Buellwood Weaver and Fiber Guild, Hancock, Michigan

2026-01-12T14:53:00.000-06:00

Hello fiber artists! The snow has fallen, and fallen, and fallen.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Guild Meeting: Our next meeting is January 17, 2026 at 1:00 pm EST. During the winter months, our meetings are on Saturdays. .

Retreats and Conferences:

BUELLWOOD RETREAT: This retreat will be September 26 and 27, 2026 at the Marsin Center in the Hancock/Houghton Michigan area. We will have classes and camaraderie! It's a great time in a beautiful setting.

MICHIGAN LEAGUE OF HANDWEAVERS: The next conference will be in June of 2026. The conference will be in Marquette Michigan. This is a great opportunity to go to the conference when it is close (relatively). Also, the national exhibit of Small Expressions will be at Northern University at the same time.

SHOW AND TELL PHOTOS DECEMBER MEETING 2025:

This is Gretchen's Christmas stocking for her daughter's partner. Some hand dyed yarn there.

Melissa's tablet weaving for the key fobs.

David's knit scarf in progress. His sweater knit by someone in New Mexico using yarn spun from David's alpacas, and two towels he wove for his mother many years ago that she never used.

The first and only sweater Kathie knit when she was newly wed.

Polly has been knitting dolly Christmas gifts for a needy child.

Nate's patriotic hoodie... stars and striped tigers. And a rug he wove using tee shirts from veterans' protests. He and Marci did a trade.

Jade's students' appliqués

The ryijy Marci wove and is trading to Nate. And her Peter Collingwood study using thrift store acrylics.

Claire made a christmas stocking from naturally dyed sheets.

baskets Karen wove at a retreat at Seivers
using cedar bark

Phyllis showed a birdseye rug and overshot and plain weave runner just off the loom.

CORRECTION: In the August Blog, I misnamed Annie's projects as someone else's. These are Annie's weaving.

SPECIAL TREAT: Melissa made more embroidered balls. She mentioned that her favorite were the ones with concentric circles.

SEE YOU NEXT TIME

2025-11-03T16:46:00.001-06:00

Hello fiber artists! The leaves have fallen where I live, and the trees are very bare. The wind has been howling and it is great weather to create!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Guild Meeting: Our next meeting is November 15 at 1:00 pm EST. During the winter months, our meetings are on Saturdays.

2025-2026 Schedule

October 18, 2025: Show and Tell. Discuss Emberlight Ideas for Summer of 2026.

November 15, 2025: Go to Soup Bowl Fundraiser if you arrive early at 11:00 EST.

Program is Drafting a pattern from a garment you love.

December 13, 2025: NOTE DATE CHANGE due to holidays.

Show and Tell

January 17, 2026: Program is Emberlight Work Bee. Bring driftwood, copper wire or other

materials that can be woven.

February 21, 2026: Show and Tell

March 21, 2026: Program is raising Angora Bunnies and using their fur

ALSO: bring materials for making your name tag if you don't have one.

April 18, 2026: Show and Tell

May 16, 2026: Program is Paper Piecing and English Paper Piecing

June 15m 2026: NOTE Meeting is on a Monday during the summer.

Show and Tell

July 20, 2026: Name Drafting

August 17, 2026: Show and Tell

September TBD: RETREAT!!!!! and annual meeting.

Tentatively scheduled for September 19 and 20, 2026 at the Marsin Center.

Retreats and Conferences:

BUELLWOOD RETREAT: This retreat will be tentatively September 19 to 21, 2026 at the Marsin Center in the Hancock/Houghton Michigan area. We will have classes and camaraderie! It's a great time in a beautiful setting.

FIBER FEST in Marquette Michigan: Thank you to Melissa for coordinating our table at Fiber Fest in October in Marquette. It was a great exhibition of our guild's projects and we all had a great time talking to people, seeing a fashion show and going to demonstrations. Here are some photos:

MUSINGS AND GROUP QUESTION: I have been taking a lot of classes on design and living a creative life. One thing is clear to me--I need to start doing instead of thinking of doing--I know DUH!!!!! But my inner critic is helping me to procrastinate. It won't be good enough, etc. etc. Time to tell that inner critic to go get a cup of tea!

Does your inner critic interfere in your creativity? One of the articles I read stated that your inner critic is really part of your protective system during childhood so that you can ensure that those who are looking out for you continue to do so. Unfortunately, your inner critic sticks around even into adulthood when you really don't need to please your caregivers. I have been reading a book called "Your Inner Critic is a Big Jerk" by Danielle Krysa. It is a quick read with lots to chew on. There are loads of great ideas on how to get beyond your inner critic and start creating. It is amazing that no matter how hard you try to get away from the roots of your inner critic--life comes full circle.

So, I am working on developing creative habits. While I do so, I am also working on telling that inner critic to go for a walk.

OUR AMAZING FRIENDS

This is the section where I share what some of our guild members are up to. Let me know if you have something to share.

Marci Schneider has a show at the Rosa Center at Michigan Tech in Houghton Michigan. The exhibit is called Special Occasion or Monkey Planet. Here are some photos. WAY TO GO MARCI.

PICTURES FROM SEPTEMBER RETREAT AND OCTOBER MEETING:

We had a great time learning Singlade Balls. Here are John Gale, Melissa Mattson and Mary Brownell at work on their balls.

Cynthia Allen is enjoying the retreat and participating in the project.

David is warping his inkle loom for our contribution to the Marquette Conference next year. Robin is working on her Singlade Ball.

Denise, Elaine, David, Cynthia and her cousin are enjoying the ambiance.

Mary, Melissa Lewis, Nate and

Elaine (me!) working on my inkle loom

More pictures

Nancy and Melissa working on their projects.

Nancy working on her project.

That is, I think, Cynthia's hands and her project.

A sampling of the projects done at retreat.

OCTOBER"S SHOW AND TELL

Elaine's reversible hat!

Nancy's baby sweater, Polly's sweater and David's tea towel. David showed his inkle bands and his baby quilt. (no picture).

Clare's ceramic buttons. She is also working on a knitted mystery (no picture)

Kathy's Krokbragd

Karen's Krokbragd

Karen's tree ornaments

Gretchen's grandmother's darning egg and porcelain doll. Gretchen made the sweater for the doll

Polly's crocheted wedding dress made by her grandmother.

Nate's rugs

Nancy's krokbragd and baby sweater

Robin's shirts that she dyed and that glow in the dark.

Sean's inkle bands

Sean's krokbragd

Vicki's sweater.

Carol brought in a crocheted circle (no picture)

PLEASE NOTE: I apologize if your project does not have a picture--I do my best and sometimes that happens. I am happy to include it in the next blog if you email me a photo. Thanks.

SEE YOU NEXT TIME.

2025-09-23T15:36:00.001-05:00

Hello Fiber Enthusiasts!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Guild Meeting: This is our schedule for the next year! We meet on the third Saturday of the month during the winter (except December which is usually earlier to accommodate the holidays. During the summer months, our meetings are on the third Monday of June, July and August. September is our retreat and planning meeting for the new year. We meet at the Finnish Folk School at 1:00 PM EST.

2025-2026 Schedule

October 18, 2025: Show and Tell. Discuss Emberlight Ideas for Summer of 2026.

November 15, 2025: Go to Soup Bowl Fundraiser if you arrive early at 11:00 EST.

Program is Drafting a pattern from a garment you love.

December 13, 2025: NOTE DATE CHANGE.

Show and Tell

January 17, 2026: Program is Emberlight Work Bee.

February 21, 2026: Show and Tell

March 21, 2026: Program is EITHER raising and using Angora Bunnies

OR how to do name drafting.

ALSO: bring materials for making your name tag if you don't have one.

April 18, 2026: Show and Tell

May 16, 2026: Program is Paper Piecing and English Paper Piecing

June 15m 2026: NOTE Meeting is on a Monday during the summer.

Show and Tell

July 20, 2026: See March 21 2026.

August 17, 2026: Show and Tell

September TBD: RETREAT!!!!! and annual meeting.

Tentatively scheduled for September 19 and 20, 2026 at the Marsin Center.

KUDOS: Karen T had a basket in the Textile Center in Minneapolis. She was chosen by the National Basketry Organization.

Lisa also has her work in a show in New York (more details next blog).

MUSINGS AND GROUP QUESTION:

No musings till September edition.

MEETING PICTURES:

August's meeting was a show and tell.

Phyllis showed a crocheted dress that was handmade, a piece from Mexico, A coverlet and a gallery article about coverlets in Shutle, dye and pot.

Nancy showed a pink shirt and a purple/white shirt she had knit, a purple and pink woven piece from silk.

Elaine and Margaret showed the basket they had made at the porkies folk school (Poppy's class)

No picture available.

Margaret showed her willow basket made at the porkies and dress she had bought using different textiles.

Karen T showed pink and brown slipper she had made, a birch star earring with a teeny tiny eyelet.

Denise showed a white shawl that she had knit from alpaca and silk, and a woven scarf from her mlh conference class.

Melissa M showed towels she had wove from cotton and halloween punch needle she had made.

Mary B showed Laura Marquardt's present to Mary which was eco dyed, the new WEFT magazine, and a harrisville shetland blanket she wove in huck lace.

John G showed coats from his family that he wanted ideas from the group on to do with them.

Melissa L showed a loom she had made to do some card weaving.

Gretchen and Melissa showed a red snood. Both Melissa's and Gretchen's were made from a hoodula pattern on ravelry.

Nate showed a shirt he had done color discharge with , a pillow stuffed with thrums, his first rug woven from socks, a double weaving rug (the top is his mother's weaving and the bottom was his).

Robin showed the hoody she was wearing which was her grandmother's.

Sue showed a textile that was over 60 years' old. It was overshot in black and red that she wove when she apprenticed.

Gretchen showed a sampler by Renee Thomas.

Debra quilted a quilt for her daughter and has been knitting

No pictures available.

Anita showed her knitted knockers!

No picture available

Mary Markham showed her sewed dress and apron

Alice showed her good bear with sweater, and her tapestry with wedge weave.

Annie showed a hat she had made using gretchen's hat pattern and a snow flake she had made on her 16 shaft loom.

Claire showed mittens she made from newfy mittens on raverly.

Jada showed her blue and white weaving.

Polly showed her hand woven designer patterns, mentioned hats for hope and making blankets for foster kids.

No picture available.

Cynthia showed her sewing project. She is taking kimonos and redesigning them into jackets.

SEE YOU NEXT TIME.

2025-09-23T14:05:00.004-05:00

JULY EDITION

Hello Fiber Enthusiasts!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

2025-2026 Schedule

October 18, 2025: Show and Tell. Discuss Emberlight Ideas for Summer of 2026.

November 15, 2025: Go to Soup Bowl Fundraiser if you arrive early at 11:00 EST.

Program is Drafting a pattern from a garment you love.

December 13, 2025: NOTE DATE CHANGE.

Show and Tell

January 17, 2026: Program is Emberlight Work Bee.

February 21, 2026: Show and Tell

March 21, 2026: Program is EITHER raising and using Angora Bunnies

OR how to do name drafting.

ALSO: bring materials for making your name tag if you don't have one.

April 18, 2026: Show and Tell

May 16, 2026: Program is Paper Piecing and English Paper Piecing

June 15m 2026: NOTE Meeting is on a Monday during the summer.

Show and Tell

July 20, 2026: See March 21 2026.

August 17, 2026: Show and Tell

September TBD: RETREAT!!!!! and annual meeting.

Tentatively scheduled for September 19 and 20, 2026 at the Marsin Center.

MUSINGS AND GROUP QUESTION:

No musings till September edition.

MEETING PICTURES:

Our program was an exploration of graments made from weaving or other fiber arts.

Phyllis gave the following tips on how to finish seams: A. Use a serger B. Use lace on a raw edge C. Use a closed seam such as a french seam D. Let the raw edge stay on the outside E. Use seam binding F. Use rolled seams to encapsulate it.

Mary said that Mary Sue Fenner said that widths don't matter because you can sew small pieces together.

PICTURES:

Phyllis brought several examples: a felted vest, a Kantha Stitch vest, a yearn/wool jacket, A dyed fabric vest with a lace finishing edge, and a vest with upholstry fabric which was double woven.

Mary showed patterns suggested by Mary Sue Fenner. She also showed a short sleeve garment and a vest that she had made. Finally, she showed a pink jacket made by Mary Sue Fenner.

Sean showed some Bands that he suggested could be used for seam facing.

Margaret showed a basket made in Cynthia Allen's basket class.

John showed woven cloth of two colors of similar hue. He also showed a jacket made by someone else.

No photo available.

Karen T sewed a piece of fabric that she then sewed as a pocket to a shirt. She also wove a new necklace.

Karen M showed a felted wall hanging that was made during the Emberlight festival art performances.

Melissa showed a white shirt that she had woven and then sewed.

Nancy used 20/2 pearl cotton to make a cotton t-shirt. She also showed a harrisville shetland wool skirt and a coccoon jacket made from pulled weave.

David showed his long vest that he made from woven cloth.

Gianna showed a tea towel made on a rigid heddle.

Denise showed her grandma's jacket from the 60's with covered buttons.

Alice showed a photo that her brother restored from "the tsar's russia" collection of a woman spinning flax. She donated the photo to the guild.

SEE YOU NEXT TIME

2025-06-29T21:55:00.001-05:00

Hello weavers! I have had a head cold which has dampened my productivity immensely. I am looking forward to getting back to it.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Guild Meeting: Our next meeting is July 21, 2025, at 1:00 pm EST. During the summer months, our meetings are on Mondays.

Emberlight Project: The Guild project is up. I took the walk today and was excited to see our fabulous entry. Be sure to go and see it during July. Don't forget to vote for your favorite. No pressure.

Retreats and Conferences:

BUELLWOOD RETREAT: This retreat will be September 19 to 21, 2025 at the Marsin Center in the Hancock/Houghton Michigan area. We will have classes and camaraderie! It's a great time in a beautiful setting.

MUSINGS AND GROUP QUESTION:

I wanted to report back on some previous musings. Several months ago I spoke about craft versus art and received some musings back. One reader spoke about negative influences in her life. This caused her to not see her artistic side. But she is focusing on slowing experimenting with making artistic decisions and enjoying the end result.

Another wrote: "I am happy being a crafter...maybe we just need to uplift that label." She spoke of having been an artist but preferring nowadays not to have to be that complex.

Last month I asked: What have you tried this year that was outside your comfort zone? Have you incorporated the technique into your artistic practice?

Mary wrote the following:

In March I warped my loom with beautiful Harrisville Shetland wool for a Swedish Hucklace shawl.
I love weaving with Harrisville Shetland as it fulls beautifully and drapes. I found weaving 2 yards of Hucklace is very slow.
In order to maintain 10 picks per inch, I had to beat very consistent and softly. I did use a temple to maintain the consistent width for all two yards. I am now twisting the fringe with the help of a Lacis fringe twister suggested by Melissa Matson. I know once it is fulled it will be lovely but beating so gently is difficult.

PICTURES FROM JUNE MEETING:

Sean shared a Baltic pick-up design sheet that he made. He also shared his pattern holder from COCO knits. He then shared his inkle weaving with 10/2 and 5/2 cotton thread.

Nate shared his shibori dying, dying making guitar images and a magazine article on a denim jean weaver.

Sue Ellen brought rugs she made from socks. She also shared rugs she got from Guatemala made from t-shirts and hooked.

No picture available for sock rug.

Melissa Mattson shared her woven fabric made into a pillow. She also shared tencel scares and 13 towels made on an 8 shaft loom.

Mary Brownell brought a treasure trove of her products. She brough Gee Bend inspired towels from a pattern in Handwoven. She brought fleece she bought during her trip to Scotland. She shared a sweater she made out of Norwegian wool using the Brioche stitch. She let us know that Handwovern has the ability to print out a pattern plan if you need it.

Denise brought her woven table runner resembling birch trees using an inlay technique. She also brought a Ryijyu she had recently completed.

Karen Mallum brought the sheep inkle band she has finished that she started in last year's retreat. She brought a bali bag that she bought in Bali on her recent diving trip. Karen shared socks she made on her sock machine and knitted shawls made in irish linen and wool she had from the 70's!

Mary Markham showed socks made form New Zealand Opossum, Merina and alpaca.

Nina (who is a newby) showed her denim skirt and a tote bag she made.

Olivia (another newby!!!!) showed baskets and more baskets and a sunjat.

Phyllis showed off her first weaving which was double weave. She also brought an assortment of inkle bookmarks that are for a friend.

Marci conducted a tour of the library. THANK YOU MARCI FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK.

SEE YOU NEXT TIME.

2025-06-10T19:00:00.001-05:00

Hello weavers! Spring is steadily moving into summer. The natural beauty is a fabulous inspiration for our weaving.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Guild Meeting: Our next meeting is June 16, 2025, at 1:00 pm EST. During the summer months, our meetings are on Mondays.

Emberlight Project: Our Guild is entering woven webs as part of the Emberlight Festival Art in the Park Exhibit at the Miners Memorial Park, Ironwood, Michigan. Be sure to go and see it during July.

Retreats and Conferences:

MUSINGS AND GROUP QUESTION:

Speaking of camaraderie, I just came back from the Michigan League of Handweavers' conference in Roscommon, Michigan. Other members who went include Mary Brownell, Denise Engle and Melissa Mattson. The classes included embroidery, hand manipulated weaves, shaft switching, 3D tapestry, and deep dive into color. The conference was held at the State DNR conference center on Lake Higgins.

I love going to conferences. I come back inspired and energized. Moreover, I usually meet a wonderful group of people who make me feel welcome. Each participant has a great story to tell.

This time I ventured into Contemporary Embroidery. The teacher, Jennifer Gould, who was delightful and organized. She had folders filled with pictures of a particular stitch in a completed piece for us to be inspired by.

I have to admit that this class was way beyond my comfort zone. There were no step-by-step recipes. The teacher wanted us to experiment and choose our own path. This was not my usual method, and I felt completed discomfited. However, by the second day--I had ideas!! I was getting excited, and I stayed late to plan. By the end, my piece had started to come together. More importantly, I was experimenting! I was inspired and thinking of different things to do on future projects.

What have you tried this year that was outside your comfort zone? Have you incorporated the technique into your artistic practice?

PICTURES FROM THE MAY MEETING:

The guild had a challenge for this month. It was snow or snowflakes.

Nate had multiple snow inspired fabrics. The first up were his snow-dyed tee shirts.

He also had two rugs that he made after taking a class with Phyllis. Each were inspired by snow. On one he bound it with cloth that he ice dyed. See the rugs and the binding material next.

Lisa showed us her snowflake inspired ryijy.

Phyllis explained the origin of Heike Lunta (the entity you dance to for snow) and did a name draft.

Anita wore her snowflake shirt for the occasion.

Melissa Lewis brought snowflakes made by a friend.

Cynthia , Mary B. and Mary H. made sewn snowflakes.

Mary H. also made ceramic buttons.

Ginger made a hat with her snowflake on top.

David showed us his winter quilt that he had made.

Denise paper pieced a runner.

Jada had her students make stuffed toys based on younger students' pictures.

I apologize, but there is one unknown. Please let me know what the following photo is.

SEE YOU NEXT MONTH.......

2025-05-16T14:19:00.002-05:00

Friday, May 16, 2025

Hello weavers! Thank you all for your patience. I have been traveling for the last few months.

This is Part Two. It covers MORE pictures!!!!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Guild Meeting: Our next meeting is May 17, 2025.

MUSINGS GROUP QUESTION:

See Part One which covered February's meeting and show and tell.

PHOTOS from April Meeting:

Annie showing the front and back of her täkänä inspired by a Finnish täkänä design.

Phyllis showing a rosepath rag rug she wove while teaching the rag rug workshop at the folk school. Phyllis showing a Maltese Cross overshot mat and treadle sampling.

Sue Ellen and Marci showing Marci's samples woven from her study of the Collingwood Rug book.

Here is Gretchen with stencil prints she made in Kirsten Aune's workshop.

Gretchen knit the hats using a pattern she decoded from a sweater donated to the Finnish American Folk School that was knit by Melvi Grosnick of Traprock Valley who was a Finnish American and lived to be 104.

Kathie with her täkänä woven for her son's 30th anniversary of priesthood.

Sue Ellen and her rug woven almost entirely from used socks people gave her.

The Buellwood Weavers Guild name draft and drawdown Phyllis found in Marilyn Mason's archive.

Here Sean shows his cardwoven bands (the narrow one in linen and the wider one in knitting yarn with no color change that really enhances the structure) a towel in point twill.

Here is Karen's work. The rag rug was woven in Phyllis' workshop in rosepath using the two-shuttle technique.

She was readying to teach basketry at Shenandoah. The three small forms are salt cellars, the simple form she holds shows a successful corner and the complex basket expressive of the times we are living in.

See you soon!

2025-05-16T13:48:00.000-05:00

Hello weavers!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Guild Meeting: Our next meeting is May 17, 2025.

MUSINGS:

I took a road trip to Sturgeon's Bay, Wisconsin this week. I went because Mirrix Looms was having an open house and I couldn't resist.

I am absolutely a superfan and I had a great time. Seeing how my tools are made was interesting and I met the folks who do the making.

I also met other, like-minded women and took some contact information. I really appreciate making those connections. Weavers are just the nicest people.

Is it time for another guild road trip? I'm in if you are!

GROUP QUESTION:

Do you have a weaving bucket list?

PHOTOS:

All of these are Karen Tembruell's. The heart, pie basket (with wine corks and beach-find wood handle) and berry basket are recent willow creations. The tree-shaped ornament is a project she could teach at the retreat for example. The mittens and hat are hers.

Marci brought in the peacock chenille bedspread. She did research learning about the rural history of these in Georgia.

The next three images are Jimalee's. The small, printed zipper pouch she made in the Folk School workshop taught by Kirsten Aune. Jimalee did the stenciled artwork she is holding in Kirsten's stenciling workshop. The embroidery was made by her mother... an animal sampler.

The colorwork mittens were knit by Jimalee.

Nate also took the stenciling workshop. The two hangings are backed and ready to hang. The discontinuous brocades (on the table) are two sides of a zipped bag or pillow cover and were inspired by Annie's samples that were in the guild exhibit.

More of Nate's work... The small pieces are sampling he did before starting the full weavings - each made into bags. Nothing is wasted.

This was done by Diane inspired by a technique that was taken to India by the enslaved Africans and adapted by the Indian people. There is no machine quilting. It is started at the edge and each piece is added one by one and hand overlapped. You can see the back stitching.... worked to the center.

Lisa's new ryijy was inspired by a frost pattern on her car window. She used left-over yarn and so did about 75% fewer knots. We all liked both sides.

The mittens were handspun and knit by Gretchen using her angora rabbit's fur long ago. She said she did not know you are supposed to blend it angora with other fibers. They are so soft - like clouds.

Jade brought in her first weaving done in the beginning rag weaving workshop that Phyllis taught through the folk school. She wants to do more!

John surprised us all with this Singer Featherweight sewing machine that was a gift to the guild along with a table loom that was recently donated. It is in perfect shape. He will have it tuned up at Sew Cranky. What a treasure!

These are Phyllis' show and tell items.... Front and back of the "end of the warp" täkänä, two hats using colorwork charts for sweaters from the Knitted Kalevala Vol. 2 book. Also showed Hannu's sweater finished, but can't get a good photo of that. The swan hat was not finished on Sat. but it is now! Sent to her sister for her 70th birthday 3/3.

Go to Blog Part Two for the next meetings' pictures!

2025-02-06T16:43:00.000-06:00

Hello intrepid weavers. Winter is in its full glory in my neck of the woods--time to weave?!

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Guild Meeting: Our next meeting is February 15, 2025. It is a show and tell meeting.

Snowflake Challenge: As reported in last blog's post, the Guild has issued a challenge. Bring your snowflakes to the May meeting!

Emberlight Project: Our Guild has decided to enter an exhibit in the Art in the Park exhibit this summer. The Miners Memorial Park is in Ironwood, Michigan. As part of the Emberlight festival, artists set up an exhibit in the Park. Guild members have been coming in on Tuesdays (when the folk school has its knitting group) and working on our project. Contact our group to find who is coming in and when. If you can't make it, no worries. Be sure to go and see it during July in the Art Part of the Miners Memorial Park.

MUSINGS:

Lately, I have been lacking any inspiration or creative impulses. Mostly because it is winter and the sun is not shining. Also, because in my usual fashion, I have overcommitted to classes and am feeling stressed by it. Just shows you can age, but sometimes you don't get any wiser.

I have been musing about this because I have been thinking about what it means to be an artist. One of the things I was reading pointed out that we are artists even if we don't think we are good. We are expressing ourselves and that makes us artists. Talk about an aha moment.

I have repeatedly gone down the art/craft rabbit hole which has made this artist thing more complicated. If what I am doing is craft am I not an artist? I read another article that brought some light to this issue. It first went into the fact that this is a false dichotomy. Historically, this notion was propagated to keep women out of the tapestry and other guilds. However, it seems to have entered my psyche. I seem to struggle when I am not making something utilitarian and instead spending my time on making something that speaks to my soul.

Do you have any thoughts about this? Or am I overthinking this? My husband would say that I have too much time on my hands if I am spending my time thinking of these things. But what does he know--he spends his time playing pickle ball!

GROUP QUESTION:

What brings you joy in regard to your weaving practice?

PHOTOS:

Mary's Show and Tell:

Melissa’s friend who is part of the local Medieval historical group. Her persona is a weaver and She brought her tablet weaving. Same pattern in two different weights.

Sean brought his 34-36 cards tablet woven curtain tie band for his partner, Polly. He also made more shoe laces for his best client Polly. The shoe lace is made with 6 cards turned in one direction. The Aglet or the end of the shoe lace was stiffened with wood glue which is waterproof.

Phyllis is wearing a red wool garment from MarySue Fenner’s sale of samples from her Trunk Show.

Phyllis took the Discontinuous Brocade class and this is her finished weaving.

Sample for Phyllis’s double weave workshop this fall.

Clare with woven piece from fall class

Sample of Laura Fisher Nickleson design

John and Clare ‘s weavings from his first classes at Finlandia with Phyllis.

Johns and Clare's discontinuous double weave sample

Cynthia has been knitting with Alpaca yarn. She found that double knitting gives her hats more strength and warmth. The wrap is double knitted in a Kaffe Fasset theme.

David found some treasures he is willing to part with pure silk.

NATE's Projects

2024-11-23T15:20:00.001-06:00

Please forgive my October absence. Life got ahead of me.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Guild Meeting: Our next meeting is December 14, 2024. It is a show and tell meeting. So bring your projects to show.

Snowflake challenge: Our group has issued a challenge! The theme is snowflake. Make a project in any medium you would like to show at our May meeting. The project must reflect the theme of snowflakes.

MUSINGS:

Weavers are flexible people! I have attended three classes recently and each class underscores the zen of weaving. Weavers have to be able to deal with problems. This teaches us to be adaptable and to be patient. If you are not, you will get your warp in a tangle!

Because of this zen vibe, I have found that attendees at classes/retreats tend to be nice, helpful and adaptable. Have you experienced this as well?

In my experience, weavers differ in what aspects of weaving appeals to them. Some weavers like the technical side of weaving. Some like the meditative process of the shuttle and the beating. Some like more visual or picture making aspects (think Takana or tapestry) and some like the more utilitarian aspects of the product. And yet, we all get along and enjoy the same craft!

MMMMM if only weavers ruled the world!

ANSWER TO LAST GROUP QUESTION: (name a good weaving book)

Several folks mentioned Learning to Weave by Deborah Chandler.

The Art of Tapestry by Rebecca Mezoff would be my suggestion for Tapestry.

PHOTOS:

Lisa showing a Ryijy that she made based on the tansy plant.

Gretchen showed a scarf from sock project remnants.

Phyllis showed some towels in twill with treadle variations

Phyllis also showed her retreat band.

This is a guild member's rug made from thrums twice woven

Made by Jean Hill in pat Toczydlowski’s collection

David showed some quilt blocks ready for his flannel quilt.

Denise showing baby hat from tin can knits.

Karen T. showed her birch ornaments

More birch ornaments (turtles with embroidered backs.)

Ginger from sew cranky showed some small sewing machines that worked!

Melissa showed a rag rug made on a union loom.

She also told us about her road kill loom--ask her about it!

Nancy told us that her first project was tea towels. This photo shows her latest sock project and sweater.

Nancy's latest cowl

Kathie's first sweater project made 50 years ago.

Anita's latest thrift find--NUNO!

Elaine knit some good bears with clothes!

Kathie's daughter brought a Serbian crocheted table cloth.

Karen M brought a reading throw made from her mother's wool from her mother's sheep hands-on by her mother. The throw is for Karen's son.

Phyllis’s towels.

Sean brought in his new Logan inkle loom. Michelle brought some vintage embroidery. Denise also had a pink little girl's sweater to show that she knit.

TILL NEXT TIME.......

2024-09-29T16:51:00.004-05:00

Hello. The weather has been so nice it is hard to sit inside! However, weaving weather is just around the corner.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Guild Meeting: Next meeting is on a Saturday. The date is October 19, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. EST. Bring some final ideas for next year's retreat.

Guild Retreat 2025: The next retreat will be September 19 to 21, 2024 at the Marsin Retreat Center.

Finnish American Folk School: Check the website for upcoming classes. There are a ton of creative opportunities; some weaving and some other media such as clay and wood. There are even opportunities to sing and play an instrument. Questions? Clare.zuraw@finlandiafoundation.org

MUSINGS

Folks, the time has come for my monthly blog musings with photos! Our yearly retreat was held in September and it got me thinking and talking to others about online learning versus in-person learning. This also ties in with the monthly question from last month's blog about attendance at conferences or festivals.

The conclusion for me is that I appreciate the opportunities online learning has given me to learn new skills and improve old ones. Online learning has become so professional and informative. Most even include a zoom component or facebook group to facilitate interaction with other attendees.

However, nothing can beat in-person interaction. I enjoy struggling through something with others in real time. Okay, maybe me struggling and them helping! Moreover, getting to know people better has helped me to form relationships with our fellow guild members.

Covid has definitely taught me that online can be wonderful. It also taught me that we need each other and we need to see each other face-to-face.

ANSWER TO LAST MONTH'S BLOG QUESTION

Last month, I asked what conferences or festivals you attended. Here is a summary of the answers:

Michigan League of Handweavers Conference in Holland MI. One comment indicated that they do a great job of organizing and usually have one well known weaver as part of the education offered. Maybe we can carpool next time if a group wants to go!

Midwest Weavers Conference is held on odd numbered years in different places. It had a lot of classes and well-known weavers.

Convergence is held on even numbered years. Convergence is held in a different place every time. The conference includes classes, vendors, lectures and events such as a fashion show.

Wisconsin sheep and wool is an annual fiber festival. It has classes and a great group of vendors. There are several events throughout the weekend (the Thursday through Sunday after Labor Day). A group of us go every year and much fun is had! The festival includes lambs being born and an exciting silent as well as regular auction. Herding dogs show off their stuff and there are kids competing in sheep shows. And there are more activities!!!

NEW BLOG QUESTION

Please name one book that you would recommend to a newbie trying to learn beginning shaft weaving or tapestry weaving.

PHOTOS FROM RETREAT

Elaine and Anita busy at work. Michelle, Mary B, Nancy and David.

David and Mary consulting. Marci in the background next to David and Nate to the left.

Sean helping Mary. Nancy looking on. Michele was a new attendee. In back, Denise and Karen M are hard at work.

Marcy and Annie getting their backstraps on.

Robin having fun.

Phyllis, Elaine and Anita. Michelle and Nancy in the background

Karen M

Nate and Melissa talking with John

Sean to the left

Karen T is to the right with Mary B and behind Mary M

Marci, Robin and John

Hopefully, there is a picture of everyone. If not, I promise to do better in the future.

TILL NEXT MONTH...........

2024-08-27T14:30:00.000-05:00

Hello fellow fiber enthusiasts! This is my first blog post EVER--so please be kind! Corrections and suggestions are welcome.

Last get together was a show and tell meeting and everyone brought their A game. Before we get into the photos, some other business.

UPCOMING CLASSES: The Finnish Folk School has some upcoming weaving classes. Brocade is in September and Takana is in November. Takana is all full up but sign up for brocade--see the folk school's website.

UPCOMING MEMBER RETREAT: Our member retreat is September 20 to 22. This will also be a good opportunity to pay dues! If you are not a member, the retreat is a good reason to become a member. Dues are $25.00.

YEARLY PLANNING MEETING: The yearly planning meeting will be on Sunday, September 22 at the retreat center (Marsin Retreat Center). Come with ideas for meetings! I am not sure of the exact time, but it will be in the afternoon. I am sure someone can help me out here and email the group the exact time.

MONTHLY QUESTION: This is the audience participation section. I would like to start to do a resource page for our website to share information on weaving. Our first topic is---fiber festivals and conventions. What festivals or conventions have you gone to and tell us if it was a good experience? Please also add a brief description (ex. were there classes, vendors, animals?). My email for your answer is attyericksonej1@gmail.com.

PICTURES:

Melissa shared her finished dye project

Anita found a thrift basket find and showed her dye project

Denise shared her knitting

(In the basket) Denise shared her cowl.

More knitting (the blue shawl)!

Denise's finished dye project

Denise shared her finished rya project from a class with Lisa.

Mary shared her knitting (Dickeys are making a comeback)

Mary attended a sew cranky class and made a fish

Mary wove fabric and made a top

New magazine shared with the group

Nancy showed her Socks!

A woven scarf

More socks!

Sean shared some weaving from a class he took from Madelyn Van Der Hoogt.

Ditto

Ditto (shown by Nancy)

Kathie showed her finished dye project

Leslie showed her finished Dye project

Fabric woven by David that he plans to make into clothing.

Finished dye project

Vintage clothing from Lisa's grandmother

Lisa is wearing a vintage shirt

Takana found in a thrift store in Finland

Ditto

Rug woven in Finland by Phyllis

Sweater knit by Phyllis

Scarf by Phyllis

Buellwood Weavers and Fiber Artist Dye Day

2024-08-01T12:23:00.001-05:00

This really looked like a fun day! Thank you Nate and Robin for introducing the guild members to Shibori stitching and folding in June. Then our July meeting was devoted to dyeing their stitched shirts.

Nathen and Robin

Lots of fun lots of color added to the stitched cotton.

David

Kathie

Karen, Anita

Kathie

I hope in August we will get the big reveal of their masterpieces.

Monday August 19

Buellwood May Natural Dye Presentation

2024-06-13T09:46:00.000-05:00

Clare received a grant in 2023 with which she assisted Dawn Andersson

for a Natural Dye Experience.

Each month they examined which natural dye materials could be gathered for Dyeing. Then proceeded to experiment with dyes and mordants on wool or some linen.

Flowers

St. John’s wart

Leaves

Bark

Roots

The colors Clare got from East coast plants she made Dye

Testing for color fastness of samples.

Buellwood now returns to our Monday schedule for the summer

1:00 pm

Show n tell this month.

Intro to shibori with Nate

April 2024 Buellwood Guild Meeting

2024-05-07T15:46:00.012-05:00

Lisa will be teaching the Ryijy workshop in June
She is holding her woven Thimbleberry Flower Ryijy.

Melissa wove the placemat in a double weave block class last year with Phyllis.

She bought an old loom and wove the rug below but she found it did not beat as hard as she needed to make a tight rug. But a very beautiful rug!

Using the Theo Moorman book ‘Weaving as an Art Form’ Marci was able to weave this Theo Moorman sample on a 4-shaft loom.

She also wove a sample with a computer generated warp for the Art and Silico exhibit at MTU. See the Below left picture.

Cynthia brought her small coiled baskets for show and tell, which have a leather base and paper wrapped wire, and many other fibers.

She also makes stretchy knitted beaded bracelets with a 0000 US needle, using Perle cotton or silk. A very nice bracelets.

New member Cynthia A

Knit beaded bracelets

Coiled baskets by Cynthia

Nancy wove these 8-Shaft twill towels with a 6/2 cotton warp, 8/2 cotton weft and 20/2 cotton in the weft for the hems.

Jimalee made these coasters and a gold neck shawl with Habu Silk Yarn.

She knit a Brioche stitch head band and made knit liners for her Selbu mittens to make them

warmer to wear.

In 1982 she wove the overshot wall hanging.

Overshot wall hanging woven 1982

Habu coasters

Brioche knit headband

Jimalee wearing the Habu scarf and Selbu mittens

Karen showed a new birch bark tumbler, her wire creations from the ‘Textiles techniques in Wire’ FA folk school class with Heather Allen Hiekala. They are made with plied iron and steel.

She used a mending loom to patch the collar of her shirt, which she started with a row of chain stitch on the fabric.

Wrapped dowels and tinkering on 16 gauge wire.

Nathen wove a point twill sample with 8/4 cotton warp with a weft of acrylic, cotton or wool.

Kathie enjoyed going to Sew Cranky in Hancock for one of their many sewing kits to make on the hand crank sewing machines. A great group event with your friends or kids.

Woven Linens and Moscow bag

Kathie made a Sew Cranky Calico Fish

Mary M finished knitting her Lopi sweater and she added a collar and a hat. The hat is really cute but my picture was not!

David shared his quilted square from a day sewing
at Sew Cranky in Hancock, shown here with his Alpaca yarn

Lois has been doing rehab and not weaving but she enjoyed taking the Finnish American Folk School Embroidery class with Heather Allen Hiekala last month.

She also did an online class ‘Soul Collage Cards’.

Below is an antique ‘Weave it Loom’ she found at a resale shop.

Lois’s Sole Collage cards

She also received a second hand find from Anita. The jacket fit her

Phyllis shared a

the embroidery sampler that was done by Heather Allen Hietala. It uses many stitches Heather taught in the folk school workshop in April.

Below is her woven 8 shaft twill towels at 20 ends per inch.

She recommends the book ‘Ashley’s Book of Knots’

The Ashley Book of Knots is without parallel when it comes to knot tying. Published in 1944, this book is still the number one reference to all things knotting. There are over 7,000 drawings of 3,900 knots and their application in the 619 page knot tyers tome.

In April Mary finished weaving her double weave towels on her 4-shaft loom that she started in January. She really enjoyed weaving these towels, it was a refresher of double weave she tried long ago.

She used a skeleton tie-up to make a 4 block pattern on a 4-shaft loom. See Handwoven N/D 2023 page 42 to see the skeleton tie up she used.

Double-weave block towel

In New Mexico Mary visited Steve Robinson and Leslie Toombs who were members of the Buellwood Weaver’s Guild in 2011 - 2014.

Leslie is now painting rather than tapestry weaving and shared a silk painting technique she just learned.

These are Mary’s silk paintings from Leslie’s instructions. Leslie is using some of her silk paintings as window coverings.

Steve gave up weaving rugs and is now repairing old looms.

Gutta Resist from Dharma with Silk dye

Crayon as resist with silk paint

Next Buellwood Guild meeting is Saturday May 18th 1 pm

Topic: Clare will share what she learned about Natural Dyes

February 2024 - Show & Tell Meeting

2024-02-19T13:59:00.001-06:00

This month's meeting focused on show and tell. We had some new members join us, including a quilter and sisters who are interested in a little bit of everything fiber and wood.

David brought in some examples of yarn he has been spinning recently. He was especially excited about spinning Polwarth fiber, which was buttery and fun to work with. The roving he used to spin the yarn he's holding in this picture came from a company called Widdershin Woolworks based in New Mexico.

Phyllis brought examples of the inkle weaving she's been doing with students, including pick up patterns. Then she showed us the retirement gift she recently bought for herself from Multicolores, a Guatemalan non-profit. See below for a picture of the gorgeous hand-hooked rug.

Clare showed a sweater she recently finished knitting and was wearing, but as as the blog writer this month she didn't get a photo of herself. Kathie brought a recently Goodwill find - an adorable mini loom pictured below. She plans to get it warped and keep it at camp.

Kathie's friend Joni joined us and brought a remarkable Crazy Quilt she's been working on for a few years. It includes fabrics from her world travels and family heirlooms alongside some intricate hand stitching.

New member Alesia shared some photos of the inkle loom she built and her sister Diana brought some of the inkle bands they've woven during and after Phyllis' recent workshop. Weaver Lisa Wiitala brought in a ryijy she wove in Finland, inspired by a peony bud. Lisa will be teaching ryijy weaving June 17-21 at the Finnish American Folk School.

Marci shared samples from the Reverse Drafting Club through The Weaving Mill in Chicago that she participated in recently. The idea is that you first receive swatches in the mail and work to diagram the construction without any information other than the swatch. Later you receive the information and drafts for each swatch. She has donated them to the guild library if anyone wants to give it a try.

Sean brought a waffle weave towel he made using unbleached cottons in three colors. He discussed some of the challenges he had with the selvedges while weaving. He also brought in some new bands he's been card weaving and discussed the amazing card alphabet he's invented to cut down on issues with twist that can be a problem in card woven patterns.

Nancy has been knitting socks from the toe up on two circular needles. She also knitted her sweater in a lace stitch.

January 2024 meeting Mending

2024-02-15T14:24:00.002-06:00

January in the UP has been very warm and we have little to no snow. I tried to attend our guild meeting 60 miles away, but found it was a total white out on my drive as soon as I left Ontonagon. I decided to turn around and return home. But Clare and Phyllis sent me the photos they took and a bit of information.

We had a nice turn out for our January meeting

Elaine ordered the mending loom and learned how to use it so she could demonstrate it for the guild. She then passed it around so our members could try it out.

I did not hear if they were impressed with this little loom. I will let you know if there are any comments.

David is talking with a couple who raise sheep and want advice on wool preparation.

Elaine introducing the mending loom

https://www.temu.com/1pc-small-loom-weave-tool-mending-loom-diy-textile-tools-darning-machine-loom-makes-stitching-mending-tools-for-jeans-clothes-g-601099513011829.html?_x_sessn_id=og38npph7h&refer_page_name=bgn_verification&refer_page_id=10017_1708017690300_k8bkmmz8dx&refer_page_sn=10017&no_cache_id=qgsxt

Mending loom up close

Elaine demonstrating the mending loom

Our next meeting is Saturday 2/17 same place, same time. It is show and tell month, so bring all your projects and questions if you have any.

2024 Retreat highlights

2024-01-15T13:18:00.004-06:00

Robin Goatly

Pictures from our Fall Guild Retreat in October 2024.

Mostly pictures for those who missed our get together and for us to remember the great time we had at the retreat. Not to mention the great food!

We had 16 members participate and I heard it was a hit. We even have a few finished Tapestries from the class . I will add them at the bottom as they come in.

Teachers weaving with beads

Finished tapestries by 12/16/2023

David’s front and back side

Melissa L

Happy Holidays December 2023

2024-01-15T13:08:00.001-06:00

Karen T knit a cowl with hand spun yarn created from a mixture of Blue Leicester wool and Great Pyrenees

dog hair. She also showed us her finished purse with the inkle loom woven band.

She had more creations out of bark.

Elaine took an online tapestry workshop from Rebecca Metzloff

She really enjoyed the workshop and she had a very nice tapestry as the result.

She mentioned Sara Swette and Robbie Lafleur as good tapestry teachers.

Karen M brought in some weaving she did on a Hazel Rose Loom and the loom and book with instructions.

David showed his Knit and crocheted projects with yarn he spun at Jenny Leister’s spinning class last year. David also finished his Tapestry form the September Guild Retreat.

David’s tapestry 10-2024

Jimalee’s favorite child’s sweater she knit this one in super wash wool from a a Lilly knitting pattern.

Melissa also finished her September 2024 Tapestry class with Robin at our retreat. Melissa also shared the treasures report with us at this meeting.

Anita was shopping again and found some old items to share with all of us.

Phyllis had more to show from her Finland travels.

Rug warp - but colored

A great series of towels

Sean is making more items , this time shoe laces with his tablet weaving on I believe a loom similar to an inkle loom. 10/2 cotton with wood glue to make the shoelace ends stiff.

Also more beautiful bands from his tablet loom

He created/invented a New Alphabet woven with zero twist, I hope Sean will explain that better when we have his workshop at our fall 2025 retreat.

Sean found a paper knitting tool holder from Coco Knits

Mary finished the Arne and Carlos ‘Dancing Children Advent Stocking’ in time for Christmas Eve. Her Grand daughters each got a sock doll when she arrived in CA. The dolls are probably buried under all the Stuffies on the girls beds.

Next meeting is Saturday 1-20 2024 in the Fiber Studio at 1 pm.

November 2023 Guild Meeting

2023-12-01T08:38:00.000-06:00

This month our meeting focused on a presentation by Phyllis Fredendall about her recent trip to Finland. Phyllis received a fellowship from the American Scandinavian Foundation to travel to Finland to study weaving. She studied täkänä (a.k.a. Finnweave/Double Weave Pickup). She also spent time visiting and weaving in educational centers including a folk school and the Finnish Taito Group, an umbrella organization for craft associations throughout the country.

Phyllis showing the group her 8 shaft linen yardage

Showing the reverse side of täkänä piece, an alder leaf

Discussing weaving with poppona (used in the piece held here by Phyllis). The rug on the table was woven using a similar threading to what we used in Wynne Mattila's Over the Waves workshop. The Finns she met call it Church Arches.

After the show and tell in the fiber studio we moved upstairs for a slideshow focused on the amazing studios and people she visited during her trip.

Our next guild meeting will be Saturday, December 16 at 1pm in the FAFS Fiber Studio. We'll have a regular meeting with show and tell.

September 2023 Buellwood Weavers and Fiber Artist Guild

2023-11-11T14:42:00.000-06:00

We had a few members show up for our September meeting. Our first Saturday meeting for 2023.

Sean brought in a flower press 25 plus year old Flower press which he is giving to David for his classroom. David shared picture of his willow garden tower ‘Miss Willow’ he made with Poppy at the Bark and Willow symposium, which took place in early September. David also shared a jelly roll quilt he made. Unfortunately I did not get a picture of his beautiful quilt.

Flower press

Willow garden tower made by David.

Judy brought in her Willow tension tray she made at the symposium with Poppy, along with the birch tray and the birch stars in a class with Karen T.

Karen make bags out of Japanese textiles Kasuri , and Obi Kimono Silk.

Here are some samples of Japanese silk she shared.

Anita has been making wool ornaments that she plans to bead and hang. We have not seen Anita for a while so It was great to have her join us. Welcome back Anita!

This beautiful lace knitting was a project in progress it is only a 6 row repeat but looks a lot more complicated.I am sorry to say I did not remember who this ambitious knitter was. Please send me your name and I will add it to our blog.

Mary B made a birch bark Journal with Karen T at willow and bark . What a great project now to add some art or memories in the journal.

Mary finished 5 placemats with the 3 shuttle Finnish rug weaving warp and only two were close to the same length!

Next meeting is November 18 at 1:00 pm in the Fiber Studio

Phyllis will share her experience in Finland this fall.

August 2023 Buellwood Guild meeting

2023-09-19T19:26:00.001-05:00

We met in August for a show and tell and John shared his tips from his July Transparency Workshop in Utah with Laura Viada.

John has been focusing on Transparency weaving. His workshop took him on a road trip to Utah. But recently learned this same workshop will be offered at MLH 2024 conference June 7-9 in 2024 check this out .

John’s previous transparency weaving

workshop progress in Utah new skills and tips too

Double weave rolled salvage this sounds interesting!

Worth giving it a try. Cally Booker

Karen M did a Waulking wool demonstration at the Emberlight Festival in Ironwood in July. She wove the fabric that was used for the Waulking experience. A group of felters sat around a table and waulked to Scottish music until the wool fulled a bit. See video on Waulking.

Nancy has been weaving some beautiful towels.

Debra brought in a couple of beautiful Harris Tweed Wool coats that her father has handed down. She had lots of give away as she is downsizing her clutter to increase her well being. I certainly hear her.

Double Weave Block pattern Phyllis created for a few weavers.

Mary M’s sister Sue made a lovely shawl for Mary.

Close up of her shawl.

This book was made by Sean in our bookbinding presentation by Karen T . In June we made the Eco Dyed covers on watercolor paper. Then in July we took the overs and added a number of signatures ( group of 8 pages) that were bond together with waxed 4/2 cotton yarn.

Mary M also has made a number of the journals for her family and friends. Karen T was so touched that her time spent teaching the journal was so inspiring.

David created a Barn square for his barn he calls it Hunter’s Star, in of course Hunter green. Karen M also had a picture of her Barn Quilt and her barn quilt is entered in the Copper Country Barn Quilt tour. Contact Ann Cambell

National Barn Quilt tour.

Marci shared a challenge of Reverse-drafting samples from the Chicago Art Institute Weaving Mill. A very interesting project. Read about it in the latest Shuttle, Spindle and Dye, our guild has a copy of it.

Marci also finished this Rya rug. Her very own design made up of 4 rows of tabby and one row of rya knots.

Arne and Carlos pattern Hilde Crochet seat cover

Mary B’s first attempt of a crochet project

Mary’s 3-shuttle placemats finally finished and removed from
the loom after 8 months in a cold garage.

We are looking forward to our Fall Retreat at the Marsin Retreat Center September 7,8 2023

All day 9-5 pm October 7 and 8 th if you can make our Guild planning meeting at Noon on Sunday October 8 th probably noon to 1 pm. Where you can voice your opinion on what to include with our meetings and Guild retreat next year 2023-2024. See you there, we will not have our usual October meeting per John.

Buellwood July 2023 Guild meeting book binding

2023-08-17T14:05:00.009-05:00

Our July meeting we used our Eco dyed covers and added our 4 signatures ( AKA sets of pages in a book) . I am sorry to say I did not get any pictures of the actual book binding . I was too busy trying to keep up with the process to take pictures.

Inside of journal showing the stack of signatures.

binding as it should look from the edge

Our talented fiber artist always have something to

show at each meeting

Jimalee finally had time to knit a pair of socks for herself

Handwoven cowl by a new member .

Sean had a lot to share today. First his canvas Nantucket Tool bag.

It is a handy bag for all your weaving tools.

Below is Sean’s tablet weaving loom. Set up to weave one of his complicated bands.

Sean told us about wood tablet cards and a method of of speed warping. We need to hear more about that! Where all threads are threaded at once. He uses 10/2 cotton. If you want to check out this loom and more information go to https://www.jkseidel.com/

Karen who was out book binding teacher brought in many things to show us. Below is her Eco Printed birch Bark. The dark colored birch was steamed in iron water.

Karen is teaching a Birch bark journal with Eco Printing in September at Sievers School on Washington Island check it out https://sieversschool.com/product/eco-printing-on-birch-bark/

We are very lucky to have Karen in our guild.

Birch Bark Seed Gathering & Winnowing Tray

She will be teaching two workshops

in September at the Barks and Willow Symposium in Hancock. Check out the registration on Finnish American Folk School. https://www.finlandia.edu/fahc/finnish-american-folk-school/

Birch Bark Seed Gathering & Winnowing Tray and a workshop Birch Bark Journal

Melissa M had a cotton and linen towel to show and more of her clever punch needle holiday creations.

Linen cotton towel by Melissa

Elaine finished a baby quilt that she has been working on.

David who is new to Knitting is knitting a cowl.

Denise completed these lovely coiled circles we learned Last
fall at our retreat.

Denise had a lot of knitted projects completed this month.

Including her first pair of knitted mittens. That is quite a beginner

pattern for sure.

Some great colorful socks and a beautiful shawl. Nice work for sure!

John wove a sturdy colorful band for his travel bag he took to the Netherlands. His luggage was very easy to find.

Mary finished her beaded picture from a class with Cynthia Cote at CCCArts.

For our August 21 meeting we will have show and tell and John will share some weaving tips from his workshop in Utah. Art of transparency.

Monday August 21 1 pm at fiber studio

in the Juttila building in Hancock MI

June 2023 Buellwood Weavers Guild Eco Dyed journal covers

2023-08-17T11:58:00.010-05:00

We had such a great time Eco printing our journal covers under the direction of Karen T.

they all turned out so beautiful.

Preparing our watercolor paper with our selected plants and flowers.

Checking our results after steaming our bundles for an hour.

Some results on our eco printing

Someone found this apron for me
Cute HUH!?

Show and tell another great amount of fiber projects by our members

Melissa L brought in the finished samples for the Michigan league of Handweavers samples made by our our guild for the members of MLH 2023

Our woven samples for MLH off the loom.

The samples have been cut apart and stitched around the edges so they will not ravel.

Dawn knit this hat with yarn she dyed

Beautiful Handwoven towels

Melissa L took a class at the Finlandia folk school, I think she called it ‘ Double Block Weave’ . It is her favorite woven pattern now.

Melissa M who loves to make handwoven towels on an 8 shaft loom.

Karen made some great napkin rings out of birch bark.

This cloth is printed with a beautiful intricate pattern

Sean is weaving beautiful bands with cards.

Check out our July post for our completed bound journal.

Our next meeting will be Monday August 21 at the Finlandia fiber studio at 1 pm.

May 2023 Buellwood best

2023-06-09T08:38:00.005-05:00

*Note that our meeting are changing to Monday for June, July and August, at 1 pm at the fiber studio. June 12 th this month.

Show and Tell

Above is an Embroidery journal by Jim, he is adding a small embroidered picture each day. He also had a couple of pairs of patterned knit socks

Shawn is finishing a quilt her grandmother started in 1940 in Bemidji MN.

Karen is loving these weaving patterns and shared with us her adorable turtle she has designed I believe they are birch bark.

Log cabin pattern

Curly Houndstooth pattern

Karen’s Turtle ornaments

Susan shared her beautiful huipil embroidered with birds from the San Sebastián region known for its many varieties of birds.

Stephanie finished her Krokbragd weaving.

It is absolutely beautiful.

Dawn has been dyeing with madder with Alum and Iron mordants. She really has gotten some beautiful colors from her homegrown madder that she ground up to dye.

She also showed some yellow yarn she dyed with the fern in her hand.

Many beautiful colors from this batch

Laura received a gift from the UP when she was sitting around bored in Florida this winter, where she found her neighborhood guild was dissolved with the Hurricane damage.
She crocheted almost all the yarn in this gift. Here are some of the results!
Natural dyes make such lovely colors.

Laura’s crocheted samples

Emma took the inkle loom class with Sean last month and she finished her sheep band.

Nate has created another tie dyed shirt. He has developed a very clever dye process.

Mary M wove these samples this winter and made them into a small purse to carry phone and credit card when traveling.

Melissa L did some inkle loom weaving which she used to create a collar for her cat.

Below are 8 shaft woven samples by Phyllis

We had our Buellwood Best today. Our theme this year was ‘Water’

Karen made a Turtle bag ‘Shift in the Tides’ out of birch bark twined with cotton cord , soft rush for ripple effect and a Rim out of Elm Bark.

Nate created his ‘Endless Flames’ rug in earth tone colors.

Nate’s rug

.

Laura created these Tapestries after taking the Dancing Goat tapestry class in fall. A reflection of water in her environment.

Laura’s tapestries

Sean created these this tablet woven band telling a story about Viking longboats with oars and paddles fleeing a Sea Serpent. Twistedtread.org

Sean’s Viking story band

Mary M made this tapestry which has a very emotional story about the beautiful Keweenaw Peninsula.

Lois finished her ‘Over the Waves’ rug .

Dawn knit her hat with yarn dyed from purple corn and indigo.

Sue Ellen finished this ‘Over the Waves’ rug…

Ideas for 2024

September Return to Saturday 16 th TBA suggestions needed! Mending ? John’s interlacement workshop report? twill on opposites weft faced rug Handwoven M/J 2023 pg24