Guild Calendar
Thursday, February 12, 2026 – January Meeting
No in person meeting this month! Only on Zoom.
All meetings are free and open to the public
10:00 am Day Meeting – Zoom
7:00 pm Evening Meeting – Zoom
Thursday, January 26, 2026 – Board Meeting
7:00pm – Zoom
See the website for full calendar including study group meetings.
President’s Message
Well, we have had no real winter. Last February we had a pretty good dumping of snow which had us scrambling to make the decision whether to cancel the monthly meeting. The board made the call Wednesday evening and Thursday promptly at 8am (as predicted by the weather apps), the snow started. The photo is of my yard as the snow and ice began. As we are looking for speakers for our meetings, some are not local and can only be available by Zoom. It makes sense to book those speakers during the winter, thus avoiding any last-minute cancellations.
Personally, I love the cold. It keeps me indoors working on creative projects. Weaving in the winter, making big warm blankets, scarves, baby blankets, all just feels like the thing to do. I am at a lull here, no idea what to start next. I have been hording some lovely, soft wool I picked up at ETC a few years ago that seems to be beckoning me. I periodically just open the bin and touch it, sort of like petting a cat, and wonder what warp will pop with the fiber. It seems that is how my inspiration happens, I stare at my stash, look at a particular color or fiber and then voila I start a project. Now that it is getting a bit chillier, I think I’ll make a scarf with that lovely wool. I hope that whatever your inspirational process is, your next project is one that brings you joy as we enter into the grey, and possibly snowy, days of February.
Nora Gessert
Upcoming Programs
February 12, 2026 Meeting – In search of Wild Silk with Karen Selk
Wild silk is much more than the miraculous journey of metamorphosis from caterpillar to silken luxury. It is tightly woven to an ancient living culture raising tasar, muga, and eri silkworms in remote forests of central and eastern India. Raising wild silkworms, reeling cocoons, spinning fiber, and weaving silk cloth provides sustainable work and a regular income, while protecting the environment, lifting the status of women, and maintaining a traditional lifestyle.
In this Zoom presentation, Karen will share photos and stories captured from weavers, spinners, and silkworm farmers over thirty years of field research, and will transport you into their homes and villages to witness the love and dedication involved in each part of the process from soil to cloth.
Bio
All things silk has provided Karen Selk with a thread that binds together travel, research, writing, artwork, educating, and managing a successful business selling silk yarns and fibres for over 50 years. She has given hundreds of workshops and presentations on silk and weaving worldwide and has written over fifty articles on silk. Her passion to learn about everything silk has led her throughout Asia and the wild silk forests of India in particular, for more than 30 years. The culmination of her field research has been published in a book: In Search of Wild Silk: Exploring a Village Industry in the Jungles of India. She lives on Salt Spring Island, BC, in the Salish Sea on the west coast of Canada.
Publications
In Search of Wild Silk: Exploring a Village Industry in the Jungles of India, published March 2023 by Schiffer Publishing.
Magazine Articles in 2023/24
- Selvedge – Issue 113
- Shuttle Spindle & Dyepot – Summer 2023
- Textile Asia Journal – September 2023
- Creative Fibre – June 2023
- Embroidery Canada – Fall 2023
- Textile Fibre Forum – December 2023
- SpinOff – Winter 24/25
Website: www.karenselk.com
Note that there will not be an in-person meeting this month!
March 12, 2026 Meeting – Multiheddle weaving on a RH Loom with Carly Jayne
Carly will talk about multiheddle weaving on a Rigid Heddle Loom.
Website: https://www.lovelikesalt.com/
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. Here’s what we have coming up:
February 6-8, 2026: Zero to Sulawesi with Stacy Schlutsmeyer
This workshop is full. Spots opened due to cancellation will be filled from 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 or to join the waitlist 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 to all! This workshop registration is no longer restricted to PHG members. If you have RH weaving friends not in PHG, please let them know about this great workshop.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 of all levels (if you can warp your loom, you are welcome), 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
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: 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.
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
Happy weaving and learning!
Any question should be directed to workshops@portlandhandweaversguild.org.
Guild News
PHG 2026 retreat registration is open!
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, and register here!
2027 Conference Update
The conference committee is making progress. Last month we selected “Rivers & Bridges: Connecting Fiber Communities” as our theme, and work is underway to select colors to go with the theme and location. Think blues, greens, and yes, even some gray for both the stone bridges and the cloudy winter skies. The deadline for instructor applications and session proposals has passed, but we’ll still accept submissions for a couple more weeks while the committee reviews everything received so far. As always, see the website (anwgconfernce.org) for information.
We’re still looking for folks to manage the shows and exhibits. Please, if you have any experience with hanging a show we could really use the help. Contact Dan and Edith at co-chair@anwgconference.orgfor more info.
The next conference committee meeting is Monday, February 2 at 6:00. Our main topics of discussion will be the selection of conference colors and review of the conference timeline. You can join us via Zoom at https://zoom.us/j/5615264492?pwd=tu8p2o8vSgbbGsHU5XRfnXKRFVGCaf.1.
ANWG Needs a Secretary
ANWG is looking for someone to act as secretary for the group. The job entails keeping minutes for meetings that are held quarterly as well as the annual membership meeting, usually held in June. For more information see the ANWG website at https://northwestweavers.org/about/board/applying-for-a-board-position/#secretaryfor a list of duties and a link to the application for an ANWG board position, or email Dan Steves at website@northwestweavers.org.
ANWG Newsletter is now available
The latest ANWG Newsletter has been posted to the ANWG website at https://northwestweavers.org/newsletter/ with additions expected to be posted early this week. Learn more about what’s going on with other ANWG member guilds and see what other guilds have been up to!
Gathering of the Guilds Update
As noted in previous articles, PHG has resigned from GOTG LLC for a variety of reasons. One reason was that when we ran the numbers, the cost of participation could result in too high of a financial risk. Our goal was to break even each year and cleared about $200 in 2025. It was never meant to be a fund raiser for PHG rather it was an avenue for our members to showcase and sell their wares. The Portland Beads Society offered to have PHG members interested in participating in GOTG in 2026 register under their organization. It is unlikely this will be an option in 2027 as Beads is already worried, they are going to lose money on the show. Not because of PHG participation but because the cost of the event keeps going up with, apparently, unforeseen costs.
In good conscience, we can’t continue to participate in GOTG and keep the booth cost affordable. When we queried past participants on what would be their top booth cost for participating in GOTG we were told $500. Booths for 2026 are $500 and as noted, Beads realize they may lose money; hence raising the cost of a corner booth from $50 to $100 in an attempt to recoup costs. The convention center and FERN raise costs every year by 20-30%.
We have reiterated our resignation to GOTG LLC board and have confirmed we will not participate in the 2027 show. Will there be another mechanism like we have with Beads this year? We don’t know. If it is successful for them, possibly. We will stay informed and forward any updates as we receive them; and of course, promote the event to our members and friends.
It should be noted that we will be demonstrating weaving in the lobby as part of our community outreach. You will see requests for volunteers from Cooki.
Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions noragessert@yahoo.com
Gathering of the Guilds needs Weaving Demonstrators!!
Oregon Convention Center
April 24, 25, 26, 2026
Gathering of the Guilds will be somewhat different this year with the Portland Beads Society taking the lead in renting the space from the Convention Center.
However, many of our community guilds, including PHG, will still be setting up tables outside in the lobby to demonstrate their crafts, and advertise their resources. So mark your calendars now and watch for the sign- up sheet to appear on our website under volunteer opportunities. As always, we will be looking for weavers and spinners. We will have many small table looms, including rigid heddle, and inkle looms Our Wolf Pup floor loom will be there also. And you are always welcome to bring your own equipment if you want to work on your own project.
This is a great opportunity for PHG to stay visible in the community and let the public know all the resources we can offer to both beginning and long- time weavers.
Contact cookimessmer@comcast.net if questions.
Passing of a member
It was brought to our attention that Judi Fisher, a member of the Portland Handweavers Guild, and frequent weaver at the Multnomah Arts Center, passed away unexpectedly on November 20, 2025, while traveling. We were not provided with any additional information.
Bulletin Board
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, February 21, at 10am Pacific, our guest will be Amanda Gizzi.
In this talk Amanda will look back at early inspiration to developing recent imagery and share the trajectory of designs from concept to composition to completion. Amanda’s tapestries are bright, full of
energy and humor, witty observations of life, often telling a story. She hopes this talk will delight and intrigue and looks forward to answering questions about her process and finished works. See Tapestry Talks Archives – Damascus Fiber Arts School for more information.
Red Alder Fiber Arts Retreat
Date: Feb 12th – 15th, 2026
Location: Tacoma, Washington
RedAlderFiberArts.com
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.