Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
GUILD NEWS Hand Weavers and Spinners Guild of NSW Inc.
June 2021
Opinions expressed in correspondence in this newsletter are not those of the Editor or Management Committee. Contact the Guild on 02 9745 1603 P0 Box 578 Burwood NSW 1805 [email protected] www.nsweave.org.au
Guild News No 663 Print Post Approved PP297537/00022 ISSN 2207-4767
From the Committee
It hardly seems that any time has passed since we held
the AGM in November, and now we are set for the AGM
in June when the Committee retires, and a new one is
elected. We want to thank you all for your support and
look forward to seeing the Guild continue on its current
path of regeneration.
In 2021 we have continued with implementing our
Guild Bright Ideas, which is our pathway with five key
threads:
1. Grow the membership: We need more members.
2. Skills and learning: We need to develop and share our
crafts
3. Renewal and succession planning: We need to be
resilient for the future
4. Revenue: We need to be sustainable and
5. We need to have more fun and engagement: We need
to preserve our culture.
Positive outcomes have resulted from our sub-
committee teams working together – we have more
workshops, increased social media presence, General
meetings take place at an accessible venue, our
technology is improving to make it easier for volunteers,
and our first retreat at Nesuto Leura Garden Resort is in
the final stages of planning. These activities, which take
time to implement, will invigorate our Guild.
We cannot do these things without the help of you,
our members. The sub-committee team concept is
working well where we share the load, and we can opt
out when life gets in the way, or we are on holidays.
Good examples are Workshops, Library, and Retreat. So
don’t feel reluctant to put your hand up, as many hands
make light work. Most meetings are on Zoom, so you
don’t have to leave the comfort of your home.
Annual General Meeting (AGM)
We urge you all to attend the AGM on 26 June, starting at
3pm where we present the activities the Guild has been
doing and the 2020 accounts to you to satisfy the Rules,
Fair Trading and the Australian Charities and Not-for-
Profit Commission. The meeting will now be on Zoom
only as our experience in hosting the General Meeting on
Zoom and in-person was not a satisfactory experience for
all. We will need to invest in technology and education for
the operations to get it to a good standard, and we don’t have the expertise or time to arrange this now.
Please register for the AGM, so we know we have a
quorum. Use this link surveymonkey.com/r/TN89JSS or
the QR code in the top right hand corner of this page
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email
containing information about joining the meeting.
The Committee will vacate, so we will hold elections for:
President
Secretary
Treasurer and
Committee (5-7 members)
The Committee meets on the 4th Tuesday of the
month on Zoom from 7-9pm. Nominations must be
received on the official Nomination Forms in this link
dropbox.com/s/xd2nvedarhd2ktd/AGM 2021 Nomination
Form.pdf and follow the procedure of Nomination,
Acceptance and Seconded. They are to be sent to the
Returning Officer at [email protected] by 23 June
2021. Please contact the Committee on
[email protected] for more details.
Nominations received to date
Alison Giles-Damjanovska for President and Committee
Marilyn Peters for Committee
Special Resolution for Rule Changes
As advised earlier, we also bring to the members a
Special Resolution to change several rules. It is proposed
by the Committee to reflect the changing way we do
business now. Full details are attached at the end of this
Guild News. There are three ways you can vote:
1. At the AGM
2. Online at surveymonkey.com/r/79MHSR2
3. By post – This has been mailed with a return stamp
self-addressed envelope to the ten members who don’t have email addresses.
The voting form is also attached for you to understand
the Special Resolutions proposed. If you have any
questions, please direct them to the
[email protected] before the meeting so
we can prepare the replies.
Best wishes
Catherine O’Keefe (Treasurer), Susie John (Secretary),
Marilyn Peters, Karen Severn, Jacqui Thorburn, Alison
Giles-Damjanovska (Committee)
2
Guild News #663 June 2021
Minutes of the General Meeting 29 May 2021
The AGM will be held on 26 June 2021 at 3pm. We need
a quorum of 40 people. Our Committee needs an
executive of a president, secretary and treasurer plus 7-
10 committee members. We need more nominees. Only
one person has nominated so far.
At the AGM, we will vote on Rule changes. The
proposed changes reflect the difference in the way
business is run these days. For example, last year, we
only wrote one cheque. And soon banks will discontinue
cheques. The post service doesn’t work so well since
Covid. Changes include electronic communication, for
example, by using Mailchimp to communicate with our
members. It is easy to use.
We need to add workshops, gallery and supplies to
“the source of funds” because we get income from them.
The current Rules only allow us to operate via
cheques, but the treasurer would like to get a debit card
with $500 limit that can be topped up. Currently, the
Treasurer pays our bills by using her personal credit card
and gets reimbursed.
Our current Rules state that an “auditor” be appointed
each year at the AGM. We have, in fact, been using an
accountant to check our books each year to make sure
that our practices comply with the Act. Our definition in
the Rules is not correct. We need to change it to appoint
an independent accountant to examine the electronic
funds/transfer/payments each year.
Catherine will send the changes and voting form to
members tomorrow. Please send your vote back asap.
The members who attended today on Zoom asked
the members who talk at the AGM to identify themselves
and asked them to speak close to the computer so that
they can hear.
The August Retreat is booked to go ahead on 7-8
August and at Nesuto Leura Garden Resort, Fitzroy
Street, Leura. Jenny Kee cannot come after all. Guests
can arrive on Friday night and stay on Sunday night if
they like. The room rate of $154 includes breakfast. We
will have a fancy dinner on Saturday night for $60 per
head. Booking details will be sent out next week. Helen
Halpin plans to come from Ballina, and some Berry folk
will come.
Treasurer’s report – Catherine O’Keefe
This month we recorded a minor loss because we paid
the accountant. Our bottom line will rise again when
membership fees come in. Our investment account is
increasing in value.
The Committee is working on the Guild branding with
a new logo for our website.
They have booked space at the Embroiderers Guild
gallery for our 75th anniversary exhibition in August 2022.
They are investigating State Parliament House for an
exhibition. They may commission a celebratory NSW yarn
available as top or yarn and hold a retreat weekend
focusing on local shows. Members are encouraged to
create textiles for the exhibitions. It is a fun subcommittee.
Ali has applied for us to participate in the 2021 Craft
Festival NSW in October. There will be venues all over
Sydney where folk can visit to explore different aspects of
all kinds of crafts. Committee plans to make 16 October
an Open Day with demonstrations and the sale of
members work and hope to open the rooms the Thursday
night of Craft Week. The Guild has applied to take out a
half-page advertisement in the festival brochure.
There will be a judges meeting in September. All who
would like to be a judge or who want the skinny on what
judges look for are welcome.
Membership report – Barb Kerle
The directory will be sent out soon. New member,
Helen Storey came back after 12 years, and we met
another new member on Zoom, Anne Aldred and a
visitor Yvonne McCloud.
Equipment report – Prue Hill
Saori loom is available to hire. If you need inspiration
watch this: youtube.com/watch?v=Zg096S_1a_0
Shop report – Joy Dod
Joy has collected more of Audrey Miller’s stash to sell
on commission. There is lots of lovely mohair yarn at
$3 per ball. The shop is open 1-4 pm on Thursdays.
Workshop report – Dace Vare
June 30: Basic sewing of a small pouch or bag, Maria
Chioda. Handwoven fabric preferred. At Epping
Creative Centre.
July 3: Learn to weave Saori-style on a rigid heddle
loom. Learn plain weave, sumac, rya, loop pile,
supplementary weft. Guild rooms.
October long weekend three one-day workshops:
Oct 2: Felted vessel, Epping Creative Centre.
Oct 3: Double weave huck lace, Ali will start you
weaving a Xmas table runner. Finish it at home.
Oct 4: Colour Confidence for Spinners with Denise
Stevens. (See workshop details on page 6)
Group reports – Alison Giles-
Diiamjanovska
June is the end of the challenge month for the Piece
Weavers group. Members are on target. They plan to
have their jackets finished at the end of July and will
wear them at the Retreat. Marilyn Peters has woven
cream and caramel in houndstooth.
3
Guild News #663 June 2021
Anne Lewis used tencel and wool in cherry. Helen
Halpin has applied the lessons learned in Tien Chiu’s
online colour workshop with her plaited twill.
There were eight spinners at the Sunday
spinners meeting in May. They had a lovely time
helping new members and keeping warm together.
At the next Braids group meeting, on the first
Sunday in June, Franca Damiani will teach macramé.
Bring string, T-pins and a foam or corkboard.
*** Guild groups decide if they are happy to have the
rooms open when they meet so other members can
come to buy fibre/yarn or change library books.
Ali will warp our floor loom to Krokbragd for
members to weave when they visit. We could raffle
the resulting rug.
Out and About
After our last meeting Jacqui repaired Dace’s French
market basket. In return Dace hand knitted her a pair
of socks. Both are extremely pleased with the results.
The Ewes exhibition tomorrow will be lovely.
Sutherland next weekend should be good. Or take the
train to the Berry Open Day on Sat and Sunday.
Cheryl will demonstrate on (our) Great Wheel,
members work will be exhibited and there will be 2
traders: Christine Sloan and Sue Walker to sell as
well as members who will have tables of goodies to
buy. Brian McCarthy has an area to display his 64
sheep in a row. Ali says that his spinning is very fine.
It has been featured in Spin Off, twice. He is also an
expert natural dyer and knits exquisitely. Ali says that
there are some very gifted and talented folk in Berry.
KAL – Alison Giles-Damjanovska
Ali suggests that we make Flammegarn socks. Get a
group together to spin, tie-dye and knit flecked socks.
There will be information, an entry form, a record
sheet and a sock pattern in the June GN. Ali will give
some mini-tutorials about knitting socks. Dace asked
if we could make the dyeing a mini-tutorial in the Guild
rooms before the AGM in June. The end date of the
KAL will be the retreat. There will be three prizes: best
dyeing, spinning and knitting (but you can only win
one prize) and socks will be displayed at the retreat.
Ali can do a mini-tutorial on the sock pattern, and
Anne Weller can show how to knit fish lip kiss heels.
Ali will post the KAL on our Ravelry page. Join the
Tour de Fleece group on Ravelry too. See page 5 for
more details.
Show and Tell
Show and Tell table on wheels was moved up to the
Zoom members.
Helen Wilder made knee rugs in twill of natural
dyed yarn for her friends.
Jennifer Bailey from Berry was putting the backing
on a second latch hook rug that she made because
somebody donated a huge amount of short lengths of
wool to the Berry Guild.
Margie Statheos knitted a bunny then made it a
bunny rug for her niece’s baby.
Lynda Jennings entered 6 fleeces (Corriedales
and one Border Leicester) in the Hawkesbury show
and won 3 first ribbons, 1 second ribbon and 1 3rd
prize ribbon. The fleeces are available for sale. She
will enter some more fleeces to the Bendigo show
later this year.
Ali’s Piece weavers’ piece is woven in plaited twill.
She wove more than 4m, which will give her plenty of
fabric to make a jacket. Although not yet washed, the
fabric has a wonderful drape. She bought some
woven interfacing from Tessuti's to use in the jacket’s
construction.
Prue Hill wore the vest she wove at a workshop
with Julie Booth in Virginia in the 90s. Julie is a
4
Guild News #663 June 2021
tapestry weaver and demonstrated split weft
technique, which is a neat way of changing colours
somewhere in the middle of a weft pick. Prue took two
different colours of lopi ‘cheeses’ to the workshop.
They are unspun top from Icelandic sheep. Try the
split weft technique, and you separate the strands of
lopi. Nevertheless, she managed to weave a
sufficiently stable cloth to felt, a bit, and make into a
vest.
Ann Lewis knitted a pair of socks in a German
sock yarn and turned the heels with a fish lip kiss.
Joy wove a Donegal tweed and silk in 2/2 twill and
sewed a waistcoat
A big ‘Thank You’ from Sally
What a treat it was to receive an email this week from
Sally Mirams relating that her parcel had arrived from
Ashfords Wheels & Looms (NZ).
Sally was the recipient of our Bushfire Fund
generously donated by HWSG members following the
devastating fires of December 2019. Sally had
bundled her two spinning wheels and all the
accessories she could find into her car ready to make
her escape, only to have it engulfed in flames. Sally’s
farm was also razed (including her beloved orchard),
yet luckily her house was saved.
After hearing Sally’s story from Pam Bradford at
the Edrom Retreat this year, it was decided that the
HWSG come to Sally’s aid. Sally had already been
gifted two replacement wheels yet they didn’t come
with the preferred double treadle that she was used
to. After discussions with Christine at Glenora
Weaving & Wool we were able to order the double
treadles and extra bobbins and drive bands from
Ashford.
Sally is a member of the Towamba Spinners who
have been meeting weekly for thirty-nine years in the
hinterland behind Bega. As Pam related, many of the
Towamba members are widows who still run farms
(such as Sally) and the weekly meeting is an
important part of keeping contact and socialising with
other crafters.
Sally thanks “all your kind members for their
donations, their gift is very much appreciated.” The HWSG has also gifted Sally a HWSG
membership and the Towamba Spinners Group a
year-long membership, on account of the hardship
suffered.
We would like to thank Glenora Weaving & Wool
for the their generous discount to the HWSG, and to
Pam Bradford for her agency.
Sally’s burnt out car that held
the spinning wheels!
A happy Sally after
receiving her parcel.
What a joy it is to
see a smiling Sally
after the heartbreak
of the fires.
5
Guild News #663 June 2021
Join our Flammegarn socks knit-a-long (KAL)
Flammegarn is the Norwegian name for yarn dyed by wrapping twine, jute or other material tightly around the skein
before placing it in a dye bath. When the skein is dry the twine is removed to reveal a mottled effect instead of a solid
colour. Yes, it’s much like the tie-dyeing most of us did in the 70s and it’s not unique to Norway. The technique is
called Flammegarn because the dye source was red berries and resembled flames.
Rules of the KAL
1) Your yarn must be hand spun (either by you or a good friend) of your own ply/wpi
choice.
2) You may use any dye source, yet natural dyes are preferred. Choose your own
colour way, and record your spinning and dyeing information on the Spinning & Dyeing
Record Sheet.
3) Tie your skeins with seine twine, jute, hemp, cotton, linen, ramie. The finer the tie,
the smaller the speckles/flammes and viceversa.
4) You may do more than one dye bath (for those of us still livin’ in the 70s).
5) You may include nylon at the spinning stage, the knitting stage or woven into the
finished heel.
6) Knit your socks (and there must be two!) using your favourite sock pattern or use the
Novice socks pattern.
7) Download and complete your entry form.
Completed socks must reach the Guild rooms by 31 July to be displayed at our
August Retreat. Further details can be found on the entry form.
Prizes
Three $25 gift vouchers will be awarded (one in each category). The judge’s decision
is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
a) Prize for the best spinning.
b) Prize for the best dyeing.
c) Prize for the best knitting An entry is eligible for one prize category only.
Contact Ali on 0422 760 363 for the Spinning & Dyeing Record Sheet, the Entry Form
or the Novice Sock pattern to be posted to you (or for further information) or use the
following links:
General information: nsweave.org.au/pdf/202106_knitalong_flammegarn-socks.pdf
Entry form: nsweave.org.au/pdf/202106_knitalong_flammegarn-socks_entry-form.pdf
Spinning and dyeing record sheet:
nsweave.org.au/pdf/202106_knitalong_flammegarn-socks_spin-sheet.pdf
Novice socks pattern: nsweave.org.au/pdf/pattern_novice-socks.pdf
Join us at our inaugural retreat in August 2021
Are you ready to relax and have fun in a flock of fabulously creative workshops in
spinning, weaving and more whilst luxuriating in the comfort of a cosy hotel?
You are in luck! The Guild Retreat is just around the corner on 7-8 August.
Watch out for a special email in the next few weeks with specific workshop details
and a booking form. Included in your mini retreat are:
Three workshops (choose from over six)
Restaurant quality meals
Single or twin ensuite rooms with individual AC
After dinner frivolity.
This will be held at Nesuto Leura Gardens in the Blue Mountains.
We look forward to seeing you there. – The Guild Retreat Team
6
Guild News #663 June 2021
Guild Workshops
Double Weave Huck Lace Workshop
Tutor: Alison Giles-Damjanovska
Date: Sunday 3 October
Time: 9.30am-4.30pm
Where: Guild rooms, Burwood
Cost: Guild and Network group members $95
non members $110
Would you like to push your double weave further?
Would you like to push your huck lace further?
Then why not combine the two?
Come and learn how these two weave techniques
work wonderfully together in the one cloth.
After sampling the rest of the warp can be woven in
double weave huck to make a table runner.
Prerequisites: Must be able to warp a loom, be
competent with 8 shafts, read a draft and have a basic
understanding of double weave. Your loom must be
warped before this workshop. The tutor will send
instructions.
Colour Confidence for Spinners
Tutor: Denise Stevens
Date: Monday 4 October
Time: 9.30am-4.30pm
Where: Guild rooms, Burwood
Cost: $95
A discussion of the factors involved in understanding
colour and colour interactions (with notes provided)
followed by preparation and assembly of sets of
samples to use later as reference and a starting point
for your own colour library.
Work will involve ways of blending and
spinning/plying to observe the interaction of colours
and a discussion of the results.
Prerequisites: Participants must be able to spin & ply
a basic yarn.
Materials supplied by tutor cost: $15 per student.
Felting Around A Resist
Tutor: Rae Woolnough
Date: Saturday 3 October
Time: 9.30am-4.30pm
Where: Epping Creative Centre
Cost: Guild and Network group members $95
non members $110
Make a crazy felted hat,
vessel, small bag or maybe
even a tea cosy -- the choice
is yours!
Learn how to lay out fibre,
create felt and work around a
resist and discover a whole
new dimension in your felting
journey. In this workshop you
will learn how to felt around a
resist and make hollow forms
such as a tea cosy, small bag,
vessel (bowl) or a crazy hat -- it’s your choice!
After taking this workshop you will have gained
felting skills to go on and create other 3D felted items
such as footwear, cushion covers, light fitting, etc.
We will also decorate our project with interesting
fibre, silk fabric and yarns, etc., to make some glorious
colourful details.
Prerequisites: This workshop covers advanced felting
techniques, but is still suitable for anyone with very
basic or no felting skills.
Materials: Tutor will have 100 gram bags of wool
roving available for purchase @ $10 per bag
Please note:
There is a workshop limit of eight participants.
Before paying please contact [email protected] with your name and contact details
Payment details:
HandWeavers & Spinners NSW
BSB 112879
Account Number 043707452
7
Guild News #663 June 2021
Guild group news
Braids Plus Group
We had an inspiring day
at Braids group in June.
Here is a picture of Helen
with her completed
samples for the day.
Franca Damiani showed
us inspiring pieces of
macramé as pictured (from left to right, top to bottom):
A placemat made in macramé with border and
fringe added. Macramé stitch is mainly square
knots.
The fringe on this double weave scarf uses
macramé.
A small purse, lined and with zipper. The entire
patterned “fabric” is made by macramé.
A shoulder bag made in one piece with only one
seam at the bottom of the bag. The handle was
made with tablet weaving.
This double weave runner has 2 fringes, one in
pinks and yellows for one side and the other
shown here in blues and greens. Both fringes are
macramé knotted.
Franca showed us many more finished items from
her “stash” that teach us that macramé is not just
for pot plant hangers or belts and that macramé
can be very colourful.
At our next meeting we will continue exploring
macramé techniques and uses.
When: 9.30am-2.30pm, Sunday 4 July
Where: Guild rooms. A $5 contribution is requested
from attendees. Please bring your own mug.
Contact: Lynne [email protected] 0432
746 972
Sunday Spinners
On Sunday 16 of May we saw our second get-together
since the CoVid-19 lockdown restrictions of the
previous year were applied. Eight spinners attended,
including two new crafters, Lena and Karla. Cathy
helped Lena get her wheel back up and running with a
new spring, drive band and a ‘spit and polish’, and Lena
was so happy to be able to get back into spinning. Both
Rysia and Tao were spindling, Anne was on the electric
spinner and Alison was knitting. It was an enjoyable
day, the heater was on, coffee was made and plenty of
conversations had. Don’t forget that details about the
Sunday Spinners are on the website and Facebook.
There is also an active forum on Ravelry at
ravelry.com/discuss/hws-guild-nsw/4116738/1-25-15
Simply join the HWSG group and then you will have
access to the Sunday Spinners forum. We look forward
to the third Sunday on 20 June for our next social
spinning day. All are welcome. We have a CoVid-19
plan in place at the Guild room so please bring your
own mug and lunch (unless you prefer the ‘dumpling
walk’ to downtown Burwood). Parking is easily
accessible on the Sunday. If you think you’d like to
convene this group, please contact Alison.
When: 10.30am-3pm, Sunday 20 June
Where: Guild rooms. A $5 contribution is requested
from attendees. Please bring your own mug.
Contact: Alison [email protected] 0422760363
Weavers’ Interest Group (WIG) The format of the next virtual meeting will be:
General catch-up
Virtual studio tour – any volunteers?
Show and Tell
Weaver’s Challenge
General discussion
When: Saturday 19 June at 2pm
Meeting ID: 654 230 5371
Passcode: ap1e6c
If you plan to attend, please let Anne know via email at
[email protected]. If you would like to
volunteer to show us your studio, or have any photos for
Show & Tell, the Weaver’s Challenge and/or what’s currently
on your loom please email by Thursday 17 June.
8
Guild News #663 June 2021
Guild group news (cont)
Piece Weavers
June is the ‘end of challenge’ month for the Piece Weavers
group. Emails among members shows that we are all on
target and will get the jackets finished by the end of June. It
is hoped that we’ll be displaying the jackets at our August
Retreat if, that is, we won’t be wearing them as Marilyn
plans to be doing! The fabric samples coming in are very
exciting and include: Marilyn’s caramel and cream
houndstooth twill (due to the limitations of the Hatterlsley),
Anne’s tencel and wool, Tracey’s hand dyed yarns and
Helen’s beautiful colour work (photo below) – it truly is going
to be a feast for the eyes when we get to see them
completed and displayed.
Sunday 13 June at 3:00pm is advertised as our next
online Zoom get-together. This meeting will be the final one
for this challenge and will be important for members to
discuss how to show off our creations and what to plan for
our next challenge. The Piece Weavers group invites those
Guild members who wish to sew tailored garments from
their hand woven cloth. New members and enquiries always
welcome. Contact on the details below.
Contact: Alison [email protected] 0422760363
Membership Matters
Our thoughts are with Jean Piddington. Jean has not been
very well and we wish her all the best.
New
Helen Storey [email protected],
0411 186 702
Changes
Brigitte Sieber [email protected]
Isabel Chiang [email protected]
Casting call for textile repairers
Warner Bros & Foxtel are searching for specialists in
textile repair and restoration to appear on an
Australian version of The Repair Shop. If you are
interested, please contact Daisy Benson on
0450 525 946 or [email protected]
Watch the British version of the show here:
iiview.abc.net.au/video/ZW1845A001S00
Out and about
Lynne Oldfield visited two wonderful shows organised
by local groups. Both groups have inspired each person
to develop their own style and to be confident with their
work.
EWES had a huge amount of articles on display
and for sale. The variety of colours and techniques in
weaving, knitting, tapestry and garments sewn from
hand woven fabric was wonderful.
Sutherland group’s Wool Fair was also a testament
to variety. Lots of weaving, knitting, crochet, tapestry
and dying. The standard of work was excellent.
Alison Giles-Damjanovska visited the Berry
exhibition and took the following photos (from top to
bottom): Brian’s handspun display, naturally hand dyed
and hand knitted blankets, rugs, lace shawls, jumpers;
Rosemary Hansell showing a table of woven treasures;
Felted goodies from the award winning felter – Melinda
Binkins; tables set up in the Berry School of Arts Hall.
Well done. More again next year please everyone.
9
Guild News #663 June 2021
Miriam’s Wall Hanging
by Alison Giles-Damjanovska
Many of you will know Miriam Miller from the many crafting
camps you’ve attended over the years – the Proggy Rug
queen! Miriam wanted to make a wall hanging for her living
room and if you know Miriam, then you’ll know that she
doesn’t do things by halves.
Miriam used primitive linen she had purchased in
Canada for the backing (Primitive Linen is an evenweave
fabric often used by rug hookers and punch needlers as
their foundation cloth. It is woven from durable 100% linen
with a thread count of 12x12 threads per inch.) As the wall
hanging is 3 metres long, she had to have a join in the
centre and did this by placing one edge over the other and
stitching down each side. A little harder to hook through
double, yet Miriam managed to hook a line around the
outside of the pattern area before good friend, Ann-Maree,
kindly drew the design on.
Miriam’s inspiration -
sunflowers that her son
plants.
Ann-Maree drew a
sunflower design with
mountains in the
background.
Starting with the sky Miriam gathered many tshirts in
shades of blue. When she progressed to the mountains she
wanted to have a lot of the same colour, so extravagantly
ordered some wool flannel from Karen Kaiser in Canada.
This she also used for the leaves, as she wanted to stick to
the same green. Other materials used were tshirts, track
suits, over-dyed blankets, and dyed wool flannel.
“My son plants sunflowers in the paddocks around my
house not for any reason other than to look bright and
happy. I kept studying photos of these. The sunflowers [in
the rug] are many shades of yellow, because they were T-
shirts I could find, and I think this looks better than all one
shade.” Miriam used Landscape dyes for parts of the mountain
mixing one called Mountain Blue with other blues. These
blues were also used for the shadows. She used a dye
called Alfalfa for the leaves and a paler version of Alfalfa
with other greens for the stalks and the veins on the leaves.
For the background behind the small flowers in the distance
Miriam used green spotted with blues.
Showing a tshirt before
cutting off seams and
hems.
Miriam Miller (President
Emeritus and founding
member of the Australian
Rugmakers Guild.)
Extra backing was cut away leaving 5cms along
each side and the bottom edge, and then using a spray
glue suitable for fabric, she sprayed both sides and
pressed them firmly together once they were tacky.
Next, hessian tape was added to the sides and bottom.
Miriam had previously used this method on her large
blue floor rug and after being walked on constantly for
several years, its gluing has held fast. For the
Sunflower Wall hanging, Miriam next hemmed along
the top edge leaving a pocket for a thin metal strip to
keep the top firm and straight. Then she made five
loops along the top edge, to take the hooks when hung.
If you’re interested in learning about Proggy rugs
then meetings (workshops) are held at Miriam’s farm in
Milton, NSW on the 1st and 3rd Friday of the month.
Info: shoal.net.au/~narrawilly
10
Guild News #663 June 2021
My Recent Experience with Natural Dyeing – success & disaster!
by Joy Dodd
Emboldened by having recently enjoyed the Guild’s dyeing workshop with the fantastic Jenny and Phil Dunn, I decided
to try dyeing yarn with some avocado skins and pips I had been saving in my freezer. I had previously tried this and
didn’t read the instructions thoroughly and ended up with lots of scum in the water and browney olive coloured yarn –
yuk! This time I scraped them clean and simmered them in water. I then removed the skins as they were broken and
likely to catch in the yarn. I left in the pips and added a tablespoon of bi-carb Soda suggested on one website.
I added wool to the cooled pot and left it overnight. A nice orangey pink colour resulted. I then added alpaca yarn
and heated the pot to simmer for 10mins, then turned it off and let sit overnight. Again it resulted in a good rusty pink.
I discovered a website which said to add some iron water (she made it herself using rusty nails etc) but I had some
iron powder from Jenny’s workshop and added about 3gms of iron powder and 7gms of cream of tartar as suggested
for 100gms of fibre/yarn to the water still with the avocado pits in.
I put in a hank of alpaca less than 100gm. I left it overnight and the next day heated the pot to a simmer for 10mins
then removed the skein. After 30mins when it was cooler, I washed and rinsed the skein. It resulted in dark grey colour.
The colour of the water was getting blacker rather than exhausting so I thought I would try another lot of yarn to see
if I could get a real black. I warped up 4m X 100 warps of double thread of fine singles of Shetland 100% wool
purchased by me in Shetland. As the water was still hot from the previous batch I heated it again to simmer for about
10mins – turned off the heat and left until the next morning about 20hrs – resulting in very dark grey almost black yarn. I
rinsed out dye, washed and rinsed until clear – and hung to drip dry.
After a few hours I tried to stretch out the warp to get yarn threads to separate and tugged at two ends of a length
of the warp. It broke/tore straight across the warp threads. I did it again to be sure of what was seeing – and again!! The
iron water had disintegrated the wool! Oh what a disaster! I will be much more careful when using iron in future!
Magic mohair
by Dace Vare
The Guild shop has been selling a fair bit of fine Magic
brand kid mohair at bargain prices in a range of pretty
colours. The yarn is 80% kid mohair and 20% nylon.
Here is a suggestion for making a very easy wrap or
stole that is light, airy and elegant in its simplicity. It can be
worn over the shoulders, around your neck or over your
head as a scarf.
6mm knitting needles.
4 (5) balls, each 20g of Magic mohair
Finished size 60 X 180cm, 24 X 70 inches
Cast on 90 (100) stitches using a very stretchy cast on.
Knit every row to the last stitch, bring the yarn to the front,
slip the last stitch purl-wise, turn.
This will give you a neat selvedge edge and the yarn will
always be in the right place when you start the next row.
Knit until you run out of yarn.
Cast off loosely.
11
Guild News #663 June 2021
Exhibitions and news
Botanica
The North Shore Craft Group’s 63rd annual exhibition and
sale of contemporary art and craft.
When: Thurs-Sat 10am-5pm; Sun 10am-3pm, 8-11 July
Where: Thornleigh Community Centre, Cnr Phyllis and
Central Avenues Thornleigh
Info: northshorecraftgroup.com
Crowd knitting 10,000 shadows
Be part of art and join the crowdknitting art project by
Danish textile artist Sisse Fog Odgaard. All you need is a
little fingering cotton in a solid colour. The pattern is
based on Sisse’s original Danish pattern and is available
on Instagram. Deadline: 31 December 2021
Info: instagram.com/p/COpzimPJSBk
Weaving books wanted
Former NSW Guild member Nicole Logan now lives in
Tasmania and is looking for the following books to buy:
Colour and Weave, Margaret and Thomas Windeknecht
1000 (+) Patterns In 4, 6, and 8 Harness Shadow Weaves,
Marian Powell.
Nicole will pay postage to Tasmania. If anyone is willing to
sell these books to Nicole, you can contact her via email at
marvin3275@gmail or phone 0409046864.
Art Textile Biennale 2021
The dream of Glenys Mann, founder of Fibre Arts Australia
is to highlight the contemporary practice within Art Textiles
as an art form. In this inaugural Art Textile Biennale, the
cloth and fibre works of 29 artists from 16 countries
including Australia show an extraordinary diversity of
traditional and non-traditional techniques used in
contemporary practice.
When: Wed-Sun 12-5pm, 11 June-11 July
Where: Barometer Gallery, 13 Gurner Street, Paddington
Info: barometer.net.au
Photo: Eszter Bornemisza, Matter of Time, 2019
12
Interesting links
Recreating historic European spindle spinning
exarc.net/issue-2021-2/at/recreating-historic-european-
spindle-spinning
Joy through knitted croissants, lobsters and
sandwiches
itsnicethat.com/articles/kate-jenkins-art-190521
Tommye McClure Scanlin on how chance can
kickstart creativity
handwovenmagazine.com/designing-by-chance
Social Media
Guild Committee General Guild email: [email protected]
Office Bearers
President: vacant
Treasurer: Catherine O’Keefe
Secretary: Susie John [email protected]
Committee Members: [email protected]
Marilyn Peters 0407 393 403
Karen Severn [email protected]
Jacqui Thorburn
Alison Giles-Damjanovska
Guild Officers
Equipment Officer: Prue Hill
[email protected] 9973 3022
CCHS Registrar: Eleanor Igoe [email protected]
ravelry.com/groups/certificate-of-competence-in-
handspinning
CCHW Registrar: Prue Hill 9973 3022
Guild News Editors: Jen Roseman, Prue Hill
Guild Shop: Joy Dodd 0437 404 254
Marilyn Peters 0407 393 403
Workshops: Marie Clews, Dace Vare and Lynne Oldfield
Library: Lauren Fiedler, Julie Jennings and Marylin Klein
Publicity: Committee
Membership Secretary: Barbara Kerle
[email protected] 9816 5321
Mini-workshops: Committee
Raffles: Barbara Lloyd
Public Officer: Prue Hill 9973 3022
Archivist: Pat Feehelly
Judges Convenor: Marilyn Peters
Web: Jodi Redwolf [email protected]
Guild News advertising
Size of Advert Member Non-member
8.5 x 3cm (1/16 page) $10 $15
8.5 x 6cm (1/8 page) $20 $30
8.5 x 13cm (1/4 page) $40 $60
19 x 13cm (1/2 page) $50 $75
19 x 28cm (Full page) $100 $150
Send your advertisement to the Guild with payment before
the Guild News deadline.
Guild News deadline: 3 July
Content received after this deadline may not be included in
the next issue. Contact: [email protected]
(Please note new email address)
Diary Dates 2021
JUNE
4-5 Sutherland Winter Wool Fair
5-6 Berry Spinners and Weavers exhibition & sale
5-6 Lake Mac Open Studios
6 Braids Plus group
9&16 Designing & making a vest from
handwoven fabric (workshop)
11 Art Textile Biennale 2021 (to 11 July)
12 Creative Moments Nowra exhibition (to 3 July)
12-14 Entwined exhibition and sale
19 Weavers’ Interest Group
20 Sunday Spinners
23 Committee nominations deadline
26 Annual General Meeting (AGM)
JULY
3 Saori-style weaving on rigid heddle loom
4 Braids Plus group
8-11 Botanica NSCG annual exhibition
16 Proposed Rule change voting deadline
17 Weavers’ Interest Group
18 Sunday Spinners
31 Flammegarn Socks KAL arrive at Guild deadline
AUGUST
7-8 Guild mini-retreat TBC – More information
Hand Weavers and Spinners Guild of NSW Inc. Special Resolution Postal Voting Form 2021
HW&SG NSW INC. Special Resolution Proposed Rule Changes 2021 - Postal Voting forms At the AGM we will vote on the Special Resolution to make changes to the Rules and is proposed by the
Committee.
The proposed changes reflect the difference in the way business is run these days. We have worked with
Fair Trading to ensure we are making appropriate changes that are in line with current legislation.
The ballot will be conducted in person at the AGM, via this electronic survey and postal for the members
who do not have email addresses.
To be clear
· As allowed by the Department of Fair Trading, this ballot can be done online due to COVID and
the AGM conducted by ZOOM. The ballot can start before the meeting and needs a closing date.
The Returning Officer will collate the votes.
· For the Special Resolution to pass, it requires 75% of those voting to vote yes for the
proposals. This includes at the meeting, online and postal.
All changes to the rules are indicated in orange.
There are four pages to the postal voting form, printed front and back.
The closing date for the online and postal votes is 11.59 pm on the 16th of July 2021.
Proposal 1 – To add "Definitions" to the Rules
This is how we are operating during the COVID situation and are allowable by Fair Trading. We are
seeking to have them incorporated for the future as our means of communication have changed.
Definitions – ADD
“Post” to include all electronic means of communication as well as Australia Post.
“In person” to include at the venue and by electronic online communications.
Yes
No
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Proposal 2 – Register of Members
In our member's register, we include the email address and telephone numbers of members. This is not
mentioned in the Current Rules and propose this change to Rule 2 to acknowledge this.
RULE 2. REGISTER OF MEMBERS – ADD
(a) The Public Officer of the Guild shall maintain a register of members specifying each member's name,
address, email address, telephone number and date of joining.
(b) The register of members shall be published annually.
Yes
No
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Proposal 3 – Source of Funds
We derive income from sources not mentioned in the Current Rules and propose this change to Rule 10
to acknowledge this. This source of funding is allowable by Fair Trading. RULE 10. FUNDS – SOURCE – ADD
(a) All funds of the Guild shall be derived from annual fees, subscriptions, donations, bequests,
workshops, gallery, equipment rental, supplies and, subject to any resolution passed by the Guild in
general meeting, such other sources as the Committee determines.
Hand Weavers and Spinners Guild of NSW Inc. Special Resolution Postal Voting Form 2021
(b) All money received by the Guild shall be deposited as soon as practicable, and without deduction, to
the credit of the Guild's bank account.
(c) The Guild shall, as soon as practicable after receiving any money, issue an appropriate receipt.
Yes
No
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Proposal 4 – To have an additional bank account with a $500 balance
with a debit card for transactions where we cannot use cheque or
direct credit
The way payments are made is changing.
Many payments are required to be made by credit card, and the way we are handling this is to get
members to spend their own funds and to claim the money back. Often the expenses or goods are in
the personal name and not in the Guild. In the past, the Guild has provided a cash advance to a person
who still requires the claims to be done by the volunteer to get reimbursed. This process should change
as good practice for the Guild to control purchases, payments and have full transparency of the use of
funds.
RULE 11. USE OF FUNDS – Current
(a) The Guild may hold and deal with property for its purposes and apply its funds for the acquisition and
maintenance of premises used as a centre for its activities and may repay loans and interest thereon.
(b) Payments: The signatures on the banking business of the Guild shall be those of the President,
Secretary, Treasurer and two members approved/appointed by the Committee, any two to sign cheques
and documents.
RULE 11. USE OF FUNDS – Proposed
(a) The Guild may hold and deal with property for its purposes and apply its funds for the acquisition and
maintenance of premises used as a center for its activities and may repay loans and interest thereon.
(b) Payments:
i.) The signatures on the primary banking business of the Guild shall be those of the President,
Secretary, Treasurer and two members approved/appointed by the Committee, any two to sign
cheques, direct debits and documents.
ii). Additionally, there is another trading account with a debit card and a $500.00 balance. It is to be used
when direct deposits or cheques cannot be used. Prior to any payment being authorised by the
Treasurer as the sole authority, a purchase requisition with two approvals is required.
Yes
No
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Proposal 5 – We propose a change to Rule 17 AUDITOR
For our Financial Accounts, the Guild follows the direction of Fair Trading for a Tier 2
organisation (see below), Associations Incorporation Act 2009 of NSW. This is not correctly
mentioned in the current Rules and propose this change to Rule17 to reflect the current
practices.
Background
The HW&SG NSW Inc. had previously had an audit until 2017, when the Committee authorised a
change to the accounting firm. The process of review is stringent and consists of reviewing all the
paperwork, making enquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters, and
applying analytical and other review procedures to a standard that satisfies the Associations
Incorporation Act 2009 of NSW and Fair Trading.
Hand Weavers and Spinners Guild of NSW Inc. Special Resolution Postal Voting Form 2021
The HW&S G NSW Inc., is defined as a Tier 2 association by Fair Trading because:
· total revenue as recorded in the income and expenditure statement (i.e. gross receipts) for a financial
year is $250,000 or less, and
· current assets are $500,000 or less.
Current assets refers to assets (other than real property or assets that are capable of depreciation) held
by the association as at the end of the association's last financial year. It includes amounts held in
financial institutions, stocks and debentures.
NSW Fair Trading does not require Tier 2 association’s financial statements to be audited however, it
may direct an association to conduct an audit and request an auditor’s report. An association’s
constitution or funding arrangements may require an audit.
Rule 17. AUDITOR – Current
An Auditor shall be appointed at the AGM.
delete and replace with.
Rule 17. Independent Review of the financial accounts – Proposed
Annually the Financial Accounts will be reviewed by an independent external accountant to ensure they
are correct. This consists of making enquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and
accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review procedures to a standard that satisfies the
Associations Incorporation Act 2009 of NSW. The accounts will then be presented to the membership at
the AGM.
Yes
No
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contact Details Name…………………………………………………………………………………………….……………………
Address………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………..……………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………..………………
Email Address
………………………………………………………..……………..…………………………………..……...……
Phone Number
……………………………………………………………………………………..………………………………………………
The closing date for the online and postal votes is 11.59pm on the 16th of July 2021.
For postal votes, please vote and put your vote in the stamped self-address envelope and post.
Hand Weavers & Spinners Guild of NSW, Inc., PO Box 578,
Burwood NSW 1805
END
