Send your news items to Tim Prins by the 25th of the month for inclusion in the next month’s newsletter.
Guild Calendar
Thursday, March 9, 2023 – March Meeting
Multnomah Arts Center + Zoom
7688 SW Capitol Hwy. (503) 823-2787 – Gym
10:00 am Day Meeting
9:30 am – 10:00 am: Set up and social time
10:00 am – 12:00: Meeting
After meeting: Library browsing time in hallway in front of guild closet
7:00 pm Evening Meeting
6:30 pm – 7:00 pm: set up, social and library browsing time (library in hallway in front of guild closet)
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm: Meeting
Thursday, March 23, 2023
Board/Planning Meeting
Zoom
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Thursday March 30 – Sunday April 2, 2023
Annual PHG Retreat
Cedar Ridge Retreat & Conference Center in Vernonia, OR
President’s Message
I wish I had lots of things to report, but I don’t. We’re still looking into potential new homes for PHG, but there’s nothing definite or even likely at this point. We’ve ruled out a couple things but there’s still lots of ideas being investigated. Hopefully we’ll have more on this next month.
We may not be the only group in town looking for space. The folks at Ruthies Weaving Studio may be looking for a new space as well. The current owner has decided it’s time to sell, and while she’d like to sell to weavers who could keep the place going that might not be possible. If it’s sold to non-weavers it’s expected that new owners would look to develop the lot, meaning the studio would have to move. If you know of anyone interested in being a landlord for a group of fiber artists let me know and I’ll put you in touch with the right folks.
On a brighter note, I’ve nearly finished the sampler from the krokbragd workshop. Here’s how it looks so far. Still working on my selvedges (I know, everyone says that), but I’m liking it a lot, and am thinking of mug rugs for some friends using a design that Debby Greenlaw pointed out in a Handwoven issue from a couple years ago.
If you haven’t signed up for the retreat, what are you waiting for? It’s lots of fun, and I’ve already started planning what UFO’s I’ll be taking. (That’s unfinished objects, in case you missed Diane’s description of what folks do at the retreat.)
I think that’s it for now. Take care, stay warm, and as always I hope to see you at a meeting soon.
Dan
Programs
March 9th PHG Meeting at MAC:
Tablet Weaving with John Mullarkey
Spring Fiber Arts Sale
PHG Spring Sale with Gathering of the Guilds
April 28-30, 2023
Oregon Convention Center
Plans are moving along for the GOTG sale to be held on April 28-30, 2023 at the convention center. We still have a couple of spaces open. Also, there has been some mention of a guild booth, so please let me know if you would like to participate in a guild booth. This is ideal for those who want to sell just a couple of items and do not want a full booth. Please contact Cindy Fowler, ASAP, if you are interested. We will also need demonstrators in the front hall and sign ups for that will be open in the next couple of weeks. If you have any questions, please contact me at 303.250.9766 or cafweave@gmail.com.
Retreat News
Retreat Registration Deadline is here!
We’re finalizing the retreat plans so be sure to get your deposit and Registration form in by Monday, March 13th. We have a nice group already signed up and it would be great if you can join us! See below for more info and to register.
In addition to our Sharing area for items you’d like to see go to new homes, we’ve added a new feature. We’ll have a sales area for gently used equipment you’d like to sell. Think in terms of smaller looms, spinning wheels, shuttles, etc. The plan is simple. Tag your item with your name and price. Set it out in the sales area any interested participant can find you and chat. Simple!
That’s it for now. Once you’ve registered, you’ll get a receipt. One more final note will be emailed to the participants the week before with any additional pertinent information and suggestions about what to bring.
That’s it. Please get you’d Registration quickly. Looking forward to seeing you at the PHG Annual Spring Retreat 2023!!
Diane McKinnon
971.219.1564
Diane McKinnon 971.219.1564 dimckinnon@aol.com
Upcoming Workshops
Tablet Weaving (3 1-day workshops) with John Mullarkey. March 9-12, 2023
As of February 26, the Ram’s Horn and Threaded In Designs workshops are sold out (but get on the waiting list if you are interested!). There is still one places in Sulawesi.
If you are thinking you’ve only got one loom and want to take more than one workshop, John will show us how to “park” the warp for later.
Future workshops
Barbara Walker and I are settling on a date for Supplementary Warp Patterning workshop, probably in the fall of 2023. This topic was of great interest to many of you, second only to Krokbragd. I’m also trying to schedule Juan Bautista for Zapotec Rug Weaving.
– Lynne Fitzsimmons
Fiberworks Lessons with Jerry Swick
The Fiberworks tutorials by Jerry Swick have been recorded and are viewable online by logging in and clicking here.
Guild News
Library and Rental News
June Rentals. Do you need a table loom for a class at the June ANWG conference in Bend? Get your requests in soon. Reserving now will not only get you the loom for the conference but will give you the whole summer to finish up your workshop sample. Take the pressure off yourself. If you haven’t been to a weaving workshop, ask anyone who has. You never finish by the end of the workshop. Equipment not reserved by the end of March, 2023 will be made available for the ANWG conference organizers.
Help Wanted. Looking for 1 or 2 members to commit to helping with library checkouts and returns for the evening meetings. You will need to show up by 6:30 to allow for browsing before the meeting starts. Duties differ by meeting location. If the meeting is in the gym, you need to help pull the shelves into the hallway by the closet and help with checkout until 7 before putting the shelves away. If the meeting is in the auditorium, you will help with checkout before the meeting and during the meeting break. At the end of the meeting, you’ll assist with moving the shelves back into the closet. If interested, please contact Robin.
Book Highlight
Crackle Weave Simply: Understanding the Weave Structure is the latest in Susan Kesler-Simpson’s collection of books introducing the beginning weaver to classic weave structures.
In Chapter One, Susan Kesler-Simpson explains what she believes is special about the crackle structure including how it got its name, the use of color and how it fits into modern life. She provides her goals for the book and sequence of exploration.
In Chapter Two, “Understanding Crackle Weave: Four Shaft Loom,” she introduces the reader to crackle weave as a block weave in which each block is a 4-thread point twill. After presenting the threading for each of the four blocks, she explains how to combine the blocks with the use of an incidental thread to transition from one block to the next. As classic crackle treadling follows the same block composition as the threading, this information is re-stated in the treadling section. She demonstrates how a different arrangement of your tie-up will change the look of the cloth with a series of drawdowns. She continues to explain how to read a profile version of a crackle draft, substitute the threading blocks and add the incidentals to obtain the full draft. This information is well laid-out and should be understandable to anyone reading this book.
Chapter Three, “Understanding Crackle Weave: Eight Shaft Loom,” expands upon the information given in the previous chapter following the same format. With eight shafts, you move from four possible crackle weave blocks to eight. The threading and treadling for each of these additional blocks is provided. More blocks allow for many more possible block sequences. The transition from non-sequential blocks, from A to E, for example, is a bit more involved than the transition from block A to block B. Susan Kesler-Simpson explains that there may be more than one path and how to find one that will work for you.
Chapter Four, “Alternative Treadlings for Crackle Weave,” is the weak spot in the book. In this chapter, Susan Kesler-Brown demonstrates that a warp threaded as crackle can be woven following the treadling order for other weave structures. Treadling options shown are Italian manner, lace, on opposites, overshot, summer and winter, and twill. However, the author assumes that the reader, an advanced beginner, is familiar enough with these weave structures to recognize the pattern. The treadling is provided along with a small black and white photo for each alternative treadling. The reader would gain more insight with a full drawdown for each treadling. For a better understanding of the use of various treadlings with crackle, follow the author’s advice and pick up Susan Wilson’s Weave Classic Crackle and More.
Chapter Five, “Color and Texture,” is where things start to get fun. Options are presented for adding color and texture to your weaving adventures. Color can be added in multiple ways to make each crackle project your own.
Chapter Six, “Four Shaft Patterns,” and Chapter Seven, “Eight Shaft Patterns,” is where Susan Kesler-Simpson shines. There are 20 four shaft projects and 7 eight shaft projects which cover the spectrum of the alternatives discussed previously in the book. Her use of color brings the projects alive. They are not the black and white crackle that you may have seen in Marguerite Davison’s Handweaver’s Pattern Book. Anyone wishing to try their first crackle weave project should find something compelling. Be aware, however, that you will need to read at least chapter two to understand her notations.
In all, this book provides a good overview of the crackle weave structure for a weaver of all levels. After reading this book you should be able to pick up any profile draft and derive your threading. However, if you are looking for a more in-depth understanding of crackle weave, reach for Susan Wilson’s Weave Classic Crackle and More.
Have you read an interesting weaving, spinning or dyeing book that is available through the PHG library? Submit your review for the guild newsletter. Good, bad or indifferent. Include a couple of lines describing yourself.
ANWG 2023 Conference: Fiber Connections
The 2023 ANWG Conference is a GO for June 11-18, 2023 at the Riverhouse Convention Center and Hotel in Bend. Portland Handweavers Guild is weaving the name tags. If you are interested in weaving some name tags, we can provide you with the draft, pre-made warp, weft, and instructions. Please contact Sue Walsh at sugar2311@comcast.net if you’d like more info. If you’d like to know more about the conference, or wish to sign up for the regular blogs, go to https://anwgconference2023.com/ Thanks in advance!
Latest ANWG Newsletter
The Association of Northwest Weavers Guilds has posted their January 2023 newsletter. Check out the creative ways other Northwest weaving guilds are getting their members together for fiber activities. All ANWG newsletters are available here.
News from Complex Weavers
Complex Weavers will be having a meeting at the ANWG Conference in Bend, Oregon this coming spring. Most of the Complex Weavers membership has already received the CW Journal by now.
If there are any questions or concerns please let me know.
Ladella Williams. Contact me if you have any questions or concerns (LadellawilliamsCZZ@gmail.com, text 503 729 1704 or write 16539 S.E. River Rd, Portland Oregon 97267-4504)
Bulletin Board
Cabin Fever Virtual Workshops
Registration for the Montana Association of Weavers and Spinners Cabin Fever Virtual workshops is open. They are offering Dorset Buttons by Pat Olski, 18th Century Knitted Latrine Hat by Barbara Landry & Dr. Annamarie Hatcher, Paper Weaving MAWS member Play Date led by Barb French, Fan Reeds to Create Ondulé Textiles by Norma Smayda Staley, and Introduction to Supplementary Warp Weaving by Deb Essen.
Looking to Buy or Sell Weaving Equipment or Materials?
Check out the Items for Sale page.
Fiber News and Events
Handweavers Guild of America
Textiles & Tea
Tuesdays
The Handweavers Guild of America, Inc.’s (HGA) exciting new program, 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.
The Weaving Guilds of Oregon (WeGO) committee is delighted to announce that the traveling show will take place beginning in January of 2023. This show travels around the state of Oregon showcasing the fiber arts in our communities. The Title of the show is “Filaments.”
Weaving Data Winter Exhibition
January 24 – April 29, 2023
Portland, OR
More info: https://sites.google.com/pdx.edu/weaving-data/weaving-data
RAGS Wearable Art Sale and Show
March 9-12, 2023
Fife, WA
For more information go to https://www.ragswearableart.org/
Abernethy Spring Fiber Sale
Saturday, March 18, 2023
Abernethy Grange, 15745 South Harley Ave, Oregon City, OR 97045
We emphasize locally produced fibers and handmade products.
Raw fleece; dyed and blended fibers; yarns, roving, batts; handmade fiber art tools and equipment
Two floors of shopping bliss!
www.abernethyspringfibersale.com
Fiber in the Forest
May 19-21, 2023
Myrtle Point, OR
More info: Fiber in the Forest
Fiber Fusion Northwest
June 3-4, 2023
Monroe, Washington
More info: fiberfusion.net.
ANWG Conference – Fiber Connections
June 11-18, 2023
Riverhouse Convention Center, Bend, OR
Click the link below to read all the news for the ANWG Conference 2023.
anwgconference2023.com
Black Sheep Gathering
June 23-25, 2023
Albany, OR
More info: blacksheepgathering.org
Threads | Þræðir Intertwined in Iceland: Textiles and Book Arts
July 8 – November 5, 2023
Nordia House, Portland, OR
This exhibition showcases artists’ books and textile pieces by Icelandic artists and visiting artists who have been inspired by the country’s landscapes, people, language and textile traditions. The works in this exhibition are connected through stitching, weaving, knotting, tying, binding, pattern and storyline. The artists have found parallel lives in each other, unintentionally approaching art and life in similar fashions across oceans and between generations.
More info: https://www.nordicnorthwest.org/exhibits
Intermountain Weavers Conference
July 27-30, 2023
Logan, Utah
More info: intermountainweavers.org
Conference of Northern California Handweavers
August 3-6, 2023
San Luis Obispo, CA
CNCH 2023 will be located on the campus of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Attendees will enjoy apartment-style lodging on the campus and 16 retreat-style classes in subjects including weaving, spinning, dyeing, felting, kumihimo, sprang – and more.
Registration opens on April 29, 2023, and students are urged to register early because classes are expected to fill up quickly. More info: https://www.cnch.org/
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.
Your purchases can benefit PHG! Click on one of these links before buying and PHG will earn a commission from your purchase.
Connect with the handweaving world through Handwoven. Every issue is packed with projects, instruction, and inspiration to help you build technical skills and design confidence.
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