Send news items and fiber events to Tim Prins by the 25th of the month for inclusion in the next month’s newsletter.
Guild Calendar
Wednesday, December 4, 2024 – Board Meeting
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm – Zoom
Thursday, December 12, 2024 – December 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 (Senior Center)
6:30 pm – 7:00 pm: set up, social and library browsing time
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm: Meeting
Thursday, December 19, 2024 – New Weaver Forum
10:00 am – 12:00 pm – Zoom
Need help or advice on something you’re working on, or just want to help others with their projects? Come join us Thursday morning to get answers to your questions and talk about how to approach weaving challenges.
See the website for study group meetings.
President’s Message
Happy Holidays
With the Holidays upon us, I want to encourage everyone to support each other’s shows and sales that are being held around Portland. There are so many beautiful items our fellow fiber artists have created; they could be gifts for any occasion!
Around the Guild, you will hear about our new website. A big shout out to Dan and Amber for all of their creative and technical work. It is just so much more pleasing to look at and navigate. My goal was for the site to convey welcome and warmth to our current members and those who stop by to take a look at what we are all about. Whether you think it is perfect or needs a bit more work, please reach out to us and let us know.
Starting in January, we are going to add social time before our monthly meetings start. We haven’t nailed down all of the logistics, but coffee, tea and some sort of sweet treat will be served. Come early, around 9am and meet your fellow fiber artists. Personally, I get to the meetings and seem to run ragged setting up. I plan to take time to get to know everyone a bit better.
Our December 12th meeting is a make and take event with, again, treats! Plan to come to the morning and/or evening sessions and create something fun while celebrating with your fellow PHG members. I have to work during the morning meeting but will be there in the evening.
Whether you celebrate or not, I hope that everyone has a great holiday season.
Nora Gessert
Upcoming Programs
December 12, 2024 Meeting – Hands-on Holiday Fun
Join fellow members to celebrate the season with fellowship, sharing your creations, and making new creations at one of the hands-on stations.
Hands-on activities – beaded star ornament, drum made with handwoven band, and origami lights. Please bring tacky glue, scotch tape and paper cutting scissors (not everyone needs to bring them if people are willing to share). For the origami lights please bring a bone folding tool with a point if you have one.
January 9, 2025 Meeting – Designing Woven Fabrics with Janet Phillips
(Due to the time difference with the U.K., a recording of the morning program will be played for the evening meeting.)
My talk ‘Designing Woven Fabrics’ illustrates the way that I design an original woven fabric. I will be discussing and illustrating:
- Constructing weaves
- Using multiple-sectioned sample blankets (gamps) to explore weaves
- Designing stripes
- Choosing colour
- Applying Colour and Weave techniques into a cloth
- The effect of sett, fibre and yarn on a cloth.
My talk is based around the information included in my two books Designing Woven Fabrics and Exploring Woven Fabrics.
ABOUT JANET PHILLIPS
I have been designing and weaving for over 40 years after studying industrial Textile Design at the Scottish College of Textiles, graduating with a First Class Honours Degree. Colour and texture are still the passions that keep me weaving. I dye most of the yarns I use and I am continually experimenting and sampling to find new weaves and textures. I also have a deep commitment to teaching others to be creative with weaving.
Website: https://www.janetphillips-weaving.co.uk
Upcoming Workshop
January 10 & 12, Designing Woven Fabrics – Design Criteria, presented by Janet Phillips
Registration for the Designing Woven Fabrics – Design Criteria workshop has closed. The online workshop is taught by Janet Phillips from the UK and scheduled for 10 am – noon on Friday January 10 and Sunday January 12, 2025. Attendees will be learning to design original 4-shaft twill fabrics. This was one of our top 5 rated topics in the recent workshop interest survey, so we are happy to have it on our calendar.
Looking forward to seeing many of you there (online) in January!
April 11-13, Sewing with Handwovens workshops with Linda Kubik
We are hosting TWO Sewing with Handwovens workshops with Linda Kubik in April. We have a one day Homemade vs. Handmade Techniques Workshop on Friday April 11, 2025 at the Mill End Store in Beaverton. And, a two day Tailoring a Handwoven Vest on Saturday and Sunday (April 12 & 13) at Ruthie’s Weaving Studio in Portland. This was our most highly requested workshop topic in this past summer’s interest survey, so we are happy to be able to host these workshops.
Please see the links for pricing and details.
Happy weaving and learning!
Any question should be directed to workshops@portlandhandweaversguild.org.
Guild News
PHG is now a member of the Oregon Cultural Trust
PHG has just been accepted as a qualified cultural nonprofit by the Oregon Cultural Trust! This means that you get a state tax credit for donations to PHG when you also donate money to the Trust. It’s a dollar-for-dollar credit: it costs you nothing to donate to the Trust (assuming you pay Oregon state income tax).
Created in 2001 by the Oregon Legislature, the Oregon Cultural Trust is a testimony to how much Oregonians value the arts. It is an ongoing funding engine for arts and culture across the state. No other state provides a 100 percent tax credit to inspire cultural giving.
It works like this: You donate money to PHG and an equal amount to the Oregon Cultural Trust. PHG and the Trust each send you a letter you’ll file with your Oregon State income taxes. That allows you to subtract your PHG contribution amount from your state tax bill. This is not a deduction from income, but rather a tax credit, directly lowering your tax bill.
Depending on your tax situation, you may also be able to deduct some of the contribution to PHG (we’re a 501(c)(3) ) on your federal and state taxes.
To donate to the Oregon Cultural Trust, go to: https://culturaltrust.org/donors/
To donate to PHG, go to our website: https://portlandhandweaversguild.org/archive/donate-to-phg/
Warping Help Needed at DaVinci
Neressa Bennett, the fiber arts teacher at DaVinci Arts Middle School, has requested some help to warp some looms for her weaving class. She has several small cricket rigid heddle looms, and a few 2 and 4 harness table looms that can be tied on to. We set up two times that she will be in her room without students when we are hoping that some of you might be able to stop by to work on warping a loom, or pick one up to take home and warp. If you take a loom home, she would ideally like to have them all back by Monday, December 9. They can be dropped off at the school that week anytime from 8 to 4.
The two times when she will be there are Monday and Tuesday, December 2 and 3, 12:30 to 2:30pm.
DaVinci Arts Middle School, 2508 NE Everett St, Portland, OR 97232, 503-916-5356
If you are willing to take one home to warp but can’t make those times, send me an email and maybe we can work something out.
Also, if you are interested in volunteering in her classroom this year, her 2 weaving classes are beginners at 9:15 to 10:15, and the second year class at 10:15 to 11:00. Beginners start with potholders and frame looms. Second year students work on the table looms. You might want to go in once a week or once in a while, extra hands are always appreciated. Just remember, that to volunteer you must pass a background check, which you can fill out online. Following is that link: https://www.pps.net/volunteer
Please contact me with any questions!
Cooki Messmer
Outreach
cookimessmer@comcast.net
The New PHG Website Is Coming!
The website redesign team has been busy working on the new website, and we’ll be ready to roll it out at the December meeting. Reorganized with a new look and feel, we think you’ll find just what you’re looking for. Come see the new website at the December meeting!
2025 PHG Retreat Registration is open!
The dates are February 27, 28, March 1, & 2 and will again be at Camp Cedar Ridge in Vernonia, OR. See below or follow the link for all the information and to sign up.
Gathering of the Guilds / Spring Sale – Spaces are going fast!
The Gathering of the Guilds (GOTG) / Spring Sale will be April 25-27, 2025. Last year was a great event and PHG actually made about $200, our goal is to break even as we see the sales offered by PHG (Fall and Spring) as services to our members who want to sell their art. There are two ways to participate; rent booth space (and we have options for sharing) or be part of the PHG guild booth.
The cost of the booth will remain the same for PHG members; $450 for 10×10 and $675 for 10×15. There is an increase in electricity and parking; details are being finalized. See the registration website with information on GOTG and costs.
Hoping to see our 2024 participants and some new folks in 2025. Any questions, reach out to Nora Gessert noragessert@yahoo.com.
Help Wanted for Meeting A/V Setup
The guild is looking for someone to take on the A/V setup for our monthly meetings. We’ll provide training and documentation. You’ll need to provide some time to learn the system and then come early for meeting setup, a little bit of muscle to carry the equipment to and from the closet, and a modicum of technical know-how. Experience with Macs is a plus, but if you’re comfortable with computers this shouldn’t be too challenging.
Contact Dan for details and a copy of the documentation if interested.
P.S. You do not need to setup BOTH meetings. If you can only help with one meeting a month that would be a big help! We hope to have a few folks trained so there’s a backup in case someone is sick or out of town.
Latest ANWG Newsletter
The Association of Northwest Weavers Guilds has posted their October 2024 newsletter. Check out the creative ways other Northwest weaving guilds are getting their members together for fiber activities. All ANWG newsletters are available here.
Library News
The other day, I spent hours at my warping mill. I was determined to get the 7 yard long, 30 inch wide, 45 epi warp done that day. I kept going even after I started to feel sore. As I was finishing up, I thought I should do some stretches. But which ones?
A number of years ago, we had a program on the stretches for the weaving process. A physical therapist from Therapeutic Associates observed the whole weaving process – from winding the warp, to dressing the loom, and to sitting at the loom and weaving – at Ruthie’s weaving studio. The therapist came to both meetings and demonstrated many of the stretches. She also gave us a handout of the stretches which you can find in any stretching book. Furthermore, she provided a table which gave the appropriate stretches for each step in the weaving process. Unfortunately for me, I no longer had my copy of the handout. I had added it to the library with the title, Stretches for Weavers, by Therapeutic Associates.
I also decided to take a look at a recent addition to the library, Wellness for Makers: a Movement Guide for Artists by Missy Graff Ballone. The author worked her way through art school as a licensed massage therapist and went on to train as alignment-based yoga teacher as well as studying other taping and massage techniques. Unlike the list of stretches above which are focused on alleviating sore muscles after the fact, the author is advocating for a more holistic approach. She wants you to “mend” your body, just like you would mend a hole in your jeans. Mending while the hole is still small will keep it from getting out of control. Much of the first half of the book is dedicated to training your body to find anatomical neutral. The idea is to keep your muscles and joints aligned so that they can support each other to avoid unnecessary pain. In other words, correct your posture. Just as our mothers told us when we were young, though they may not have had the correct alignment. The book continues with stretches, some simple strengthening exercises and self-massage techniques. She also advocates for getting up and moving on a regular basis. She recommends out studios have built-in inefficiencies which will force us to get up and walk from one side of the room to the other. Also, she suggests we keep some things high and others low, which will force us to stretch up and squat down.
It seems like the plan is to work on my posture and teach my body to find a neutral alignment, embrace the inefficiencies in my studio, take more breaks, hydrate and stretch regularly.
– Robin
Have you read a book or watched a DVD that is available through PHG’s library? Loved it or hate it, let other members know what you think about it. We’d love to publish your take in the newsletter. Contact Robin.
These books and others can be found in our online catalog. We also have a number of tools that you can check out at the meeting. Find them on the Small Equipment Library page.
Bulletin Board
Damascus Fiber Arts School
Tapestry Talks
For less than the price of a burger these days, you can join the Damascus Fiber Arts School for their monthly Tapestry Talks. One Saturday a month, an invited artist will give a presentation about their tapestry journey.
Our Upcoming Talks will feature:
Jennifer Sargent, on her tapestry journey and the unexpected directions it takes – Jan 25, 2025
Ellen Ramsey, on the beauty of microelectronics and the use of digital tools – Feb 22, 2025
Barbara Burns, on pulled warp technique – Mar 22, 2025
Alex Friedman, on abstract to the hyper realistic tapestries – Apr 19, 2025
Join us each month–it only costs $10–by signing up on our website.
Create Your own Workshop
Can’t find the exact dates or topics for your tapestry needs? Looking for a Beginning Tapestry Workshop or something else? We can help. Find a few friends, then contact us with a proposal and possible times/dates. We can organize a workshop just for you and your friends. Email inquiries to: damascusfiberartsschoolinfo@gmail.com
Lecture Tour Videos
See previous Summer Lecture Tours for 2020 and 2021. You can view Vimeo videos on various subjects. Some of the lectures are:
Mary Lane: Mark Making in Tapestry
Amy Belgan: Creative Journey to Tapestry
Barbara Burns: Tapestry Influences and Work
John & Marilyn Harrison: From our Farm Flock
Barbara Hitzemann: Dyeing Wool with Seasonal Plants
There are many more. To see a complete list and view the videos go to Lecture Tour Links – Damascus Fiber Arts School
Looking to Buy or Sell Weaving Equipment or Materials?
Check out the Items for Sale page.
Fiber News and Events
Red Alder Fiber Arts Retreat
February 13-16, 2025
Tacoma, Washington
More info: https://redalderfiberarts.com/
Conference of Northern California Handweavers
April 24-27, 2025
Pacific Grove, California
More info: https://www.cnch.org/conferences/
Fiber Fusion Northwest
June 7-8, 2025
Monroe, Washington
More info: https://www.fiberfusion.net/
ANWG 2025 Conference
June 16-21, 2025
Yakima, Washington
More info: https://anwgconference.org/
Black Sheep Gathering
June 27-29, 2025
Albany, Oregon
More info: http://blacksheepgathering.org/
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.
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.