Hello Spinners,
We have 14 registered in our class. The last class will be this month. We plan a party so bring your colored fleece and your enthusiasm. Members not in the spinning class are also encouraged to come. There is enough fun for everyone to participate.
If you were thinking about signing up for the PatsyZ workshop now is the time. I have advertised it on line and we have a few coming from out of state.
Members attending: Mary, Angela, Karen, Susan
Attending class #2: Jackie, Norahann, Anna, Marie, Marjorie, Melissa, Nichol,
and welcome new students Elizabeth, Carol and Jane.
For Beginning Spinning class # 2, we practiced winding a center-pull ball on a nostepinne and plying from it, and using an Andean bracelet for plying. We practiced teasing, flicking and carding with the wool that was washed for session 1 homework. We practiced treadling wheels, then used our prepared wool for spinning on the wheels with short forward draw and short backward draw.
We brefly discussed dyeing with food coloring. Students were given another bag with 8oz. of grease wool, a packet of unsweetened drink mix and two Easter egg dye tablets. Homework is to wash the wool, divide it in thirds and dye each part. the dyed wool will be used for blending in the next class May 18.
Debit: class supplies $20
April Balance: $1,269.41
| March Balance: | $1,004.41 |
| Deposits: Dues | $30 |
| Class Fees | $40 |
| PZWS class fee: | $215 |
| Debit: Class supplies | ($20) |
| New Balance: | $1,269.41 |
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Master Spinner student Mary has been spinning up Romney into dye hanks for the natural dyeing part of her homework. |
| Spinners - please send pictures of your handspun projects for future issues. Your work just might inspire someone else. | |
Spinning on the River dues are collected in April - but we forgot to mention it last month. Dues are $10/year. New spinners who paid dues with the beginning spinning class are covered for the year.
It's time to start planning programs for the upcoming year. Members are invited to submit suggestions in the program survey. New spinners, your opinions are needed too, even if you're not sure what you'd like to learn yet.
Spinning on the River has invited internationally known spinning instructor Patsy Sue Zawistoski for a 3-day spinning workshop in Memphis, July 25, 26 & 27, 2008.
The workshop will be held at our regular meeting room at St. Francis. Class is limited to 15 participants; 10 slots are currently filled. Class fee is $175 + $25 materials fee, $30 late fee after June 1st. See the workshop registration form for full details.
From Patsy's website http://www.spinninguru.com/, our workshop will be:
Cellulose Fibers: Old & New, Long & Short
Naturally colored cottons, various flax preparations, hemp, ramie, rayon, Tencel™ and the rayon from Bamboo have similar characteristics, but vastly different spinning and preparation techniques. The fibers vary from 1/2 inch cotton to more than a meter for hemp. Learn how to explore, combine and maximize these fibers' potential. Various preparations, dyeing, spinning, plying, finishing and record keeping will be covered.Goal: The first goal for this class is to clarify the underlying differences between the wide varieties of Cellulose fibers currently on the market. The second goal is to learn techniques needed to obtain the yarns desired, including preparing, dyeing, spinning and finishing.
Day one
This is an "Intermediate Beginner" class - The student should be comfortable with their wheel and able to spin a "good enough" yarn (not perfect) and ready for a new challenge. They do not need to have experience in any of the fibers I am covering, I will be introducing the fibers. However, they will be challenged to spin fibers of different lengths, which are not wool. They may have tried the cellulose fibers but not feel comfortable with them.
Friday April 25, 2008 Mary and I were once again Pioneers for a Day for the fourth grade classes at Crosswind Elementary in Collierville. Ms. Caldwell presented us with certificates of appreciation for sharing our craft with the students for the last several years. We start from raw fleece and work our way through combing and carding, the differences between wool and cotton, natural dyes, spindles from all over the world, and other fibers, tying it all back to the resourcefulness of pioneers.
Sharing spinning with children or the public in general can be very rewarding - give it a try in a future demo opportunity, like the fairs coming up this fall.
To introduce myself, my name is Deb Kornrumpf. I have contacted you, and have met with several of you during demostrations in Arlington and beyond. As always, I am fastinated by your craft and am forever interested.
I have recently accepted a position in Activities at the Kirby Pines Estates in Memphis. Kirby Pines is a retirement community, and as the name suggests, I am involved in the FUN part of what goes on here.
I was hoping I could entice you to give a demonstration at our facility at some point. We have a fantastic arts and craft room with many eager ladies who would love to see what you do.
If this would ever be possible, please email me or call me at 619-5979.
Thank you,
Deb
MIFA Love Caps is hosting WWKIP day this year and has scheduled the event
on Saturday June 14 at the Central Library from 10 am - 1 pm.
Would some of you be able to join us to Spin in Public?
The agenda is as follows:
Event starts at 10:00
10:15 - 11:00 knitting and crocheting lessons for the public, spinning demonstrations,
stitch n chat
11 - 12:15 show and tell, fast knitting and crocheting contests, door prizes
12:15 - 1:00 knitting and crocheting lessons for the public, spinning demonstrations,
stitch n chat
It would be nice to have at least two spinners per session. You can take
shifts if nobody wants to stay the whole time.
There will be an information table so bring some a flyers or brochures to
promote your guild. You can keep updated on WWKIP news at www.lovecaps.wordpress.com.
Please let me know if we will have the pleasure of your company!
Sarah Terry
MIFA Love Caps
The Delta Fair and Music Festival is August 29-September 17, 2008. This year the Delta Fair has added handspinning and other craft categories. Full details are available in the Premium Book.
Entry forms are due on or before Thursday August 14, 2008.
Entries must be brought to the Agricenter on Saturday August 23, 2008 from
9 AM to 6 PM
Pickup is Monday September 8, 2008 2 to 8 PM
Category K: Handspun Skein and garment
Blend or wool skeins must contain a minimum of 50 yards.
Cotton skeins must contain a minimum of 25 yards.
Skeins must be 1 ½ to 2 yards in circumference, wound neatly and tied
in at least three places.
Best of show $25 1st $7.50 2nd $5.00 3rd $3.00
K1 blends, dyed or natural
K2 handspun skein, youth
K3 handmade article made from handspun yarn
K4 100% cotton, dyed or natural
K5 100% exotic fiber, dyed or natural
K6 100% wool, dyed or natural
The Mid-South Fair is September 19-28, 2008. There are several events for spinners - sheep and fleece shows, fleece silent auction, and handspinning contests. We are also invited to demonstrate spinning in the Creative Arts building.
The deadline for Creative Arts entry forms is Friday, August 22nd. Take-in of exhibits will be Sunday, September 7, 12-5 and Monday, September 8, 10-8. Pick up entries Tuesday, September 30. Additional classes are listed in the Creative Arts Premium Book available from the Mid-South Fair website.
LOT 2 – KNITTING, CROCHETING AND WEAVING
Awards: 1st-$7.50, 2nd-$5.00, 3rd-$3.00, Best of Show-Rosette and $25
Handspun Skein & Garment
Each wool or blends skein must contain a minimum of 50 yards, each cotton skein must contain a minimum of 25 yards. Each skein should be 1 ½ to 2 yards in circumference, wound neatly, and tied in at least 3 places. Failure to do so will disqualify the skein.
Classes 200-205
200. 100% wool, natural or dyed
201. 100% cotton, natural or dyed
202. 100% exotic fiber, natural or dyed
203. Blends, natural or dyed
204. Handspun skein, novice or junior
205. Handmade article made from handspun yarn (may be felted)
All meeting refreshments are Pot Luck.
Meeting - Sunday, May 18, 1:30-5pm
Program: Beginning Spinning, session 3
Workshop registration closes
Meeting - Sunday, June 22, 1:30-5pm - Note: this is
the 4th Saturday
Meeting - Sunday, July 20, 1:30-5pm
Workshop - Friday-Sunday, July 25-27, 2008
Cellulose Fibers, Long and Short, Old and New with Patsy
Sue Zawistoski