All kinds of beautiful pieces, from all over Oregon. Thank you, to all who create wonderful items and allow them to travel for Show & Share at each meeting. It is so much fun to see all the creativity.
Author: wgofiber
Spinning for Color’s Sake – Judith MacKenzie – Workshop
Central Oregon Spinners & Weavers Guild & Klamath Falls Spinners & Weavers Guild – Combined Guild Workshop
September 5, 2018
To begin the workshop “Spinning for Color’s Sake”, Judith showed us many ancient dolls and bead whorls (for spindles) from her private collection. She explained how each doll was constructed and we marveled over the workmanship of both the dolls and spindle whorls.
Well inspired, we chose colored top from a large selection of colors and started to spin our first yarn- marled yarn. By holding two or more colors of yarn together, we could achieve dimensional color effects that were surprising and interesting.
For our next yarn experiment, we chose several colors to blend using combs. I chose to spin the top that I blended on the combs in a worsted style. I then took the comb waste from blending, carded it and spun a woolen yarn. Each was unique!
Next, we talked about shades, tints and tones of colors. We used hand cards to blend a chosen color with black, white and gray. Then we spun the color by itself and shade, tint and tone of the color.
Finally, we explored tweed yarns. Judith provided odds and ends of fiber, thrums and bits of old yarn. We were able to use garneting boards to blend in these bits with top to create completely individual yarns.
I have taken several classes with Judith MacKenzie and this was one of the most intimate and engaging ones in my experience. The setting was wonderful and the fact that lunch was provided and unhurried made for a great progression of the day. I would like to thank ANWG for the generous grant to the guilds so that this class was so affordable.
Stephani Sexton
Color to Dye For with Judith Mackenzie -Workshop
By Carolee Kirkelie, Central Oregon Spinners & Weavers Guild
September 6, 2018
A day spent with Judith Mackenzie is a day to be treasured. The consummate fiber artist exudes warmth and knowledge while captivating her students at every word. Judith’s work can be found in her extensive books and DVDs; however the in-person, up front Judith is even more amazing! Our day was a focus on weak acid super milling dye, primarily for both color fastness and economic benefits.
We began by soaking our yarn and roving with a surfactant, Dawn dishwashing liquid, to ensure oils and dirt are removed and the dye will be taken up fully without resistance. Dawn Free and Clear was suggested, and a reminder to never dye in the grease.
Our palette begins with the classic three colors of yellow, magenta and cyan. There was also a black or neutral color to change tone; just as in watercolor painting, the principles are interdisciplinary for mixing an extended palette of secondary colors. Our process starts simply with a quart canning jar two thirds filled with cold water and a glug of white vinegar. We each will have a jar of our own color choice and mix efforts. Judith emphasizes the high tech measuring of ingredients; a pre-moistened chopstick tapped into dye powder is her instrument of choice. Precision is everything! Mix ratio to target is ~4 grams/saturated 1 lb. of fiber. Her process, a wet chopstick in hand, could probably not be more accurate. Again the pragmatic and ever simple approach is not lost on her students.
Once the water, vinegar and dye powder is mixed to that perfect color, we then place our yarn into the jar; the goal is to have a full jar of liquid with yarn fully immersed. Then put the lid and ring on, while placing the jar into a Ball electric water bath canner. With canner lid in place and temperature set to medium the jars of wool will come up to heat and maintain temperature for approximately 45 mins. One can of course use a more conventional canner approach on the burner; however the electric bath canner comes up to speed rapidly, is a very safe and efficient process to follow.
We experimented with both undyed and previously dyed yarn or fleece that was brown. It was fascinating to see the opportunities to over dye whether unplanned or by design, it increases possibilities for mono color or multi-color spun yarn to make changes. So do you have some ugly yarn? Change it by overdyeing!
The remaining time together was spent exploring indigo, Instant Indigo otherwise known as freeze dried indigo, and learning all the ins and outs with a practical approach to mixing. We also explored a black walnut dye bath as well as the how-to for lichen and cochineal.
All along the way Judith imparts her worldly learnings, insight and humor. She’s quick witted and doesn’t miss a beat as questions run the gambit of all things wool, protein, amino acids, plant fiber, origins and end uses. You swiftly realize that Judith has gone there…like trying to grow nettle, which requires a picky soil and location preference that did not allow it to be transplanted keeping its use to that where it’s found. Nettle you see made the strongest woven nets for fishing. Judith MacKenzie the teacher of old and new world ways for dyeing, antidotes for fiber and life, a rich and mind expanding experience should not be missed.
Thrill of the Twill Workshop
– Advancing Twills, Networked Twills, Corkscrew Twills and Echo Weaves
Presented by Robyn Spady – September 7-9, 2018
Reviewed by Carrie Gordon, an experienced spinner, dyer, a NEW weaver and a member of COSW since the early 1990’s.
Our adventure began with the “homework” Robyn sent, prior to the workshop. As a new weaver, I faithfully followed her directions for the 4-shaft single color warp. This was a totally new adventure for me, my first weaving workshop.
Robyn brought a refreshing humorous approach to an advanced weaving technique. She started with a brief explanation of what twill is, how twill structure is used and what straight, point, extended point and various other types look like. She introduced the idea of weft moving up into spaces on the warp, eventually creating boundweave.
From there, we learned about advancing twills where the threading (or treadling) steps up and forward, developing long threading sequences to make a full repeat. Magic! This concept is applied to point twills. After working through several exercises, we launched into Network Drafted Twills. The idea of drawing a line, then converting it into a threading and/or treadling pattern is mind warping.
Robyn led us into Integrated twills (Echo Weaves and Corkscrew) using two colors. WOW!! This is where the concept of thread moving into “space” on the warp came into play.
Robyn took the time to explain and encourage participants (new and experienced). She made the class accessible to all.
As a new weaver, I was astounded on how far “down the rabbit hole” I could go just on a 4-shaft loom. The combination of threading, treadling, tie-up and color is endless. This is just one small corner of the weaving universe.
Thank you for helping make the class affordable for new and experienced weavers!! Joining with the Klamath Falls guild added to the experience by meeting new weavers from outside our area. I totally enjoyed the adventure. Thank you ANWG!!
A variety of photos from the 2-½ days
Robyn’s examples
Robin giving advice
Kathy, Klamath Falls and Delanne, COSW discussing technique
An example of the sampler from the class
2021 WeGO Conference
Eugene Weaver’s Guild – Susan Lily Workshop
The workshop was primarily about pattern-making and fitting garments made from handwoven fabric. Several participants had woven yardage to be used in the workshop, and others chose to use purchased mill woven fabric that shared characteristics of handwoven cloth. Susan began with an overview, and brought several garments for students to try on and examine. Many garments were suitable for a wide range of sizes and shapes, and all were inspirational. Each student chose a style, and began by taking measurements and drafting a pattern, either from Susan’s book, or from a commercial pattern source. Susan rotated through the room, helping each student with her garment plan, and students were able to help each other, too. We initially cut the pattern from gridded interfacing, and used that to make fitting adjustments. In the photo on the right, Susan is explaining the fine points of fitting, and pinning Cathy’s pattern.
Once the patterns were cut and fitted, they were unpinned and used to cut the cloth into pieces for the garment. Susan and one of the participants provided sergers, so all the edges were serged in turn. We had a mini-lesson in how to use a serger, since many of us hadn’t used one before.
After serging, garments were pinned, adjusted, sewn, adjusted, adjusted, tweaked, and adjusted! Due to time constraints, not everyone finished, but everyone did finish fitting their pattern and cutting out their garment pieces; most had only minor finishing tasks left (hems, buttons, etc.). There were several lovely garments completed, and there are several more in the works! Susan was a gracious and patient teacher, and the participants all had fun learning more about sewing garments from handwoven cloth.
COSW – Temari Balls & Bow Weaving Workshops
On Tuesday, June 17, 12 members of the Central Oregon Spinners and Weavers Guild met at my home for a Temari Balls workshop with Marilyn Romatka from Bellevue. We used yarns and fiber to form the inner ball, wrapped that with a finer wool yarn, then sewing thread to completely cover the sphere. Then 5/2 cotton and a variety of novelty yarns were used to stitch designs on the balls. This link gives you a wild look at what can be created as Temari balls, a Japanese folk art.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nanaakua/tags/temari/
On Wed. June 18, the regular guild meeting date, we gathered at Tollgate in Sisters for our monthly business meeting, potluck picnic, and a Bow Weaving workshop with Marilyn. This links you to Marilyn bow loom weaving page.
http://www.taprootfolkarts.com/classes-i-ve-taught/bow-loom-weaving
26 members participated in this event, each paying their own materials fee. We picked our warp and weft colors of 5/2 cotton and coordinating or contrasting beads that were strung on each of the 2 selvedge edge warps and started weaving away. Midway through her demonstration the power went out in our building in Sisters, so we adjourned outside to the lovely courtyard and continued weaving!
Everyone enjoyed themselves at these two events and we want to thank WeGO for making this money available for us to be able to offer these workshops to our members.
