Volume XXXIII, No 5                                                                                                                                                                                                         September - October 2012
Bimonthly newsletter of
THE NORTHWEST PENNSYLVANIA SPINNERS AND WEAVERS GUILD
http://www.npswg.com/
    Hub Editor:  Bonnie Crytzer            Hub Publisher:  Jim Crytzer
stumphillacres@zoominternet.net

Calendar of Events

September 1^st NPSWG Dye Day at Donna Long’s residence 10:00a.m.to-2:00p.m.
September 8^th Edinboro Highland Games and Scottish Festival Demonstration and Sale. Times 9:00a.m. to 4:00p.m.
September 18^th NPSWG Tuesday Spinning at Christ Church 10:00a.m.to 2:00p.m.
October 6^th NPSWG Business/Program Meeting at Christ Church 10:00a.m.to-2:00p.m.
October 16^th NPSWG Tuesday Spinning at Christ Church 10:00a.m.to 2:00p.m.

For the September dye day we will experiment with MX fiber-reactive dyes on cotton fabric, showcasing several shibori resist techniques. If you did not receive fabric and stitching directions at the August meeting but would like to participate, email rmacken@allegheny.edu. There will be opportunity to try additional dye methods that do not require preparation in advance. Thickened dye will also be used for monoprinting, stamping, and stenciling. Wear old clothes or an apron!
 
Supplies will be available, but bring if you have: small (1-2 gal.) plastic bucket to wet and rinse fabrics, coffee stirrers or popsicle sticks for mixing dye, calibrated measuring cup for water, rubber gloves, masking tape, 15-20 yds. strong, thin, colorfast cord for wrapping and tying (crochet thread works well), one or two old towels, small, sharp scissors, knot picker (sewing seam ripper or sharp, sturdy sewing needle), plastic bags to cure and transport wet, dyed fabrics. Bring some 100% cotton things to dye, washed and dried without fabric softener – resist-stitched fabric squares, light- to medium-weight cotton (not necessarily white) cut in 10-12 inch squares to capture excess dye left in the dye bath, other/larger pieces of fabric or clothing for monoprinting, stamping, and/or stenciling.
 
What is Shibori? Yoshiko Iwamoto Wada, President of the World shibori Network, author, and teacher describes it on their website http://shibori.org/ The word “comes from the Japanese verb root shiboru, 'to wring, squeeze, press'” and is accepted vocabulary in the international language of textiles. “The closest translation would be “shaped-resist dyeing.” The shaping process reserves areas that are recorded as patterns with characteristically soft edges and crinkled textures when cloth is dyed.... Cloth may be drawn up and bound, stitched and gathered, pleated and bound, folded and clamped between boards, or wrapped around a pole then pushed along it to compress the fabric into folds.” These techniques have been, and still are, practiced by several cultures throughout the world, especially in Southeast Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa, but it is the Japanese who are considered to have perfected the results into an art form. “The spontaneity, mystery, and the serendipitous effects of shibori continue to inspire new generations of artists and designers all over the world.”
 
Program for Saturday September 1st will be dye day and picnic at Donna Long’s home. My home is on the outside of Franklin going East on Route 322. As you leave Franklin you will cross over a bridge, stay on Route 322. You will go up over Victory Heights hill. At the top look for a gas station on the right, My house is the fifth home on the left. House is white with blue trim and has a ramp to the front porch. There is a rock with my name on it at the entrance to my driveway. Come on in. If you have a problem you can call me at 814-437-2400. Please bring a chair, I have very few. Also something to share for the picnic and the items for the Shibori work shop. SEE YOU SOON!!!!!!!!!!!!

I just wanted a reminder put in what ever notice or Hub that goes out next. 
 
The Needle felting workshop with Anita Hotchkiss is coming up October 6, 2012 at Christ Episcopal Church from 9 - 4.  (there will be no regular meeting due to the workshop)    Those planning to attend should pay Barb Lodge $10.00 by the Sept. picnic and dye day so Anita can order the number of kits needed.  If you have friends wishing to attend, please invite them and let them know they will be paying $20.00 for the kit fee.  It is still a bargain for them as the guild is paying the teachers fee.  Of course you can encourage them to join and just pay $10.00.
 
Also, you were to get directions for Donna Longs home for the Sept meeting so that should be included in the notice.     Also the idea of no meeting Oct 6th was not confirmed by me, so cross that out if you find out something different.    Elaine  

Minutes of the NPSWG

Fall is in the air!  Sumacs are turning red, and nights are getting cooler (although it makes for great sleeping).  I’m loving it!!
 
We had a great day participating in the Thunder in the City Fiber and Art Festival in Meadville.  The girls tell me that it was the biggest membership turnout for such an event.  I know there were at least 10 of us.  We had a double space and a perfect spot.  We had shade and a nice breeze, so all in all it was a very pleasant day, and I think the best part was just being together more than anything.  Roz gave us a sample piece to stitch up ready for our next meeting and showed us a DVD on the Shibori process.  It was very informative.
 
We’re all looking forward to meeting at Donna Long’s and trying our hand at Shibori dyeing under Roz’s direction and, of course, there is also the wonderful food that you all provide for our annual picnic.  I hope to see a good turnout, even if you just come for the fellowship.  We would all like to see you. 
 
I am well on my way to recovery.  They told me it would be a 6 month recovery, and this is my fifth month since my two surgeries in March. Thank you so much to those of you who sent me cards.  You’ll never know how much they helped to lift my spirits.  Three months in four hospitals is a very long time and it was hard not to give in to depression, both with the amount of time there and not having a diagnosis.  All four hospitals thought I had Crohn’s, which I did not, and were treating me with steroids.  The pathology on the 38” of my small intestine that they finally removed indicated that it was excessive use of Ibuprofen, which I had been prescribed for plantar fasciitis in my foot.  I am now on a mission to warn everyone about Ibuprofen and NSAIDs, particularly for those of us over 60.  If you are over 60 and on blood pressure medicine, Ibuprofen should only be taken if monitored by a doctor.  Ibuprofen carries a black box warning and kills 16,000 people a year and 100,000 go to emergency rooms or are hospitalized every year from Ibuprofen.  I suffered from ulceration of my intestines, 38” of which were the size of a pencil, and severe inflammation.  I had absolutely no nutrition in my body.  The week of my surgery a scan happened to show a pulmonary embolism, which they had no idea that I had, and I had to be put on Coumadin.  Ibuprofen also can cause embolisms.  I know how lucky I am that I survived this ordeal and am developing a new outlook on life. 
 
Hope to see you at Donna’s!!!

Message from Karen Fry

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