Stratford-upon-Avon Guild of Weavers Spinners and Dyers

Spring is here, and it’s time to get the dye garden going (if you're feeling ambitious). Over the past few months, we’ve had a great mix of new visitors and familiar faces returning. It’s been good to reconnect and share our skills again with an audience. In March, our Learn Together session was all about braiding. We explored Kumihimo, inkle loom braiding, knitting dolls, lucets, etc. Everyone had a chance to try each technique, with experienced members helping guide others. It was a lovely hands-on, relaxed session with lots of skill-sharing. April’s focus was spinning. There was plenty of equipment and knowledge being shared — including a strange wheel that had many of us scratching our heads. Visitors from Shakespeare’s Schoolroom & Guildhall joined us, and Sally helped new spinners get started with the drop spindle using our guild equipment. In May, we’ll have our regular Birthday Meeting. Please bring mess-free snacks and a food allergen list if you’re bringing something ...

In January, we kicked off the year with our Annual General Meeting, marking the start of an exciting new chapter for the Guild. With the appointment of our new chairman, Topsy, and several new committee members, we’re already feeling the energy of fresh ideas and enthusiasm that will guide us into 2025 and beyond. In February, we were fortunate to have Fr. Andrew Johnson give a fascinating talk on Ecclesiastical Textiles. His insights into the use of fabric, tapestries, and cloth in churches were truly enlightening, shedding light on the cultural impact of textiles throughout history. Fr. Johnson also shared some valuable tips on taking commissions and the important considerations when designing for others—ideas that are sure to inspire and inform our members' creative processes. More information can be found on the March newsletter. Apologies for missing February. We're working on getting a consistent schedule for the Newsletter, but we now need a new volunteer to collate arti...

  TEAM OVER THE R A I N B O W BRITSPIN 2020 This year's team from the Guild are preparing to enter this competition next Wednesday at 9 pm.  The challenge is to combine spinning as great a length of fibre in the 4 days of the competition, with other challenges, such as the great number of different breed fleeces and Britspin Bingo! (more to follow next week on that one).   Generously sponsored again this year by the WOOL WAREHOUSE in leamington, the team will be spinning from 9 pm on 14th - 9 pm on 18th October, with donated fibre and all the fibre dug out from their stash!  Visit their site by clicking on the logo above. With current COVID lockdown guidelines the members will be spinning from home but one member has managed to grab a secure space at the Market Hall Museum in Warwick.  V isitors can book your FREE tickets to see our live demonstration and to visit the museum by going on  www.warwickshire.gov.uk/heritageboxoffice . You can also find booking ...

OUR    WOOLLY    MARQUEE   FOR THE SHIPSTON WOOL FAIR   WEEKEND    VIRTUAL EVENT    In the  normal course of events this bank holiday Monday 25th May 2020, we would have been joining all the demonstrators and traders at the Shipston Wool Fair.  For obvious reasons this is not taking place this year. However, we didn't think that was a reason not to encourage you all to be 'having a go' with everything that is WOOLLY!  So, we have put some links here to instructions for some of the activities we would usually be deonstrating and getting you to try your hand at. One of our annual activities, and greatly enjoyed by the children in particular, is our braiding card .  Simple to cut our from a nice piece of sturdy card and then with any fibre/threads that you have available - it can be any remaining wool you have around, string or embroidery threads.  Find the pattern and instructions here. ...

February meeting – Adventures in Kumihimo with Kay Hawkins   (questionably assisted by Sara!) © Kay Hawkins 2019 Kay is a member of the Braid Society, some members may have attended her mini-workshops at the Society’s ‘have a go’ days. She will give us an introduction to kumihimo braiding on the marudai and kumihimo disk   This will include selecting yarns, warping up, controlling tension and some simple braid patterns. For those of you with experience of braiding or who are feeling adventurous, there will be the opportunity to use those skills to make an item such as a key fob, bracelet, necklace or a lanyard.   Perhaps we can hope to see all our members at future meetings with their name badges on braided lanyards!    The workshop will extend into the afternoon for those keen to make use of Kay’s expertise. (The ‘social spin’ will continue as usual). At lunchtime Kay and Sara will give a presentation on ‘Our braiding adventure in ...