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• Spinning Flax into Linen - Susan Conover

  • When
    October 11, 2023
  •  
    8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
  • Location
    Lamm's End Studio
  • Spaces left
    5

  Register

  

  Flax has been around since the beginning of civilization and still seems to be a mystery for most modern hand spinners. Because there are so many different ways to purchase the prepared fibers today (roving, top, stricks, line stricks, etc), many spinners are stumped. If you are comfortable spinning a continuous yarn with confidence, please join us for this one day hands-on workshop with Susan Conover.

  The curriculum for this fun and legend filled class will include:

  • A 17-minute film on flax processing created by the Conovers
  • Exploring line strick for a finer yarn
  • Dressing a distaff
  • Spinning singles for weaving
  • Scouring your skeins
  • Yarn counts

  Skills Required: Attendees should feel comfortable spinning a continuous strand of yarn

  MATERIALS PROVIDED BY INSTRUCTOR:

  All fibers, water pots, chair/floor distaves and class handouts.

  PARTICIPANT MATERIALS/EQUIPMENT TO BRING:

  Participants should bring their own treadle wheel in good working order; single drive, double drive, flyer lead or bobbin lead are all acceptable. One bobbin is all that is required, preferably of a standard ratio. Please do not bring a wheel with a hooked orifice, jumbo bobbin or WooLee winder. If you have a distaff, by all means bring it to class. A hand towel would be great to catch water drips.
  

  ESTIMATED MATERIALS FEE: 

  $15

  

  INSTRUCTOR BIO:

  Susan's love of flax began in 1982 after reading articles on the subject in The Weaver's Journal, Fall 1982 issue. Mary A. Chase wrote about Flax Processing, and being an avid gardener, Susan instantly searched for flax seeds to grow the following Spring. Susan also discovered that nearby Hungarian neighbors were raising and processing flax annually. There was no turning back ... the rest, as they say, is history.

  Susan began spinning and weaving in 1980 and spent the next three decades studying under numerous national and international instructors. Her focus has always been on the historic aspects of her chosen craft.

  Since 2000 she has offered courses in hand spinning and floor-loom weaving from her studio. It is a premiere teaching environment with six Schacht floor looms and a "herd" of Schacht spinning wheels.

  Her experiences have included being Operations Manager at Vavstuga Weaving School in Shelburne Falls, MA for five years. Being a consultant and demonstrator for Historic sites has brought her a great deal of joy and sense of accomplishment. She specializes in lectures and workshops for guilds and craft schools throughout the country.

  Susan currently operates out of a newly remodeled studio that augments the original Schacht equipment with ten Glimakra countermarch and counterbalance looms. She offers two to five-day hands-on workshops in her home studio and hosts students from throughout North America.

  For more information about Susan visit her website. 

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• Scandinavian Coverlets and Sleigh Blankets - Susan Conover

  • When
    October 14, 2023
  •  
    9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Location
    First Baptist Church of Loveland 1003 W. Sixth St.

  
  

  Social Hour 9:00 AM - 9:30 AM

  General Guild Meeting 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM

  Scandinavian Coverlets and Sleigh Blankets 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM 

  Susan Conover's fascination with Scandinavian weaving is apparent in everything that is created on her looms. The Swedes traditionally weave a structure called Smalandsvav (a multi-harness weave) and the Norwegians call it Skillbragd. Whatever you want to call it is fine by Susan. She explored mounting these unique hand-woven pieces onto sheep skins to create warm and cozy bed coverings or sleigh blankets. She has also woven Monks belt and various overshot weaves which have been mounted onto sheep skins or quilted onto fabric.

  Susan's quest to learn the correct and traditional method of sewing sheep skins took her to Vesterheim's Folk Art School in Decorah, IA in the summer of 2016. In Iowa she studied under Britt Solheim of Norway. Britt shared every ounce of knowledge she possesses on the art of skinnfell (hand sewing sheep skins).

  In this one-hour presentation Susan will share examples of her Sleigh Blankets plus a short lecture in hand-sewing the sheep skins together ... which is something most North Americans don't get to witness

  SUSAN CONOVER BIO:

  

  Susan began spinning and weaving in 1980 and spent the next three decades studying under numerous national and international instructors. Her focus has always been on the historic aspects of her chosen craft.

  Since 2000 she has offered courses in hand spinning and floor-loom weaving from her studio. It is a premiere teaching environment with six Schacht floor looms and a "herd" of Schacht spinning wheels.

  Her experiences have included being Operations Manager at Vavstuga Weaving School in Shelburne Falls, MA for five years. Being a consultant and demonstrator for Historic sites has brought her a great deal of joy and sense of accomplishment. She specializes in lectures and workshops for guilds and craft schools throughout the country.

  Susan currently operates out of a newly remodeled studio that augments the original Schacht equipment with ten Glimakra countermarch and counterbalance looms. She offers two to five-day hands-on workshops in her home studio and hosts students from throughout North America.

  For more information about Susan, visit her website. 

  Presentation follows general Guild meeting

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• Mending Now, Then and Carrying it Forward - Tawnya Foster

  • When
    November 11, 2023
  •  
    9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Location
    First Baptist Church of Loveland 1003 W. Sixth St.

  
  

  Social Hour 9:00 AM - 9:30 AM

  General Guild Meeting 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM

  Mending Now, Then and Carrying it Forward 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM 

  Looking at our finite resources has become more and more relevant as time goes on.

  Our clothes and belongings are a part of that narrative, they have a connection to our personal history, memories, and stories. Being able to pay homage to both is satisfying and rewarding.

  In this talk we will explore the popularity of what is now called ‘Mending’, how we got here, how historical multi-cultural influences contributed and how we carry it all forward. We will explore at a high level the plethora of techniques and the breadth of media and mediums used in those techniques. Covering the everyday to the unusual.

  Concluding with exciting ways to use the knowledge of Mending not only for fixing but for refashioning, how it is also being used in art today and inspirational makers.

  Ending with a short Q&A session and free form discussion.

  
  

  TAWNYA FOSTER BIO:

  In my day job they have labeled me as a “unicorn” because I jump in and cover a wide range rather than going deep. I feel like that is my MO, going wide, exploring, the consummate learner.

  When I teach, I always start out by saying that I have been a maker since always and was a maker before they called it being a maker.

  I learned to knit when I was 6-years old, from a neighbor on 2 pencils and some ribbon. It started then and has grown into dabbling in almost every type of creating: photography, graphic design, knitting, crocheting, spinning (drop spindle and wheel), weaving (rigid heddle only), macramé, shirret, wool rug hooking, latch hooking, tatting, embroidery, cross stitch, quilting, sewing clothes, book binding, art journaling, collage, memory jug mosaics, doll making, jewelry making, needle felting... You get the idea.

  In my exploratory journey, in addition to teaching at Fancy Tiger, I have worked and taught in some places that are gone and missed: Great American Quilt Factory and Skyloom Fibres.

  Instagram handle @mamabirdlov3

  Presentation follows general Guild meeting

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• Mending All Around - Tawnya Foster

  • When
    November 11, 2023
  •  
    1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
  • Location
    First Baptist Church of Loveland 1003 W. Sixth St.
  • Spaces left
    0

  Join waitlist

  
  

  This class is for everyone who loves mending and handwork.
  
  Whether you are brand new or have some experience.
  Our clothes and belongings have a history, a story, a connection, and it is a gift of self-care or for our loved ones to keep those pieces close to us.

  In this class we will go over a plethora of mending techniques: applique (over) and reverse (under) applique patches, basic embroidery stitches, needle felted patching for knitted garments, stamping with fabric ink, making patches ahead of time, we will also discuss how you could add knitting or crocheting to your project (how to learn to knit or crochet not included), caring for your mended garment, methods for transferring your designs and much more!

  All skill levels are welcome! There is something for everyone to learn.

  MATERIALS PROVIDED BY INSTRUCTOR:

  Scrap fabric for patches, handmade sequins to try, fabric stamping supplies, sample books to look at, examples of mended items, needles, and thread (if student didn’t bring any), needle felting supplies, handouts and some give away goodies.

  PARTICIPANT MATERIALS/EQUIPMENT TO BRING:

  • Items to be mended
  • Thimbles if you use them
  • Any threads, fibers, or ephemera (beads, sequins, patches) that you want to incorporate
  • Needles, thread conditioner if you use it
  • Any fabrics that you want to use for patching
  • Needle felting supplies if you have them (otherwise instructor will have some limited supplies to try)

  
  

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• Holiday Potluck | Gift Exchange | Scholarship Presentations

  • When
    December 09, 2023
  •  
    9:00 AM - 2:15 PM
  • Location
    First Baptist Church of Loveland 1003 W. Sixth St.

  
  

  Details to come!

  9:00 AM - 9:30 AM Social Hour

  9:30 AM - 11:00 AM Guild General Meeting

  11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Programming 

  
  

  
  

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• Member-to-Member Sale

  • When
    January 13, 2024
  •  
    9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Location
    First Baptist Church of Loveland 1003 W. Sixth St.

  

  9:00 AM - 9:30 AM Social Hour

  9:30 AM - 11:00 AM Guild General Meeting

  11:00 AM Member-to-Member Sale

  Our annual Member-to-Member Sale is here and follows our monthly general meeting. To re-home fiber, tools, or stash, contact Beth Fox no later than January 6 to reserve a free table.

  Items welcome (but not limited to!) at our sale are:

  • handmade items - tapestry, weaving, knit items, etc.
  • equipment
  • tools
  • books and other media
  • fiber and yarn
  • dyes and dye equipment
  • anything fiber related

  Bring some cash for your shopping spree!

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• Scholarship Presentations | Potluck

  • When
    May 11, 2024
  •  
    9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
  • Location
    First Baptist Church of Loveland 1003 W. Sixth St.

  9:00 AM - 9:30 AM Social Hour

  9:30 AM - 11:00 AM Guild General Meeting

  11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Scholarship Presentations

  12:00 PM - 2:00 PM Potluck

  As we close out the year, we invite all recipients of Guild scholarships to share with us their experience at the workshop they attended. We would love to hear about new things you learned, what you created, your observations, and recommendations for others to attend this workshop.  Either Hannah Hostak or Beth Fox will contact you ahead of time about your presentation.

  After the presentations, we invite everyone to enjoy a potluck with other members of the Guild. Bring a dish and your own place setting.

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