Tapestry weaving workshop

with Jane Freear

Our final externally tutored workshop for the year was on Tapestry Weaving, tutored by Jane Freear.  We were lucky to persuade Jane to come south before the weather turned.  Our first workshop held in our new home at Flitwick Village Hall, where we certainly had room to move around. 

Jane packed an awful lot into a fairly short space of time.  At the beginning, Jane said that after a day weaving, she would be worn out.  By the end of the day, we all agreed. 

Everybody learned something from blending colour to create depth to texture techniques.  As usual, cake and goodies were in constant supply, along with tea and coffee.  Much needed, as concentration was the order of the day.

Click on the image below to see our photo gallery from the day.

Resources

Association of Guilds of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers
The Association acts as a clearing house, a central coordinating body. The objectives of the Association are the preservation and improvement of the craftsmanship in hand weaving, spinning and dyeing for the benefit of the public and the promotion of public education in such craftsmanship.  See website.

British Coloured Sheep Breeders Association
Helps to promote members' sheep and their products and aims to improve the wool quality and colour. They also publish the Coloured Sheep and handspinners fleece directory (£3.50 non-members) and a quarterly newsletter. (Subscription £12.50 pa including newsletter and directory). See website.

British Wool Marketing Board
Offers a range of fleeces have been specially selected by the British Wool Marketing Board to cover a wide range of hand-spinning requirements. Contact details here.

UK Fibre Related Events

Some dates for your diary ....?

Edinburgh Yarn Festival 2016 - 18 & 19 March
A celebration of all things related to yarn, wool, knitting, crochet, spinning, weaving and felting - in Edinburgh, Scotland! A fantastic market place with around 100 selected vendors and workshops and wrap it all up with other attractions.  See website.

Wonderwool Wales 2016 - 23 - 24 April
Exhibitors and trade stands covering all aspects of felting, knitting, weaving, spinning & crochet and textile art with raw materials, equipment, books and finished product.  Demonstrations and a selection of fibre animals on display including sheep, alpacas and angora rabbits.  See website.

Woolfest 2016 - 24 & 25 June

Woolfest was founded to provide a showcase and a celebration of the best of wool and wool crafts. The event is all about creativity and design with beautiful quality, amazing colours and skilled craftsmanship.  See website.

 

Fibre East 2016 - July
Fibre East is held annually in Bedfordshire, a two day celebration of all things wool (and fibre) related.   Fleece producers and fibre processors,  plant dye suppliers and spindle-makers,  equipment makers, rug-hooking kits and knitting kits. Timed for the start of the school holidays, Fibre-East is a family event, with refreshments and parking on site.  See website.

Bristol Wool Fair 2016 - 2 - 4 September

Bristol Wool Fair will be a fabulous three day festival celebrating wool, in all its glory.  See website.

 

Yarndale 2016 - 24 - 25 September

Described as a creative festival celebrating all things woolly and wonderful, Yarndale plays host to an impressive selection of talented and passionate exhibitors.  See website.

 

Shetland Wool Week 2016 - 24 September - 2 October

Shetland Wool Week is a world renowned celebration of Britain's most northerly native sheep, the Shetland textile industry and the rural farming community on these islands.  See website.

 

Bakewell Wool Gathering 2016 - 22 & 23 October

See website.

 

Kendal Wool Gathering 2016 - October 29 - 30

Kendal Wool Gathering mixes demonstrations, fun activities and displays, all connected to the cloth on which the town’s wealth was built. Stands and stalls representing all aspects of commercial wool products, including carpets, looms, spinning wheels and crafts will be on display at the Lakes Outlet. Outside, there will be livestock, walks and talks. Linked fun events take place throughout Kendal. See website.

Fare thee well (for now)

Early in November, we waved farewell to a dearly loved member who was going travelling for a while.  Members of the group had been working in secret to not only organise a surprise party, complete with buffet, but an awesome cake and group gift as well.

Our cake maker extraordinaire did herself proud ....

with a themed cake that raised many smiles.

Many of the group had been working on the top secret project for quite a while, each square spun, knitted, crocheted or woven with additional yarn for the border as well. 

 

This was followed by a hardy volunteer putting the blanket together, crocheting for England.  The result was a beauty, and we knew that it would be treasured in it's new home.