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- April 2026 PHG Newsletter
Guild Calendar
Thursday, April 9, 2026 – March Meeting
Multnomah Arts Center + Zoom, 7688 SW Capitol Hwy. (503) 823-2787
All meetings are free and open to the public10:00 am Day Meeting – Auditorium
9:30 am – 10:00 am: Set up, social time and library browsing time
10:00 am – 12:00: Meeting7:00 pm Evening Meeting – Room 30
6:30 pm – 7:00 pm: set up, social and library browsing time
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm: MeetingThursday, April 23, 2026 – Board Meeting
7:00pm – Zoom
See the website for full calendar including study group meetings.
President’s Message
Well, in the hope that I don’t jinx anything, I have decided we will not have winter! I listened to my family in Michigan talking about non-stop snow and cold while I got a bit of a sunburn yesterday. I did not gloat too much. I’ve uncovered my patio furniture and went unintentionally flower shopping with Ripley. At 7 she has a great sense of color particularly when I am buying. She’s very proud of her flowers; I am happy to feed my flower addiction. Happy Spring!
On a not so happy note, I received two emails from folks that thought I got hacked and was requesting gift cards for the Guild. As Dan noted, we would never request gift cards or any money randomly for the Guild. He likened it to a modern-day Nigerian prince scam. Just send money and you will get ….. nothing! Someone tried to pull this on me for a $30 marketplace sale. “Just transfer $500 and I promise to send it back less the $30” They went so far as to have what looked like a real Venmo email They are slick. When in doubt, reach out to me or any member of the board.
Nora Gessert
Upcoming Programs
April 9, 2026 Meeting – The Legacy of Indigenous Oregon Basketweaving with Elizabeth Kallenback
Elizabeth will talk about Indigenous Oregon Basketweaving, including artistic traditions, native plants, and contemporary work.
Elizabeth’s academic interests include the relationship between textile traditions, ethnobotanical practices and cultural identity in western North America. Recent research includes analysis of prehistoric textile technology in the Northern Great Basin. For her master’s thesis, Elizabeth examined environmental activism of California’s native basketweavers and their feminist political-ecological approach to natural and cultural resource management. This research in heritage management advocates for the use of museum anthropology collections by descendant communities for education, research, and as a vehicle for engaging communities. Her doctoral research focuses on ethnobotany and weaving traditions of indigenous peoples as expressed through the ancient art of basket weaving during the 19th and 20th centuries in the Pacific Northwest and Western Interiors. Elizabeth works in the museum field and as an archaeologist, and currently serves as the Anthropological Collections Manager at the UO Museum of Natural and Cultural History.
May 14, 2026 Meeting – Jennifer Moore presents Chromatic Fantasy – Music, Mathematics and Magic in Doubleweave
For nearly 40 years, Jennifer has been exploring relationships between weaving, mathematics, and music in her doubleweave wall pieces. In this multi-media presentation, she will show how she has used doubleweave pick-up as a medium for her geometric designs and color harmonies. She will explain the basic principles of the golden proportion, symmetry movements, tessellations, and fractals, and show how she has used them in her work. The program will culminate with a journey through my master’s project and an animated video of my weavings dancing to the music of Bach.
About the Speaker
From the first time that I sat down at a loom, I was drawn to the orderly universe of colored threads and the rhythmic repetition in the process of weaving. Because of my background in piano and pipe organ, I felt an immediate affinity with this new stringed instrument whose patterns flowed from my hands in the form of color and design rather than sound.
After experimenting with various structures for several years, I found my home in the ancient technique of doubleweave pick-up. In doubleweave two layers of cloth are woven simultaneously, one above the other on the loom. Through the exacting process of hand pick-up, I exchange threads between the two layers, building original designs onto the underlying grid. By blending numerous colors together in both my warp and weft and playing one layer against the other, I am able to create a nearly limitless range of subtle color gradations.
Over the years, I have developed new methods of setting up and weaving doubleweave that I feel make it accessible and understandable for all weavers. As much as I love practicing the art of doubleweave, nothing brings me greater joy than sharing it with others. I travel extensively throughout the U.S. and abroad, teaching workshops on doubleweave, color, and geometric design. My techniques and systems for working in doubleweave can also be found in my book The Weaver’s Studio: Doubleweave Revised and Expanded, and in my online courses
Upcoming Workshops
If you’d like some creative inspiration, to learn new skills, and connect with the PHG weaving community, please join one of our future workshops. If the workshop you are interested in is full, please join the waitlist. Here’s what we have coming up:
May 15-17, 2026: Doubleweave Discoveries with Jennifer Moore
This workshop is full. Spots opened due to cancellation will be filled from the waitlist. Learn all about the magic of doubleweave! In this workshop, participants will weave a sampler that explores weaving two independent layers of cloth, double-width cloth, tubular weaving, color-and-weave effects, pique, quilting, and doubleweave pick-up. Students with 8-shaft looms will also be able to weave samples of 2-block doubleweave techniques in log cabin, checkerboard, windows, and double-blocks. Graphing designs and working with multiple colors will be introduced. These techniques can then be taken home to create clothing, sculptural pieces, decorative hangings, and whatever else the imagination can dream of. This in person workshop will be held at the MAC. For information or to join the waitlist visit: Doubleweave Discoveries workshop with Jennifer Moore – Portland Handweavers Guild
November 13, 2026: Introduction to Japanese Book Binding
Registration is open! Learn how to build and hand-stitch your own books using the four classic Japanese book binding techniques. We are happy to announce that Barbara Setsu Pickett will teach a one day Introduction to Japanese Book Binding workshop at Ruthie’s Weaving Studio. Barbara is a Professor Emeritus in the Department of Art at the University of Oregon. The focuses of her research and creative practice are velvet weaving, shibori, natural dyeing, and the book arts. For information and registration visit: Workshop: Introduction to Japanese Book Binding with Barbara Setsu Pickett – Portland Handweavers Guild
February 13 and 20, 2027: Passementerie with Elizabeth Ashdown (online)
Looking forward to 2027, Elizabeth Ashdown will be joining us virtually from her studio in London to lead an online workshop in Passementerie. In this bespoke two day workshop, you will learn five woven passementerie designs. Registration is not yet open, but you can learn more about the Elizabeth and the workshop here: Workshop: Passementerie with Elizabeth Ashdown (online in 2027) – Portland Handweavers Guild. Also, check the latest (Winter 2025) issue of Handwoven magazine. Elizabeth is featured twice: she has an article and fringe pattern, and there is a brief segment about her book, Passementerie: Handcrafting Contemporary Trimmings, Fringes, Tassels, and More. This workshop is for weavers on all loom types.
March 12-14, 2027: Rug Weaving Basics with Mary Zicafoose
We are excited to bring renowned artist Mary Zicafoose to PHG. Mary joins us for a program and workshop in March 2027. Learn, add to, or refresh your knowledge of a well constructed rug in Rug Weaving Basics. This is an in person workshop at the Multnomah Arts Center. Registration is not yet open. Learn more about Mary at: Mary Zicafoose Tapestries and Prints | Home Page
Workshop Wrap Up: Mastering Multi-heddle Weaving on a Rigid Heddle Loom with Carly Jayne
Following Carly Jayne’s presentation at our March guild meeting, she taught a two day workshop on at Ruthie’s Weaving Studio. Eleven students learned about converting 4 shaft drafts to 3 rigid heddles and worked on weaving with 2 and 3 heddles on a rigid heddle loom. Let’s not dwell on what we’re told a RH can’t do, let’s explore what it can!
Happy weaving and learning!
Any question should be directed to workshops@portlandhandweaversguild.org.
Guild News
Gathering of the Guilds
Mark your calendars for the Gathering of the Guilds. We have more than a dozen members who are participating and there will be demonstrations in the lobby. I am sure Cooki Messmer will be reaching out for volunteers.
It is always a great opportunity to see our fiber artists as well as the other 8 guilds selling there art. Entry is free!
GOTG Volunteers Needed!!!
Demonstration volunteers are needed again this year as we will be in the front lobby of the Gathering of the Guilds show and sale at the Convention Center. The dates are April 24 to 26, Friday through Sunday. If you have never demonstrated before, don’t be shy! It’s easy and fun to talk about weaving and what our guild offers. And it’s a good opportunity to get to know some other Guild members a little better. Bring your own small loom or spinning wheel if you prefer.
I am looking for someone to bring the Wolf Pup loom over on Friday morning before 10 am. (Or it can be dropped off Thursday evening when folks are setting up. All our equipment is left in a closet overnight.) Also, if someone can take the loom back to the closet on Sunday that would be very helpful! It can be returned to the Guild closet on Monday.
Contact Cooki ( cookimessmer@comcast.net ) with questions or click here to sign up online to volunteer under the Community tab on the PHG website.
Board position and ways you can help
There is always ways to get involved in the Guild. Some are small tasks, like setting up for annual events, helping with demonstrations, or even setting up chairs before the meetings. We really appreciate everyone that just starts working when help is needed. I always tell people, when asked, our members show up!
There are a couple of ongoing activities we could use help. Galadriel Breezy, membership director, proposed a buddy system for new members or even members who would like to partner with a member with like interests that can spur you along. Of course, you can look at the membership directory and see who has your interests, but we would really like to pair new members with a member of the guild that could mentor them along and make them feel welcomed. Maybe it’s just a periodic check in to see how they are doing in their weaving journey. Maybe it’s coffee on occasion to explore similar interests. If you would like to be part of our buddy system, reach out to Galadriel, she will hook you up! I’m sure it would be rewarding!
After 6 years, Linda Edquist has decided to step down as our Director of Education. She has an article about the open position in this newsletter. Being on the Board can be as much or as little as you want to make it. As President, other than the monthly meetings, I probably put in 3-5 hours per month. It has been a great way to meet people and give back to the Guild. Please consider the role as Director of Education, it’s a great role with a great team already in place.
Program Chair Needed
Have you ever thought about what goes on at a PHG Board meeting? How about wondering how it is that the Program Chair comes up with a year’s worth of programs and workshops? Well, there is a great opportunity made just for you!
After years at the helm as the Education Director (former Program Chair) I will be stepping down after this season and am looking for a new member that would be interested in taking on this opportunity! New blood, new ideas!
No fears about “But I don’t know what to do,” we (the board ) are there to assist you through the transition. It will be a fun way to meet some great weavers and engage more with the members of the guild. Remember we are an all volunteer guild and each of us need to step up once in a while to help make PHG the wonderful organization that it is.
If you have any questions please contact me or grab me at the meeting to talk.
Looking forward to handing over the reins to someone with fresh energy and ideas!
Linda Edquist, Education Director
Library Update
At the end of January, the library and rental teams had a special browse and pick-up day in Room 33 in the former senior center at the Multnomah Arts Center. We had a lot of room for members to browse the shelves, didn’t need worry about hurrying to get a meeting started, and, with a sunny day, the lighting was great. As we had the whole library team together, we took the chance to do make some adjustments. Following up on a suggestion Cindy made a couple of years ago while working on the yearly inventory, we moved the band weaving books and DVDs out of the Simple Looms category. The inkle loom, tablet weaving, passementerie and band weaving books are now in their own category – Band Weaving (not very clever, but recognizable). The Simple Looms category retains rigid heddle looms, pin looms, pot holder looms, and continuous strand looms (ex., triangle looms). It is still a work in progress. If an item was checked out, the tag in LibraryThing will not be changed until the physical label can be updated. By the way, if you’ve been avoiding the DVDs because you don’t have a player or drive anymore, PHG has an external disc drive that you can check out. It is living on the New shelf.
As many of you know, I wove at the MAC for many years. I took a break but signed up again for winter term. When I warped my loom in January, I had planned it to be a project that would take the whole term. I finished it with a couple weeks to go. I needed to find a quick project fast. I didn’t want to waste the last couple of weeks of the quarter. I also didn’t want to put on a long project just in case I failed to get into the spring term. Getting into a weaving class at the MAC can be as harrowing as trying to get Taylor Swift tickets (or so I assume).
So I pulled out my favorite project book off my bookshelf. Browsing through a project book is a like looking through vacation catalog of fully planned trips. Lots of beautiful pictures. You can follow the details as laid out or not. Most of the books that I’ve written about are more like manuals to help you plan your own month long getaway. They can be lots of fun dreaming about what you can do, but they don’t give that instant gratification you need when you unexpectedly have a long weekend.
The first book I looked at for a quick project is Sixty Scarves for 60 Years. The projects were assembled by the Weavers Guild of Greater Baltimore in 2009. This book became an instant hit. It proved popular enough that a few years later a revised edition with 6 more projects was published. The PHG library has both editions in its collection. Sixty Scarves has large, beautiful pictures of each project. The yarn used are ones that most of us have in our stash. The projects range from plain weave to 24 shaft twills. There is even a scarf woven in sections on an 18” travel triangle frame loom. Echo weave, shadow weave, deflected double weave…there is something for everyone in this collection.
That inspired me take a look at other books published by guilds that are available in the guild library. Weaving Lives at 65: Projects from an Anniversary Exhibition celebrates the 65th anniversary of the Weaver’ Guild of Rochester. This book has 33 projects drawn from their anniversary exhibition in 2011. The projects range from plain weave to 16 shaft weaves. Unlike the previous book, the projects are not limited to one particular item. There are scarves, of course. There are also shawls, tops, vests and jackets, and rugs and towels. The projects often contain weaving and finishing notes. Weaving Lives at 65 also has a history of the Rochester guild and pictures from the exhibition of projects that were out of the scope of this book.
A third guild publication is Interlaced from the Weavers’ Guild of Boston celebrating their 90th anniversary in 2012. Of the three guild project collections, Interlaced has more complex projects. They range from plain weave to 24 shafts. The projects range from rugs to a doll made from handwoven cloth; scarves and shawls to gloves and coats. Each project provides a brief weaving biography of the contributor. The drafts are obvious; however, you will need to read the text to find the sett, yarns and size in the reed. Many of the projects in this book are more summer vacation than weekend getaway.
These three books were published in this century. Did you know that Portland Handweavers Guild also published a book? In 1985, The Coverlet Project celebrated our 40th anniversary. The coverlet was actually a tablecloth. The booklet looks quite primitive by today’s standards, a product of its time. It has black and white pictures with project worksheets for the 17 overshot drafts. It had its fourth printing in 1995. You can check out a physical copy from the library or link to it on the History of Portland Handweavers Guild web page.
—Robin K.
Browse the PHG library online from the comfort of your home anytime. The first tag for each item tells you in which section the item can be found. Newer acquisitions may be on the “New” shelf. Also explore tools you can check out from the Small Equipment Library. Both are available for browsing during our regular meetings.
Bulletin Board
County and State Fairs are just around the corner
Here is your opportunity to:
- Show off your fiber arts projects
- See what others have done
- Participate in demonstrations
Entering in the fair near you is fun, gets people interested in the fiber arts and passes the fun along to the next generation of enthusiasts. Check local rules – some fairs don’t require residency in the county to enter.
County Fairs in the Portland Metro area include:
Columbia County Fair, July 15-18 Fair Book and Entry Forms
Washington County Fair July 24-Aug 2 Community Competition HandBook
Hood River County Fair, July 22-25, Fair Handbook
Yamhill County Fair, July 29- Aug 1 Exhibitor’s Handbook 2025
Clark County Fair (Washington) August 7-16 Exhibitor Information
Tillamook County Fair, August 5-8 Exhibitor Info not yet available
Clackamas County Fair August 18-22 Exhibitor Information
Skamania County Fair (WA) August 12-15 Exhibitor Information
Oregon State Fair August 28 – September 7 Exhibitor Handbook(Thanks to Leigh Wheeler for compiling this list!)
Latest ANWG Newsletter
The Association of Northwest Weavers Guilds has posted their January 2026 newsletter. Check out the creative ways other Northwest weaving guilds are getting their members together for fiber activities. All ANWG newsletters are available here.
Looking to Buy or Sell Weaving Equipment or Materials?
Check out the Items for Sale page.
Fiber News and Events
Damascus Fiber Arts School presents Tapestry Talks
Saturday, April 11, at 10am Pacific, our guest will be Mica Sidore. Micala will be talking about her tapestry journey. Is this really what Micalathought she was going to be doing? Weaving tapestries, writing articles and books, giving talks? Not even close. But things happen and things change—and she likes where she is, where she has been, where she is going. The shape of her life, it seems, is about moving from a conventional set of expectations (high school teacher, marriage, and children) to this very unexpected place. A process, and one she has ultimately enjoyed immensely See Tapestry Talks – Damascus Fiber Arts School for more information.
Weaving and Screen Printing Show
Date: April 10-24, Reception April 16 at 7:00pm
Location: Portland State University, AB Lobby Gallery
Conference of Northern California Handweavers
Date: May 14th – 17th, 2026
Location: Asilomar, California
CNCH.org
Fiber in the Forest
Date: May 15th – 17th, 2026
Location: Myrtle Point, Oregon
Fiber in the Forest
Fiber Fusion Northwest
Date: June 6th & 7th, 2026
Location: Monroe, Washington
FiberFusion.net
Black Sheep Gathering
Date: June 26 – 28, 2026
Location: Albany, Oregon
BlackSheepGathering.org
HGA Convergence
August 12-16, 2026
New Orleans, Louisiana
https://weavespindye.org/convergence/
ANWG 2027 Conference
June 14-19, 2027
Portland, Oregon
https://anwgconference.org/
Handweavers Guild of America
Textiles & Tea
TuesdaysHandweavers Guild of America, Inc.’s (HGA)‘s Textiles & Tea takes place every Tuesday at 4 PM (ET). We’ve invited some of the most respected fiber artists in the field today to join us for an hour long conversation where we will discuss their artwork and their creative journey. Make a cup of your favorite tea and join us as we talk about fiber, creativity, inspiration, process and so much more.
Newsletter Contributions
Send news items and fiber events to Tim Prins by the 25th of the month for inclusion in the next month’s newsletter.
Rental Equipment
PHG has equipment available for rent to current PHG Members. Click here for more info.
PHG Board and Chairs
Please click here for a list of PHG Board Members and Committee Chairs.
Past Newsletters
For older newsletters see our Newsletter Archive