Felting Archives - Desert Weavers & Spinners

January 2024 Meeting

Date:
Monday, January 22, 2024 at 9:30 am Pacific time

Program:
Robyn Spady: Thirty-Six Techniques to Make Your Weaving Easier and Happier

Robyn spoke about her history, process and work. Here is a program description from Robyn:

“Would you like to learn a great method for repairing a broken warp end, tracking your treadling while you weave, making your own repair heddles, or just make weaving easier and more pleasurable? This gizmo-and-gadget centric presentation looks and feels like an interactive show-and-tell and will introduce over 36 offbeat tools, techniques, or tricks to assist weavers in all phases of weaving.”

Show and Share

Sandi Wollin: *Warp for Scarves for Winners of Manhattan Amateur Classic Amateur Ballroom and Latin Champions. Cashmere, Silk, Merino Blend 2/28.*

December 2023: DWS Annual Challenge Show and Share

Reveal Date:

Monday, December 18, 2023 at 9:30 am Pacific time

History:

Desert Weavers and Spinners has had an exchange every June for many years. In January, a theme or an object is chosen and members make an item based on that theme. In June the items are exchanged, either at the June meeting, or by mail, if the member is out of the Coachella Valley.

In December 2023, we had a challenge instead of an exchange.

How it Worked:

In June 2023, a challenge bag was given to members who signed up. Their task was to make something with the items that they found in the bag. It was not an exchange as we got to keep the item.

What were the rules? Make something using the challenge items and individuals keep what they make. That’s the only rule.

Special Thanks:

Special thanks to Mariellen B. and Paula D. for their work on making this challenge happen. Mariellen Boss organized the event, and Paula D. donated six pounds of fiber that was divided by DWS members:

November 2023 Meeting

Date:
Monday, November 27, 2023 at 9:30 am Pacific time

Program:
Stephanie Metz: From Needle Felting to Human Sized, Felt Sculpture!

Stephanie spoke about her history, process and work.

Statement from Stephanie Metz:

“I’m a person who notices subtle details in the physical world and human interactions around me, and I pay close attention to the things that draw my attention. My artwork grows out of a sense of curiosity, play, and the desire to explore meaning.

“I’m particularly interested in the tension created when opposing qualities coexist. I work primarily in wool and industrial felt, humble materials that embody contradictions in both the physical and conceptual realms.

“I process my life through the act of transforming tangible materials into satisfying forms, which occasionally resonate with kindred spirits. I define myself as a sculptor first and foremost who happens to work primarily in fiber, but I’m not opposed to the label of ‘fiber artist.’”

Show and Share

Mariellen Boss: *Bengara Dyeing and a Dog/Wolf Hybrid*

June 2023 Meeting

Date:
Monday, June 26, 2023 at 9:30 am Pacific time

Program:

Jewelry exchange: The group talked about the pieces they made for the jewelry exchange. Photos are below:

Linda Bohlinger: *Mini Me Mykonos Origami Bag*. Woven on a rigid-heddle loom, sewn into origami shape, with knitted edging and strap.

Linda Bohlinger: *Mini Me Mykonos Origami Bag*. Yarns used: stash from a large Mykonos bag knitted in 2023 (cotton, cotton blend, silk sequined/beaded yarn)

Linda Bohlinger: *Mini Me Mykonos Origami Bag*. Folded into origami shape, prior to adding the knitted edging and strap

Linda Bohlinger: *Mini Me Mykonos Origami Bag*. Burgundy silk lining

May 2023 Meeting

Date:
Monday, May 22, 2023 at 9:30 am Pacific time

Program:

Robyn Spady spoke on Closures and noted that making a buttonhole can be daunting since it often means putting a hole in a garment or fashion accessory. In this session, participants explored different techniques that may be used to secure a garment or fashion accessory. The group learned that from frogs and hand-wrapped hooks and eyes to knotting and clasps, designing and making your own closures can be fun and exciting.

Show and Share

Linda Bohlinger: *8/2 Cotton Towel* (huck weave on rigid heddle loom)

Denise Squires: *Shawl* (woven on 24″ Ashford rigid heddle, using a 7.5 dent reed. Yarn: Lion Mandala 100% acrylic Chimera color way; Used a pick-up stick for 1:1 waffle weave. Finished size: 21.5″ X 80″)

February 2023 Meeting

Eco-Printing on Silk Scarves + Show and Share

Date:
Monday, February 27, 2023 at 9:30 am Pacific time

Program:
Eco-Printing on Silk Scarves: From Plant to Print
by Suzanne Chappell & Nettie Roberts

Nettie and Suzanne shared their eco-printing journey of discovery. They explained that eco-printing is the transfer of plant images onto cloth, paper or leather, and it can be done with or without the use of mordants. The natural juices and tannins present in plant leaves and flowers magically produce different colored prints on, in our case, fabric. They also gave a demo.

Nettie Roberts is an artist who likes to experiment with anything fiber.

Suzanne Chappell is primarily a weaver who likes to dabble.