OUT AND ABOUT THIS SPRING

It seems that guilds and fibre creators have come out of hibernation (or their creative dens) and a slew of

interesting events are on the calendar to entice us. I even managed to attend the Art on the Credit event held

recently at the Waterside Inn. Two of the artists who had booths there were extremely interesting and had a

very unique way to using fibre. Below are a couple of photos of their works. The artist who uses pieces of

material to create paintings fabric paintings showing interesting movement, textures and light,

A few guild members went to the Creative Festival .

interested in the Beads and the Yarns scattered amongst the

many Quilting and Sewing booths.

mood. (See photos) The unique zi

at That Bead Lady and the eye catching fascinator is worn by

staff at Stix and Stones.

One of our members joined 20 other spinners at the Neilson Centre this weekend for

a day of spinning for Etobicoke guild's

the warp were donated by Dover Farms and two white fleeces for the weft were

donated by Linc Farm. The Gotland and Finn Sheep wool were being carded on the

spot. Sponsor product was displayed and for sale and door prizes

end of the day. Jessie won a gift certificate from Gemini Fibres which she’ll put to

good use at

Knitter’s

Frolic next

weekend.

The event is

in celebration

of the guild’s 50th anniversary. As the

title suggests, they have taken up the

local fibre movement challenge. All

materials, including wool for the body,

Spring 2016

WARPED WORDS

OUT AND ABOUT THIS SPRING

It seems that guilds and fibre creators have come out of hibernation (or their creative dens) and a slew of

interesting events are on the calendar to entice us. I even managed to attend the Art on the Credit event held

recently at the Waterside Inn. Two of the artists who had booths there were extremely interesting and had a

very unique way to using fibre. Below are a couple of photos of their works. The artist who uses pieces of

paintings showing interesting movement, textures and light,

using needle felting along with cloth to create a picture

which could be framed. Hopefully I manage to accomplish

this during the summer at the cottage.

A few guild members went to the Creative Festival . They were

interested in the Beads and the Yarns scattered amongst the

many Quilting and Sewing booths. Two vendors got into the

mood. (See photos) The unique zipper necklace is worn by staff

at That Bead Lady and the eye catching fascinator is worn by

staff at Stix and Stones.

One of our members joined 20 other spinners at the Neilson Centre this weekend for

a day of spinning for Etobicoke guild's 50 Mile Coat Project

the warp were donated by Dover Farms and two white fleeces for the weft were

donated by Linc Farm. The Gotland and Finn Sheep wool were being carded on the

spot. Sponsor product was displayed and for sale and door prizes

end of the day. Jessie won a gift certificate from Gemini Fibres which she’ll put to

The event is

in celebration

Mississauga Handweavers and Spinners Guild

WARPED WORDS

Photo on the left is the work of Barb Hiltz, Textile Artist

Photo on right is the work of Lorraine Roy, Textile Artist.

It seems that guilds and fibre creators have come out of hibernation (or their creative dens) and a slew of

interesting events are on the calendar to entice us. I even managed to attend the Art on the Credit event held

recently at the Waterside Inn. Two of the artists who had booths there were extremely interesting and had a

very unique way to using fibre. Below are a couple of photos of their works. The artist who uses pieces of

paintings showing interesting movement, textures and light, inspired me to try

using needle felting along with cloth to create a picture

which could be framed. Hopefully I manage to accomplish

this during the summer at the cottage.

were

pper necklace is worn by staff

One of our members joined 20 other spinners at the Neilson Centre this weekend for

roject. Two grey fleeces for

the warp were donated by Dover Farms and two white fleeces for the weft were

donated by Linc Farm. The Gotland and Finn Sheep wool were being carded on the

spot. Sponsor product was displayed and for sale and door prizes were drawn at the

end of the day. Jessie won a gift certificate from Gemini Fibres which she’ll put to

Mississauga Handweavers and Spinners Guild

WARPED WORDS

Barb Hiltz, Textile Artist

Textile Artist.

alpaca and natural dyes for an inkle arm band and a double felted collar and cuffs have been drawn f

mile radius. During the three weeks from April 25th to May 15th betw

completed; spun, woven and sewn at the Neilson Centre.

or to join the final reveal and reception May 15th between 1 and 3 pm.

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

As I finally venture outside in our fine Spring weather, I realize how the guild helped me get through last

winter. The inspiration of Hanna and Kathleen’s guild presentations, the sharing of knowledge in the Weavers

Group and the helpfulness of the Spinne

The guild also provided me with two mentors; Ann who shared her knitting

Pineneedle Baskets by Kathleen McDonald

Kathleen gave the guild a talk and demonstration at our February guild meeting. Her work is incredible.

out the guild blog at Mississaugaweaversandspinners.wordpress.com

Here is a brief summary of her exploration into this basketry techniq

“I spent the winter in the northwest corner of Florida and worked on pine needle coiling.

other coilers, basket makers and foragers.

exploring the area and what it had to offer

monthly meeting and was taught a few new tricks of the craft.

foraged for my own pine needles and was thrilled to find some up to 22" and even 24".

the pine cones. What an adventure that was!

alpaca and natural dyes for an inkle arm band and a double felted collar and cuffs have been drawn f

During the three weeks from April 25th to May 15th between 10am till 3pm, the coat will be

n, woven and sewn at the Neilson Centre. Everyone is welcome to drop in to watch the process

or to join the final reveal and reception May 15th between 1 and 3 pm.

As I finally venture outside in our fine Spring weather, I realize how the guild helped me get through last

winter. The inspiration of Hanna and Kathleen’s guild presentations, the sharing of knowledge in the Weavers

Group and the helpfulness of the Spinners Group held my interest and my hand.

The guild also provided me with two mentors; Ann who shared her knitting

expertise and library in the matter of some Dye

Version socks and Barb who patiently abetted

while I planned, wound and warped for a baby

blanket. It’s all done now but the weaving; a crib

blanket which will be ready just in time for my

great grandson’s first birthday.

everyone.

by Kathleen McDonald

a talk and demonstration at our February guild meeting. Her work is incredible.

Mississaugaweaversandspinners.wordpress.com to view more photos of her work.

Here is a brief summary of her exploration into this basketry technique.

I spent the winter in the northwest corner of Florida and worked on pine needle coiling.

other coilers, basket makers and foragers. Everybody was warm and welcoming to this "Northerner" who was

exploring the area and what it had to offer. I was lucky enough to attend the Mobile Alabama Basket Makers

monthly meeting and was taught a few new tricks of the craft. I went out into the "wilds" of Alabama and

foraged for my own pine needles and was thrilled to find some up to 22" and even 24".

What an adventure that was! We were in the middle of nowhere and all of a sudden I

gunshot. Yep! I was deep in the south!

alpaca and natural dyes for an inkle arm band and a double felted collar and cuffs have been drawn from a 50

een 10am till 3pm, the coat will be

Everyone is welcome to drop in to watch the process

As I finally venture outside in our fine Spring weather, I realize how the guild helped me get through last

winter. The inspiration of Hanna and Kathleen’s guild presentations, the sharing of knowledge in the Weavers

rs Group held my interest and my hand.

The guild also provided me with two mentors; Ann who shared her knitting

expertise and library in the matter of some Dye-

Version socks and Barb who patiently abetted

while I planned, wound and warped for a baby

t. It’s all done now but the weaving; a crib

blanket which will be ready just in time for my

great grandson’s first birthday. Thanks to

a talk and demonstration at our February guild meeting. Her work is incredible. Check

to view more photos of her work.

I spent the winter in the northwest corner of Florida and worked on pine needle coiling. I networked with

Everybody was warm and welcoming to this "Northerner" who was

I was lucky enough to attend the Mobile Alabama Basket Makers

I went out into the "wilds" of Alabama and

And look at the size of

We were in the middle of nowhere and all of a sudden I heard a

Yep! I was deep in the south!

TIPS OF THE TRADE

Another of our guild programs this year was Tips of the Trade. A few guild members shared their unique ways

of handling problems when weaving or spinning and the idea arose that it might me an interesting article for the

newsletter. I will start off this issue with one I found on line with additions to how I handle this task and how

another guild member handles it. Please send me your Tips to share with the guild in the next issues.

“The problem with choke ties Judy Fisher http://www.cnch.org/cnchnet/spring-

2012/tips-tricks-techniques/

Weavers tie tight ligatures around a warp after it has been wound and before it is

removed from the winding reel or board. These are placed about a yard apart or

closer and their purpose is to keep the warp threads from shifting during the warping

process. The problem: I always managed to cut a warp thread (at least one and

maybe more) when removing these ties. My solution: I use pipe cleaners I buy at the

toy store for my chokes. I cut the pipe cleaners in half for the chokes and leave them

full length for tying the cross. They do a good job of stabilizing the warp threads and they are reusable. ”

My solution is to reuse thrums from past weaving projects but I use two half hitches to secure the warp. I don’t cut

them as they can be slid down the warp as I wind it on. The cross ties do have to be loosened by tugging on the ends

and then are removed.

GUILD CARDS by Jill Parratt

The guild has a new store for selling the cards. I dropped off 16 large cards and 30 gift

cards to the Harrington Lanes Farm store in Waterdown. This is a wonderful store that

carries the farm products such as free range eggs, Berkshire bacon, farm made sheep

yogurt etc. She is starting to carry other local products and gifts. They have already sold

some of the cards. http://www.harringtonlanefarms.ca/

GUILD RETREAT

This year Carol Kerley hosted the guild retreat. The focus was to work on

items that could be used for our 5 County Display this year…The

Emperor’s New Clothes. A small group of six attended. Four of the group worked on felted pouches after a demo lead by Heather. We also made

some felted material for the emperor or the doll Carol planned to make and

two of the group worked on gossamer fiber being spun for the pouches.

Thanks Carol for being our host.

WHAT’S ON THE LOOM

Shetland ponies with designer knit sweaters.

FIBRE CALENDAR (Note: Meetings will now commence at 6:30 pm until

8:30 pm at Central Library 2nd Floor meeting Room 2

above Noel Ryan Auditorium)

April 24- Speaker Marie Payne - Talk on Getting your work out to the Public. Her experience and tips on setting up a

show. February 2018 is the 40th anniversary of our guild. A

show of work would be a nice way to celebrate it

April 30- May 1 Toronto Knitters’ Frolic - Japanese Cultural

Centre – Toronto

May 14 - Southwest Regional Conference: Intertwined -

Woodstock Ontario

May 14 - Craftadian (Made by Hand Show) - Hershey

Centre, Mississauga

May 30 - Guild meeting. AGM, 40 Anniversary and Stowe

Tea Towels

May 27-29 - Wassoon: Northern Ontario OHS Conference -

College BorealSouthwest Regional Conference: Intertwined -

Woodstock Ontario

June 6 -12 Basketry Festival - Stowe Vermont

June 17 BBQ at Jill’s

July 30 - Aug 6 Convergence 2016 - Milwaukee Wisconsin

Aug 20-26 OHS Spinning Certificate Program: Levels III

and VI - Haliburton School of the Arts

Sept 17 5 Counties Seminar: Spin me a Yarn, Weave me a

Tale - Kitchener

Sept 24 Central Region Seminar: Nordic Journeys - Toronto

Marian’s baby blanket for her granddaughter’s new

baby is finally on the loom. See photo below

My loom has it’s third rug warp on. Each time I tie

on I decrease width of the rugs being woven. I am

now starting small rug mats for the doors at the

cottage and if there is still warp, a runner for the

table. I am even thinking of putting on a warp for

rag placemats.