Workshop Description: Whether you have only been spinning a short time or 20 years, you will have fun, learn lots, and come away with customized yarns that YOU want. Learn how to calculate how much fiber you need, what fibers work best for what YOU want to do, and to draft, spin, and ply for your particular intended project. Want to learn about blends, self-stripping yarns and fibers, and spinning from the fold? Whether it’s fast and skinny, or consistently big yarns, or by wheel or spindle, Abby will customize this workshop so that each participant learns what they need to know to produce the yarn they desire. Abby will contact each participant prior to the workshop in order to customize the experience.

The workshop flyer with further information and registration form can be downloaded here. There are still openings. You must register with your non-refundable deposit by 12/29/2011 to participate.

Jumpstart Jacket

Dust off your sewing machine and jumpstart your skills. Make this simple unlined jacket, custom fit, guaranteed to look great and teach you the basics of garment construction. Great for handweavers, felters and surface designers, this jacket looks good in all fabrics and compliments every figure.

In this workshop, participants will be constructing a simple unstructured jacket from their fabric – handwoven or purchased – using a fitted pattern. It is recommended that handwoven fabrics have a consistent beat, a firm but drapeable hand and should be suitable for garment construction. Since the finished garment will be a jacket, participants should choose a medium weight, close sett, firm fabric in a fiber content suitable for an unlined jacket. Purchased fabric is also appropriate for this class.

Dates: Friday September 16 – Sunday September 18, 2011
Location: Mercy Center, 2300 Adeline Dr Burlingame CA 94010

Hosted by Black Sheep Handweavers Guild

For more information, contact Judy Dauberman or Ann McDonough.

Workshop prospectus

Do you love to weave but the thought and/or chore of warping your loom holds you back?   Then…what about obtaining more weaving versatility from a single warp?  Just how many structures can one weave from one threading?

In this Extreme Warp Makeover workshop, participants will warp their looms (4 shaft) with their choice of one of three four-shaft threadings and perform an extreme makeover, and weave it many different ways…from twill, lace and overshot to swivel, corduroy, deflected weft, and double-faced.  At the same time, participants are presented with the basics of different structures and how to adapt a single threading to weave a number of different weaves, including concepts such as star vs. rose fashion, weaving on opposites, and echo treadling.

For additional information, please contact me (woodcats)  as we have several openings that we’d love to fill!

Date:  Friday thru Sunday, October 7-9, 2011

Level:  Beginner to Advanced

Location:  Reno, Nevada

Equipment:  4 shaft loom

For more information about Robyn, please visit her website:  http://www.spadystudios.com

WHEN:     October 14 – 16, 2011
WHERE:    Tuolumne Trails in Groveland, CA

Although the last day to register for the retreat is September 15, there are several reasons to send your registration form in soon:

*    Register by June 30 and receive five FREE raffle tickets

*    Registration numbers are already higher this year that last year at this time

*    You will have more time to think about how much fun you’re going to have at the retreat

If you have not experienced crock-pot dyeing you are in for a treat at this retreat.  No more standing over a hot stove stirring a pot.  In this operation you put fiber (or yarn) in a crock pot, sprinkle a little dye, add another layer of fiber, a little more dye, third layer, final dye  (Use one color or a different color for each layer) then cover water with and add a dash of vinegar; put a lid on it!  Walk away, read a book, play ping pong, spin, weave or knit.  Return in eight hours or so, rinse and -  PRESTO – gorgeous fiber.

Next update: focus on vendors and – something new here – vendor presentations Friday night to show off their wares; how they got them and how YOU can use them.  You can experience all this and much more by sending a registration form and $160 (two nights and five meals) to Studio 49.  Contact bighillgirl at mac.com for additional information.

Studio 49 is part of the Mother Lode Weavers and spinners and meets monthly at the Tuolumne County library in Sonora, CA.  Attendance varies but there usually 20 or more people in attendance spinning, knitting, weaving, buying fiber or trying out a new method of playing with fibers, or in some cases, just visiting or talking.  Fun and relaxation are the order of the day.  Visit www.mlswguild.org for more information. by v. bruch.

view of the lodge from the cabins

Imagine yourself in a mountain setting, a beautiful new log building with spectacular views, close to Yosemite and full of the sounds of spinning wheels and the murmur of voices speaking the language of fiber with religious intensity.  This can be yours by signing up for our sixth annual retreat to be held at Tuolumne Trails in October in Groveland, CA.

You can also browse among the vendors and feel the lustrous and colorful fibers or try your hand at crockpot dyeing, observing knitting, learn to knit or just spin.  If none of this appeals, think of the possibilities of a hike to the great Tuolumne River or reading a mystery in the comfort of the library loft.

For two nights and five meals in this gorgeous setting you can expect to pay only $160 for the experience which includes great company.  You will be expected to bring a sleeping bag and towels and perhaps a pillow for your comfort and will be sharing quarters with others.

The dates of the retreat are October 14 – 16, 2011.  The sooner you sign up, the better as there are certain things to remember.  If you sign up by June 30th you will receive 5 tickets for our raffle to take place just after our famous afternoon tea.  If you miss this deadline you still have a chance for 3 raffle tickets by signing up by July 30th.  There are no refunds after August 30th. The last day to register is September 15.

For more information and/or a registration form contact:

bighillgirl at mac.com (replace at with @) or go to    www. mlwsguild.org   or to Ravelry group – Studio 49
Next update: June 1st, 2011

Studio 49 is part of the Mother Lode Weavers and Spinners and meets monthly at the Tuolumne County Library in Sonora, CA.  Attendance varies but there are usually 20 or more people in attendance spinning, knitting, weaving, buying fiber or trying out a new method of playing with fibers; or in some cases, just eating or talking.  Fun and relaxation are the order of the day. Visit www.mlwsguild.org for more information.

• Designing and weaving cloth for a specific garment (i.e., fiber and yarn selection, weaving pattern selection, warp dimensions, epi and ppi)
• Cutting into the woven cloth (with scissors) and constructing a jacket from the fitted pattern pieces

Workshop Description: “This is a workshop in which fibers, yarn styles, weave structures, colors and fabric finishing are explored from the point of view of what they can do for the weaver.  The process of moving from a general idea for a fabric, based on a particular application, to specific plans for creating that fabric is the meat of the workshop.”

Workshop Description:  We will make a simple unlined jacket from a pattern that will be custom fitted, and we will learn the basics of garment construction.

For more information, please contact Judy Dauberman, judy.dauberman.

Have you ever been interested in exploring Geometric Design, The Golden Proportion, The Fibonacci Series, Symmetries and Tessellations, and Fractal Design?  Have you ever wanted to work with these wonderful tools for visual design, but been scared off by the lack of drawing or math skills?  This workshop is for YOU! 

 In this workshop, Jennifer Moore, a well known weaver, teacher, and author, will take us on a visual approach to working with geometric design, symmetry movements, tessellations, fractals and harmonious proportions including the Fibonacci series.  Through a series of fun exercises using drawing, coloring, rubber stamps, and paper cutouts you will create a toolbox of skills to use in creating your own harmonious designs. 

For additional information please contact me as there are a few opening that we’d love to fill! 

Suzanne Woodhead:  (woodcats)

Date:  Friday thru Sunday, May 6-8, 2011

Location:  Reno, Nevada

Equipment:  NO LOOMS – Classroom Workshop! 

For more information about Jennifer and to visit her on-line gallery, the website is:  http://www.doubleweaver.com

Spindles & Flyers Guild is proud to present a class for anyone who has ever felt overwhelmed by junk mail.  Frank Mikulastik will teach us how to turn unwanted mail and advertising into beautiful paper.  Bring your unwanted colorful junk mail and advertising and the urge to create beauty from trash.

When:  November 20, 2010
11 AM – 4 PM
Where: SOMArts
934 Brannan St.
San Francisco, CA

Guild members will have preference for signing up for the workshop; however, if space is available non-Guild members are welcome to join the workshop.

On Sunday, November 21, at our November guild meeting Frank Mikulastik will be the featured speaker.

To sign up for the workshop and more details:

Class fee:  $35 to Spindles & Flyers
Materials fee:  $30 to teacher at beginning of class.

There are still 5 places available in this class.  If interested please email Alicia Woods at alw.  Note that the full cost of the class is $65.

Fee: $100 for Guild members, $110 non-guild

The workshop has a max of 10 participants – two slots are still available

For more information on the material to be covered, times, location and materials list etc. and contact Barbara Stafford - barbstaf