Guild Calendar
Thursday, December 11, 2025 – December Meeting
Multnomah Arts Center (no Zoom this month), 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
Tuesday, December 18, 2025 – Board Meeting
7:00pm – Zoom
See the website for full calendar including study group meetings.
President’s Message
Happy Holidays! Thanksgiving included 23 people for dinner ranging in age from 17 months to 73 years. To add to the fun, we had a 10-year-old Great Dane and a 6-week-old lab mix puppy. It was a bit wild. I am thankful that we were able to get the entire family and a couple new to Portland around a single table. It was really fun, but the prep put me out for a couple days.
It was fun to show folks my looms and try to explain how they work. My big loom seems to have an error, which I was trying to explain, or I was just too preoccupied with everything going on to do the tie up correctly, I’d be really grateful if it’s the latter. I’ll tackle that when the last of the guests leave on Tuesday.
Our December meeting will include opportunities to play with crafts at the morning and evening meetings. If you feel inclined to bring cookies or a holiday snack (or the famous rum or whisky cake); it’s a great time to get to know your fellow members. I would encourage everyone to greet someone new to you at the meeting. There will be no zoom at the meeting as we are doing crafts and there is no presentation.
As we head into the winter months, and out of an abundance of caution, January and February will be zoom only meetings. We’ve been hit with snowstorms, and the board has had to make last-minute calls to cancel meetings due to weather. Last January, the snow hit at 8am, fortunately we cancelled the night before and sent out notifications. We recognize not everyone is on email or Facebook to get notices, and we were afraid some members would drive into MAC and it was closed. When in doubt check the website, we post all guild information including programs, workshops and links to Zoom.
I am looking forward to seeing everyone in December and making Holiday crafts. And if you can’t make it, we will see you online in January.
Upcoming Programs
December 11, 2025 Meeting – December Craft Mania
It’s our annual December meeting tradition – the mini workshops. Join us and make something fun for the holidays!
Hanging Beaded Stars (REPEAT from last year)
Bring:
– needle-nose pliers
– extra beads
Cork Decorations
Bring:
– your wine cork stash
– hot glue gun
– empty yarn cones (there will be foam ones, but I like upcycling)
– bits of trim for embellishments
Small Hanging Hoop Ornaments
Bring:
– fabric scissors
– fabric scraps for framing (interesting handwoven scraps, old plaid shirt fabric, holiday theme fabric – upcycling encouraged)
– needle and thread, bits trim/sequins/buttons if you wish to embroider or embellish
January 8, 2026 Meeting – Rebecca Smith – Transparent Tapestry
In this Zoom presentation, Rebecca will talk about her transparent weavings featuring a loosely woven background cloth that she creates with very fine linen, inlaying heavier threads during the weaving process to add designs and imagery. These weavings feel lighter than air.
Website: https://rebeccasmithtapestry.com/index.html
Note that there will not be an in-person meeting this month!
Upcoming Workshops
If you’d like some weaving inspiration, to learn new skills, and connect with the PHG weaving community, please join one of our future workshops. Here’s what we have coming up:
February 6-8, 2026: Zero to Sulawesi with Stacy Schlutsmeyer
This workshop is full. Please visit the registration site to join the waitlist. PHG is excited to host Stacy Schlutsmeyer as she leads students through an exploration of the mechanics of tablet weaving. Stacy provides all materials and major supplies for this 3 day workshop at Ruthie’s Weaving Studio. The class is appropriate for anyone from beginning band weavers to experienced weavers seeking a deeper understanding of tablet weaving. For information and registration visit: Workshop: Zero to Sulawesi with Stacy Schlutsmeyer – Portland Handweavers Guild
March 14 & 15, 2026: Mastering Multiheddle Weaving on a Rigid Heddle Loom with Carly Jayne
Registration is open! This two day workshop at Ruthie’s Weaving Studio is led by PHG member and fiber artist Carly Jayne. Looking to explore the possibilities of a rigid heddle loom? This workshop will cover both 2 and 3 heddle weaving. You will be looking at threading drafts and profile drafts and discussing how they can be used on a loom with at least 3 shafts. This is an excellent class for shaft loom weavers who are structure nerds because you will create multiple structures (Summer and Winter, False Damask, Tabby, Taquete… etc) by manipulating slot threads while the heddles act as shafts one and two. Carly recommends this workshop for rigid heddle weavers, curious floor loom weavers with a little rigid heddle experience, and weavers curious about shaft switching. For information and registration visit: Double Trouble and Triple Treats – Mastering Multiheddle Weaving on a Rigid Heddle Loom
May 15-17, 2026: Doubleweave Discoveries with Jennifer Moore
Registration opens December 1! 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 and registration visit: Doubleweave Discoveries workshop with Jennifer Moore – Portland Handweavers Guild
November 13, 2026: Introduction to Japanese Book Binding
We are happy to announce that PHG will host Barbara Setsu Pickett in November 2026 for a program and workshop. Her program for our regular November meeting on Thursday 11/12/2026 will be Velvet: A Worldwide Passion. Barbara, an emeritus professor in the Department of Art at UOregon, has recently returned from a research trip to Spain and Morocco. We are excited to learn more.
On Friday, November 13, 2026, Barbara will teach a one day Introduction to Japanese Book Binding workshop at Ruthie’s Weaving Studio. To learn more, check out the PHG Workshops page: Workshop: Introduction to Japanese Book Binding with Barbara Setsu Pickett – Portland Handweavers Guild
February 13 and 20, 2027: Passimenterie 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 Passimenterie. In this bespoke two day workshop, you will learn five woven passimenterie designs. Registration is not yet open. In the meantime, learn about Elizabeth’s amazing work at: Elizabeth Ashdown | Passementerie Artist – Textile Art – Weaving – Craft – Maker – Handmade | London – UK – US – International. 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. For information visit: Workshop: Passementerie with Elizabeth Ashdown (online in 2027) – Portland Handweavers Guild
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. Registration is not yet open. Learn more about Mary at: Mary Zicafoose Tapestries and Prints | Home Page
Workshop Wrap Up: Color and Design in Huck Lace Towels with Rosalie Neilson
November’s workshop led by Rosalie Neilson at the Multnomah Arts Center Gymnasium was thoroughly enjoyable and tremendously informative. Rosalie led 16 PHG weavers through unlocking the pattern variation available in huck lace on 4 or 8 shaft looms. Working with her incredible workbook and overlays, we learned how to understand huck lace structure and draft huck lace patterns. In addition to the general weaving tips for efficient warping, color changing, clean selvages, and preparing for consistent hems, I left feeling confident that I can apply this information in my own studio without her guiding hand. The workshop was well structured and paced, allowing time for both a deep dive into huck lace structure and the time to weave and discover how the pattern develops on the loom. Rosalie is one of those amazing teachers who possesses a tremendous depth of knowledge and skill, AND has taken the time and effort required to create the materials and curriculum that ensures she can transmit her wealth to her students. She is both a master weaver and master teacher. Thank you, Rosalie, for a delightful and informative two day workshop. I can’t wait to see what you put together for us for ANWG 27! Here are some pictures from our workshop:
Happy weaving and learning!
Any question should be directed to workshops@portlandhandweaversguild.org.
Guild News
Fall Sale Wrap-up
Thanks, everyone, for making it another wonderful sale weekend!
In spite of what seemed like a slow crowd, we did well. Everyone made a little money and we had a steady flow of appreciative and enthusiastic shoppers!
As a group, we made a little more than $13,000 for the weekend! That’s about $2300 more than last year, so thank you to the publicity crew!
Many thanks to the folks who helped with set up and especially with clean up! We were in and out of there in record time this year! And kudos to the great volunteer demonstrators!! Lots of good comments about the friendliness and fun of the make-it projects. At least 3 new weavers told me they were joining the guild!
For planning purposes: we’re looking at Nov 14 & 15 for next year’s dates; plenty of time to think about what new items you can offer!
So much appreciation for all the vendors and volunteers: you all make it look so easy!
DaVinci Arts Middle School Volunteers Needed
I just wanted to put out a reminder that Neressa Bennett, the fiber Arts teacher at DaVinci Arts Middle School , can always use a few more volunteers when she is doing her weaving units with the students. Sometimes she needs help warping 4 harness looms, or Cricket rigid heddle looms. But it is also helpful to have an extra person walking through the classroom when students are weaving to answer their questions as they arise.
Volunteers at Portland Public Schools must be screened for background checks.
If you have volunteered for Portland Public Schools within the last 3 years, you should have a volunteer background check on file that is still current. If you haven’t please try to get this form filled out before you come:
https://www.pps.net/volunteer/volunteer/volunteering-with-pps
DaVinci Arts Middle School
2508 NW Everett Street
Portland, OR
If you have questions, you can email Neressa directly at NBennett@pps.net or me at cookimessmer@comcast.net
PHG Retreat – Save the date!
Here we go again!!! The retreat is scheduled for March 26-29, 2026 at Camp Cedar Ridge in Vernonia, OR. See below for information about the retreat, registration opens January 1!
Latest ANWG Newsletter
The Association of Northwest Weavers Guilds has posted their October 2025 newsletter. Check out the creative ways other Northwest weaving guilds are getting their members together for fiber activities. All ANWG newsletters are available here.
Bulletin Board
November Meeting Reflections
Once again I am grateful after hearing a longtime member in our Guild share her lengthy meandering creative journey as a weaver. At our November meeting Rosalie Nielson outlined her work as a weaver, starting in 1968 as a member of the Baltimore Handweavers Guild. Joining that guild she received a gift of the book New Key to Weaving by Mary Black. She rented a four shaft loom and was inspired to start weaving overshot.
Her talk focused on the influences on her weaving over the years. She called these influences her “mentors”. Besides Mary Black’s book, she read other weaving books whose patterns influenced her including those of Mary Meigs Atwater and Marguerite Davison.
Some other mentors were actual teachers like Peter Collingwood and his books. Also Russell Groff of Robin and Russ’s Handweavers organized some study trips for weaving workshops. Then there were travels over the years to Japan to study kumihimo, paper design, jacquard weaving and other techniques.
After working with punch cards in Japan she was later drawn to working with computer software for looms. Early on she worked with the Atari program, then in the early 90’s used Fiberworks floppy discs. She embraced this influence and was able to create her own inspired designs and do color experiments on the computer screen before choosing the yarn and patterns for her final projects.
Eventually Rosalie would start teaching and giving presentations, sharing her skills and excitement for ripsmata, kumihimo or computer design, for example. She shared some of those presentations with our guild over the years. In 2010 I was fortunate enough to attend the Albuquerque Convergence, where she led a large group of us using a life size marudai made out of cardboard. Each group of eight of us stood around the oversize Marudai, and rhythmically traded the ropes with a partner across from us.
I have always been inspired by the life stories of artists and craftsmen. I was awed when I read Mary Jo Reiter’s biography of weaver Mary Meigs Atwater and I marveled at all the education, travels and experience she had. I was especially impressed that she did so much at a time when being a woman made all her accomplishments even more challenging.
But I was equally inspired by Rosalie’s story. We each have our own personal creative path. Rosalie’s is an outstanding journey full of learnings, creations, and teaching others. None of us will have the exact same path as hers, but each of us can draw some inspiration from parts of her journey as we forge our own creative trail. Thank you, Rosalie, for sharing your creative life’s work with us!
How fortunate are we in PHG to have such accomplished speakers to inspire and challenge us to try new things in our own weavings. Remember if you can’t get to a PHG meeting you can zoom in from your computer at home. And if you are a member, you can go online later and watch a program that you missed. Just prepare to be inspired.
— Cooki Messmer
Looking to Buy or Sell Weaving Equipment or Materials?
Check out the Items for Sale page.
Fiber News and Events
HGA Convergence
August 12-16, 2026
New Orleans, Louisiana
More info: https://weavespindye.org/convergence/
ANWG 2027 Conference
June 14-19, 2027
Portland, Oregon
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.
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.