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BURLINGTON HANDWEAVERS & SPINNERS GUILD

Issue 40 September 2015

Warped Perspective

Dates to Remember! 2015 Oct 1 – Last session:Learn to Spin with a drop spindle Sept. 26 Doors Open Guild display in studio Oct.7 – Creating Christmas ornaments: Bring your scissors and an embroidery needle Nov. 4 – 2/8 Fundraising Challenge reveal- let’s see what you have created; Jennifer and Sharon talking about the libraries hidden gems and under-used library resources. Nov 19-22 – Xmas Sale – sign up sheet for volunteers is in the studio. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Nov. 24 – Dec. 13 “Keep Me Warm One Night” – exclusive guild display in the Community Gallery. Dec.2 – Christmas Pot-Luck Program is in two segments this year. 1) Bring in your best finished handmade craft that is not handwoven or handspun. The items will be displayed anonymously and members will vote on their favortie. 2) Bring in a wrapped handmade ornament for an ornament exchange. Meetings General: 7:15 pm, the 1st Wednesday of the month September, November, December. June meetings start at 6:30 No meetings in July and August. Wednesday group and Tuesday group meet at 12:30 pm each week; the Saturday group meets at 10:30am.

Burlington Handweavers & Spinners Guild 1333 Lakeshore Road, Burlington, ON L7S 1A9

Phone: 905-632-7796 bhsguild.ca

President's Message: Sue Stasiuk, President

Creativity Fall is always a great time to play with fibre; nature’s colours are amazing. At this time of year, we begin to focus on the Christmas Sale. Hard to believe we are talking about Christmas when the weather is still so warm. I do hope we have plenty of items to offer and don’t forget about the men. I hope everyone is weaving and spinning up a storm for this year’s Christmas Sale. And try not to forget the men. In addition to this, I’m sure you have all started to think about your next creation for ‘Chaos’, the theme for the 2016-curated show. I love it when everything falls into place, ideas, design, weaving etc. but this

does not always happen. How often have you had a great idea but struggle with organizing the way to implement it? Or you may have some wonderful fibre and have a mental block how to use this it. A friend once said to me when I had a work related problem, “increase the distance between you and the problem. It boosts your creativity and you may also gain new insights and clarity by thinking about a problem more abstractly”.

Similarly, Albert Einstein said “Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.” Take a moment to reflect on this, here was a physicist whose work was governed by mathematics and science rules, advising us to think differently. So take time out literally. Go for a walk. Clear your head. And come back and look at your work with a new eye. Or better still, go for a glass of wine with a fellow fibre friend and bounce ideas around. Brainstorm.

For me, I always find the best time of day to develop new ideas is first thing in the morning just when the sun comes up. The light is perfect. Find your ‘best time.’ You may discover that’s all you need to unleash your inner creativity.Within the guild we have many creative people who think outside the box. Let’s use our imagination and make something extraordinary for the next sale and Curated show -Sue-

2   BHSG Warped Perspective Issue 40 September 2015   A Garden Party for Some Special Ladies!

Photos above show the attendees at the celebration to honour five of our longest serving members. Huge thank you to our gracious host and hostess – The Stasiuk’s. It was a warm sultry day on August 16th in the exquisite gardens of their property. The water was trickling into the pond, the beverages were flowing and all but one of our honorees was in attendance. Congratulations to Joanne Van Der Linden, Doreen Winter, Freida Veitch,, Lois Wyndham and Helen Amos (in absentia)

    3   Celebrating over 200 years of guild membership, our August 16th summer event, honoured the five longest standing members; Helen Amos, Joanne Van der Linden, Doreen Winter, Freida Veitch and Lois Wyndham. Their personal histories and beginnings of their fibre journies, are amazing.

Joanne van der Linden was born in Amsterdam, Netherlands in 1921. She survived the horrific, Nazi occupation, escaping out of the radio town of Hilversum. Joanne, who was a new mother, immigrated to Hamilton in 1947. Her family moved into their first house on Walker’s Line. She loved Burlington and has remained ever since. She had always been a knitter and sewn her own clothes. In 1971 Joanne began classes with Frances Forstner. She started beading in 1980 at the OHS conference. Her beaded amulets and necklaces are award winning and amazing creations. Her detailed replicas, in beads, capture the great works of art, and in themselves become………great works of art.

Freda Veitch was born in 1931, in a small village in the UK. As a young teen, they saw the evacuees from London bombings coming to their village. “We were nasty to them” admitted Freda. (see Doreen). Sewing and knitting were the norm, with all hands available knitting scarves for the thousands of seamen in the war. She immigrated to Cooksville, ON, in the 1970’s, where she took up spinning. Her first wheel cost her $65. Her fibre journey continued after a move to Burlington. She took classes with both Ted Carson and Frances Forstner, a founding members of our guild. Doreen Winter was born in London, England in 1934. She was evacuated from London during the blitz, and ended up being passed from foster home to foster home for a period of 6 years, ending in South Wales. Did she go to Freda’s village? No one is talking. Doreen completed dress making college and worked in the fashion industry in England for a number of years. An exemplary seamstress and embroiderer she brought some wonderful skills to her weaving and spinning lessons after arriving in Burlington in 1969. Lois Wyndham was born in Toronto in 1945. There was always fibre in her

childhood, knitting, crocheting since age 10. A librarian by profession, the family travelled to Uganda in the 1970’s. During the Idi Amin years, they realized they were in a very dangerous situation as foreign nationals, and returned to Canada in May of 1971, with a new baby in tow. Lois was inspired at a craft show at Nelson arena, where she saw a weaver working on a Dorothy loom. It was Freda Veitch who invited her to joined the guild. She started learning from Frances Forstner, at the time, conducting lessons in the parks and recreation centre.

Helen Amos was born in 1918. Currently in ill health, she was unable to attend our celebration. Helen joined the guild after moving from the Sault to Burlington, shortly after it was founded. She was active with the OHS, teaching and writing. Her book of samples had included actual woven samples for over 1,000 editions. She has mentored countless weavers who learned from her detailed charts and her experience.

4   BHSG Warped Perspective Issue 40 September 2015   A Casual Encounter with Gobelins (Part 1) There is a small gallery of “Gobelins and National Furniture” in the 13th district of Paris, rather off the beaten track. To see tapestries in Paris people usually go to Louvre or to Versailles for grander, more impressive collections. They come to “The National Manufacture of Gobelins” to see tapestry weavers and restorers at work and hear the story of French tapestry manufacturing from a knowledgeable guide. The gallery and the workshops are now run by the French Ministry of Culture. Its aim is to preserve the tradition, restore the heritage and encourage creativity of contemporary artists. In more down to earth terms: to supply French government offices with tapestry and furniture. The output of the workshops is never meant (and never has been) for private collections but exclusively for government use, which includes diplomatic gifts.

A couple of tapestry restoration stations sit in plain view of gallery visitors. The restorers painstakingly insert the warp to replace the damaged one and try to imitate the original fibre and colours to bring the tapestry to its former splendour

The workshops can be visited three afternoons a week by earlier online appointment in a guided 1.5 hour tour, in French only, to better explain all the nuances of French weaving.

The gallery is open 11-18, Tuesday-Sunday, the admission is free. It is housed in an early 20th century two-storey building and has a collection of tapestries and furniture, both historic and contemporary, on display. Picture taking is allowed in the gallery:

    5   When a small group of tourists enters the Gobelins’ compound, the gate is immediately closed and locked behind. The compound consists of four 17th century typical Parisian slate-roof buildings, a cobbled street that runs between and a monument to Charles Le Brun, the royal painter of the king Louis XIV and the first director of The Gobelins.

The cobblestone street follows the bed of the now channeled underground Bièvre River. The Manufacture of Gobelins would not have existed here without that small river that used to rise near Versailles and flow into the Seine near the Austerlitz railway station. It all started here because of the river, where in mid-15th century a certain Jehan Gobelin of Reims established a dyeing shop on its banks. He soon became well known for his reds and scarlets. The business flourished for the next two centuries, the river and the district became known as Gobelins. So far, it had nothing to do with tapestries, famous or not. Enter Henry IV, the king of France, who in early 17th century decided to limit imports of carpets and tapestries to save the royal purse and to develop their production in France. The king rented the compound from the Gobelin family and invited two Flemish artisans to start tapestry operation. The operation gathered steam even more under the King Louis XIV, whose minister (or Controller-General of Finances) Jean-Baptiste Colbert, keen on improving French manufacturing, persuaded the king to buy Gobelin workshops and create “Crown’s Royal Factory of Furniture and Tapestries”. The compound under Colbert employed one thousand craftsmen and artisans and soon started to furnish royal houses with exquisite tapestry and upholstered furniture. Since then the Gobelins continue to weave masterpieces in collaboration with great artists of the times of the stature of Rubens, Le Brun, Boucher, Corot, Cézanne, Monet, Arp, Miró, Picasso, Chagall, Matisse... It is said that King Louis XIV obtained during his long reign some 2100 tapestries. It sounds a bit excessive, even for a king. Queen Anne of Austria and Cardinal Mazarin were among the best customers of the Gobelins. The manufacture had its ups and downs in history. The French Revolution brought the destruction of many tapestries, when all the royal insignia where brutally cut-out. Down with the feudal symbols! Long live the Republic! Well, the Gobelins managed to survive the upheaval of the revolution and soon under Napoleon recovered its former glory, when the new emperor ordered many empire-style tapestries to commemorate his rule. The next upheaval came with the French Commune, when the main gallery was burnt to the ground.

The Gobelins compound was only one of the three producing fine weaving for the French government. The Manufacture of Beauvais was another one established in 17th century and moved into Gobelins compound after the bombing during World War II. The Beauvais was mostly famous for its tapestry designed to upholster furniture and make panels used as screens. The third of the trio was the Savonnerie, established in the old soap factory (hence its name) by the King Louis XIII. The Savonnerie in its heyday employed about sixty orphans aged 10-12 and apprenticed for 6 years. It is most famous for its knotted-pile carpets.It all began with travels to Turkey of a certain Pierre Dupont where he learnt the technique

6   BHSG Warped Perspective Issue 40 September 2015   from Turkish carpet makers. He even wrote the “Treatise on the Manufacture of Turkish Carpets”, published in 1632 and considered the prime source of information on carpet manufacturing in the early 17th century. Do we have it on our library list? Savonnerie knotted carpets (wool with silk details) used Turkish “Ghiordes knots” at about 90 knots per square inch. In the Ghiordes knot, the weft yarn passes over the two warp yarns, and is pulled through between them and then cut to form the pile. It is different than the Persian knot, (used for finer grain) where the yarn is wrapped around only one warp, and then passed behind the adjacent warp. Apart from technique, Savonnerie carpets never imitated Turkish carpets. Since the beginning they had purely French design: bouquets of flowers, framed medallions with deep blue or black background. Carpets and hangings done “in the French manner” at the Savonnerie became famous. Louis XV even offered one to the sultan of Ottoman Empire to impress him with the quality of French tapestry. The nerve! Did he mention its “in the Turkish manner” origins? By the time we soaked up all the history, walking gingerly on cobbled stones that covered the river, we reached the first of the workshops. ……. (to be continued in December edition of Warped Perspective) -Submitted by Irena Thomas- START WORKING!!! CHRISTMAS SALE of Fine Art and Craft NOV. 19 – 22, 2015. Times for the event are as follows: Thursday 11am -9pm Friday 11am -4 pm Saturday 11am -4pm Sunday 11am – 4pm Volunteers are needed, and merhandise to be sold is needed. Volunteers are also needed to monitor the Arts Burlington silent auction . Sign up sheets are in the studio. It’s not too late to get something done!!!

KEEP ME WARM ONE NIGHT – Exclusive show and sale Members of the Burlington guild have a unique opportunity for a show in the community gallery of the AGB. Your work will be shown from November 24 – December 13, 2015. Create an item of apparel, scarves, hats, stoles, shawls, capes, coats etc. Can be a selling opportunity if you wish or simply a great chance to show Gallery visitors how incredible woven and hand spun items can be!!!

Happy Weaving!!!!

    7   Going to MAFA, a Wonderful Weekend in July -by Jennifer Earle- My Story: In July, three intrepid trippers loaded a van on a Thursday and headed off to Millersville, Pennsylvania. Well, actually, Ruth and Margaret Jane did the loading of floor looms into the van and I like a princess was picked up with my laptop and bag and off we went to a great experience down in the USA. We had a bit of a scenic drive, took turns at the wheel and ended up at Millersville University within the check in time. The line-up at the college desk was long, but we managed to get through in time to get to the dining hall for dinner and following that to the talk by the keynote speaker, Jennifer Moore.

The latter is author of several publications/DVD's on Double Weave. She gave a very interesting talk about key events that happened on her weaving way through life. I remember later a participant saying "It's so nice that everywhere Jennifer landed during transitional points, there was always a weaving/teaching facility within reach .... never happened for me!" Nevertheless, her talk was full of the wonders of synchronicity of events and opportunities. Some of us had the energy remaining to go to the vendor’s hall. The accommodations in the residence were good, with private bedrooms and a mutual bathroom and common space shared with your "pod" mate. I never met mine except in passing one time. I think she was an early morning jogger while I obviously am not.

Workshop:Making Tamari Ball

Jen Weber & Karen Heppen It was interesting that diners carried a plate rather than a tray around the various buffet stations. It was posted that the absence of trays reduced the amount of waste. Found it a bit of a challenge to find one's own traditional breakfast favourites, but by the end all was revealed, although I never did find the hot oatmeal, even after Margaret Jane's directions. We were all in different classes which ran for two and a half days. Ruth worked with Jason Collingwood (Twill Rug Weaving) and Margaret Jane with Robin Spady (Cutting Loose with Tied Weaves). The class ran Friday, Saturday, and a half day on Sunday. I can speak to the excellence of my class with Margaret Coe. "Laptops and Looms" was run in a computer lab equipped with huge MAC’s, which we were not to touch. Each of my classmates set up their laptops...a wide variety of MAC's and PC's. We came loaded with some various versions of Photoshop Elements and Fiberworks Silver particular to our operating systems. Marg was a wonder in the way she could switch between platforms and versions of software. Her course was designed to teach the multi-shaft loom owner how to use Photoshop Elements to design in the lift-plan. I found the potential very exciting and look forward to developing the information and technology into my own designs. Unfortunately at this time, it is all in my head and not on a loom. Reporting on the conference, I would like to say that it was well organized. I believe they said that they had over 300 attendees, and were most pleased with the turn out. After class Friday, the evening entertainment was composed of a Fashion Show and the Vendors Hall (open Thursday through Saturday evening).

Up in the morning to experience the marvels of a modern university campus....a dining hall in which you swiped your food card and could eat all you want.

Workshop:Don’t Change the Sheets, Change the Cloth Anita Luvera Mayer

8   BHSG Warped Perspective Issue 40 September 2015   The Fashion Show was a very open event and quite casual. Participants filled in a description of their entry earlier and then on the evening were called up alphabetically to the stage. A friendly Commentator read the card and then one walked the "catwalk" through the audience. Saturday was different if only because our meal times got changed a bit due to the campus accommodating an influx of football players. Our classes continued, and on Saturday evening we were encouraged to visit the various classrooms to see what has going on. We enjoyed a big downpour during our tour and Margaret Jane and Ruth did a great job being good Samaritans and helping load a couple of looms into a car. It was interesting for me to see the work of the "big name" teachers and their students. I’m sure looking at the list of instructors below, you will recognize many names; Sharon Alderman Sarah Jackman Kthe Todd-Hooker Jason Collingwood Linda Hartshorn Mimi Smith Barbara Diefenderfer Inge Dam John Mullarkey Cathie Chung Gay McGeary Ruby Leslie Polly Barton Tom Knisely Amy Tyler Anita Luvera Mayer Karen Heppen Robyn Spady Chad Alice Hagen Marie Thompson Martha Owen Marg Coe Jennifer Moore Sara Bixler Denise Koynat Barbara J. Walker Barbara Herbster Regina Sst. John Michelle Boyd Andrea Mielke Schroer Bobbie Irwin Norma Smayda Su Butler Sara Jackson Mimi Smith The next MAFA is in 2017. I think there are many conferences across the border that would be interesting to members of the guild. We need to open our eyes to learning opportunities that are within reach. The following is copied from the MAFA website in case you want to know more about this biannual conference. http://mafafiber.org “Welcome to the web site for the Mid-Atlantic Fiber Association (MAFA). MAFA is a non-profit organization whose objectives are to promote education in the fiber arts, to plan, organize, and conduct conferences, and to facilitate communication among member guilds”. MAFA represents nearly 60 guilds from 8 states and the District of Columbia in the Mid-Atlantic region. Our

member guilds are located in NY, PA, MD, VA, NJ, DE, DC, NC, and WV. Individuals become automatic members through membership in a participating guild. 2015 was MAFA’s largest Workshop Weekend to date! We had 306 students from 24 states and 2 Canadian provinces. 31 vendors provided necessities and enticements from their booths in the vendor hall. 12 guilds created exhibits that highlighted special projects or the work of their guild in general. 35 instructors taught 34 classes that embraced a wide spectrum of the fiber arts. 7 novice weavers and 5 novice spinners were awarded Allan Fannin scholarships. 4 Fiber Fellowships were awarded — we can look forward to reading about the recipients’ fellowship projects on MAFA’s website in

Workshop: Warp Painting Sue Butler

the coming year. 71 people took the opportunity to show their work in the “fashion show” —from gorgeous wearables and wall hangings to a practical seat cushion and a whimsical felt flamingo. In our first-ever door-prize drawing, one lucky person won a bag and books donated by the Handweavers Guild of America; an even luckier person won class tuition donated by the John C. Campbell Folk School.

    9   OUR THEME FOR THE ALL GUILD SHOW IN 2016

REVIEWS Next Steps in Weaving What you never knew you needed to know by Pattie Graver, Interweave Press, 2015 $36.95 CDN (Gemini Fibres, Camilla Valley Farm Weavers' Supply) This is a book I wish I had 30+ years ago as a “newish” weaver! It assumes you know weaving basics, dressing the loom, winding shuttles, etc. The goal is to take you from beginner to a confident intermediate, and to quote from the introduction, enhance your “know how” with “know why”. There are five chapters:

This is definitely the book for newer weavers to add to their Christmas list!

- by Joyce Newman-

cha·os- kāˌäs/noun noun: chaos; plural noun: chaoses o complete disorder and confusion."snow caused chaos in the

region" o synony

ms:

o disorder, disarray, disorganization, confusion, mayhem, o bedlam, pandemonium, havoc, turmoil, tumult, o commotion, o disruption, upheaval, uproar, maelstrom; Moremuddle, o mess, shambles, free-for-all; anarchy, lawlessness, o entropy; informalhullabaloo, hoopla, train wreck,

o antonyms:

o o

Learning with Twill Learning with Colour and Weave Learning with Overshot Learning with Summer and Winter Learning with Lace Each chapter is designed as a comprehensive course on the topic, covering theory and terminology, complete with lots of tips, samples to weave, and 2 projects. Although the projects have full instructions (a la Handwoven magazine), the author offers suggestions for changes to encourage the reader to use the instructions as the starting point for designing a one of a kind piece. Like all Interweave books, it is beautifully designed, with clear illustrations and explanations of theory, all accompanied with Joe Coca's exquisite photographs.

10   BHSG Warped Perspective Issue 40 September 2015   GIGGLES…….. J J J J J

Opportunities

CHRISTMAS SALE

The more choice that is available, the more we can sell. Think eternity scarves, cowls, capes, cloaks, vests, scarves, hats, and don’t forget the men who might love a woven tartan

or twill scarf. Tea towels, placemats and table runners are perennial favourites… There is still time – get working!!!

November 19 – 22, 2015 A wonderful chance to show and potentially sell your work. No gallery fees, and only a modest apportionment to the guild and Arts Burlington.

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“KEEP ME WARM ONE NIGHT” - Exclusive show for the BHSG in the community gallery of the AGB, November 24 to December 13, 2015. Create some piece of apparel, scarfs, mittens, coats, etc. Can be a selling opportunity if you wish or simply an opportunity to show Gallery visitors how awesome woven items can be!!!!!!

WORLD WIDE SPIN IN PUBLIC DAY

Saturday, September 19, 2015 Jennifer, Lauren and Danuta were the

Burlington contingent for this international sensation!

Vav, Sweden Lillehammer, Norway Quebec

Brooklyn, NY Birmingham, England

12   BHSG Warped Perspective Issue 40 September 2015  

Burlington Handweavers and Spinners 2015 Executive

President: Sue Stasiuk Vice-Pres: Marsha Walters

Past-Pres: Nancy Rose

Treasurer: Marilyn Fish Assist:

Secretary: Jennifer Earle Assist:

Display: Jim Thomas Assist: Irena Thomas

Flowers: Barbara Manning Assist: Donalda Williams

Curated Show: Eleanor Roberts

Assist: Sue Stasiuk

Librarian: Jennifer Earle Assist: Sharon Gowland Looms & Equipment: MargaretJane Wallace _

Assist: Jim Thomas

Membership: Lauren Arkell Assist: Richard Aylen

Newsletter Editor: Bonnie Sylvia

Assist: Jennifer Earle Phone Committee:

Fran Boisvert Sales: Lesley French

Assist: Nancy Mazzetti Social: Gisela Risse Assist: Irena Thomas

Programs: Saira Jan-Meyer Assist: Colleen Nolan

Mentoring: Fran Boisvert

Kaleidoscope: Barbara Scott Rosemarie Anich-Erickson

Christmas Sale: Diane Woods

Assist: Sue Stasiuk Arts Burlington: Nancy Rose

Marsha Walters

Webmaster: Lauren Arkell “Wake up happy. Chase a cloud. Savor a memory. Laugh out loud.”

In loving memory of the original editor of Warped Perspective, Ruth Stowe

Hot Websites/Blogs Weaving Loom made out of Lego And it works, fabulous to see, complete with a fly shuttle. Check out: http://www.nico71.fr/ __________________________________ Joshua Creek Heritage Art Centre www.joshuacreekarts.com This Art Centre in north Oakville is currently hosting the Rampen-Calverley Textile Exhibition. Hand crafted textiles apparel and household items spanning over 5 centuries and 15 countries. On now until November 1. Joshua Creek Heritage Art Centre, 1086 Burnhamthorpe Rd. E, Oakville Silk Felt Impossible Textiles http://www.silkfelt.com/ “Welcome Felt Fanatics, Let's play with fibres, fabrics, dyes; add soap and water, heat and time; stroke, rub, vibrate, roll, throw, tie, press, clamp, stitch, fold or cut. And let us use our creativity freely and find out what IS possible...” Bringing felting into the 21st century. ___________________________________ Awagami Factory http://www.awagami.com/ Awagami factory continues the production of an exclusive brand of Japanese washi papers. The family shares 8 generations of knowledge and technique of papermaking. They are designated a world heritage craft. There mission is to bring the applications of this ancient art into the modern world. Fascinating and mesmerizing to watch the process. Always looking for new and interesting websites and blogs. Please feel free to pass them along.