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...

  Talk: The Joy of SAORI Weaving     10.30 am – 12.00 noon Amanda Edney is a mixed-media textile artist, authorised SAORI weaving instructor and owner of BEAUTIFULcloth SAORI studio (Southam ), one of the five registered SAORI Studios in the UK. She will be talking about how she discovered SAORI weaving, her training in Japan and her mission to encourage Creativity and Self-expression through the Joy of SAORI weaving. Amanda will introduce the SAORI philosophy and demonstrate the looms and equipment. There will be an opportunity to ask questions, view examples of SAORI weaving and browse some wonderful Japanese books.  You will also be able to have a go yourselves on the loom.   About SAORI Weaving SAORI weaving is a contemporary form of handweaving, originating in Japan, that encourages creativity and self-expression.   There are no patterns to follow   Weavers use simple techniques to create individual patterns, which can ...

In spite of a weather forecast threatening snow, there was a good attendance in the morning for the business of the AGM, Part of that was electing a new committee which is: Diane Sinclair (Chairman), Ann Howells (Vice Chair), Angela Din as Secretary and Sue Workman as Treasurer (both new to the committee). Other members of the 2018 committee are Abigail Wrycroft , Ros Lobb , Theresa Geraghty , Liz Davies and new committee member Sara Hawkins .  The chairman's and treasurer's reports were accepted and everyone agreed that the all day format was working well, with especial approval of the Getting Better At ..... format sessions. 2017 had also seen our first Open Day for a long time and we all agreed that it had gone very well – especially the Wensleydale lambs. We had gained several new members and covered our costs by providing drinks and cake and a raffle. Over half our members had renewed their subscription at the meeting (this is a gentle reminder to the others ...

The year is now almost done and this picture (emailed before Christmas by a triumphant Ruth McCartney) has a lovely end of year sense of achievement. Ruth completed these following Ruth Hainsworth's GBA session on sock knitting at our December meeting. Nice to see how things end up and these do look lovely.  During 2017 guild members ha ve added to their knowledge across all manner of things, especially dyeing - with food colours for fun play, using 'proper' acid dyes (taught by the talented Katie Weston) and also experimenting with natural dyes. We learned to spin cotton and share Sarah Wroot's love of this fibre, we got better at evaluating fleeces and carding wool). We have been out and about demonstrating and also lured visitors to our Open Day. Many members have acquired looms, wheels and dyed fibre as a result of this past year's activities. You may have received (or treated yourself or succumbed) to other weaving, spinning and dyeing supplies, tools...

We've done a lot, learned a lot, taught each other a lot and made new friends during 2017. Now we are near the end of the year and we can take things a little easier, celebrating this traditional time of year at our 9th December meeting. Ruth Hainsworth will be heading up a Getting Better At Sock Knitting session in the morning (which may help some of us finish off Christmas present knitting or encourage us to tackle heel knitting and second sock syndrome). Sue Byrne will be showing us some 'sock blanks', something new to many of us. These can be dyed to create unique sock yarns. Lunch will be a shared meal (please bring something for the buffet table). This is followed by activity led by Ann and Abby focusing on making decorations - including some for the guild tree, part of an annual display at Stratford United Reformed Church. For those participating in our Secret Santa Stash Swap there will also be something to unwrap or take away and put under your own tree. (Details...