Past Issues

THE NORTHWEST PENNSYLVANIA SPINNERS AND WEAVERS GUILD

Saturday, May 31, 2003, at 7:00 p.m.
Christ Episcopal Church, Diamond Park, Meadville, PA

Minutes of the April Meeting

The April meeting of the Northwest Pennsylvania Spinners and Weavers Guild was held on Saturday, April 5, 2003, at Christ Church, Episcopal in Meadville, PA. Sue Spencer chaired the meeting.

Ann Sheffield drew attention to the hostess sign-up sheet for the next meeting which will be the lecture by Beth Brown-Reinsel. We will have an evening reception.

Treasurer’s Report: We have $366.28 in the checking account and $4,583.67 in savings for a total of $4,949.95. We made $98.67 in interest for the scholarship fund. Bonnie renewed the Hand Weavers Guild of America membership. She also noted that rental for the church has gone up to $150 per year.

Ellen Gracie was removed from the Scholarship Review Committee because she has not renewed her membership to the guild. The committee will now consist of Barb Lodge, Donna Welmann, Joyce Rose and the workshop organizer.

Sue announced that the Forest Area Arts Council is holding a festival on Saturday, June 28, 2003. There will be a competition for artists and vendor space available.

The bus trip to Maryland is in trouble. If Judy Hanninen doesn’t sell 20 more seats by next Monday, she may have to cancel. Discussion among the members who were planning on going on the trip indicated they would be willing to pay more for their tickets to enable the trip to happen.

Despite the fact that Cook Forest sent out flyers advertising the Herb and Fiber Festival, we will not be holding the fiber festival this year. The herb festival will happen June 7 and 8.

The fiber challenge entries will be displayed and judged at the next meeting.

The Siberian Husky Rescue group has contacted the guild to ask if we would be interested in spinning some dog fur for them. They make money for their group by selling items made of dog fur yarn. The guild decided to begin with five pounds of fiber and keep two pounds for ourselves (the group is happy to do an exchange).

Donna Wellman announced that the new guild brochure is finished and the ads paid for most of it.

Karen Fry works at a residential facility for teen-age girls and they are looking for eight ewe lambs for a 4-H project. Contact Karen if you have sheep for sale.

Lorraine Dallas has opened a fiber and spinning supply store in the Meadville Market House.

Mathilda Murphy announced a sale on Harrisville Yarns and the Schacht Pup loom.

Earth Guild is having their semi-annual mail order sale in April.

Come to the next guild meeting prepared to vote on a recipient of the guild award.

The guild will spin and weave at the Edinboro Highland games on Saturday, May 17, 2003.

Beth Brown-Reinsel Workshop

The Northwest Pennsylvania Spinners and Weavers Guild will sponsor two knitting classes with Beth Brown-Reinsel on Saturday and Sunday, May 31 and June 1, 2003. Both classes are appropriate for intermediate level knitters who are comfortable using double-pointed needles. The focus is on patterns and construction methods used in the traditional knitting of Sweden and Norway. Beth is an experienced teacher, a designer, and author of the book Knitting Ganseys. Her approach is to use small-scale projects to teach techniques and ideas that students can then use in designing their own creations. Extensive handouts are provided for each class to help students carry their new learning home with them.

Norwegian Mittens 9a.m. – 4 p.m., Saturday, May 31, 2003 – Students will learn Norwegian mitten construction, knitting a mitten in two colors on double pointed needles. Techniques to be covered include the striped, rubbed cuff, the Norwegian thumb gusset, seam stitches, different patterning for the front and palm, and the pointed tip shaping at the end of the mitten. Designing will be discussed as well as several options in thumb construction. Students will also view a slide show of mittens housed at the Norwegian-American Vesterhelm Museum in Iowa. Cost: $40 plus $4 materials fee (includes 17-page handout).

Twined Mittens 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Sunday, June 1, 2003 – Students will learn the Swedish technique of twined knitting by knitting a small mitten using worsted weight yarn. The mitten is worked circularly on double pointed needles and includes many techniques: three twined knitting cast-ons, reading and working from a chart, the “O” stitch, Chain Path, Purl Deep Stitch, a spiralled thumb gusset, a traditional motif for the front of the mitten, and a choice of tip shapings at the end of the mitten. Designing will be discussed briefly as well. Cost: $40 plus $4 materials feed (includes 19-page handout).

Take both classes and save! Cost is $75 for both days (plus $8 materials fee). These workshops are supported in part by a grant from the Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts.

Reception for Brown-Reinsel Lecture

Ilene Elliston and Maggie Fry-Manross will organize the refreshments for Beth Brown-Reinsel’s lecture on Saturday, May 31, 2003 at 7:00 p.m. at Christ Church, Episcopal in Meadville, PA. We will be calling everyone to ask for contributions, so dig out your fancy cookie and hors d’oevre recipes. Let’s put on a nice spread!

The Thread Project: One World, One Cloth

“Many threads, woven together, become stronger and more resilient. The predominant focus of The Thread Project: One World, One Cloth is to gather individual threads around the world, and then weave them into a cloth of strength, celebrating the bond of our cultural diversity and the unity of our human hearts. To date, thousands of threads have been tied into a long strand, called the Unity Thread.

“On December 21, 2002, a portion of the Unity Thread was woven into cloth to create the first panel of the first World Cloth. From this point forward, a new panel will be in preparation at all times. Each World Cloth will consist of seven panels which, when completed incorporate a weft thread of approximately 10,000 threads from 10,000 people-potentially the most diverse thread ever woven. This cloth represents the fabric of all human life on earth—as rich and varied as all who inhabit her.

“The current plan calls for weaving seven cloths to hang in nations throughout the world. These cloths, made with deep intention, are meant to inspire hope, healing and peace in the millions who gaze upon them. They are meant to demonstrate the significance of a slender thread, especially when joined to others.”-from The Thread Project website.

Sue Spencer will act as the thread collector. Bring your yarns to guild meetings and functions and we will send them in.

For Sale or Rent

Ilene Elliston still has a four harness Le Clerce loom for sale, six treadles, weaves up to 52 inches wide with extra reeds. She also has 25 half pound cones of white, 8/4 cotton for $1.35 each or all for $25.00. Call (814) 676-2125.

Sue Spencer would like to rent her 6-harness Glimakra floor loom. She will charge $10/week or $35/month, which includes studio space, loom use, warping mill, bobbin winder, shuttles and other stuff. A stash of threads and yarns is located in the same place for your consideration. See Sue or email forsuespencer@hotmail.com.

Is your fiber habit out-growing your house? Maybe it’s time to consider renting studio space. Sue Spencer is moving out of the space she has been sharing with Maggie Fry-Manross and Mary-Lib Whitney and we are looking for someone to move into her space. The rent is $110 per month (split three ways) plus gas (about $30 each in the winter). Call Maggie Fry-Manross or email her at magpie@surferie.net for more information.

Member News

Congratulations to Nancy Washok, the new Northwest PA Sheep & Wool Princess for 2003!

One of our newest members, Kendra Durfee, had a photograph published in Penn Lines last month -- a great photograph of Clarissa and and some other children in a tree!

Ann Sheffield ran in the Pittsburgh Marathon on May 5, 2003 and finished with what she described as “a pretty good time.” As Ann said, “It’s like flying an airplane: any landing is a good one!”

Ilene Elliston recommends Indigo Dying, by Susan Witig Albert. “This is a fun mystery. The town of Indigo, TX is dying due to toxins from strip mining, but two women are doing what they can to keep things alive. These women and a friend grow herbs, sell plants, serve lunches, sell herb tea and give dye workshops. There is a villain in the town whom everyone hates. All this and more!” Ilene

Coming Events

EDINBORO HIGHLAND GAMES, Saturday May 17, 2003 We will be spinning and weaving at Edinboro again this year. Plan to arrive before 9:00 a.m. Call Donna Wellman or email her at sewsew@velocity.net for details or directions.

FIBERFEST 2003, The Forum: Thursday, June 26-Sunday, June 29, 2003 The Festival: Friday, June 27-Sunday, June 29, 2003 Lake Farmpark, 8800 Chardon Road, Kirtland, OH 44094, www.Lakemetroparks.com.

FESTIVAL IN THE FOREST, Art Show and Competition, Saturday, June 28, 2003 Forest County 4-H Center, Tionesta, PA, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

PENNSYLVANIA ENDLESS MOUNTAINS FIBER FESTIVAL, Saturday and Sunday, September 6 and 7, 2003 Harford Fairgrounds, Harford, PA For information, e-mail somhap@nep.net