All regular monthly programs are held at the Trinity Congregational Church 2725 4 mile Rd. NW Grand Rapids MI unless otherwise announced or arranged.

The Spinning Study Group meets at 7:30 on the 3rd and 5th Mondays of the month at City Knitting, 423 Norwood Se, Grand Rapids, MI 49506 (in Eastown). Contact Diane VanderPol for more information.

Frequent Fiber Club meets at 6:30p at the church before each monthly guild meeting. Contact Betty Christians for more information.

The Drafting Divas meet at 6:30 Monday evenings at the Olive Garden on Alpine Ave. Contact Ann Bont if you want to join.

Knitting group meets from 10:00 to 12:30 the second and fourth Saturdays in January, February & March at Boston Square Christian Reformed Church. Contact Margaret Jager if you want to join.

2008 Programs

January 7, 2008: Weaving Resolutions for 2008, sale recap & discussion led by Ann Bont. Program & calendar project Committees.

February 4, 2008: Marie Gile will present A Sampling of Eastern Textiles: Vietnam, Cambodia, China and Tibet.

March 3,2008: Daryl Lancaster Great Garments from Handwoven Cloth Daryl Lancaster will be presenting an interactive lecture and open critique of her own and participant's hand-woven clothing. Those participating in the critique will be asked to bring "show and tell"; garments they have made, garments that didn’t work, garments under construction, hand-woven fabrics that haven’t been made-up yet, and lots of questions, both technical, and aesthetic. Daryl will also give a short presentation on tips for working with hand-woven fabric

April 14, 2008: "100 Plus Years of Fashion" vintage fashion show presented by Goodwill Industries. Please bring cookies or crumpets to share.

May 5, 2008:

Color Ray

A glimpse into my world

Presented by Carol Larsen

DEFINITION:

Color : any color other than black, white, and gray; is distinguished by the qualities of hue (as red, brown, yellow, etc) and lightness or brightness and saturation (the degree of intensity of a hue).

Ray : a disclosure of mental or spiritual enlightenment [a ray of intelligence].

A program designed to stimulate and encourage experimentation with color in regards to all textile work.   Through the presentation of ideas, sampling, processes, and hands-on projects, members will be encouraged to move outside the boundaries of “safe” color usage into creating truly vibrant end products whether through weaving, spinning, felting or other related textile usage.

Participators supply list for all textile mediums :

•  Sharp paper scissors & 12” ruler OR small to medium size cutting mat, straight edge & rotary cutter with a blade for paper OR straight-cut paper shredder (not cross-cut) & extension cord.

•  Pencil, pen, and paper for notes

•  Plain paper – used in printer for background of color projects

•  Scotch tape

•  Photos or pictures from magazines or similar publications with pleasing colors

•  Color wheel with a gray scale chart on it (Michaels carries these)

•  Collection of scrap paper in colors. Examples: junk mail (especially if blank on 1 side is great), inside of safety envelopes, any type of paper or cardstock with very little printing on it, leftover scrapbook paper, decorative bags no longer useable, etc.

Optional : watercolor pencils, watercolor paper, cup and small paintbrush to play with color blending

Bag Project Exchange

June 2, 2008: Year end wrap-up, potluck and stash reduction rummage sale

September 8, 2008: Fiber Arts Books

October 6, 2008: Trish Lange

November 3, 2008: TBA

December 1, 2008: Holiday Party & Gift Exchange

Workshops

We are greatful to Joan Sheridan Hoover of Heritage Spinning & Weaving in Lake Orion Michigan for helping us with a uniqe opportunity. Renowned textile artist Daryl Lancaster will be leading a 2 day workshop March 4 & 5 during which we will be constructing a vest with our hand woven fabrics. Click the Heritage link above to get details on the workshops she will be leading February 29-March 2 in Lake Orion.

Handwoven Clothing 101, presented by Daryl Lancaster will be held March 4 & 5 at Trinity Cogregational church. We still have room available for those of you interested in learning to sew your handwoven fabrics from an expert weaver/seamstress. Even if you do not have a handwoven fabric, there are novelty fabrics you can purchase to use in the workshop. Once you learn the techniques, you can apply it to future projects using fabric you have woven. Don't miss out on this wonderful opportunity.

Download workshop outline here.

Bryan Schnieder-Thomas will be hosting the popular "Dying Days" at his Kent City studio March 29, 2008.

Jochen Ditterich will teach a one day workshop on weaving handwoven blankets April 12, 2007 at the Franciscan Center. The cost will be $25.00. This would be a good workshop for beginning weavers or more advanced weavers.
Jochen has provided a variety of patterns in 4 shaft, 6 shaft or 8 shaft designs. The patterns will be available at Feb., March, April meetings. Your looms will be warped ahead of time. We will be making sample blankets on our own workshop looms.
If you would like to take the workshop and do not have a workshop loom, call Linda Blue. We do have a guild loom which may be available.

Please contact Linda Blue for further information, or to register for one of these workshops.

Retreats

Retreats are opportunities to learn a new skill, complete a project, connect with other fiber enthusiasts, enjoy good food & walks on the beach. They are held from 9 am to 9pm at the Christian Reformed Conference Grounds. For $25.00 you can attend the retreat & get a home cooked lunch & supper. There may be additional charges for guest artists workshops. Retreats are usually set up for Saturdays in the Fall, Winter & Spring. The next retreat is May 10, 2008.

Please contact Linda Blue (616-363-0622) if you wish to attend.