See website:  http://www.schafermeadowsfiberfest.com/home.html

http://www.nwbasketweavers.org/retreat2016/default.html
This year there are several classes that are crossovers with weaving and spinning. One class does side by side knotting and tapestry weave and will include paper yarn. Another with knitting with willow and another Spinning Paper for Fiber Arts. Take a peak at the offerings and see if there is something for you.

Gail Trotter is hosting a time to do dying with Oak Galls. If you are interested please vote for your preferences on time at http://doodle.com/poll/ab23qgsz96bah8i7#table

For a description of dying see:

http://www.primitiveways.com/black_dye.html

Bring a container you can take home with your dye and fibers soaking.
Bring what you want to dye – natural fibers / fabric. If you would like to do Shibori you can prepare the fabric to take the dye at home or at Gail’s

We will mix up the solution and start the dying and the following days you can switch to the iron mixture.

Email if you have questions –  getrotter@comcast.net

Gail will follow up with more information on based on the doodle list so please vote.

About Paper Yarn – Bill Green used Habu Item A-60, http://habutextiles.com/A-60, color 116, 100% linen, 476 yds, 4 mm. Wide. He used about 1/2 the hank for one scarf. Hank cost $22.50 at Fibers Etc. in Tacoma. … from Cara Leslie

Appreciated tip from Ardith Hamilton about noticing that the loom is out of balance when the beater at rest does not lay evenly on the castle. For other maintenance problems see: http://www.janellestudio.com/weaving/loomspinwhrepair.html It has good tips on dealing with rust that are useful in our damp climate.
Ardith also shared about using fishing line for salvages then removing when weaving complete.

If you are comparing looms, their styles and best use – Erica Plotkin suggests:
I think if one were weaving rugs, one would want a very sturdy and heavy duty loom to beat the rugs firmly with.  If one wanted to weave complex patterns and mutli-shaft drafts (patterns), one would probably want to look at a computer linked loom, with only two treadles. Then there is size to consider – how wide do you want and do you want it to be portable. Some floor looms can fold up and travel, otherwise there are table looms.
Judy Parkins likes HGA tips on buying a first loom https://www.weavespindye.org/buying-a-first-loom

Thanks for sharing your useful tips or inquires in the Tip Jar.

Another successful year for the Guild at the Thurston County Fair, largely due to the efforts of Lana to schedule and coordinate the volunteers and the display and “hands on” demonstration area in the “Log Cabin,” home arts building.  Below is her commentary, with photos contributed by her and the other guild members who entered work in the fair:

Lana:

“The 2015 Thurston County Fair was a record breaker – certainly weather wise. The Daily O proclaimed the hottest temperature ever recorded, with an average for the week at 97!! But the weavers crew had cool neck wraps, fans, water & tea galore. We did well. We also did well with a very great group of kids and parents. I have no idea how many kids we played with because some wove on the 4-harness table loom, some to the rigid heddle, some even sat down and wove at the ‘weavers’ loom. And beyond that, or above that was the kumihimo braid experience. We kept everybody happy.

The “kids loom” fabric, created by 159 young weavers.

Full view of the visitors’ loom work.

My specific thanks to the crew: Carol Dorgatz, Cathy Belfry, Edith Garling, Eleanor Hintz, Vicki Booth, Patty Berke, Debra Spoorseen, Margaret Cook Jean van Effen, Darlene Dickinson, Larye Parkins, Tricia Shaw, Patti Logan, Roxanne Robertson, Jan Green, Alice Dinerman, Sarah Nopp and especial smiles to Gail Trotter who made kumihimo happen for so many days and Nancy Berger who enriched the weaving experience with rigid heddle and the other looms. That’s all it takes to make a good memory : a remarkable crew of volunteers. You guys did so well, like a well practiced machine, just moving along. I hope you enjoyed yourselves, in spite of the heat. Who knows? Next year may be glorious weather.

I know there are other opportunities that arise for a public presence, a place for us to give the public an idea that not only are we around, but engaged in a real viable art/craft, welcoming to all who seek us. Continue to value the opportunities as you can. Besides the public, you find yourself working with …us!

What follows is a showing of … some of the work entered into the fair by our members. I apologize for no candid shots – my head was obviously in a different place…”

Lana’s entries in the fair

Lana Schneider received Reserve Champion for her Daryl vest! Also shown are her multi-layered singles silk scarf and her Holey Socks

Lana’s “Daryl” vest

“Holey” socks

Multi-layer scarf.

Vicki B. entered her pine needle display and the decorated gourd

Margaret C.: quilt displayed at the fair, not entered for judging.

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Edith’s quilt.  Blue Ribbon

Edith G.

Kate J-K. Skirt from hand-woven fabric. Blue Ribbon.

Kate:

“The COE requires you to weave yardage where epi and ppi are identical.
I’ve done a fair number of practice chunks…but am not yet satisfied
that the results are Examination Quality.

This skirt was made from one of my practice chunks.

It received a Blue ribbon”

Kate J-K. Handspun with sample,  Blue Ribbon, Best of Class, Champion

Kate:

“I bought a one-pound bag of commercially-prepared wool in “Christmas Green”.  The first stuff was spun up and is being used on a loop-pile Christmas stocking that is almost finished.

Since most of what I do is weaving… the rest of the wool was spun up with the idea of incorporating it into future weaving projects…

This skein received:
Blue Ribbon
Best of Class
Champion

Kate J-K. “Three-ply blend of wool and mohair. Both pair were knit from the
‘samplings’ of the wool/mohair ‘bump’ that I bought [last spring at OWG].”  Both received Red Ribbon.

Kate J-K. Hand-spun wool-mohair blend, with sample, Blue Ribbon, Judge’s Choice Ribbon

Kate J-K. Handspun flax. Blue Ribbon and Judges Choice Ribbon.

Kate:

“The COE in spinning requires us to spin flax. Never having done this before, I purchased a one-pound bag of flax from … the OWG meeting a couple of months ago.

My first attempt at spinning flax was too tight — felt like rope! I hated it and threw it away. ~loosened the spin and twist then used the next attempt to knit the lace, “sample swatch”… I liked it much better. Later that same day, I did the 2-ply skein. (yes, wet-spun)

The swatch and skein were subsequently wet-finished. They softened up — considerably. (~hmmm, maybe that first attempt might not have been so much like rope…) Any, I see this being knit into a lacy, summer top.

~turns out… I like spinning flax!”

Patti L. was awarded best in class for her little bowl and judges’ choice for her centerpiece

Patti’s ship tapestry.

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A link from Marjorie: A new exhibit at the Bellevue Art Museum, July 3 – October 18, 2015. Click here to open site, or scroll through the exhibit page below.