The Abergele Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers

Sunday, January 8th., 2012

2012-01-11T16:48:00.001Z

Another successful Sunday meeting, with a good attendance (on a drop-in basis!). Jenni had a successful Woolsack event, stuffing cushions for the Olympic athletes (see our Woolsack page link here)

OPEN SUNDAY, December 11th

2011-12-13T14:10:00.000Z

Another successful Sunday Spinning (and knitting, crocheting and talking). Unfortunately I forgot my camera, so no photographs, (but I was battling with imminent flooding at the back of the house, so I have an excuse). We all got through a good deal of fibre in the course of six hours, and produced some gorgeous coloured yarn. The shared lunch was a great success, with two kinds of delicious soup, pies, cakes, salad, chocolate, mince pies.....
The hall was nice and warm, after a period when the heaters were definitely not working properly, the weather improved during the day and the River Elwy stayed in its' course despite some early indications to the contrary. Our next meeting will be on Wednesday 21st., after which we are having a Christmas/New Year break from textile production.
Nadolig Llawen a Blwyddyn Newydd Dda i bawb!
AC

2011-2012 AGWSD Guild Calendar

2011-11-16T07:13:00.002Z

Oct 12 2011 7.0 – 9.0 EVNG
Rag Rugging, Christine Birch

Oct 19 2.0 – 4.
Oct 26 2.0 – 4.0
Nov 2 2.0 – 4.0

Nov 13 10.0 – 4.0 SUNDAY

Nov 16 2.0 – 4.0
Nov 23 2.0 – 4.0
Nov 30 2.0 – 4.0

Dec 11 10.0 – 4.0 SUNDAY
Bring a plate to share buffet lunch

Dec 14 2.0 – 4.0

Jan 8 2012 10.0 – 4.0 SUNDAY
Olympic Woolsack Cushion Stuffing Day

Jan 11th. no meeting
Jan 18 2.0 - 4.0
Jan 25 2.0 - 4.0

Feb 1 2.0 – 4.0
Feb 12 10.0 – 4.0 SUNDAY
Feb 15 2.0 – 4.0
Feb 22 2.0 – 4.0
Feb 29 2.0 – 4.0

Mar 11 10.0 – 4.0 SUNDAY
Art Yarn Spinning
Workshop with Anne Campbell

Mar 14 7.0 – 9.0 EVNG.

Mar 21 2.0 – 4.0
Mandy Coates workshop:
Willow pot stand/rush basket

Mar 27 2.0 – 4.0

Apr 4 2.0 – 4.0
Apr 11 7.0 – 9.0 EVNG

Apr 14 10.30 – 12.30 SAT
Spinning Wheels and their Heritage – Val and David Bryant

Apr 18 2.0 – 4.0
Apr 25 2.0 – 4.0
Apr 28-29 Wonderwool Wales

May 2 2.0 – 4.0
May 9 7.0 – 9.0 EVNG.
May 16 2.0 – 4.0

May 19 10.0 – 4.0 SAT
Abergele Guild Friendship Day

May 23 2.0 – 4.0
May 30 2.0 – 4.0

Jun 2,3,4,5 Woodfest Wales, Kinmel Est.
Jun 6 2.0 – 4.0
Jun 9 Knit in Public Day
Jun 13 7.0 – 9.0 EVNG.
Jun 20 2.0 – 4.0
Jun 22-23 Woolfest Cockermouth
Jun 27 2.0 – 4.0

Jul 4 2.0 – 4.0
Jul 11 7.0 – 9.0 EVNG.
Drop Spindling

Jul 18 2.0 – 4.0
Jul 25 2.0 – 4.0

Aug 1 2.0 – 4.0

Aug 8 7.0 – 9.0 EVNG.
(Venue to be confirmed) Kool Aid Dyeing

Aug 15 2.0 – 4.0
Aug 22 2.0 – 4.0
Aug 29 2.0 – 4.0

Sep 5 2.0 – 4.0

Sep 12 7.0 – 9.0 EVNG
AGM and Supper

Oct 10 7.0 – 9.0 EVNG
Weaving Corn Dollies
with Jenny Pritchard

Meetings held in Community Hall, Llanfair Talhaiarn

New Page added

2011-10-24T18:12:00.001+01:00

May I draw everyone's attention to our new Page, which will focus on the activities of The Woolsack - British Wool cushions for the London Olympic Games, 2012: http://abergelewsd.blogspot.com/p/woolsack-for-london-olympic-games.html

All Wales Meeting of Guilds of Weavers, Spinners & Dyers, 2011

2011-10-13T10:31:00.000+01:00

Another great day in Llanidloes, thanks to Hilary Miller and the Team. Representatives from all the Welsh Guilds of Weavers, Spinners & Dyers attended the meeting; contributed to the displays and the raffle; browsed and bought at the trade stands and were fascinated by Laura Thomas' talk about her work as a professional weaver, designer and curator. (More about Laura on her website http://www.laurathomas.co.uk )
The Guild Challenge was a real highlight - with the Gwynedd Guild's orchids the stand-out contribution. They truly deserved their "prize" of a presentation shield.

Our contribution to the Guild Challenge.

The Gwynedd Guild's "Orchids" can be seen in the middle of the bottom row - of course, they do meet in a Botanic Garden!

Worldwide Spin in Public Day, 17th. September

2011-09-19T18:22:00.002+01:00

Annie from the Lleyn Guild kindly invited Rosie to this event, held at Caernarfon Castle on Saturday.

Evening Meeting, August 10th.

2011-08-11T11:16:00.005+01:00

Everyone worked very hard, and went away from the evening with a fully functional, fully warped-up, scaled-down, warp-weighted loom. The basic design is loosely based on reconstructed Iron Age looms, and is open to modification. The beauty of this sort of loom is that it can be adjusted even when the weaving is in progress, and absolute precision is not necessary. We didn't have quite enough time to add the top and bottom ties to keep the warp in place, but these can be added later.

Making the basic frame

Warped up

Weaving!

Preparing for our evening meeting on Wednesday, August 10th.

2011-08-07T16:00:00.003+01:00

Alison is going to demonstrate a warp weighted loom of the type used for weaving in the Iron Age. This will be the "bushcraft" version - scaled down and made with sticks lashed together. The loom consists of a simple frame with the warp suspended from the top cross-piece. Bunches of warp threads are tensioned with loom weights - stones will do - and the shed is changed in the same manner as on an inkle loom. The frame is easy to make, and warping up is dead simple. The difficult bit (which will sort the weaving sheep from the non-weaving goats) is threading up the warp to the weaving beam.
Advice: use a smooth warp, and use a different coloured thread to attach the back warp threads to the beam.
Some photographs of what to expect. Note that this loom has come out "H" shaped, whereas "A" shaped might be more stable - easy to adjust.

A suitable stick for a small loom

The basic frame - refinements would include some corner stays to prevent it twisting

Warped up and almost ready to weave

detail of the "shed"

Success from the jaws of Disaster - Woodfest 2011

2011-05-31T14:05:00.003+01:00

We have had a really successful Woodfest, despite the terrible weather.
JM and Alison put the tent up on Friday, arranged the display and went home with the satisfaction of a job well done. Jenny and Pauline arrived on Saturday morning to find.....no tent. The northwesterly gales overnight had funnelled straight onto the Woodfest site, and 20-odd tents had been blown down despite the best efforts of the organisers and exhibitors. Our flimsy gazebo was reduced to a tangle of twisted struts and torn fabric, even with the heroic efforts of our next-door neighbours, who were up most of the night rescuing stuff from the field. They kindly looked after our display items, and kept them from harm. The following night saw further wind damage, but didn't appear to put off the punters who flocked into the site for three days.

Thanks to the sterling work of Jenny & Tom, and Pauline and Fred, the Abergele Guild was accommodated in the Woodcraft marquee, where we were pleased to make lots of new friends among the local woodturners and carvers. They were interested to see working spinning wheels and drop spindles, and we were grateful to be out of the wind and rain, and to have so many visitors of all ages. I don't think we've ever had so much interest in our stand. It truly is an ill wind which blows nobody any good.
Of course, we never have enough time to spend on the field itself (probably just as well, as you can also spend some serious money on gorgeous stuff if you're not careful). There was more wood related stuff than you can possibly imagine; wildlife information & displays; basket making; brilliant local food and cider; mountain biking, chain-sawing, pole climbing; and the usual amazing variety of people and their dogs. Yvonne and Betty even managed a really good deal on some Romney fleece from the SheepShow man.
So thank you to all involved - Guild members and families, our jewellery neighbours, the Owl people, the Woodcarvers & Turners, and the show organisers. Here's to next year.

Woodfest Wales 2011

2011-05-17T11:03:00.000+01:00

We will be at Woodfest Wales over the next Bank Holiday weekend (May 28th, 29th and 30th.) and look forward to meeting friends and visitors. Last year we had a good time, and reasonable weather although it was a bit cold when the sun went in. Whether we will be as lucky this year remains to be seen: after an unseasonably hot and dry April, May has been unseasonably cold and wet.
For more details about Woodfest, click on the link above.
A.C.

Guild Day, Sunday 8th. May

2011-05-09T13:58:00.001+01:00

This was to be another of our weaving days, but since few of us are weaving at the moment, it turned into a Guild meeting day with the emphasis on spinning. However, two table looms and a peg loom made an appearance and were in use, and the guild inkle loom has found a new home for a while. Unfortunately, I forgot to bring my camera, so there are no pictures to prove that we did any work at all.
As usual, guild members brought a variety of fibres to spin - dyed and undyed; wool and alpaca. The weaving projects consisted of a warp-faced woollen rug (on the peg loom), a paper-based piece for a printmakers' project and a gorgeous space-dyed bouclé yarn project, which might turn out to be a stole or a scarf.
Our shared lunch went down very well, and we are hoping to have more full day meetings in the future.
AC

Silk Spinning with Sue Hiley Harris

2011-04-17T09:14:00.004+01:00

We had an amazing day yesterday with Sue Hiley Harris, weaver-sculptor extraordinaire and an excellent teacher. ( http://www.suehileyharris.co.uk )Patiently and clearly she explained the entire process of silk yarn manufacture from silkworm to the finished product. Now we all understand the differences between reeled, thrown and spun silk, and know why tussah silk is coloured (it's the oak leaves the caterpillars feed on, rather than the white mulberry leaves eaten by Bombyx caterpillars) and understand why noil silk is full of bits (the last shed skin of the caterpillar).
Sue showed us how to spin silk fibre in all its' variety - and she even examined our spinning wheels, and advised on how to optimise their performance for fine spinning. Although there were no real beginners in the group, I think we all valued the chance to get back to basics and revisit the mechanics of "double drive", "Scotch tension", bobbin or flyer brakes.
And then spinning the silk itself! Sue taught us how to produce a smooth yarn, analagous to the worsted woolen yarn, slub yarns, and the wonderful noil yarn spun by the long draw technique. She also taught us how to use carders properly, and produce beautiful silk rolags. A world of spinning in one day.
Our very grateful thanks to Sue for a wonderful day - we learnt such a lot and are determined to practise until we get it right and can produce perfectly spun silk yarn.

Bombyx mori cocoons

Poised for the long draw.....

Beautiful rolags!

Even the rubbishy bits look great!

We were also very pleased to welcome members of the Cheshire and North Cheshire Guilds, and hope to see them again in the future.

Nearly there?

2011-04-14T10:57:00.002+01:00

At our evening meeting this week, the Ty Hafan blanket was spread out on the floor - and it's almost finished. At least, only a couple more squares are required, and quite a lot of the ones we have are sewn together. Perhaps we will complete it before the All Wales Meeting in Llanidloes in October, two years after we started?
AC

Bookings for Silk Spinning Workshop are under way

2011-03-29T12:30:00.001+01:00

Notices have gone out to North Wales Guilds and
beyond with booking details and a list of requirements
to bring on the day. Bookings are still being taken!

A reminder now that payment is requested beforehand
to secure a place. Contact abergelewsatgooglemail.com
or llysfaenbryathotmail.co.uk. A map of AGWSD location
can be attached to an email reply or posted on request.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS 2011

2011-03-25T20:09:00.003Z

Here are some events you may be interested in attending over the coming months. Further details are usually available from the relevant organisers:

Wonderwool Wales: Royal Welsh Showground, nr. Builth Wells. 9th. & 10th. April
http://www.wonderwoolwales.co.uk
Woodfest Wales: Kinmel Park, Abergele. 28th., 29th., 30th. May.
http://www.woodfestwales.co.uk
Woolfest (Cumbria): Mitchell's Lakeland Livestock Centre, Cockermouth, 24th., 25th. June. http://www.woolfest.co.uk
All Wales Meeting: Minerva Centre, Llanidloes. 8th. October

New Zealand Flax weaving with Judith Ferns

2011-03-10T15:07:00.003Z

...or, The Tale of a Bag.
We had another enjoyable evening meeting last night: Judith Ferns came to teach us how to weave with New Zealand Flax (Phormium tenax). This useful plant has great spiritual significance for the Maori, but in mountainous North Wales we're lucky if we can get it to grow at all. It does, however, grow down on the coast in the "banana belt", and supplies can be scrounged from friends. The leaves are split along the "grain" to yield strong strips for weaving, and fibre can be peeled out of the leaves as well. Judith brought several bags and vessels made using different weaving and plying techniques and materials.
We learned the basic technique by making a bracelet - once the principles are learned you can, in theory, make anything you fancy...


Phormium tenax (it doesn't actually grow in black bin bags)

A long wide strip wound around itself twice, and secured with a peg, and the outside layer split into 3 along the length of the leaf.

A thinner "weaver" passed round and round, woven between the "weft" strands and secured with another peg.

The finished article, showing the weaving.

Many thanks to Judith for trekking all the way from the other side of Chester.
However..... when it was time to pack up, and after Judith had left (in the pitch dark and high wind), we discovered a handbag at the back of the hall. It contained all the usual, important things like money, spectacles, mobile phone - and a Co-Op card for Mrs. J. Ferns..... Eventually we managed to call Mr. J. Ferns and leave a message for Judith, and yours truly went home (in the pitch dark and high wind) promising to take said bag to its' owner in the morning. However... my lane is being resurfaced, and there was a temporary step down from the road to the slippery verge where I usually park. To cut a long story short, in the pitch dark, I managed to wedge my car between the step and a grit bin, whence there was no escape. So Judith and Jim had to come all the way over to pick up the bag, when Judith should have been packing to go to a Basket Makers' Event in Oxford. Judith had to walk the last bit, as the road crew were busy in the middle of the lane, but the bag is now home again.
All's well that ends well, and the resurfacing gang pushed my car free this afternoon (it took four of them -so thank you to Conwy Council Highways Department.) They have also turned the step into a ramp, so I shall be able to get in and out again soon.

A little late for St. David's Day

2011-03-03T12:06:00.000Z

Our afternoon meeting this week was the day after Gwyl Dewi Sant (St. David's Day). No daffodils out yet in LlanfairTH, and a vicious frost overnight. In fact, not all the snowdrops are in bloom yet...

Snowdrops glowing in the gloom,

daffodils thinking about opening, but perhaps not yet...

and pussy willows on Salix irorata - don't know if it yields a dye, although the bark is a purplish red;

..but Spring is nearly here.

However, JM has already been busy dyeing: the amazing orange was achieved with eucalyptus leaves (the yellow is from the "exhaust", i.e. the colour left after the first dyebatch).
AC

January 19th.

2011-01-21T17:39:00.000Z

Some cheerful, colourful work going on at our most recent meeting.

Latest news

2010-12-07T12:35:00.003Z

Once again, the weather has thwarted our plans for a Christmas celebration evening, and we have had to cancel our meeting this week. Although the roads are clear, the thought of venturing out in the freeze is just too much to contemplate for most people.

I can't say I'm all that sorry myself: I wasn't really looking forward to walking down a 1in3 hill in the icy dark to open up the Community Centre, and then having to walk back up the hill late at night.
On a more cheerful note, those of us who managed to get to Trefriw at the weekend had a very enjoyable time, browsing the excellent textile and craft stalls. Many thanks to Elaine and her friends and colleagues for their warm welcome.
We will be meeting in LlanfairTH. next Wednesday afternoon but not on the two Wednesdays after that, so may I wish you all a Happy Christmas, and as Prosperous a New Year as is reasonable (VAT going up to 20% ...) and see you in January.
AC

Textiles at Trefriw

2010-11-25T11:34:00.003Z

A reminder to everyone about the forthcoming Textile Market at Trefriw Woollen Mills on the weekend of December 4th. & 5th. - see also Elaine's post on August 31st.

TEXTILE MARKET

Saturday 4th & Sunday 5th December, 2010 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Hand made Christmas gifts, plus materials and equipment for textile makers.

Demonstrations on Sunday morning.

Exhibitors include:- Anne Campbell, Wendolyn Docksey, Helen Melvin, Ann Hughes, Serentex, Crafty Ladies, Mandy Coates, Christine Birch, Maggie Oliver.

Trefriw Woollen Mills, Main Road, Trefriw, Conwy Valley, LL27 0NQ.

Tel: 01492 640462 www.t-w-m.co.uk

in the centre of Trefriw on the B5106 between Conwy and Betws-y-Coed

MARCHNAD TECSTILIAU

Dydd Sadwrn y 4ydd a Dydd Sul y 5ed o Rhagfyr, 2010

Anrhegion Nadolig wedi eu gwneud a llaw, a defnyddiau a chyfarpar ar gyfer gwneud tecstiliau.

Arddangosfeydd ar fore dydd Sul.

Gwaith gan: Anne Campbell, Wendolyn Docksey, Helen Melvin, Ann Hughes, Serentex, Crafty Ladies, Mandy Coates, Christine Birch, Maggie Oliver.

Melinau Wlan Trefriw, Prif Ffordd, Trefriw, Dyffryn Conwy, LL27 0NQ

Ffon 01492 640462 www.t-w-m.co.uk

Yng nghanol Trefriw ar y B5106 rhwng Conwy a Betws-y-Coed

Tel: 01492 640462 Email: info@t-w-m.co.uk Web: t-w-m.co.ukTrefriw Woollen Mills Ltd, Main Road, Trefriw, Conwy Valley, North Wales, LL27 0NQ

Friends at Frodsham

2010-10-19T11:57:00.005+01:00

Rosie, J-M. and Alison travelled to Frodsham, to the Cheshire Guild Friendship Day on Saturday, October 16th. (Thank you to Rosie for driving). We had a lovely day meeting old friends and making new ones - so thank you also to our hosts in Frodsham. We were particularly pleased to see Kath and her daughter: Kath (of Krafty Kreations) has not been able to come to our Guild meetings recently but is hoping to get back to LlanfairTH again in the near future.
The "shared meal" (everyone bringing a contribution) provided a great spread of delicious food, including pudding - or dessert, if you wish. We were tempted by P&M Woolcraft and B's crafts stalls, but managed not to spend too much money! As well as exchanging chat and information, we managed to get some spinning done; a productive day all round

Dorset Buttons, Wednesday 13th. October

2010-10-13T23:01:00.005+01:00

Thank you very much to Bryn for introducing (or re-introducing) us to Dorset Buttons this evening. These intricate and attractive buttons are made by forming a base of blanket stitch around a ring of metal, plastic or bone, then forming "spokes" of yarn and weaving in and around to fill the centre of the ring. This is a perfect way of making unique buttons to complement garments of handspun yarn.

For more information, see http://www.craftstylish.com/item/42688/how-to-make-dorset-buttons/page/all and http://www.thedorsetpage.com/history/Button_Making/button_making.htm and of course, the British Button Society .

The process proved so intriguing that we scarcely had time to do any of the freeform knitting which Rosie had promised to show us in the second half of the evening - another time, perhaps?

We were also very pleased to welcome no fewer than three new members, and hope to see them often in the future. Thank you very much to Rosie and J-M. for the tea, and especially for the cake.

Hard at work...

A selection of suitable rings for button making

Friendship Day, October 2010

2010-10-11T15:05:00.005+01:00

Our Friendship Day drew nearly 50 people to Llanfair Talhaiarn, to spin, weave, chat and browse the stalls. Nearby Guilds, Clwyd, Lleyn, Chester, Cheshire (Frodsham), were represented. There were also 14 wheels.

Local sellers, Trefriw Woollen Mill and Fiery Felts, offered craft tools, books, hand dyed wool and dyes. Anvil pottery drew its usual adherents and more. Helen gave a demonstration of solar dyed fabric with an iron solution. So easy, apparently!

Val's bric-à-brac stall for charity did well, as did the books and craft materials table.

Thank you to all our visitors. It was pleasant to meet up with old friends and new. Thanks too to all members who took part. You worked your socks off.

posted on behalf of Bryn.

Abergele WSD at Pensychnant

2010-09-25T19:28:00.003+01:00

A day' s workshop on spinning, crocheting and knitting at Pensychnant

Nature Conservation Centre. Led brilliantly by Jenni, Bryn came in

round the edges. A group of 6 students encountered spinning for the first

time on a variety of wheels. We had a Joy, several Traditionals, a Haldane,

and a castle-style wheel. Thanks to all who lent their wheels. We appreciated

what a wrench it is to part with this favourite piece of equipment – almost like

handing over the family pet.

However, they have been reherded and will be returned this coming

Wednesday afternoon. It was more an AGWSD outreach event, but earned

some money for the Guild to put towards our own workshops. Thank you,

Pensychnant for having us, and that lovely log fire. http://www.pensychnant.co.uk

(by Bryn)

Annual General Meeting, 2010

2010-09-08T22:17:00.001+01:00

Tonight we held our AGM in our regular evening meeting slot. Thanks to all who attended and helped to make it a really good session. Lots of ideas were considered with lively discussion from all members, long standing and more recent. (Official minutes to follow, when I get round to typing them up).
We now have a new Chairman/person - welcome to her, and thanks for her moving tribute to her late predecessor, who will be greatly missed. We also have a new Treasurer and a new Librarian: good luck to them both!
Just for a change, we had tea and cake......and sausages. There was a lot of constructive talk, but not much spinning done. We eventually drifted home into the starry, starry night with the knowledge of an evening well spent, and the next year to look forward to.

Crafts at Trefriw Woollen Mills 2010

2010-08-31T16:56:00.009+01:00

Hand spinning demonstations:-

Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m until end September

Sunday 19th September and Saturday 25th September (http://www.helfagelf.co.uk/)

Wednesdays (Wendy Docksey) throughout October 10 a.m . 5 p.m.

Felt making demonstrations with Anne Campbell:-

Tuesdays throughout October 10 a.m .- 4.30 p.m.

Rag Rug making demonstrations with Christine Birch:-

Thursdays throughout October 10 a.m. - 5.00 p.m.

Textile Market Saturday 4th December and Sunday 5th December 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.:-

Handmade Christmas gifts plus materials and equipment for textile makers.

Demonstrations on Sunday morning:- hand spinning with hand spindle and spinning wheel, rag rug making, peg loom weaving, weaving on triangular loom, aran knitting, basket making, felt making,

Exhibitors:- Anne Campbell, Gwendolyn Docksey, Helen Melvin, Christine Birch, Mandy Coates, Maggie Oliver, Ann Hughes, Serentex, Gwen Owen, Margaret Hiorns, The Crafty Ladies

Thank you...

2010-08-27T21:34:00.000+01:00

...to Rosie who has suggested lots of suppliers of textile related stuff. She also mentioned Sheila Dixon, "who writes a blog" and sells equipment including drum carders. Unfortunately I haven't been able to track down Ms. Dixon on the internet - although I did find an ex-Mayor of Alabama. Presumably not the same person.

Beginning Spinning

2010-08-26T11:06:00.001+01:00

A few minutes instruction....

...and away we go!

We have all been pleased, over the last few months, to welcome new spinners to our group. It's amazing how quickly people pick up the technique when they're keen and interested. And we're always intrigued to see new designs of spinning wheel.
Yesterday there was a lot of chat about suppliers of spinning materials, so I have added links to a few of the UK-based companies at the side of the blog.
AC

Thirteen moons in Canada

2010-07-21T13:41:00.000+01:00

In case anyone happens to be in Canada during August and September:

I have received this flyer by email, but as the message is a bit big for some people's Internet connections, I post the information here.

"Moon Rain Centre presents the international textile arts event, When Thirteen Moons Entwine, which takes place from August 15 to October 10, 2010 in the Gatineau Hills.

When Thirteen Moons Entwine is a professional textile arts event, inspired by the thirteen moons of the lunar calendar. It is an outdoor laboratory that links professional textile artists with emerging artists in the creation of textile arts installations along a scenic walking path at Moon Rain Centre.

Throughout this unique and festive event, workshops in textile arts for all ages and levels will be given at Moon Rain Centre, and textile arts exhibitions will be presented in collaboration with major exhibition centres in the Gatineau/Ottawa region.

Moon Rain Centre, directed by professional artist-weaver Thoma Ewen, specializes in community weaving projects and «artists-in-the-schools» projects. Its vision is to share the beauty and mystery of weave. Weaving is a global contemporary metaphor for the interconnections between all living systems of our biosphere.

For further information on participating artists, installations in situ, workshops, exhibitions, and for the calendar of events, visit the website at www.moonrain.ca

www.moonraincentrefortapestryarts.blogspot.com "

(Chance would be a fine thing, methinks)

Woodfest Wales, 2010

2010-06-07T20:15:00.004+01:00

We spent all three days here, and had a good time. The weather was mostly fine - in fact, it was very hot indeed on Friday - and the show was packed with people. Our pitch was in a good position, right by the show ring, and between Anglesey Angora Rabbits & a lady selling chunky woollen jumpers. The rabbits attracted a lot of attention, particularly from the visiting dogs.
We had lots of visitors, and particularly enjoyed the attention of some very interested children who were keen to find out as much as possible about hand-made yarn. In between demonstrating (and talking!) we were able to sneak off, wander round the showground and investigate the other stands. Where to start? there was basket-making & timber-framed building construction; Nature Organisations including the Clwyd Bat Group; low-tech woodworking with pole lathes, cooperage, and woodcarving; working Shire horses and birds of prey; children's theatre and a funfair; a dog show; pole climbing; agricultural trade stands; local choice foods; other crafts........too much to list.

Thanks to all who came to make it such a memorable weekend.

Fancy Spinning Workshop with Alison Daykin

2010-05-15T18:46:00.002+01:00

Very many thanks to Alison, who travelled all the way from South Derbyshire to teach us how to spin a great range of fancy yarns. We were blessed with fine weather, and the countryside was looking particularly picturesque. We had a good turnout, and were pleased to welcome visitors from several other guilds (and intrigued to see what a variety of spinning wheels they brought!).
Alison proved to be a warm and generous teacher, with infinite patience. She taught us to spin slub yarn; spiral, knarl and knot yarn; bouclé, tuft, nep and wrapped yarn. She also demonstrated the making of coloured, mixed rovings using a hackle - a fearsome row of spikes usually employed in the production of flax. And if that wasn't enough, she also brought a delicious & tempting selection of dyed fibres, and copies of her book "Creative Spinning" (co-authored with Jane Deane) http://spinningandweaving.weebly.com/creative-spinning.html
We were well supplied with tea, coffee and cake, and had a most enjoyable and productive day. Thank you very much to Bryn for all her hard work in organising the Workshop.

Natural Dye Day Sat June 5th

2010-05-12T16:46:00.004+01:00

Hello everybody,

We are holding a natural dye day here at Trefriw Woollen Mills on Saturday June 5th. Helen Melvin will be demonstrating natural dyeing with indigo and coreopsis 10.30 a.m. - 12.30, and there will be an opportunity to experiment painting with her natural dyes in the afternoon. Textile Techniques will also have a stand and will give a talk at 12.00, Enys Davies will be selling natural dye plants and Anne Campbell will demonstrate core spinning and Wendy Docksey will be demonstrating felting. For programme, e-mail info@t-w-m.co.uk

Glorious chocolate

2010-04-07T18:53:00.007+01:00

Here are some photos of what you can do with ivy berries. Many of us have only managed to dye a pinky grey with ivy, but Rosie has obtained a wonderful milk chocolate colour. The picture really doesn't do it justice. The secret, apparently, is to leave the ivy berries to soak for several days, and then mash and strain - and leave the vat again - before dyeing the yarn. The lighter colour was obtained without a mordant; the darker colour with alum and then iron as a modifier. The yarn is "coloured" Corriedale, but, take it from me, the fleece is barely off-white - certainly not this brown!
So, now we are all rushing off to have a go ourselves. I have posted some preliminary photos on the Web Album
AC

More about Ty Hafan

2010-03-31T18:35:00.003+01:00

Well, more about the blankets really. At the All Wales meeting in Llanidloes last year I (foolishly?) agreed, on behalf of the Guild, to take on making some more squares - and got talked into doing a whole blanket. That's forty-eight 10" squares, mostly white this time. But we're cracking on with it, and so far we are about a quarter of the way through. I have a nasty feeling it's me that's going to have to stitch them all together......
Photos of progress so far to follow, once I've recharged the battery for my camera.

As promised:

Carding before you spin

2010-03-19T12:56:00.003Z

A lot of carding going on at our afternoon meeting this week!

Card weaving evening

2010-02-11T14:03:00.002Z

Yesterday evening we attempted some card weaving - that is, weaving on a card loom, not weaving your actual cards, if you see what I mean. Thanks (once again) to J-M's excellent and clear instructions, we all made a good start; and some of us got a lot further than that! We "warped up" small to medium sized pieces of card to make tiny looms, some of which we folded in half so that a seamless bag could be made by weaving round and round.
For more photographs of card weaving & paraphernalia, click here. Please add photos of your finished work if you wish.
(Today's interesting fact: when checking the spelling of "paraphernalia" I discovered that it actually means "married women's property, especially articles of jewellery, dress and personal belongings". Very appropriate.)
Welcome also to Pauline's daughter & granddaughter who came along for the evening.

The first meeting of the New Year

2010-01-22T10:51:00.001Z

We have finally had our first meeting in 2010, and welcomed a new member: hello, Helen! The weather has improved - at least for the time being - and we had a good turnout. The photo shows wool coloured with natural dyes, bright and autumnal at the same time. (Thanks to BT & HM)
AC

Evening meeting, January 13th., cancelled

2010-01-11T12:17:00.000Z

I'm sorry to say this but, as you might expect, this week's evening meeting has been cancelled due to the weather. We've had more snow overnight and there is a possibility of even more on Wednesday. Even if we have a proper thaw (and it does seem to be slightly less cold) the carparks around the Community Centre will still be dangerous with the packed snow & ice which has accumulated since Christmas. So stay safe, and keep warm, and we'll meet soon.
AC

How indigo really works

2010-01-07T10:18:00.004Z

Helen Melvin's blog today gives a link to a really interesting article on the way indigo "works". The article is translated from the Japanese, but, despite some quaint phrasing, is very clear and contains some beautiful hand drawn diagrams which illustrate the underlying chemical processes. The diagrams show exactly how the indigo gets into the fibres and sticks there, and also explain why natural indigo is brighter than the synthetic form. Click here to go to the online article. Even if you have no knowledge of chemistry you will find this easy to understand. The author is to be congratulated on communicating so well in a "foreign" language.
AC

Snow across the UK

2010-01-06T13:55:00.002Z

I have managed to get out this morning and walked - very slowly - down the 1in3 hill into the village. It isn't quite as cold at the moment, but there is a LOT of snow. The road through Llanfair itself is covered in crumbly snow and the main road into Abergele is clear. The main road into Llansannan is not good. I have cancelled our booking for the Community Centre (just in case you were wondering).

Here are a few photographs to add to the stacks of images on the internet featuring Britain in the Snow, 2010. If any Guild members have photos to show, please add them to the Picasa Web Album page, or email them to me to add. Click on the link to see some more images.

More tales from the riverbank

2010-01-05T21:37:00.005Z

It stopped raining before Christmas, just in time to freeze and snow. This afternoon we had a blizzard which blocked all the main roads in a matter of minutes and even the normally mild coastal areas were wiped out for a time. (The single track side roads inland have been impassable for weeks). In LlanfairTH we had up to 9 inches of snowfall in about 3 hours, so, unsurprisingly, our meeting tomorrow is CANCELLED. If I can get out of the house in the morning I will post some photos. In the meantime, here is a nice cheery and unsnowy picture of a touch of hoarfrost on ivy.

"Ancestor Bags" by Sue Hiley Harris at MOMA Wales

2009-11-26T10:51:00.001Z

Hilary, Lynn and Alison travelled through the storms to Machynlleth yesterday to hear Sue Hiley Harris talk about her work, and to see her installation "Ancestor Bags" at MOMAWales. Fortunately most of the flood water has subsided in North Wales, but the river was almost up to the top of the arches of the bridge just outside Machynlleth. Generally, it is still very wet and there is standing water on most of the roads. However, the exhibition and the talk were well worth the journey.
Sue weaves in three dimensions, producing uniquely sculptural work underpinned by a strong conceptual sense. "Ancestor Bags" investigates her own family history with its' roots in the UK and in Australia: the installation comprises a series of suspended woven pieces turning slowly in the air & casting complex shadows on the gallery walls. Each piece represents an individual ancestor with encoded biographical information woven into the texture of the fabric. Sue talked in fascinating detail about her work and her research into the family history, and explained the mathematically-derived code hidden within each piece. As in all the best art, this code enhances the work but the exhibition can be enjoyed without understanding how to decipher the hidden messages. The exhibition is both intensely personal to the artist and immediately accessible to the audience. A real success, and we enjoyed the experience very much. The exhibition continues until the end of the week, after which it will travel to Australia, and possibly also to the Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford - well worth a visit.
The lecture took place in the very grand Tabernacl (Chapel) which gives the gallery its' other name. Unfortunately the gallery "café" didn't sell food of any description apart from a couple of small cakes and some shortbread. Rather a shame, as we were intending to treat ourselves to a nice lunch out!
AC

Tales from the Riverbank

2009-11-18T12:18:00.002Z

After nearly a week of continual rain, the Elwy Valley at LlanfairTalhaearn is doing its' job as a flood plain. The roads are blocked from here to everywhere, and not even the ambulance can get through. Fire Brigade, Police and Highways men (N.B. not Highwaymen) have been out all morning, and now the main road is officially closed. Several houses and the village carparks are under feet of water despite the best efforts of four Fire Appliances, and, although the Community Centre is protected by a good stone wall, the water is beginning to percolate up through the earth into the enclosure. So, unsurprisingly, our afternoon meeting has been cancelled. AC.

2009-11-05T17:54:00.000Z

We met yesterday afternoon, and were very glad to be inside as it was raining stair-rods outside (or, translated from the Welsh: raining old ladies with walking sticks). Despite the rain we had a near record attendance for a week day, which was really great even if it did make it difficult to speak to everyone. We were also glad to welcome Helen Melvin as a guest (with her posh Lendrum spinning wheel).

Wednesday afternoon

2009-10-29T10:12:00.000Z

Another Wednesday, and another opportunity for spinning and chat. It's half term here, so June's grandson came and did a bit of plying; he also served up some delicious small cakes he'd made - he's doing a catering course at College, so we reaped (ate) the benefits.
What else? well, we were knitting, spinning, plying - and in my case un-plying and then adding extra twist to some yarn spun by the long draw method.
And we've received an invitation to Sue Hiley Harris's next exhibition in MOMA Machynlleth - click on her name for the link.
AC

Evening meeting, October 14th.

2009-10-16T19:22:00.001+01:00

We held an informal swapping session on Wednesday evening, bringing in long-hoarded stuff - fibres, yarns, fabrics - to exchange with someone else's unwanted stuff - fibres, yarns, fabrics.
Truly is it said that one woman's rubbish is another woman's treasure: the haul included carded fleece, fabric samples, and novelty mixed fibre. Nearly all of us went home with something really useful and interesting, and have resolved to do something exciting with our trophies (just as we did when we originally acquired the stuff we have now got rid of.....).
Alison has agreed to take on some more squares for Ty Hafan's dragon blanket - white ones this time. Contributions of 10" squares welcome - please contact Alison for more details.

The All Wales Event, Llanidloes, October 3rd.

2009-10-05T12:58:00.001+01:00

Pat, Krithia and Alison travelled down to mid-Wales to attend this biennial gathering of the Welsh Guilds of Weavers, Spinners & Dyers. As it's such a long way, we all set off the day before and stayed overnight: Pat in her trusty Romahome, and Krithia and Alison in the Corris Hostel - a tale in itself: we were the only guests, and rattled around like the proverbial peas in a pod. However, we did have the advantage of not having to rise at first light to get to the Minerva Centre in time to put up our display.
The results of the "Challenge" on the theme of recycling (we made teacosies out of recycled fibre) were rather variable this year, but the best-looking board was from the Meirioneth Guild - all black, gold and reds. The best individual item was undoubtedly a spinning wheel made of old wood and a bicycle wheel.
Krithia mounted our display of general work, assisted by Pat: Krithia's great idea was to bring the branch of a Twisted Willow tree on which to hang things - it looked great, and attracted a lot of admiring comments. Whoever puts up the display next time will have to work hard to come up with an even better idea!
The trade stands and the Guild secondhand stall provided us with great browsing opportunities, and we were relatively good about not spending all our money - just a little fibre, a pair of secondhand carders and one extremely nice book (on Ecodying, by India Flint).
The highlight of the day was the very entertaining talk by Cefyn Burgess, who described his odyssey through the chapels & textiles of Wales and of the Welsh diaspora in Liverpool and Pennsylvia. He conveyed vividly his memories of Chapel life and his passion for the culture of Wales. While some aspects of this culture are fading - communities lost, and only an occasional teacup in a junk shop to show for decades of Chapel Teas; textile mills closing - others are surviving in the face of heavy odds. (Look at links to Trefriw Woollen Mills, in the family of one of our own Guild members for 150 years, & Melin Tregwynt). Cefyn showed us his architectural embroideries of chapels and his glorious woven breadspreads with reverse appliqué in colourful Welsh flannel, and his "work in progress" quilt in shades of grey. His commitment and dedication to the hands-on approach to domestic textiles shone through his whole lecture. The travelling exhibition of his work is due to open shortly in Bangor, and his new shop is open in Ruthin Craft Centre.
All in all, we had an excellent day in Llanidloes, and returned home tired but happy! Thanks to all of you for providing such lovely examples of work for display - many compliments were overheard. We enjoyed meeting old friends, and seeing the work of other Guilds, and we're looking forward to the next event in 2011.

2009-09-28T15:16:00.003+01:00

Our next venture into the public domain will be at the Association of Guilds of Weavers, Spinners & Dyers' All Wales Event in Llanidloes, Mid Wales on Saturday, October 3rd. This is a biennial event, held in the Minerva Centre in Llanidloes, and is generally a good get-together and catch-up session for all the Welsh Guilds. We will have work on display (we hope! - Krithia and Alison have to get there to put it up before the hordes arrive at 10o'clock), both general "What we've done in the last 24 months" stuff and our efforts for the All Wales Guild Challenge on the theme of recycling. We are looking forward to hearing a lecture by Cefyn Burgess in the afternoon, and - of course - we are not going to spend any money on any more fleece/fibre/equipment at the Suppliers' Show (are we?!)
AC

Weaving Day, Friday September 25th

2009-09-26T21:31:00.005+01:00

We held our first "Weaving Day" on Friday - we've been talking about it for years, but have finally got round to it. None of us is an expert, but between us we have enough expertise and equipment to get going. Having a whole day in the Community Centre meant that we could actually get a lot done, and do it without falling over the furniture as we do at home. Getting a loom ready for weaving ("warping up") takes a fair amount of time for several reasons, boiling down to the fact that an awful lot of yarn has to be wound on to the loom and then threaded through raddles/heddles/reeds or all three to form the "warp" on which the weaving is done. Only after this is done, and done properly, can we get on and do the interesting bit which is the actual weaving.

We shared warping frames and pegs, inspected each others' looms, helped with winding on the warps and generally learnt a lot from each other. And of course there was plenty of time for cups of tea and coffee, and general chat, and a good lunch with delicious soup made by J.M.
MORE PHOTOS
courtesy of I.C.

Helen Melvin at the Abergele Guild

2009-09-09T22:36:00.008+01:00

Helen Melvin came to our meeting this evening to give an inspiring talk entitled "A Passionate Journey". She told us about her love of colour, dating back to her early childhood, and described the development of her interest (obsession?) with natural dyeing. We were all fascinated by her account, and we loved the glorious colours she showed us on the silk and wool she brought with her. Helen dyes with natural dye extracts - super-concentrated colour in powder form - and with dyeplants from her own garden. At the last count there were 60 different dyeplants, grown by Helen and her friend & gardener Enys. Helen demonstrated her method of painting with dye extracts directly onto fleece/felt, but we will have to visit her studio to see the results as the dye must be left overnight to percolate through the fibre before steaming to set the colour! She described her methods for dyeing 16 micron merino without felting the fibre, environmental dyeing using the heat and light of the sun, and natural fermentation vats for madder and indigo. Those of us who have some experience of dyeing have been inspired to start again, and those who have never dyed anything are itching to get started!
Thank you very much indeed, Helen.
Helen's work can be seen on her blog "Growing colour" (which is also in our "other blogs" link, to the right of the posts.) Her studio is open at weekends in September as part of "Helfa Gelf Open Studios", an event taking place across 4 counties in North Wales and involving 112 artists.
AC

Wednesday afternoon again

2009-09-02T20:51:00.005+01:00

Pat brought her finished rag "rug" to the meeting today - done in recycled fabric on hessian. Some of the fabric is hand-dyed. We were all very impressed, particularly as she has finished it so quickly. I should also have photographed the amazing blanket Pauline is working on, but forgot.
And thanks very much to June's grandson for the cakes.
AC

Scottish Games

2009-08-30T00:01:00.004+01:00

Here are a couple of photos from the Long Island Scottish Games. It was very hot and we had to keep moving around the gazebo. They were impressed by our banner in our gazebo and hope to do something similar. Rosie

Fancy yarn spinning workshop

2009-08-25T15:56:00.009+01:00

On Saturday 15 May 2010 we are running

a workshop led by Alison Daykin, a published

creative yarn spinner. The event will run from
10.0 am - 4.0 pm at Llanfair Talhaiarn
Community Hall. Members of other spinning
guilds are cordially invited to join us (£12.0
per head for the day).
email: abergelewsd at googlemail.com

Alison Daykin's website

LLanasa Scarecrows

2009-08-18T20:09:00.001+01:00

That sounds fun, pity you couldn't hang up the banner etc though

Llanasa Scarecrow Fest

2009-08-18T09:30:00.004+01:00

Two of us demonstrated wheel and drop spindle
spinning last Saturday. The village had put on an
impressive show of scarecrows, in gardens, along
walkways, and leaning against fence posts. They
were eye-catching and very creatively made.
Children, as usual, were full of questions about
our spinning. Ashley found he could master the basic
techniques of drop spindle and stayed to practise.
His interest was rewarded with a gift of a Peruvian
spindle and some rollags.
We had to improvise somewhat with our display
as we had no walls to hang the banners and board.
A communal tent has advantages though: good
company and a good neighbour, Rod, who mended
my spinning wheel.
Thanks, Llanasa for inviting us.

An ordinary evening meeting (?)

2009-08-13T21:36:00.002+01:00

We had our regular evening meeting yesterday - just a few of us this time as it's bang in the middle of the summer holidays. Entirely normal and not a bit out of the ordinary.....apart from the fact that I spent all day under the impression that it was Tuesday and therefore failed to turn up to open the hall. I had to be fetched......
Very, very sorry and apologies to everyone. To make up, I have spent this afternoon making Guild business cards for Bryn & Pam to take to the Llanasa Scarecrow Festival on Saturday.
A.C.

A Letter from America

2009-08-06T21:23:00.007+01:00

Rosie is staying with her daughter in the USA for the Summer

I am going to demonstrate with the local guild at a Highland Games (!) here on Long Island on August 22nd., so will take some pics. there.

The Sunday afternoon knitting group I go to has several spinners, and in fact it is just like our Wendesday afternoon except that it is in a cafe so we get lots of onlookers. The other week we went to someone's garden and were all spinning under the trees in the sunshine and then went in th pool afterwards - slightly different from Wales at the moment I gather. Quite a few of the guilds post notices on Ravelry (see link) about happenings (like workshops etc. we want people to come to).

Need to take the new dog to the park and then bowling this afternoon.

Rosie

An ordinary Wednesday afternoon

2009-08-06T13:09:00.001+01:00

- a slightly confusing image of spinning wheels (actually an excuse for me to try out Picasa collage maker, as recommended yesterday by Kath).

There is a huge variety of wheels around, from top-of-the-range foldaway portable wheels to dead ordinary, shove-them-in-the-boot-of-the-car-on-top-of-the-old-feed-sacks wheels. Not to mention the lovingly home made wheels, constructed by keen woodworkers. So here is a selection of our wheels, plus hands and feet at work spinning (and knitting).

(anything to fill the space on the blog......)AC

Ty Hafan Children's Hospice Blanket

2009-07-30T16:00:00.009+01:00

We were invited to help raise money for Ty Hafan, the children's hospice, and have been busy making textile squares. Ty Hafan are planning a giant dragon blanket, made of smaller blankets each made of 10inch squares; the blanket is so huge that the squares are of one colour only (ours are green - other groups will presumably be red or black). This is some of our work so far: some spinning & knitting, some patchwork.

(and apologies to Welsh speakers: I haven't worked out how to add the "to bach" to the text)
AC

http://www.tyhafan.org/welcome-to-ty-hafan

Rag-rugging in Reeth

2009-07-17T16:24:00.005+01:00

Posted on behalf of Pat & Trudi E (who don't have access to the Internet)
Pat & Trudi travelled to Yorkshire for an inspirational two-day course with Heather Ritchie. Taking a photograph as a starting point, they made a fine start on a hooked/prodded rag rug. Pat has produced a very handsome cockerel, and Trudi is working on an image of Bolsover Castle for her daughter's wedding there in the autumn. Trudi thinks it may by finished in time for the tenth wedding anniversary! They found Heather an inspirational teacher, and a warm and generous personality. She is also involved in setting up a charity to help women and children in Africa through rug-making.
http://www.rugmaker.co.uk

http://rug-aid.org

Wednesday, July 8th

2009-07-09T09:53:00.008+01:00

Our regular evening meeting. Please add your own post or comment!
J-M taught us how to use a Lucet hook - a very simple old tool which makes a surprising variety of cords. Thanks to her expert tuition everyone mastered the technique in a short time (even the self-confessedly cack-handed)(is that English?). I discovered why I hadn't previously got the hang of it on my own - you really need someone to show you what to do! I meant to take some photographs for the blog, but was so engrossed that I completely forgot. Anyway, here's one I took later.
And I was very, very disciplined and didn't buy any of the beautiful fleece that Trudi E. brought along.
AC

THE FIRST POST

2009-07-06T20:53:00.004+01:00

Hullo to all Guild Members, and welcome to our new blog. This site is for all of us to use for any textile related matters, Guild events, etc. etc. Please use it as much as possible, even if you're not used to "blogging" - it isn't necessary to produce a stream of consciousness: a blog can be about anything you like. For example:
The Llanasa Scarecrow Festival have invited us to spin in their Craft Tent in August (see the link on the right hand side of the page)
We were invited to this via Woodfest North Wales last month - perhaps one of us who went to Woodfest could compose a paragraph and post it on the blog?
Alison