February may be the shortest month
but a lot can happen.
On Sunday February 12th, Ann Arbor District Library sponsored the Ann Arbor Fiber Arts Expo. This all day event was filled with 10 different ‘make & take’ sessions, talks by Yarnitecture: A Knitter’s Guild to Spinning author Jillian Moreno and Crochet Magical Creatures author Drew Hill, 18 vendors selling fiber items and tools plus the Ann Arbor Fiberarts Guild display showcasing the wide range of techniques that involve using fiber.
The library had been given a 45″ wide – 8 shaft – low castle Schacht floor loom which they wanted to have in the vendors hall for demonstration and attendees could try their hand at weaving. The loom had been stored in a warehouse and I was asked to help get the it warped and to demonstrate weaving for the day.
It was a busy day with an excellent turn out from the community! AAFG guild member Sue McDowell worked the guild table while I demonstrated weaving and invited attendees – adults and kids – to give weaving a try.
The library staff were thrilled and hope to make AAFAX an annual event.
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AAFG’s February Fiber Spa was the perfect place to talk members who are quilters and embroiderers about a vintage tunic I’d been given.
I have no idea as to its origin but the stitch work is quite amazing. The fabric is shredding and worn in some places, but other sections are still solid.
The tunic sewn together in sections so the best option is to take it apart and use the parts that are still good for a future project.
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Michigan League of Handweavers is offering an online workshop this winter taught by Martha Town studying Cell Weaves:
A simple repeat threading on paired shafts creates ‘cells’
which can be woven as Lace, Deflected Double Weave,
Honeycomb, and Monks Belt.
I enjoyed Martha’s workshop studying on Twill Weaves last winter and I have minimal experience using block theadings so I am giving this workshop a try. To be honest, I was feeling way over my head after the first zoom lecture because being a self-taught weaver I do not have a working knowledge of the vocabulary. Luckily Martha had excellent slides which helped me as I began our first exercise weaving 2 lace weave gamps. I love the texture that is created and am excited to see what happens after they’re washed.
It was here at the end of February that the Ground Hog’s prediction that winter is far from over can true! Just as I was signing on for the second zoom lecture our power went out due to the freezing rain that had been building up all day on the trees – including a tree section coming to rest on the power lines down the street.
With massive power outages throughout the area we knew it could be days before the heat and lights were back. Using our electric car for a power source we were able to alternate running the furnace and refrigerator and with LED lights and a gas stove making dinner in the evening was not that different than when we have power. BUT…the rest of the house was on candle power!
Bundled up I continued weaving during the day as my loom is next to windows but at night I had to be more creative tying a battery OttLite to my floor light.
Over the next days without power I continued working on the next assignment – Deflected Double Weave. This was a challenge and SLOW weaving on some of the sections but I made it. The next gamp weaving Monks Belt was much easier by comparison. These all have great texture too and I am excited to see what happens after washing.
Thanks to the Detroit Edison line crews and the ‘tree guys’ who worked nonstop
our power was restored in 3 Days.
I’m ready for March to be a bit less exciting!
Barbara Schutzgruber - Storyteller & Weaver 