Wichita Weavers, Spinners & Dyers GuildPosted on by webadmin
Our next 6-week weaving session is scheduled to begin on January 23, 2023.
There has been a slight delay due to some health issues, and we deeply appreciate those who have stepped up to make sure the classes run smoothly!
As we prepare to transition to online registration for this class (we’re not there yet), we ask those who are interested in signing up for this session to submit the form on our Weaving Studio page if they have not already declared their intent to an instructor.
It is always gratifying to help new weavers begin their journey, and to see the beautiful projects that not-so-new weavers create!
Wichita Weavers, Spinners & Dyers GuildPosted on by WebAdmin
The Kansas Alliance of Weavers and Spinners (KAWS) annual conference is now in the books. The Topeka Handweavers and Spinners Guild pulled together a rich and intimate event in Auburn, KS on September 16th & 17th. Several Wichita guild members attended and participated, and a good time was had by all!
There were classes, vendors (one of whom, Benz Rambouillet, provided fleeces for the breed study!), food and activities, and an inspiring keynote speech and slide show on botanical dyeing by Laura Mead.
Our guild table was a display of the combined efforts of multiple spinners who participated in the breed study funded by a grant from the Kansas Sheep Council, and while we were delighted that it was awarded second place, we are most happy about the attention it garnered from attendees and the discussions it started.
The fiber works on display were beautiful and varied, making voting for a favorite a difficult decision. The weaving with the chalice design at far left in the first photo was awarded the prestigious Pete Soeken award, in honor of one of KAWS’ founding members.
The fiber display winners were:
3rd, Laura Mead’s botanical printed jacket
2nd, Janet Hamous’ Partridge in a Pear Tree (left or above)
1st, Sharon Barnes’ spindle case (below)
Our Guild was well represented!
The 2023 KAWS conference will be held in Lawrence on June 9, 10 and 11, so put it on your calendar and watch for more information!
We are proud to announce that the Kansas Sheep Council has selected the Guild as recipient of a grant to fund educational activities to promote wool!
There are two parts to the grant activities:
Equipment purchase of one spinning wheel and two rigid heddle looms to support our long-term goal of teaching spinning and weaving skills, and
Funding a breed study, using fleece from 10 different breeds of sheep raised by Kansas producers.
The breed study will be limited to 10 participants, who will receive wool from each fleece to process, spin and produce a sample. They will meet regularly via Zoom to relate their experiences and observations about each type of wool.
Watch our Facebook group for photos and comments through the duration of the study (July – early September)!
Yarn samples and swatches will be collected to create a display for the Guild and one for the Kansas Sheep Council, so others can see, feel and learn from the work of the participants.
And here are pictures of a few of the actual fleece growers!
