Agenda:
Show-n-Tell and Problem Solving
What is the plan for the group for the year?
FYI, I don’t use guild member’s names in the minutes because the minutes are publicly available on the Internet.
Two scarfs were presented where the same variegated yarn was used as the warp on one and as the weft on the other. I thought I had a picture but no. Sorry.
A no-sew hat was presented with a multitude of different weaving methods incorporated.
A set of yarn that included 9 different types of yarn was presented and shown on a rigid heddle loom with the promise to return and show the results of the weaving (see pictures at the bottom). This yarn came from Fiber Etc in Tacoma. https://fibersetctacoma.com/
There was a discussion on the ANWG conference in June 14th to 19th 2027 that will be hosted by the PHG. My take-away was that lots of people are working hard to make it a success and there will be a need for many volunteers at the time of the conference. If you have the ability to volunteer, please block out those dates on your calendar so you will be available.
There was a conversation about the Cone and Fiber Shop in Portland and that it had good stuff. https://coneandfiber.com/
There was the suggestion that this study group should be stepping up to help Dan in his endeavors to get a rigid heddle class/workshow going within PHG. I don’t think anyone opposed the idea so I think this is a work-in-progress. If you have not got around to offering your help to Dan, now is a good time.
There was a proposal to add content from each of the study groups to the monthly PHG newsletter. Small Looms would be expected to produce the content based on our work. Initially this will be handled using pictures of the warped 9 stand yarn mentioned above.
Apparently there is some confusion within the guild about the scope of the Small Looms Study Group. I created a short doc that tries to clarify the expectations. I cut-n-pasted the content at the bottom of this message. We can either try to reach a consensus via email or I could create a google doc for everyone to use to comment or we could just finialize at the next meeting. Once we get this solidified, I can add it to each of the small looms calendar entries on the PHG calendar so it is easily accessed by anyone interested.
Several decisions were made:
The group will meet on the fourth Saturday of the month (not the last Saturday of the month) from 1 to 3 at Ruthies.
If there is a conflict, we will move a week earlier. The Legacy project has priority.
Going forward we will try using the guilds zoom account to broadcast the meetings.
We will focus on three challenges during the year. Challenges are to be in different areas to allow members to choose what to focus on. The challenges are to be broad enough in scope that we can work on one the whole year.
Here is a list of potential challenges :
Lace
Woven Shibori
Multi-Heddle Rigid heddle
Japanese Freeform weaving
Clasped warp and/or weft
The expectation is that everyone can continue to think of possible challenges and we will add to the list and then pick the three to pursue at the next meeting.
I will add all the meetings to the PHG calendar after I confirm Ruthie’s room availability. The fourth Saturday in March 2027 conflicts with the retreat. The third March Saturday conflicts with the Legacy project. We either need to decide on another place to meet or not have a meeting in March. We have time to figure it out.
Charter and Scope document (draft a):
The Portland Handweaver’s Guide (PHG) Small Loom Study group has the charter to expand the group’s knowledge of weaving by sharing information, solving weaving problems and planning and executing individual weaving projects.
Small Looms are defined very broadly and inclusively. Examples of small looms are: rigid heddle looms in frames, pin looms, tapestry looms, tabletop multi harness looms, clover looms, and pot holder looms. This list is meant as examples and other types of looms are welcomed. There is already a PHG band weaving study group so weaving using inkle looms, tablet weaving and other narrow band looms (even if they are small) are encouraged to join that study group.
