Monday, March 21, 2016

Northwest News 
Association of Northwest Weavers' Guilds
northwestweavers.org
Volume 19 Issue I              Fall/Winter 2015-2016
Shuswap Spinners and Weavers Guild an artical written by Judith Glibbery
Salmon Arm, British Columbia, nestled along the shores of Shuswap Lake, is home to the Shuswap Spinners and Weavers Guild. Our guild has always enjoyed creating guild projects that will be inclusive of all members and all levels of experience. The latest project of choice was a group blanket weaving/waulking project. The weaving took place in our guild room on our 60-inch Woolhouse Loom. Our experienced weavers would provide assistance, if required, for our newer weavers. As well, because we always have a high profile presence at our local fair, it was decided the waulking would take place at our Salmon Arm Fair in September. The fair venue would provide an entertaining and educational experience for both the public and our members. A lovely goose-eye plaid was chosen for the blankets, using five colours. We set to work, warping the loom for five blankets, using Briggs and Little, Regal, with a sett of 10 e.p.i. During the weaving process, the weavers used a short -cut process that kept all the blankets joined together with twisted fringes before the removal of the web. Once one blanket was woven, the weavers hemstitched the end of their blanket, moved the warp ahead allowing for the appropriate length of fringe, and a new weaver started weaving the next blanket. After a couple of inches of weaving, the beginning of the blanket was hemstitched, and the weaver returned to the warp threads of the previous blanket. The weaver started to twist the bundles (while still on the loom) in one direction and, once twisted, twisted each bundle of two in the opposite direction until they could not twist anymore. A strong yarn was put through the remaining holes in order to maintain and secure the twist and left there. Then the weaver continued on. The result? Five blankets, joined together with fringes already twisted. A neat trick to cut down on the usual tedium of twisting fringes after removing the web from the loom! The joined blankets were soaked in hot water with Dawn dish detergent in preparation for the waulking. Waulking usually takes place with Celtic music and singing to assist waulkers in picking up the web, throwing it down, and moving it to the person next door in a consistent rhythm. We had no access to such music, but one of our members kindly provided some great rhythms for us on her accordion. It worked out just fine and the web kept moving around the table in splendid style. Every so often the waulking stopped and our coordinator checked the state of the fulling until we had it just right. Special attention was given the already-twisted fringes to make sure we were fulling the twisted fringes adequately. Once the waulking was finished, the excess moisture was squeezed out of the web by hand. Our coordinator used a quilting ruler and rotary cutter and expertly cut the twisted fringes evenly between each blanket. Members took about 30 minutes, brushing in both warp and weft direction on both front and back of the blanket while wet, to sufficiently raise the nap. Individual blankets were then taken home to rinse all the detergent out and do the final blocking. A variety of ways to do the final rinsing were used, ranging from laying a blanket on mesh wire and using a garden hose, some used a bath tub, some rinsing and spinning out excess soap and moisture in a top loader washing machine. Our members were thrilled with their beautiful blankets and the public thoroughly enjoyed watching the process. Enjoyable? You bet it was. We’ve already got members names on a list to do another set. Greetings from the Shuswap Spinners and Weavers Guild in beautiful Salmon Arm, British Columbia!
March Meeting Minutes

Shuswap Spinners and Weavers
March 1, 2016, 1 p.m
Meeting called to order at 1:13 by President, Carole with 19 members in attendance.
No guests present.
Adoption of Agenda as written on notice board at the meeting, moved Gabriele, seconded Leslie, carried.
Adoption of February's minutes, moved by Leslie, seconded by Michele, carried.

Reports:
Library: Bea has received 2 - Ply magazines and the GCW bulletin.
Thanks to Marcia for donating books.
Thanks to Elvi for donating books that members can take.
Equipment: Two rentals during the month.
Workshops Successful warping workshops held. Louise may offer a second rug weaving workshop, contact her directly.
Marlene mentioned the “Fungi and Fibre 2016” workshop to be held at Madeira Park on the Sunshine coast. Includes meals and a different workshop each day. Louise sent out an email regarding this as well.
Historian: no report
Scholarship Committee: no report, has not met since last monthly meeting.
Blog: Bea is busy and still learning. Lots of photos posted from the workshops and Heritage week.
******Send your information to Bea using this email <shuspin@gmail.com>*******
Check on the blog for this address if needed!!!!
Business arising from Minutes:
Sheep to Shawl Team is in need of participants. Fleece is washed, some combed for spinning. Come to Wednesday evening spin-ins at the Piccadilly Mall from 7 – 9 to work on warp or do your own thing, learn new techniques, get encouragement and help, and have good conversation!!!
Heritage Week: Good attendance and variety of activities. Waulking was fun and went quickly, hardly even got wet. Many thanks to all who helped out.
**** Communication is really important and reduces the anxiety of the co-ordinator, please email or phone your intentions about participating (Helps the co-ordinator sleep at night)!

Scarecrow: Lois has offered her barn for construction and storage. This project is for decorations at the spin-in on Oct 29, Fair and ANWG, whenever we can use it.
Bring spare fabrics, fibres, etc to APRIL meeting at 7 p.m
Planning a workbee in latter part of April from 11 – 4 on whatever day works for the most people, others are welcome to come as well.
Committee members include Bea, Carole, Lois, Ann, Marcia, Elvi
Bea mentioned we could knit leaves for table decorations as well.

Spin-Out Oct 29, 2016 – anyone with items for the door prizes can bring them and we will place them in a bin. Lois has offered to do two draw Prizes that we sell tickets on. Thank you!!!
New Business:
Elvi mentioned that the Bastion school exhibit feature a woven tree, these exhibits are currently in the Piccadilly Mall.
Display At Piccadilly: Suggest we do a blanket display, please bring contributions to Wed Eve spin-in and Phone or contact Elvi of your donations.
            Book Report: The Ultimate Sock Book from our our library features different patterns, great diagrams, toe up socks, toe down socks and a chart to compare yarn grists with appropriate number of stitches for a variety of sock sizes. Most helpful.
Spin-In: Day time March 22 at Ann Nikmo's from 10 am to 2 pm. Bring a bag lunch and whatever project you are working on.  1141 – 70 St. SE is the address. Every hostess appreciates knowing, in advance, the number expected.
Check the blog for spin-ins around the area.

Bea moved the meeting be adjourned.
Many thanks to Bea and Lois for providing the coffee and goodies!

Next meeting: April 4, 2016 at 7 p.m. Goodies by Rosalie and Gabriele.