Hello spinners!
How can we even think about working with wool when it's a hundred degrees outside? Now is a good time to work on those cooler fibers - cotton, silk, flax, polyester... If you've never tried spinning polyester, your chance is coming up soon. I'll be bringing some polyester fiberfill (yes, stuffing) for our program on alternative fibers. I spun a little bit a couple of years ago just to try something a little off the beaten path in my growing fiber collection. It was a more pleasant task and end product than I had anticipated. Mary's going to bring steel wool for us to try. She'd spun some a few months ago to make a high-grip cord. I'm curious what other found fibers will show up. I hear dryer lint has been considered. Don't worry if you find your fiber tricky, someone else might manage. Bring enough to share (please be careful with potential allergens & dusty fibers) and your favorite spinning implement. . By the end of the day we might have some new fiber sources we like. If not, just imagine how nice wool will be when the weather cools off again.
Happy Spinning,
Spinning On The River Guild members present: Mary, Sylvia, Patricia, Kimberly, Joann, Marie, Kaaren, Dana, and Angela.
Show and Tell
Mary showed the business cards that had been computer made. At last month's meeting it was decided that the Guild's business cards would be professionally printed, in order to have better quality business cards to give out as advertisement for the Spinning Guild.
Mary gave a short treasurer's report that she received from Eleanor.
The guild members are encouraged to help make up packets of drop spindles and information, which will be given to interested people who attend the Spinning Guild display at the Mid-South Fair in September.
Mary encourages everyone to put your crafts and fibers in the Fair competition. Information has been listed in previous recent Guild newsletters.
Dana suggested that the guild have a workshop on spinning for a project. Discussion followed. More information later.
Potluck snacks were enjoyed by all.
Program:
Angela presented information on Understanding Spinning Size and Twist from an
educational seminar she attended at Convergence. Size and Twist of the fibers,
are determined in part, by the fiber choice, the crimp of the wool and the fiber
preparation.
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| Angela had so much fun dying and spinning up her pink grapefruit wool
that she rainbow dyed and spun some more. This time less wool and more dye
produced an intense pink.
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Sandy's taken big steps in baby socks with Mary's technique for crocheting beads onto store-brought socks. There's about to be a very happy little girl in Missouri! |
| Spinners - please send pictures of your handspun projects for future issues. Your work just might inspire someone else. | |
The 2006 Mid-South Fair is September 21-October 1. Entry form for the Creative Arts competition are due August 24th. Handspinning classes are: 100% wool, 100% cotton, 100% exotic, blend, novice, and handmade item from handspun yarn. The premium book with details and entry forms can be found at www.midsouthfair.com. Thanks go to Brigitte and Rainbow Yarns for sponsoring handspinning classes.
There is an up and coming spinner in my home. My Princess Lia decided she likes treadling. It never is too early to start and she has always loved string, often preferring a cord Angela made to her toys. If she's this interested at 26 months, just think what she'll be able to accomplish!
This
week I received two new additions at my home. One is the beautiful Belle, a
rescue rabbit. She is a little worse for wear but I'm sure she'll heal and provide
wonderful wool. She and my old bunny, Blanch, are having a grand time sniffing
each other through the cage divider. After I cleaned the matted wool and scrubbed
her face I was able to harvest a great deal. She has some trust issues but she
is a dear, nearly falling asleep in my lap while I combed her underside. Both
of my buns are white and I'm excited about being able to blend and dye.
My
second addition is a new wheel. I wanted one that would fold and be easily portable
for classes and Guild. I love my Ashford, I don't think there is a more versatile
wheel made and it spins like a dream but it is old (over 30 years), wearing
in to the point of constant clicking and doesn't fold. My new wheel is the Lendrum
double treadle. It fits into a carrying bag which I got free with the wheel,
along with 1/2 pound of Welsh roving.
It took a bit of getting used to but I have nearly a bobbin full that was great fun to spin. Now I have an upstairs wheel and a downstairs wheel, a wool and a cellulose wheel, a single and a double treadle wheel although I will soon be taking the Ashford apart to buff and oil and slip a double treadle into some newly placed bearings. I don't think she'll ever not be a chatty wheel but I hope she likes some new sparkle.
Note - all meeting refreshments are now Pot Luck
Meeting - Sunday, August 20, 1:30-5pm
Program: Alternate fibers
There are a lot of fibers around us that may not be recognized as spinnable
- until now! Members are encouraged to look around for fibers outside of their
stash. For example, polyester fiberfill, steel wool, pill bottle cotton, etc.
Bring enough to share and the spinning tool of your choice. We'll all swap and
try out some "new fibers." It may not make great yarn, but you will
stretch your spinning skills.
Mid-South Fair Entry Deadline - August 24th
Goat Days International Festival - September 8-10
USA Baseball field, Millington, TN. The guild will have a booth Saturday and
Sunday.
Meeting - Sunday, September 17, 1:30-5pm
Program: Fair preparations
Come prepared to card & measure wool, make CD spindles, assemble learn-to-spin
kits and finish bookmarks.
Mid-South Fair - Sept 21- Oct 1, 2006
Friday, 10-4 - demonstration in Creative Arts building
Sunday - Fleece judging and spinning demo by the fleece show
Sunday - Noon Tuesday - fleece sale silent auction
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday - demonstrations in the children's barn
Meeting - Sunday, October 15, 1:30-5pm
Program: Guild Birthday
Olds College Master Spinners Course - October 16-20
Levels 1 & 2 in Davis, Oklahoma
Meeting - Sunday, November 19, 1:30-5pm
Program: TBA
Meeting - Sunday, December 17, 1:30-5pm
Program: Holiday Party
New merchandise and books coming in almost daily. Some of the new fall merchandise is already here. The fiber baskets are full. New fibers: white tussah silk top, $35/lb and white combed mohair from Texas, $25/lb.
Brigitte Lang
www.rainbowfibres.com
1980 Exeter Road 753-9835
