader issues on the ethics of trade, design, and marketplaces for Indigenous communities.
October 13, 2021
Exploring Handwoven Velvet
Wendy Landry
Wendy will present her on-going practical research of velvet-weaving, inspired and informed by its history—a process known as experimental archaeology. Wendy’s goal is to make the technique available to contemporary handweavers at various levels, from simple to complex. Wendy will discuss the likely origins of velvet technique exemplified in Coptic textiles from Egypt, and show how it can be made on all manner of looms, from simple frame looms to draw looms, as well as complex electronic multi-shaft looms controlled by handweavers. The talk will be illustrated with images of Wendy’s own velvet examples and weaving set-ups, as well as some Coptic examples.
November 10, 2021
3-D Hand Loom Weaving, Sculptural Tools and Techniques
Sally Eyring
Three-dimensional weaving has a long and varied history, starting with arachnids 400 million years ago to the space age fabrics of today. Despite this long history, the terminology is confusing and inconsistent. Up to now, hand weaving has been limited to rectangles woven with interesting structures or materials that create surface interest.
In their book, Ideas in Weaving, Ann Sutton and Diane Sheehan muse on a tension device developed by Janice Lessman-Moss of Kent, Ohio. The device, they say, "broke one of the cardinal rules of even tension maintenance," and note that "More work like this would bring the handweaving loom (which suffers from innovation deprivation) out of rustic technology and into the twentieth century."
In trying to remedy the "innovation deprivation" of the hand loom, Sally developed and will describe three different techniques and several loom modifications that allow the hand weaver to create 3-D woven forms. These tools and techniques are described in detail in her book published by Schiffer Publishing in the summer of 2020. Publishing the book, in the middle of a pandemic, was also an adventure of sorts!
March, April, and May Meetings Will Be Held In-Person
March 9, 2022
Shimmering Colors: The Magic of Iridescence
Bobbie Irwin
Fabrics that appear to change color as the light and angle of view change seem almost magical! You don't need gossamer threads or just plain weave to achieve this iridescence in handwoven fabrics. Learn a variety of color, thread, thread size and structure options for creating your own magical iridescent fabrics. Unexpected options include multicolored iridescence (3, 4, or more colors) and unusual variations such as multiple layers and warp- or weft-dominant fabrics, including satin.
April 13, 2022
Handmade Cloth: Exploring Ritual
Sarah Saulson
Weaving Jewish prayer shawls has become a focus of Sarah’s studio practice. Each one is woven for its wearer, so each one is a new adventure in design and tells a meaningful personal story. We will look at the ancient tradition of Jewish prayer shawls, which are first described in the Jewish Bible, and Sarah will share how its traditions have inspired her contemporary multi-shaft handwoven interpretations. It is a journey through space and time, celebrating handmade cloth as a ritual object.
May 11,2022
The May Meeting is an annual celebration of the Guild's programs and members. The schedule includes the Annual Business Meeting, Ratings Exhibit and presentations, Awards, the Guild Challenge presentation, a light-hearted Fashion Show, and a Pot Luck Lunch. There are no morning workshops or afternoon speaker.
Woven and photographed by Sally Eyring