Stratford-upon-Avon Guild of Weavers Spinners and Dyers

Different wheels use different bobbins. These belong to some of the wheels available to sample. Does her spinning wheel do the same things as your spinning wheel?  A question we might often ask along with -- 'How might I have a test spin on X, Y or Z wheels?' At our 'At Home' meeting on 7th April Chris opens up her collection of wheels to hands on inspection. The guild will have its loan wheels for try-outs. Other wheels will also be on hand with their owners so you can ask questions and make comparisons. Whether you are curious about Ashford or Majacraft, Hansen or Haldane, Lendrum or Louet, Schacht or that cute bentwood Herring we will have examples galore to 'speed date'. Which one might you like the look of and which might you like the feel of?  Even if you stay true to your trusty Ashford, would you consider using a woollee winder with it, or perhaps bumping up the volume with a jumbo flyer. Look out for more information in the next newsletter a...

The following talk and workshop have been cancelled. Apologies for the short notice. We wish Simon a quick recovery. Flax spinning, particularly of tow flax is planned so bring carders please. See email for further information.  A talk/demonstration on processing flax by Simon & Ann Cooper of Flaxland www.flaxland.co.uk 10.30am  Saturday 17 March Methodist Hall, Old Town Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 6BG Doors open at 10am Visitors £5

 Amanda Edney came along to our February Guild meeting to introduce us to SAORI Weaving - a form of creative art weaving originating in Japan - and her journey from learning to ultimately teaching this form. Using specifically designed, easy to use (and they were) looms the weaver is encouraged to express themselves without worrying about making mistakes. Words that soothed the fears of a would-be weaver! Amanda introduced us to the main principles of SOARI weaving: * Freestyle * Bold and adventurous * Look out through eyes that shine *Community and sharing Very much Guild principles too I think. Basically anything goes and within the workshop for us lucky 4 in the afternoon, anything did.  Any item of ribbon, beads, paper, fleece and more can be incorporated into the weave with dramatic and eyecatching effect.   We even picked up the Clasped Weft technique as seen in the sample to the left which involves taking weft from both sides to create the wat...