The Association of Guilds of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers held its biennial summer school this year at Harper Adams University near Newport, Shropshire England. I arrived a few day early with fellow Ann Arbor Fiberarts Guild members Helen Welford and Laurie Jones to spend a few days in Shrewbury and the surrounding area prior to the start of Summer School.
One of our day trips was to Powis Castle and Gardens to see the exhibit by Kaffe Fassett, a fiber artist best known for his colorful designs in the decorative arts.
Another day trip was to Coventry to visit the memorial of the ruined Cathedral Church of St. Michael. After the AGWSD Summer School in 2019, Helen created a felt wall hanging depicting the scorched structure with a field of poppies in the forefront as a way to honor those who died in that attack.
During WWII the most severe raid, which the Luftwaffe code-named ‘Moonlight Sonata’, was on the night of November 14, 1940. An estimated 568 people were killed and 4,300 homes destroyed, along with St Michael’s Cathedral. A conscious and collective decision was taken to build a new cathedral and to preserve the ruins as a constant reminder of conflict, the need for reconciliation, and the enduring search for peace.
Then it was on to Harper Adams University for Summer School.
Day 1 – Harper Adams University is an Agricultural University that supports local producers and farmers, is passionate about sustainability and the meat served in the dinning hall comes from the University’s farm where possible. Here we saw plenty of AG humor: a 6 foot pair of welly boots and building names like The Welly Inn (student bar), Feed Store (groceries), Graze Cafe (coffee shop) and The Barn (student night club).
Housing was in the residence halls where I had a view of the sports pitch. There’s nothing like spending a week sleeping on a dorm mattress to bring back memories of college years gone by.
This year 17 courses were offered with 280 participants attending. After gathering for general information and announcements we all headed off to our course workrooms. My course was Wet Felting and Surface Design with Sarah Waters. Sarah outlined the activities for the week ahead and had plenty of examples for us to look at and touch.
Day 2 – Our room had plenty of space to work and was well lit. I wish I had been able to bring the bed-risers I use at home to raise the table to a more comfortable height for working.
We spent the day making pre-felts (partially felted), cutting them up, then using the pieces to make something new.
We also had the appearance of the first of our wee visitors: Gnobert the Gnome and Wally – a very matted fleece that certainly did not come through the washing process successfully.
In the evening we gathered for a Craft & Chat to reconnect and catch up with folks. I had the pleasure of ending the evening by telling fiber folktales to one of the best audiences of weavers, spinners, dyers, and more!
Day 3 – Working with plastic shapes and masking tape as resists to create 3D lines and craters.
Hilda the Hedgehog joined our class to hangout with Wally and Gnobert.
Alan Parker was indispensable throughout the week as The Sharpener of Shears.
Evening activity – the silent auction filled with books, equipment, yarns, fiber, fleeces and more. I was the winning bid for a beautiful knitted lace scarf made from spun nettles. (Making clothing from stinging nettles to free loved ones from enchantment is found in many folktales!)
Day 4 – This is a half day in the workroom. The morning was spent making 16 tiles by cutting and embellishing a larger piece.
The afternoon is set aside as free time. I signed up for one of the afternoon outings – Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron in Ironbridge to tour the workroom for the Costume Project which produces bespoke costume especially representing the area in the eighteenth and nineteenth century. There are 3 levels of interpretation:
–Reproduction – costume for display – a faithful copy of an original historic textile or a copy from a painting.
–Reconstruction – costume for part of a handling collection and can be worn. It is a copy which retains the look and function of the original costume but is graded to modern sizes and often uses more robust materials and fabrics.
–Re-invention – costume for handling and wearing but using historic costume as the inspiration to create a modern interpretation that explores key functions of the original designs.
They were currently creating items to be part of a fashion through the ages event which also included steam punk and 20th century fashion. I got to try on a Re-invented Rucksack Corset made from modern materials that are used to make hiking, climbing and camping equipment.
Evening session – a lecture by Teresinha Roberts – The Silk Route. This was a fascinating talk on silk worms, the production of silk fabric and the silk trade over the centuries.
Day 5 – Adding fabrics to our felt plus stitching and tying to add as embellishments. I made a 2-sided piece that incorporated dimensional elements of felt lollipops and pebbles.
The west facing chainlink fence was great place to hang our wet felt and towels to dry during the entire week – especially on windy days.
Gnobert, Wally and Hilda obviously let it be known that this was a wonderful place to hang out as our community of wee visitors continued to grow each day.
Evening session – another fascinating talk – The Emergence of the Gored Tunic in the First Millennium by Sarah Thursfield.
Day 6 – Time to try some of the many techniques Sarah showed us. I made 2 more pieces layering prefelts and silk fabric as well as making 3D bubbles.
The Trade Show opened featuring 24 vendors selling equipment, fiber, dyes, fabric, garments and accessories.
Day 7 – The final day. Time to finish projects, begin packing the workspace and organize our display for the afternoon open house & walkabout when everyone attending, along with the public, are invited to see what each course has been doing.
Evening festivities – the Gala Dinner followed by the Fashion Show where attendees can strut their stuff from garments to woven yardage.
Summer School brought discovery, friendships and inspiration.
My mind is churning with new ideas for the next project.
This was a grand week!
Barbara Schutzgruber - Storyteller & Weaver 
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