Guild Calendar
Thursday, May 14, 2026 – Monthly Meeting
Multnomah Arts Center + Zoom, 7688 SW Capitol Hwy. (503) 823-2787
All meetings are free and open to the public
10:00 am Day Meeting – Auditorium
9:30 am – 10:00 am: Set up, social time and library browsing time
10:00 am – 12:00: Meeting
7:00 pm Evening Meeting – Room 30
6:30 pm – 7:00 pm: set up, social and library browsing time
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm: Meeting
Thursday, May 28, 2026 – Board Meeting
7:00pm – Zoom
See the website for full calendar including study group meetings.
President’s Message
It seems odd to talk about the year coming to an end in June. We have one (1) more program on May 14, Jennifer Moore will be presenting Chromatic Fantasy – Music, Mathematics, and Magic in Doubleweave. What a great title to end the year on. Plan to attend and hear what will surely be fascinating. We will meet in the Auditorium in the morning and in room 30 for the evening meeting. Entrance to room 30 is through the main building.
On Thursday June 11th, we will hold our annual strawberry social and general membership meeting. There is only an evening meeting in June, we will have show and tell, hear about what has gone on in the guild over the year and talk about plans for 2026-2027. It is a great time to socialize with fellow weavers! As part of the meeting, we vote on the 2026-27 board and talk, briefly, about general business matters. Mostly, we eat strawberries 😊
A shout out to all the volunteers that make our meetings and running of the guild possible. From the library to programs to set up to committee and board members, it really takes a team. Thank you all!
Nora Gessert
Upcoming Programs
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
June 11, 2026 Meeting: Annual Strawberry Social
Join us for our annual Strawberry Social. In addition to Strawberry Shortcakes we will have a time for sharing recent work and Guild announcements. Note that there is only the evening meeting this month.
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
Happy weaving and learning!
Any question should be directed to workshops@portlandhandweaversguild.org
Guild News
HELP!
We want you to join the board! Please 😊 We have one open role, Education Director. We have programs set through 2027 and most of the tasks like Legacy, need little if any oversight. It’s a great role to get to know folks and help steer the guilds education programs, scholarships, etc. You can put your stamp on the role. The job description is posted on the website but if you have any questions feel free to reach out to Nora Gessert or Linda Edquist.
Volunteer Thanks and More Opportunities
Thanks to all the many volunteers who demonstrated at the Gathering of the Guilds. There was a lot of interest from the public and many folks asked questions about our Guild, weaving lessons, and how to buy used looms!! And of course, some weren’t interested in trying any weaving themselves, but were just in awe as they watched our demonstrations, appreciating the work that goes into weaving.
Watch the newsletter over the summer and watch for notices from the PHG google group site for more demonstrating opportunities. So far, sign-ups will be posted this summer for the following opportunities:
Woodstock Farmers Market on Sundays, July 19 and September 27
Cedar Mill Farmers Market on Saturday, August 8
Art in the Pearl, Labor Day weekend, Saturday to Monday, September 5, 6, 7
In addition, The Oregon State Fair will run in Salem from August 28 to September 7. The Salem Fiber Arts Guild organizes those demonstrations and sign-ups and they are always looking for volunteers. Our Portland Guild has not sent many volunteers in the past years and they could use the help. Let’s show them that we are willing and able to promote weaving and other fiber arts state wide!!! The day you volunteer you get a free parking pass and entry to the fair. You can spend all your time in the air conditioned arts building or take some time to browse around the fairgrounds.
Watch upcoming newsletters for more information or contact CookiMessmer@comcast.net
Retreat Wrap Up
Hello, PDX Handweavers Guild Members and Fiber Friends –
We did it!!!
Annual Portland Handweavers Guild Spring Retreat 2026
Wrap Up Report
I hope you have had some time to get back to normal after our wonderful PHG Spring Retreat 2026! With the Gathering of the Guilds coming a few short weeks after the Retreat, time flew.
Thank you to everyone who participated. We had 40 people attend this year. That included full timers (3 nights), partial timers (2 nights), and Day Trippers (Friday &/or Saturday). Whew! This made the Annual PHG Spring Retreat 2026 a year to remember. The enthusiasm that bubbled over, the enormous amount of sharing, and general happiness that prevailed will stick with us for a long time.
Folks brought incredible projects that included everything from dish towels to tapestry, shawls to placemats, and scarves to bookmarks.
And then, there was the equipment! The marvelous equipment people brought to support these projects was equally impressive.
Tapestry looms were everything from delightful homemade versions to slick commercial products. They all worked as the results were so impressive. Tapestry is like painting with yarn. Let’s just say, we have some highly skilled ‘painters’ in our group.
Rigid Heddle looms showed off their versatility with both functional weavings such as placemats as well as stylish items including scarves. These looms are so good at showing off colors and we had great examples of that at the Retreat.
Card weaving and Inkle band weaving were well represented, too. The portability of these techniques was a big factor that didn’t go unnoticed! Also, the intricacy of the patterns is amazing. It was really fun to see it happen as participants wove them.
Ply Splitting -another highly portable form of interlacement – made an appearance in the form of delightful bookmarks. I want to be on that Gift List!
There were several table looms that were very impressive. The complexity of the ones that were at the Retreat was amazing. The days of the 4-shaft models are still with us, of course, but the 8-12 shaft table looms are astounding!
And, of course, there were floor looms. Kudos to those who drag…oh, I mean transport these potentially hefty pieces of equipment to the Retreat. There really is a wonderful, rhythmic sound as the treadles are pressed and the looms respond with that soft klinking and klunking, while the heddles rattle and the beater swooshes, placing the weft among the warp threads, just so. That’s ambiance plus!
Another highlight this year was an online interview by the Handweavers Guild of America. Thanks to Janis Johnson, who told them about the PHG Retreat, they tuned us in live for a podcast. We went around the room with an iPad, showing PHG folks at work. We got to describe the projects and explain the general purpose of the Retreat along with its history. I believe we can view the interview but will have to find out how.
Finally, I had an interesting, and, I feel, a very flattering, bit of information shared with me by a Cedar Ridge staff member (who many of us know…). Apparently PHG is the only group they currently have who comes to the Camp and does ANYTHING like we do! They just love us and are always excited when our weekend at their welcoming home comes up on their schedule. I think that’s a wonderful compliment to the Guild and all of us who represent it at this fun event.
We already have dates for 2027. Take a moment to block them out on your calendar.
March 25, 26, 27, & 28, 2027, Thursday night through noon on Sunday.
You might want to note that it is Easter Weekend. I realize this might be an issue for some but it is the only way we can get the Thursday night included our weekend. This is due to the Camp’s commitments to their Outdoor Education program as well as our group’s preference for a slightly later time in the year to avoid poor or snowy weather conditions.
Again, thank you to everyone who attended the PHG Annual 2026 Spring Retreat and made it so memorable.
Take care, keep weaving, and we hope see you in 2027!
Diane McKinnon
PHG Annual Spring Retreat Coordinator
Legacy Project Assistant Needed
Anyone interested in being an assistant for upcoming Legacy beginning weaving classes in May and July? If so, please contact Sue Walsh at sugar2311@comcast.net for information. This is a terrific way to support our weaving community.
2027 Conference Update
The 2027 ANWG conference is starting to take shape. Our big news this month is that we have a logo! It features the St. Johns Bridge, perhaps the most iconic of the Portland bridges. Shari Elliff with the Olympia Weavers Guild came up with the design, and we couldn’t be happier.
And, we’ve selected instructors for the conference, and have a fashion show judge and keynote speaker all lined up. We’ll start sharing that news with everyone starting in June.
As always, see the website (anwgconfernce.org) for more information, and subscribe to the blog to get the latest updates delivered to your inbox as soon as they are posted.
The next conference committee meeting is Monday, May 4 at 6:00. Our main topic of discussion will be whether or not we should offer Zoom sessions at this conference. (See the item about this discussion elsewhere in this newsletter.) You can join us via Zoom at https://zoom.us/j/2290207971?pwd=elJvd2w0L2NsMlJPZXhNM3JlTFphZz09.
Zoom Option at 2027 Conference? We Need Your Help!
Recently the conference committee has been discussing offering a Zoom option for select workshops and seminars, and for the fashion show and keynote address. Before we proceed with planning we’d like to hear from ANWG members. Is this an option of interest to you, and would you consider taking part in the conference remotely?
To be clear, here’s what we’re thinking:
- We would invite instructors to offer sessions (workshops and seminars) via Zoom.
- Those sessions could be attended either via Zoom or in person in a classroom space at the conference venue.
- We are currently not planning to offer Zoom attendance for classes with in-person instruction at the conference.
- Prices for these Zoom workshops and seminars are to be determined when we figure out pricing for the rest of the conference.
- The Zoom option for the fashion show and keynote would likely be limited to a static camera. (We’re not planning to produce an ANWG version of ‘Project Runway.’)
- Since the Zoom experience is clearly not equivalent to being in person for the fashion show and keynote events the Zoom option for those would be priced accordingly.
We’re eager to hear what you think about this option. You can provide the committee with your feedback by completing a quick survey, available at https://anwgconference.org/zoom-option-survey/.
Thanks in advance for your feedback. Your ideas and suggestions will help us produce a better conference.
Dan Steves & Edith Gummer, Conference Co-Chairs
Niki Schulz and Lynne Fitzsimmons, Conference Education Co-Chairs
Bulletin Board
Latest ANWG Newsletter
The Association of Northwest Weavers Guilds has posted their April 2026 newsletter (plus April Update 1 & April Update 2). 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
On Saturday, May 9, at 10am Pacific, our guest will be Deborah Corsini. In this talk Deborah about pursuing her a lifelong passion and affinity for weaving and textiles. Known for her dynamic wedge weave tapestries, her work is exhibited in national and international venues. Her tapestries are included in corporate, private, museum and U.S. Embassy collections. Although tapestry is her primary art, her multi-faceted career has included teaching, weaving, and designing fabrics for the quilt market. As the former curator of the San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles she was an advocate for contemporary tapestry. She maintains a studio practice in Pacifica, CA where she continues her exploration of the eccentric wedge weave technique. See Tapestry Talks – Damascus Fiber Arts School for more information.
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
Tuesdays
Handweavers 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.