Beadwrangler Special Feature
October 2, 1999

The Spinner Judy Piotter's
Weave World
 The Weaver
October 1999
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Piecework, September/October 1999

The September/October 1999 issue of Piecework is filled with really interesting articles. Beginning with the cover story about embroidered monograms which is complete with the patterns for all the letters of the alphabet.

A form of cross stitch, Portugese Arraiolos has been passed down for many generations. It is used for rug making.

Grandma Dee’s Stockings were knit of cotton and in 1908 when she arrived in America from Itally she realized that her stockings were not what American women were wearing. So she set about raveling them and making other items from the cotton. Two pair managed to remain intact which are being treasured by four of her grandchildren. This two page article is really heartwarming.

Before the invention of machines to manufacture them, handmade pins and needles were items to be treasured. This necessity was the reason for the existance of pin cushions. The article beginning on page 50 is accompanied by pictures of pin cushions dating back to the seventeenth century.

Laundry marks have and had a utilitarian use. We all had our names sewn into or written on our clothing when we were children. But the woven and embroidered labels have existed for centuries as reported in the article beginning on page 22.

Tea cozies originated out of necessity to keep the tea hot, but now cozies are used for fashion. Instructions for knitting a tea cozy are included in this article.

Finally in this issue of Piecework there are many book reviews and also advertisments which set my heart to fluttering and my check book to trembling! This issue is a good read for anyone interesting in fiber arts!

The guild newsletters have opened my eyes to world which I had no idea existed. We receive newsletters from the Boston Guild, the San Diego Guild and the Rocky Mountain Guild. All of these groups have wonderful programs in place.

First, the Weavers’ Guild of Boston has a URL of it’s own! For those who abhor the though of using a computer, please skip to the next paragraph. For readers continuing with this paragraph, the address is: www.weaversguildofboston.org    It sounds like an exciting website to visit.

OK, everyone together now? The sale and show for the Boston Guild is November 4-6. Their sale works much like our Jubilee sales, but on a MUCH larger scale! The newsletter also has a column for looms looking for new homes. The sample included with the Summer 1999 issue is woven from Florentine, 90% rayon and 10% silk from Webs. It is an 8-shaft pattern using Lucy Park’s colors!

The Fall 1999 newsletter contained the schedule for their workshops -- all nineteen that is 19 of them!! The list of programs in additon to the workshops is impressive. The sample included in this newsletter is a barley corn weave using 6/2 cotton, a simple threading with all sorts of possiblities for changing treadling.

From the newsletters, it is plain to see that this guild is a working guild which has its act together!

The Rocky Mountain Weavers’ Guild held two workshops and one field trip during th summer. The samples included in the newsletter were interesting. One was a double binding placemat made from plastic bags. The weaver, Sally Kuhn, was not thrilled with the finally product and from her explanation, this is a project which will not soon be on any of my looms! The other sample was a spinning sample in a gorgeous shade of pink. Knowing precious little about spinning, I can only refer you to the spinner’s explanation of how she combed to kinds of fibers together.

The September issue of this guild’s Shuttle Scuttle contains their calendar of events for the year -- would you believe nine workshops? Plus programs, a fashion show and a sale as well. A list of other nearby guild meetings and a list of area Fiber Events are included in this issue. Wow what busy people weavers are!

The San Diego Creative Weavers’ Guild newsletter is called Treadlin’ Times. The Fall issue contains a schedule of their meetings, workshops and study groups. This guild is also very active with interesting activities. Has anyone ever heard of Korean Knotting? In August this guild’s program was presented by a visiting instructor at San Diego State University, Hyn Kyung Chung. This techinique may be used to make decorative ornaments. Looks like we have a research project ahead of us!

So that about wraps up the periodical review for this month. What wonderful things are available for us to use to stretch our creative powers! Until next month ... Judy

 ..........Judy Piotter, October, 1999See File