Send your news items to Tim Prins by the 25th of the month for inclusion in the next month’s newsletter.
Guild Calendar
Thursday, May 2, 2024 – Board Meeting
7:30 pm – 9:00 pm – Zoom
Thursday, May 9, 2024 – May Meeting
Multnomah Arts Center + Zoom, 7688 SW Capitol Hwy. (503) 823-2787
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 – Auditorium
6:30 pm – 7:00 pm: set up, social and library browsing time
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm: Meeting
Thursday, May 23, 2024 – Board Meeting
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm – Zoom
President’s Message
Billy and I are just back from the CNCH conference where he took a basketry class and I helped out at the registration desk. Saw some old friends, and made some new ones, which is one of the best things about a weaving conference. Community, inspiration, and learning is what it’s all about, and why we belong to guilds in the first place.
The year is coming to a close soon. June is right around the corner. This year’s annual meeting should be interesting. We’re expecting to hear from our study groups and find out what they’ve been up to, and of course there will be the usual budget discussion and elections. We’re still looking for next year’s president, but I have no doubt that they are out there and will step forward. (Maybe a couple people want to share the job and be co-presidents??) If you’ve been contemplating it I’m happy to answer any questions you might have. I actually enjoy being guild president, but it’s not good for any group to have one person running the show for too long.
One last note – thanks to all who helped make Gathering of the Guilds the great show that it is. From the demonstrations to the vendors to the first time sellers in the guild booth, it all added up to a wonderful weekend. Big thanks go to Janis Johnson, Denise Wild, and especially to Nora Gessert, a brand new member who jumped in with both feet and led the PHG efforts for this event. It was an especially difficult year to be in that role, but Nora managed to get us through it all. Next time you see them be sure to thank them for their time and energy.
As always, I hope to see you at a meeting soon.
Dan
Upcoming Programs
May 9: From Inspiration to Artistry: My Journey into Tapestry Weaving – Amy Belgan
Embark on a captivating journey into the world of tapestry weaving as I share the intimate details of my creative process and my thoughts on design. In this presentation, I’ll delve into the personal narrative of my path to tapestry, exploring the pivotal moments, inspirations, and challenges that have shaped my craft. I hope to empower all weavers to become more curious about design to unlock their own creative potential.
Special Program in June
Giovanna Imperia’s program, “Weaving with Metallic Yarns” has been rescheduled to Thursday, June 13, 2024 at 10 am. It will only be the presentation via Zoom, no in-person gathering. The Annual Members’ meeting and Strawberry Social will be in the evening as usual. Please see the website for more details.
Upcoming Workshops
We have 2 spots available in the May 10-12 Beginning Tapestry Weaving workshop, presented by Amy Belgan. The current workshop cost is $177, plus the $60 materials fee. If there is one more registration, it goes down to $165. One more, and we are at $150. The materials fee for the workshop includes a copper tapestry loom, and all warp and weft threads are provided.
Guild News
Library Update
One day last week, I was working in the PHG closet trying to consolidate some of the backup issues we have of out-of-print magazines. I was hoping to be able to move duplicate copies from storage to the boxes on the library carts. The magazine boxes take as much room on the carts whether or not they are full. One of the older periodicals that we had spare copies of was the Prairie Wool Companion. Prairie Wool Companion was founded by rigid heddle super-user A. David Xenakis and his wife, Alexis. The first issue was published in 1981. It became Weaver’s magazine in 1987.
I have looked through the boxes of the older magazines many times in the past decade. We do an annual inventory and cleanup of the library shelves. However, I had never picked up an issue of Prairie Wool Companion to read. One of the issues that we had surplus copies of was issue #12 on piqué fabrics. Piqué fabrics (“quilted” in French) have always intrigued me, so I brought home that issue and the following one which also showed piqué on the cover. Piqué is a compound weave with a face warp and a stitcher warp. The stitcher warp primarily weaves on the underside. It is lifted to the surface to form a pattern. The face layer will puff around the pattern picks to give a quilted look. You can use just one shuttle to weave the face fabric, add a second “wadding” weft to define the quilted outline and even use a third weft to add a backing to your fabric. See Strickler, Chapter 23, “Quilted double weave and piqué”, for examples.
Back to the topic: Prairie Wool Companion. I was impressed with amount and the presentation of information on the this complex but seldom-covered weave structure. There are numerous diagrams illustrating the cross-sections of the warp and weft to show how the interlacements form the fabric. However, they also don’t presume that you have all the bells and whistles on your loom. There is an article on how to warp and tension the stitcher warp if you don’t have a second back beam. There are profile drafts for 6- to 12-shaft looms, though you will need to read the article to understand their notation. They even give the skeleton tie-up for a countermarch loom! Not something you often see. Even more impressive about these issues is that they don’t leave out those with a rigid heddle or 4-shaft loom! There are instructions for pick-up piqué for the jack, countermarch, and rigid heddle looms. With a little patience, pick-up technique can rival or surpass those on a dobby loom. The pick-up technique for the rigid heddle does require three heddles or two heddles and a doup. (I did mention super-user earlier.)
I’m looking forward to checking out more issues of PWC. If they are anything like this issue, they provide a lot of in-depth information in a compact format allowing for busy schedules. There are projects in the issue but that is not the focus. I really like how PWC brings the topic to weavers of most looms. You’re not left out because you don’t have a lot of shafts.
For more ways to make your rigid heddle do things you never thought possible, see A. David Xenakis’ The Xenakis Technique: For the Construction of Four Harness Textiles.
Search the PHG library catalog on LibraryThing for all our books and DVDs.
Do you want to try something new and need a different tool or equipment? Check to see if PHG has if available. Look for looms and larger pieces of equipment on our rental page. There are smaller tools available in the Small Equipment Library. Use the link on the page to make the request or send email to rentals@PortlandHandweaversGuild.org
Latest ANWG Newsletter
The Association of Northwest Weavers Guilds has posted their April 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.
News from Complex Weavers
The latest Complex Weavers Journal has a super article of photography by Barbara Walker in it plus other interesting articles. Only members of Complex Weavers are writers of articles in the Journal. There will be complex weavers seminars alongside Convergence.
If you wish to join Complex Weavers you can ask Ladella Williams how to join Complex Weavers. LadellawilliamsCZZ@gmail.com Or see me at the guild meeting.
Bulletin Board
Scam Alert
Some Guild members have reported receiving emails asking for gift cards for charity donation in the name of PHG. These messages are a scam. PHG will never email you to purchase gift cards for a donation.
Unfortunately this not the first time such messages have been sent, and is unlikely this will be the last time. You can read more about gift card scams on the website of the Federal Trade Commission.
Ukraine Relief at the World Beat Festival
As many of you know, Janis Johnson and I (Deb Ellis) have been actively involved with relief efforts for Ukraine since the invasion. We have become well-acquainted with the leadership of both the Ukrainian Foundation and DAWN US, the two primary organizations here in Portland. Both are run and staffed by Ukrainians.
Both orgs gather and accompany shipments of medical supplies and other goods to Ukraine, then personally distribute them in areas of the country where most needed. These missions are dangerous and emotionally challenging.
Janis and I, as well as other PHG members and friends, staff “Ukraine” booths at our PHG sales, and, by invitation, sell our products at Ukrainian events and festivals. We use a banner that Janis commissioned, “Portland Weavers & Friends Support Ukraine,” and we donate all proceeds to whichever of the two organizations is hosting us. Many of you have very generously donated (and continue to do so) lovely items for us to sell on behalf of the Ukrainian Foundation and DAWN US. And now, a plea for more!
DAWN US has invited us to join them at World Beat Festival 2024, June 29-30, at Riverfront Park in Salem. This very large, annual event celebrates cultural diversity in Oregon, with Ukraine as its focus this year. We are being provided a 10×10 canopy, free of charge, adjacent to DAWN’s set-up. We will be vending and will also have a public banner project set up on a RH loom.
We have inventory, but could use additional well-crafted items – things you might consider selling at one of our own events. All are welcome, especially items in the Ukrainian colors of blue/yellow or black/red. Of course, anything with Ukrainian design elements is much appreciated!
Some of you have agreed to help staff our booth, and we could always use more, as the festival hours are long. You will probably not have to handle any money.
Please contact Janis Johnson (janis.marie.johnson@gmail.com) or Debbie Ellis (artisanfibers@aol.com) to donate items or help (or both). Many thanks!
Slava Ukraini!
Heroiam Slava!
Bautistas at the PHG April Meeting
For those of you who missed the Bautista’s presentation during the April meeting, here are a couple pictures of what you missed. You can see the recording of recent guild meetings on the website at https://portlandhandweaversguild.org/archive/2024-recordings/
Thank you to Cooki for sending in the pictures!
Looking to Buy or Sell Weaving Equipment or Materials?
Check out the Items for Sale page.
Fiber News and Events
Exhibit of Tapestry and Other Fiber Arts
April 29 through May 26, 2024
Dee Denton Gallery in the Lakewood Center for the Arts, 368 S. State St., Lake Oswego, OR. 97034
The gallery is open to the public from 9 to 5 every day and in the evening when there are live theater performances. There are four featured fiber artists:
- Leanne Streit (PHG Member): mixed media fiber art
- Mariola Mazur (PHG Member): 3-dimensional felted art for the wall
- Bonnie Garlington (PHG Member): textured tapestry
- Katia Paroczi: finely woven flat tapestry
Fiber Faire
May 4, 2024
Multnomah Arts Center, Portland, OR
Don’t miss this event where fiber-related businesses sell their wares, and everyone can shop and join the spinning circle. There will be door prizes, raffles, demonstrations, and the chance to buy raffle tickets for the next Antique Spinning Wheel Raffle.
More info: https://auroracolonyhandspinners.com/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=463461&module_id=660944
Fiber in the Forest
May 17-19 2024
Camp Myrtlewood, OR
More info: www.eugenetextilecenter.com/fiber-in-the-forest
Fiber Fusion
June 1-2, 2024
Monroe, WA
More info: www.fiberfusion.net/
Black Sheep Gathering
June 28-30, 2024
Linn County Events Center in Albany, OR
More info: blacksheepgathering.org
Convergence
July 11-17, 2024
Wichita, Kansas
More info: https://weavespindye.org/convergence/
Betty Davenport’s interview with HGA on Textiles and Tea
July 23, 2024
This is what many have been waiting for, Textiles and Tea with Betty Davenport, sponsored by DFA on July 23, 2024. Betty is a PHG member! The link to register is listed below. It’s easy to register. While you’re at it, checkout some of the other months. These are usually very interesting and a good way to learn more about other fiber artists that you already know through their books and videos and maybe even someone new to you. https://weavespindye.org/textiles-and-tea/
Oregon Flock & Fiber Festival
September 21-22, 2024
Linn County Expo Center, Albany, OR
More info: https://www.oregonflockandfiberfestival.com/
ANWG 2025 Conference
June 16-21, 2025
Yakima, Washington
More info: https://anwgconference.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.
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.
The Woolery is the place for weaving, spinning, felting, dyeing, rug hooking and knitting. Established in 1981, our extensive inventory of products, excellent customer service and in-house fiber arts experience make us the ideal source for all your fiber arts needs. We have one of the largest selections of weaving loom and spinning wheel floor models for you to test drive. Your Fiber Journey Starts Here!”