Hands On Weaving at the South Valleys Library

Members of the Reno Fiber Guild have caught the "weaving bug" and everyone seemed to get a big kick out of sharing it with the public at the South Valleys Library. In the photo below, Eva shows the young weaver the next treadle to push for her weaving pattern.

 This year we added Kumihimo Braiding to our "hands on" activities.  The public was introduced to this wonderful technique through both foam discs and also the traditional Japanese braiding stand called a Marudai.  Along with the actual experience of making braids, there were many examples of completed jewelry pieces and braids to examine. Karen watches closely to help smooth the path for this budding braider.



 We want very much for everyone to have a chance to make something wonderful.  Here Pati gives a very little student a helping hand.

 

Shelley watches as a new weaver checks out the Mountain Loom and learns how to operate the levers to change sheds.

 

 

The rigid heddle loom is an inexpensive place for many people to start a weaving journey.  Kathy is helping this woman experience the joy of weaving on one of these versatile gadgets.

 

Franco is new to the Reno area, but not new to weaving.  He likes to show people how they can weave without having to buy expensive equipment.  This loom is one he fashioned himself from dowels. The design is a work in progress, so stay tuned for more innovations. (photo by Franco)

 

Rachel is another weaver who uses simple tools to weave cloth.  She brought her backstrap loom on which she weaves cloth for clothing.    Although the loom is simple in design, it takes time and practice to learn backstrap weaving and Rachel learned her skills from indigenous teachers in Guatemala and Mexico. (photo by Franco)

 

Sarah brought her 8-shaft table loom to this year's event.  She is weaving a complex design with two colors of yarn in both warp and weft as Rachel and Anni admire the pattern.

Hands On events are a lot of fun - both for the public and for the guild members who volunteer their time, looms and materials. This post doesn't come close to showing all the people who made this day a success.  A big thank you to everyone who participated.  Also please visit Franco Rios' blog for additional photos

Hands On Weaving and Demonstrations at the South Valleys Library

The Reno Fiber Guild has a long history with public weaving demonstrations.  In 1972, a couple of women had their looms at the Nevada State Fair and found that the public was so interested in what they were doing that they decided to form an organization devoted to spinning and weaving.  The result of their efforst was originally called Northern Nevada Spinners and Weavers Guild. Members found  so many interesting things to learn and do that involved fiber so eventually the guild changed its name to Reno Fiber Guild.  Today, the guild's main emphasis is weaving, although we are still interested in other fiber activities such as dyeing, braiding, beading and surface design on cloth.

On September 24th, Reno Fiber Guild partners with the South Valleys Library in Reno (15650A Wedge Parkway) to give the public a chance to try their hands at the ancient art/craft of weaving.  Between 11AM and 2PM  the whole family is invited to watch and participate in what we are doing.  The guild plans to have several looms for hands on weaving, an inkle loom, some rigid heddle looms and a couple of people demonstrating on a Japanese braiding stand called a Marudai. Plus there may be a few more surprises like a backstrap weaver who learned her skills in Mexico.

For our young at heart group (that would be kids of all ages) we will have a cardboard loom kit and helpers to demonstrate how easy it is to weave a small tapestry piece. Your woven piece and any materials left in the kit will be yours to keep. 

There will be an exhibit of handwoven items and several knowledgeable weavers who will be able to explain processes and answer your questions.

Please join us to learn more about weaving and experience the thrill of making cloth appear on the loom.

Learning to Weave - Days Two and Three

In our Learn to Weave classes there is nothing that lifts the instructor's spirits more than seeing a smile like this one.  Eva has gone through the long process of winding a warp, dressing the loom and is finally making cloth.

 

In the photos below, you see each new weaver at varying stages of the process.  Each of them has their own mentor to keep things progressing in the right direction.  It's this one-on-one attention that makes our classes special and successful.

 

 

 

 

We couldn't resist this last photo of LTW instructor, Jen.  I suspect she is doing tie ups on one of the looms and still manages a cheery smile.  Weavers are a strange lot - they love crawling under looms if it means they can get a new pattern underway.

 

 

A big thank you to all of the instructors/mentors for this year's program.  RFG is looking forward to seeing all of our new student/members in the months to come.

Weavers in Training

Our group of students started out at the beginning of May with a warped loom and directions for weaving a four shaft sampler.  We hoped to get them hooked on weaving before we got down to the nitty gritty of winding warps and dressing a loom for the first time.    

This past weekend, a group of seven got their feet wet with the real stuff. 

You will notice that student and mentor faces aren't quite so relaxed as they were on the first fun day of weaving, but everyone worked without complaint and even when there were errors to fix, did it with composure and good grace.

These are the toughest days for our newest weavers; learning how to handle the warping process on their own.  As a guild, we are attempting to provide a safety net so the offer is open to help them whenever assistance is needed.  We keep our fingers crossed that our new weavers will stick with it until they can fly solo.

 

Watch this little video to see everyone absorbed in the weaving process.

 

 

Do You Want to Learn to Weave?

The Reno Fiber Guild was so pleased with our weaving outreach last March that we are going to do it again in partnership with the South Valleys Library  You are invited to come in to the South Valleys Library and try your hand at hand weaving.

 A variety of looms will be available to sample: 

Cardboard looms that teach the basics of tapestry weaving;
Floor and table looms that are used for weaving many items such as scarves, shawls, towels & rugs;
Inkle looms that weave narrow bands used for bookmarks, hatbands, belts, & guitar straps.
Rigid heddle loom: A small, light loom that can weave a variety of items.

This is one of the cardboard looms from last year - fun to weave and then take home.

 These small introductory looms were enthusiastically greeted, even by the boys.

Each loom will have a mentor to answer your questions and help you weave for yourself. 

All ages are welcome and you are encouraged to try any of the looms in the room.  If you have ever thought that weaving might be a good creative outlet, you're right.  In addition, the library display cases will contain handwoven items, books, fiber and weaving tools during the month of March.

Come to the South Valleys Library on Wedge Parkway, March 28th from 1:00-400 and try your hand at hand weaving.

First Weaving Outreach

We arrived an hour and a half early and began our set-up.  The arrangement unfolded as looms showed up and we moved tables and chairs to fit.

We moved two tables together in the middle of the room and added a couple of chairs for the cardboard loom station.  We had made 100 of these looms.  We had no idea what to expect and just hoped that people would come.

Two ladies showed up ten minutes before the program was scheduled to start and within 20 minutes, we had close to that many visitors.  We threw a program and people came - phew.

It became apparent that we needed additional mentors for the cardboard looms as well as more chairs.

The cardboard looms were a hit!

One of the youngsters learned quickly and wove this piece.

Emily and Lexi brought their Rainbow looms to teach rubberband weaving.

 All the floor looms were available for the trying.  This little girl perched on the edge of her chair in order to reach and she took to it right away.  Her sister tried weaving on Lorene's loom nearby.

Lorene explained weaving to a prospective student.

We tried to keep track of how many people came, somewhere between 40-50.  The true measure will be seeing new weavers in the months to come.  The library was overwhelmed by the response and so pleased that they committed to partner with us again. They provided the space and advertising.  We are calling it a success.

Try Your Hand at Hand Weaving

Have you entertained the idea of learning to weave but the opportunity never presented itself?  You’re invited to try your hand at hand weaving on a variety of looms.  Our goal is to demonstrate and educate while you participate.  All ages welcome.

This style of loom is referred to as a "table loom" for the simple fact that you put it on a table while you work on it.  If you are deterred from weaving by space constraints, this is a perfect window to weaving on multiple harnesses.

Weaving can be as simple yet attractive as a cardboard loom.

This style of loom is called Inkle and is perfect for narrow projects.

This style of loom is for tapestry weaving and perfect for intricate patterns and pictures.

A floor loom can have as few as two shafts , as in a rug loom, or as many as 36 - or more.  This sampler is woven on four.

For example, these eight towels were woven on one warp but by changing the colors in the weft (sideways threads), you get eight unique towels.  This weaving pattern is appropriate for beginners and was woven on just four harnesses.

And if you've got your heart set on a floor room but just don't have space in your house, you might want to think about something like this which stores handily, even with a project on it.

Each loom will have a mentor to explain what you need to do and talk you through the experience so don't be shy - come on by!  Try your hand at hand weaving.

Saturday, March 22nd, 1:00-4:00 p.m.
South Valleys Library - 15650A Wedge Parkway
Reno, NV 89511 775-851-5190