October 2023 Program

On October 14, former member Pat Higby returned to talk to us about her experience at Craft Camp Estonia back in July. She then entertained and educated us with a workshop on Seto belts, traditional garb typically worn over a tunic garment. The first being a square braid, the second crocheted, and the third made in a bottle. Click here to see and read all about it.

Federation pre-registration now closed.

The deadline for the discounted rate for the October 8 Federation meeting is now closed.

While it is still possible to register early (we are still happy to send a PayPal invoice), or show up at the door on the day of, the cost is now $30.

Iowa Federation on October 8

On October 8, our Guild will be hosting the Iowa Federation of Handweavers and Spinners at the Waterloo Center for the Arts. Listen to Martina Celerin’s presentations on dimensional weaving and peruse the various vendor booths.

Cost for entry is $30.00 at the door, or you may preregister for $25 by filling out this online form and specifying your preferred method of payment. Payments of cash or check are accepted, as well as major credit cards (or debit card issued by MasterCard or Visa) via PayPal. 

Checks for the October 8 meeting, may be mailed to Northeast Iowa Weavers & Spinners Guild (3257 W 4th Street, Waterloo, IA 50701) and add a note indicating your name, address, telephone number, and email address. Note on the check that this is “Registration Oct 8.”  You may also pay via PayPal.  Be sure to specify the name and contact information for each registrant.  Whether by check or by PayPal, payment and registration information must be received no later than October 1.

Not yet a member of the Iowa Federation of Handweavers and Spinners?  Lifetime membership is available for just $8.00, payable at the door on October 8.  Only Federation members can attend/vote in the member meeting or participate in the Popular Choice competition.

If interested in preregistration, and paying online, please still fill out the online preregistration form, and Northeast Iowa Weavers and Spinners Guild will send you an invoice via PayPal.

Martina Celerin Workshop October 9-10!

We are thrilled to announce that Martina Celerin will be presenting at Federation on October 8, and giving a 2-day workshop on Dimensional Weaving on October 9-10.

Dimensional Weaving With Martina Celerin

Sunday, Oct 9: Weaving Using Reclaimed and Recycled Materials (10am-6pm)

We will be using simple nail looms with pick-up sticks (batons) made from paint stirrers. Participants may want either to do some sketches and/or bring weaving ideas, or to just go with the flow and let their piece evolve as they are weaving it. I will be describing weaving with multiple strands of yarn, mixing yarn types and weaving with non-conventional “yarns.” I will demonstrate the Soumak weave and encourage participants to incorporate at least some of this weave structure into their pieces – so that on Day 2 we have a base for the dimensional crochet. Participants can also experiment with incorporating yarn tufts into their work, as well as weaving with wire in order to add reclaimed beads and “beads” (i.e., anything with a hole through it!) into their pieces.

Monday, Oct 10: Embellishing a Weaving (9am-4pm)

On the second day we introduce even more depth into the pieces by doing dimensional crochet and additional strategies for embellishing the weavings including creating wet-felted balls and noodles. Participants will be encouraged to do some wet felting using 3 different fibers (Shetland, Merino top, and Merino noils) to create simple wet-felted structures that can be stitched onto their weaving creations. We will then shift to wrapping, and participants will be able to create wire-enhanced yarn-covered structures that can be made into bendable solid tubes of variable diameter. Participants will also be able to embroider and stitch beads onto their weavings. Finally, we will needle felt directly onto the weavings to appreciate the effect of smoothing and coating regions of the weavings.  

Photos from Martina Celerin’s website, used with permission.

Cost for this intriguing workshop is $150, and you may sign up via this form.  You may use PayPal or mail a check to the Guild at the address of the Fiber Arts Studio.  All materials will be provided by Dr. Celerin, but students are invited to bring additional embellishments.  The loom may be used free of charge and returned or may be purchased from Dr. Celerin for $30. Workshop will be held at College Square Mall (6301 University Avenue) in Cedar Falls.



Sturgis Falls Arts & Crafts Fair

Once again, we will have our usual booth spaces at the Sturgis Falls Arts & Crafts Fair.

From 9:00-4:00 on Sunday, June 26

Located on 3rd Street, across from the Overman Park Band shell.

Stop by and watch a demo, shop our wares and maybe sign up for a class or two (or just see what we’re up to).

Spring Sale coming up!

October 2021 Program: Silk Scarf Dye Painting – Dyeing with Resist

For the October meeting, Nancy Barsic taught us how to resist dye on silk scarves by drawing on them first with school glue, and shared tips and tricks for color blending and texture. Enjoy this video of her sharing her wisdom of drawing and a dyeing technique that is surprising less messy that one might think.

FALL OPEN HOUSE & SALE!

Looking for handmade holiday gifts? Yarn or fiber to play with? Curious about what we do? Well, stop on in during our open house, meet the artisans and check out our wares!

Here’s a sneak peek of the rugs, buttons, pillows, apparel, and sundries in our shop, but there will be much more to see at the sale itself (lots of yarn, fiber and other goodies)!

Handknitted, dyed and felted wares made by our members for sale in our studio sales room.

Handmade apparel crafted by our members and a rigid heddle loom for sale.

More handmade scarves in our salesroom

Thought of picking up a new hobby? Like spinning wheels? We’ve got wheels, too! Some functional (including a Rick Reeves upright wheel), some decorative.

Spinning fiber, handmade buttons, scarves & sundries in our sales room.

Functional Rick Reeves and Babe wheels available for sale in our studio.

Pillows, baskets, rugs, aprons and other fun stuff for sale in our sales room