Our next mini workshop is at the meeting of Friday April 9th Weaving round a box
If you'd rather just spin, knit or weave during this activity that is fine too. Do contact us if you would like to come along or just come on the evening. Visitors £3.00. You will be made most welcome.
Do see the Calendar for other events planned for the year
AWSD meeting of Friday March 12th 2010.
Well, what a great evening this was. We had 6 animal fibres to try: alpaca, cashmere, possum, camel, yak, goat hair, angora and mohair – all acquired from Wingham Wools. We had 24 present, 21 members and welcomed 3 visitors. Many of us tried spinning the fibres on wheels and drop spindles and even some of us who had not tried a drop spindle before had a go with our Guild ones made from CDs and dowelling, whilst others collected samples for their reference collection. Comments at the end can be summed up as ‘thank you that was great fun’.
We had to miss the weaving programme with Monty Don in the Mastercrafts series. It is well worth watching, here is the i-player link, I think is will be available for a fortnight: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00qvrcj
We still a few places left on our Dyeing Vegetable Fibres workshop on Saturday March 20th. Even if you are a complete beginner you are welcome – you just need to be enthusiastic. Contact Jane on 01606 737418 for more information.
We were at Alsager Farmer's Market on February 20th - in the Civic Centre from 9.00 to 12.30, where we were selling some of our items and also demonstrating weaving and spinning. We had a great morning with several visitors trying out the 4 shaft loom with Jane , and much interest in the pegloom and spinning - Annette & kath on a drop spindles, Janet on a wheel.
AWSD meeting of Friday of February 12th 2010
We had a great meeting. We welcomed 2 new members and 1 re-joining after a break. We admired the woven items that are emerging after Kath’s inspiring workshop on ‘weaving textures’. It’s likely that this will workshop will be repeated later in the year. So, if you are not a member and would like to come let Jane know if you’d like to go on the list to keep informed.
Our mini workshop was on ‘weaving sticks and peglooms’ where Janet showed those of us who were new to this how great these simple tools are. We then had a creative evening practising with a variety of materials and went home with lots of ideas of things we just must make. The photos in the gallery will give a flavour of what we did.
We had to cancel our meeting of January 8th 2010 when we were going to bring our spinning, weaving, knitting and any new toys we had for Christmas for a show and tell and social evening after the festivities of Christmas and the New Year. The snow beat us!
AWSD Meeting of December 11th 2009
This was a great evening as it was our Christmas party.
However, we always do an activity as well.
This year Kath Allen led a workshop on 'Design for Textiles'
Kath talked about the design process she had gone through as part of her Bradford HNC, and showed us her sketchbooks and samples she had woven following the design work.
We were all in awe and fascinated.
Then it was our turn! We each selected an 'autumn' item, or used one we had taken and then set about drawing this, using different media and approaches.
Kath had prepared a worksheet for us so that we can continue and produce a textile from this. We then did a show and tell.
It was all fascinating and we are looking forward to slotting in a day workshop so we can tap into Kath's expertise even more.
Thank you so much Kath for a great workshop.
We then enjoyed a great meal contributed by the members.
Some stimulus materials - come to the exhibition in September 2010 to see what is produced from the evening!
AWSD Meeting of November 2009
This was the AGM, we agreed on our very first committee, agreed a constitution, thanked Kath Allen for leading the group for so long and overseeing the increase in size from about 7 to over 20 now & to Michael for helping Kath with the money. Virginia talked to us about her weaving course in London & showed us lots of great samples. We chatted and caught up on what textile things we were all doing. A great time was had by all.
AWSD Meeting of October 2009
Judith Goodburn, with the aid of Lorna Plant, led the evening workshop on soft basketry. This was enjoyed by all who took part. The picture shows the wall sculptures that were made during the evening. Many thanks to Judith (& Lorna).