Study Groups

Basketry Group

This group welcomes new members and is happy to introduce individuals to the techniques involved in basket making. It is a small group with a range of experience.

They often works on individual projects or the group may be exploring a particular technique or project together.

If you are interested, please contact Jan Green. The group meets at Jan’s home. Her contact information in the yearbook and is available to members and non members.

If you are looking for a basketry guild, try the Vi Phillips Guild in Seattle or the Columbia Basin Basketry Guild in Portland.

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Beginning Weaver’s Class

The Olympia Weaver’s Guild is currently offering a beginning in-person weaving class on a quarterly basis to guild members.

There are four sessions in the class with one session to include a discussion about fiber selection, weaving equipment and finishing techniques.

Students will learn on a 4-shaft table loom using a 10-dent reed, stick shuttles, warping board, sley hook and yarn. Looms are available for rental from the guild with some of the other tools also available.

A supply list and complete instructions are provided to participants upon receipt of payment for the class.

You will learn how to wind a warp using a warping board, dress a loom and weave a 2/2 and 3/1 twill sampler. Following the completion of the sampler, you will have the opportunity to dress the loom a second time and weave a scarf with your chosen pattern, using the sampler as inspiration.

Joan Hoffmeyer is the weaving instructor. You can reach her directly at weaving@flying-shuttles.com for more information.

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By Design: From idea to creation

The “By Design” study group works on ways to improve our design
abilities and knowledge.  We meet informally about every three months or so, at the convenience of the participants.  If members are interested in attending one of our meetings, please contact Erica Plotkin. Her contact information is in the Guild Yearbook. 

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Felting

This group was formed in 2016 to enjoy the process of interlocking fiber into delightful creations and the simple joys felting brings!

Any member of the Olympia Weavers Guild is welcome to attend the Felting group. This group often works on individual projects or may be exploring a particular technique or project together. They love to share what they have learned felting or about life in general.

Usually the members bring fiber and other materials and/or tools for felting. But don’t despair if you have few or no tools because the group has a “shared” box for many techniques.

If this sounds like something you would be interested in, contact Gail Trotter for details on date, location and techniques currently being studied. Her contact information is in the yearbook for members.

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Jane Stafford Study Group

This group is a gathering space of weavers of all levels, to ask questions, share resource discoveries and discuss our projects. We are all learning weavers and are excited to explore new ideas and techniques with other like-minded weavers! We will share books, ideas, yarns, experiences, things we’ve learned and provide general support as we all learn and share together.

Mostly members bring samples of their JST lessons and any other projects you want to share.

The group welcomes new members. Nancy Driscol is the contact person. Contact information for Nancy can be found in the current yearbook. They meet during the months of October through June on the first Saturday of the month from 10:00am to 12:00 pm. Please contact Nancy if you think this would be a group you would like to check out!

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Natural Dyeing

If this is something that interests you, please contact Gail Trotter for more information,

Gail Trotters contact information is in the current yearbook. Please request that you be put on a mailing list.

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Saturday Morning Group

If you’re an unabashed fiber enthusiast, the Saturday Morning Study Group welcomes you! Our interests are diverse, ranging from weaving and spinning to knitting, crocheting, felting, dyeing, paper-crafting, and more. We gather to share our latest creations and works in progress, seek (and give) advice, participate in guided fiber activities, and work on longer-term projects that the group may embark on. Everyone works at their own pace and in keeping with their interests. New members are welcomed.

The Group meets on the second Saturday of the month from 9:30 a.m. to noon at members’ homes. To join, please contact Linda Eschels (her contact information is in the current yearbook).

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Spinning and Knitting Group

This group currently meets the 2nd and 4th Friday of the month at 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. They welcome new members to spin together, share knowledge and results with.

Please contact Barbara Dahne whose contact information is in the guild yearbook which is available to all members.

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Surface Design

This group was formed int 2022 to enjoy the process of embellishment or augmenting fiber products or found objects. The group often works on individual projects, or may be exploring a particular technique or project together, also sharing what they have learned about surface design.

All are welcome to attend. Contact Diane Weeden for details on date, location and technique being studied. You are welcome to bring finished or current projects and any supplies that were sent out in the email about event.

Contact information for Diane Weeden can be found in the current guild yearbook.

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