Fiber - OVWSG

What we offer:
The OVWSG offers workshops on topics of interest to weavers, spinners
and other textile artists. Our courses range in difficulty from absolute
beginner to advanced techniques. Class sizes are small, most workshops
have a maximum of 6 students.
Where are we located?
The Guild has a wonderful studio in Heartwood House at
404 McArthur Ave Ottawa, ON, K1K 1G8. There is parking behind the
building and street parking on the side streets and McArthur Ave
(evenings and weekends). It is also accessible by bus—check the OC
Transpo site for routes and schedules. Enter the building by the Heartwood entrance in the middle of the building using the buzzer code for
OVWSG if the door is locked. Take the short hall at the back of the foyer.
Turn right down the hallway the Studio is the last door on your right.
When are the workshops?
Our workshop schedule runs from January to December 2015. More
workshops can be added by requesting them from the Registrar (see “By
Request” instructions below). Workshops are generally scheduled on
weekends but if a group of students would prefer a weekday or weeknight workshop please contact the Registrar.
2015
By Request instructions:
1) Choose a topic—this can be a workshop from the suggested “By Request” list at the end of each section of the catalogue or another of your
choosing. Those on the suggested list already have instructors available,
however, the Registrar will work with you to find instructors for other
topics.
2) Collect a group of at least 4 students—ask your friends, post in the
OVWSG groups on Facebook or Ravelry.com, put a note in the newsletter,
or make an announcement at a meeting, demo or social. The onus is on
prospective students to put groups together. Provide the Registrar with
your request including contact details for your group members and preferred dates and times. E-mail: [email protected]
3) The Registrar will set up the workshop for you based on your request
and the availability of the instructor and classroom space. She will then
contact your workshop group and finalize dates, times and costs with
you.
4) If there are spaces left unfilled in your workshop it will be advertised
to the Guild so that others may join you.
Why choose our workshops?
Our small class size offers a better learning experience. The new Studio is
comfortable, bright and inviting. Equipment is provided for use during
workshops unless otherwise specified. Please advise the Registrar if you
would like to bring your own.
Small class size
promotes learning
Page 1
10/30/2014
Food for lunch:
You are welcome to bring your lunch and snacks. A refrigerator, microwave and Keurig coffee maker are available for your use. Coffee pods are
$0.75 or you may bring your own. There are also several fast food restaurants nearby.
To register or for further information contact the Registrar at [email protected]
Fiber Preparation:
If you are interested in understanding the processes that occur before your
fiber gets to your wheel or loom you may be interested in these courses.
Drum Carding
Fiber
Preparation
2015
Sunday January 11, 2015
Instructor: Judy Kavanagh
Description: How to use and maintain a drum carder. Making a smooth batt.
Making roving from a drum carder. Making rolags. How to handle difficult
fibres such as fine wool, alpaca or dog fur. Colour layers and stripes, blending
to get colours. Making art batts with add ins. How to spin drum carded batts.
May also be of interest to felters.
Level: Intermediate
Prerequisite: Basic spinning on
wheel or spindle, or basic
felting
Class Size: not more than 6
Time: 10am -4pm
Cost: 5h -$55 Member/
$70 Non-Member
Materials fee: $10.00
Note: Students should bring:
Your drum carder, or let the
teacher know if you don't have one. Your spinning wheel or spindle. Dog or cat
brush, Two dowels about 1/2” diameter and 12” long or just longer than the
width of your drum carder. Tweezers, Odds and ends of fibre to contribute to
our stash for making art batts. Washed fleece, locks, dyed, carded etc.
Wool Combing
Saturday May 30 , 2015
Instructor: Cindy O'Gorman
Description: Combing is a fibre preparation method used to produce smooth
worsted style yarns. In this hands-on workshop you will learn several techniques to using mini, handheld and stationary combs, even your own handcarders to prepare different fibres into
combed tops ready for spinning. We will also
learn to use the blending hackle to turn
combed tops into multi-coloured rovings.
Level: Beginner/Intermediate spinners
Prerequisite:
Class Size: not more than 6
Time: 10am –3pm
Small class size
promotes learning
Page 24
Cost: 4h -$45 Member/
$55 Non-Member
Materials fee: approx. $25
Note: Students should bring : A well-tuned
spinning wheel, and wool combs and hand
carding tools you may have. Please wear solid
shoes (no sandals)
To register or for further information contact the Registrar at [email protected]
What Your Hands Can Learn About Evaluating Fibre
Saturday June 27, 2015
Instructor: Susan Berlin
Description: Most spinners in this guild are urban-dwellers; consequently,
many of them have never gotten up close and personal with a fibre animal,
and they likely spin exclusively from prepared rovings or batts. They don’t
know how to evaluate fleeces, or how to assess them for what kind(s) of yarn
they would spin best, or how to determine what kinds of items those yarns
should be used for.
As a result, I’ve known far too may spinners and knitters whose only criteria,
when they set out to buy fibre or yarn, is softness. Soft yarns are wonderful –
but they’re not appropriate for all knitting projects. And if you want to spin a
yarn for a crisp outer garment that will show off a stitch pattern and won’t
pill, you have to start with a fibre that will produce that yarn.
Fortunately, our hands have a remarkable ability to give us information about
any fibre we handle. In this workshop, you’ll learn how to assess raw fleeces
(wools and alpaca) for soundness; to decide what sorts of spinning they each
require; and to consider what kind of finished item each fleece is ‘meant’ to
produce.
Fiber Preparation
WORKSHOPS 2015
Quick Reference Table:
Learn to spin Fiber Preparation:
Drum Carding - Judy Kavanagh
Sunday Jan 11 2015
Wool Combing - Cindy O'Gorman
Saturday May 30, 2015
What Your Hands Can Learn About Evaluating Fibre
- Susan Berlin
Saturday June 27, 2015
Level: All levels can be accommodated
Prerequisite: None – only an interest in
understanding your materials
Class Size: not more than 4
Time: 10am –4pm
Cost: 4h -$45 Member/
$55 Non-Member
Materials fee: $10.00
Note: None – will supply samples, but
people may bring their own fibre to
evaluate it.
See “By Request” instructions
Fibre - Rideau Arcott Sheep ( beginner )
Fibre - Shetland sheep ( beginner )
Fibre - Alpaca ( beginner )
Fibre - Spinning Polwarth Fleece ( beginner )
Fibre - Spin the Dog and Cat
Fibre - Flax into Linen (intermediate)
Fibre - Cotton and Charka spinning ( intermediate )
Fibre - Silk - prep and spinning ( intermediate )
(Course available on request. Contact the Registrar)
Instructor: (Various)
Description: These classes are designed to introduce various fibres to fibre-artists. They
will give students the opportunity to create a fibre binder containing information and
samples relating to a wide variety of fibres. Where possible we are attempting to find
local producers of the fibre to come and give us their insight. These may be taken in any
order.
Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Prerequisite: suggested, able to spin and ply comfortably on a wheel or spindle
Class Size:
Time: 3-5 hours
Page 25
By Request instructions:
1) Choose a topic—this can be a workshop from the
suggested “By Request” list at the end of each section
of the catalogue or another of your choosing. Those
on the suggested list already have instructors available,
however, the Registrar will work with you to find instructors for other topics.
2) Collect a group of at least 4 students—ask your
friends, post in the OVWSG groups on Facebook or
Ravelry.com, put a note in the newsletter, or make an
announcement at a meeting, demo or social. The onus
is on prospective students to put groups together.
Provide the Registrar with your request including contact details for your group members and preferred
dates and times. E-mail: [email protected]
3) The Registrar will set up the workshop for you
based on your request and the availability of the instructor and classroom space. She will then contact
your workshop group and finalize dates, times and
costs with you.
4) If there are spaces left unfilled in your workshop it
will be advertised to the Guild. so that others may join
you.
To register or for further information contact the Registrar at [email protected]
Felting:
“Non-Woven Fabric”
Where do I start?
For most of the felting classes there are no prerequisites. A beginner can take
them but if you have felted before you will find you can work a bit faster.
Felting
Wet Felted Tea Cozy
(Don’t leave your teapot Cold and Naked)
Saturday Feb 21 2015
Instructor: Ann McElroy
2015
Description: Using wet (traditional) felting techniques
come make a custom tea cozy for your favourite tea
pot. Each person will make a pattern for their teapot.
You will pick you main colour and I will provide lots of
extra colours in wool and silk to help you personalize it.
You will need to bring your teapot to class.
Level: Beginner
Prerequisite: No prior experience is needed. Experienced
felters may discuss more complicated patterns beforehand and take part in this class.
Class Size: not more than 6
Time: 10am-4pm
Cost: 5h -$55 Member/
$70 Non-Member
Materials fee: $20 Bring: clothes that can get wet or
waterproof apron.
Wet Felted Bird house
Saturday April 25 2015
Instructor: Ann McElroy
Description: come make a funky bird house for your fine feathered friends. Starting
with loose wool we will make the felt and the bird house at the same time. Everyone
leaves with one large or 2 small bird houses. You will have a variety of shapes and sizes
to choose from. You can pick your base colour and there will be lots of extras to decorate with. The bird houses are weather resistant and meant to be hung outside to
brighten your yard and provide a home for our feathered friends.
Small class size
promotes learning
Page 26
Level: All
Prerequisite: No prior experience is needed. Experienced felters may discuss more complicated patterns beforehand and take
part in this class.
Class Size: not more than 6
Time: 10am-4pm
Cost: 5h -$55 Member/
$70 Non-Member
Materials fee: $15 - $25 depending on
size made
All supplies provided for beginners. Wear
clothes that you do not mind getting wet.
To register or for further information contact the Registrar at [email protected]
Wet Felted Slippers
FELTING
Sunday October 25 2015
Instructor: Ann McElroy
Description: Starting with fine loose wool you will learn how to wet felt, sometimes
called traditional felting while making yourself a pair of slippers in your choice of
boot or shoe styles. You will have a choice of colour and there will be lots of extra
wool in many colours and some hand dyed silk for you to personalize your slippers.
Each person will leave with finished slippers
Level: Beginner
Prerequisite: No prior experience is needed. Experienced felters may discuss more complicated
patterns beforehand and take part in this class. .
Class Size: 6 -12
Time: 10am to 4pm
WORKSHOPS 2015
Quick Reference Table:
Wet Felted Tea Cozy - Ann McElroy
Saturday Feb 21 2015
Wet Felted Bird House - Ann McElroy
Saturday April 25 2015
Wet Felted Slippers
Sunday October 25 2015
Cost: 5h -$55 Member/
$70 Non-Member
Materials fee: $20 Bring: clothes that can get
wet or waterproof apron.
Needle felting: Ornament / Sheep
Saturday Nov 28 2015
Ann McElroy
Needle Felted Sheep - Ann McElroy
Saturday Nov 28 2015
Nuno Felted Scarf - Ann McElroy
Saturday Dec 5 2015
Instructor: Ann McElroy
Description: Learn the basics of needle felting, the latest craze! This portable, doanywhere craft is perfect for the modern busy life and for just relaxing. Using some simple tools you will learn to make shapes to turn into anything you would like. During
class you will make sheep in your choice of colours. You will make your sheep naked and
then clothe it in handpicked, hand dyed tiny Bluefaced Leicester curls.
Level: Beginner
Prerequisite: No prior experience is needed.
Class Size: not more than 6
Time: 10am-4pm
Cost: 5h -$55 Member/
$70 Non-Member
Materials fee: $10
Some suggestions for
workshops by request:
(Course available on request. See “By Request” instructions)
Needle felting: a hanging bird
Nuno Felted Scarf
Saturday Dec 5 2015
Needle felted pincushion
Instructor: Ann McElroy
Wet and needle felted sculptural figure
Description: Come learn the latest in felt fashion, combining fine wool with fine woven silk
to make a fabulous new fabric that drapes wonderfully. Each student will make a beautiful
unique scarf using fine merino wool and hand dyed silk in fabulous colours Nuno felt
makes a great fabric not only by its self but combined with other fabrics as well. It makes a
great fabric for cutting and sewing as well.
Wet and needle felted Picture
Wet felted rug
Wet felted vessel
Level: Beginner
Prerequisite: No prior experience is needed. Experienced felters may
discuss more complicated patterns beforehand and take part in this
class.
Class Size: not more than 6
Time: 10am-4pm
Nuno felt
Cost: 5h -$55 Member/
$70 Non-Member
Materials fee: $10 Wear clothes that you do not mind getting wet.
Felt Fingerless Mitts, Cuffs or Wrist
warmers
Page 27
Nuno Felt Bracelet
Wet felted large project (jacket or vest)
Wet felted cat cave
Wet Felted Hat
To register or for further information contact the Registrar at [email protected]
Introduction to Basketry - Wool Drying Basket (or for
magazines, rolled up towels etc.)
Saturday March 7, 2015
Instructor: Laurie Harkin-Chiasson
Basketry
2015
Description:
This is a fairly large reed basket (approx.11” x 11” base) with wooden feet to
keep the bottom of the basket off the ground. You will learn to weave with
reed, form the basket bottom, how to insert the feet, shape the sides and finish/lash the top rim. This is a handy basket, useful for many things. Note:
The materials fee is a bit high because of the quantity of material needed to
make a large basket, such as this. If I can source cheaper materials, I will pass
on the savings.
Level: Beginner
Prerequisite: None
Class Size: not more than 8
Time: 10am –5pm
Cost: 5h -$55 Member/
$70 Non-Member
Materials fee: $38.00
Note: Students should bring :
A hand towel, plastic bucket for soaking reed ,masking tape, approx. 20 clothes
pegs, a container to hold the clothes pegs, ruler or measuring tape (flexible
dress maker style is best) and an apron (optional)
Pine Needle Basket
Saturday April 11, 2015
Instructor: Laurie Harkin-Chiasson
Description: Make a small pine needle basket. Several delicate decorative features will
be taught, as well as traditional stitches, making a round or oval basket, shaping and
adding handles. This is a “sewn” coil style of basket. All equipment and supplies are
provided. *** NOTE: A traditional pine needle basket is bound using raffia. Due to poor
quality raffia supplies lately (breaking and fraying too
readily), we will switch to using thread as the binding
for this basket. You will take home a beautiful, fragrant
basket.
Level: Beginner
Prerequisite: Ability to use needle and thread
Class Size: not more than 8
Time: 10am-5pm
Cost: 5h -$55 Member/
$70 Non-Member
Materials fee: $12
Students should bring: A small hand towel and/or tea
towel, scissors
Small class size
promotes learning
Page 28
By Request Basketry:
Some suggestions for workshops by request:
Market basket
Stair basket
Egg Basket (a rib style basket)
To register or for further information contact the Registrar at [email protected]
Sewing Handwoven Fabrics
Couture – Cutting Handwoven Fabric
Sunday Oct 4, 2015
Instructor: Nancy Gauthier
Description: Gain confidence in handling your beautiful handwoven fabrics,
especially when cutting them, for the purpose of sewing. Learn how to prevent
and stop the fraying of fabric edges.
Level: Any level
Prerequisite: Able to sew and use a sewing machine . No weaving knowledge or
experience required.
Class Size: not more than 3
Time: 12:30-4:30 pm
Cost: 4h -$45 Member/
$55 Non-Member
Materials fee: $5
Students should bring: Sewing
machine threaded in light colour;
walking or rolling foot attachment +
your screwdriver if required ; fabric
scissors; snips; seam riper; pins and
needle; thimble; optional: 8" square
samples you'd like to test in class.
Sewing
Handwoven
Fabrics
2015
Take the step after weaving!
Lean how to deal with handwoven fabric edges .
Cutting Handwoven Fabric with Nancy Gauthier
Sunday Oct 4, 2015 12:30 to 4:30 (no break)
Finishing Handwoven Garments with Nancy
Gauthier
Couture – Finishing Handwoven Fabric
Sunday Oct 18, 2015 12:30 to 4:30 (no break)
Sunday Oct 18, 2015
Instructor: Nancy Gauthier
Description: Learn some couture tricks to make garments and other items you
sew look professional. You will be able to easily and quickly apply them to your
everyday sewing: well-sewn seams, flattening of seams, eliminating bulky
seam allowances, understitching, darts, shaping fabrics, and matching prints.
This workshop has been specially developed for your beautiful handwoven fabrics.
Level: Any level
Prerequisite: Able to sew and use a sewing machine . No weaving knowledge or
experience required.
Class Size: not more than 3
Time: 12:30-4:30 pm
Cost: 4h -$45 Member/
$55 Non-Member
Materials fee: $5
Students should bring: Sewing machine
threaded in light colour; walking or
rolling foot attachment + your screwdriver if required ; fabric scissors; snips;
seam ripper; pins and needle; thimble;
fabric pencil marker in light colour;
optional: 8" square samples you'd like
to test in class.
Page 29
Small class size
promotes learning
To register or for further information contact the Registrar at [email protected]
Dyeing:
“The process of adding color to textile products like fibres, yarns, and fabrics.”
Dyeing
2015
Some suggestions for workshops by request:
Resist dyed Silk Scarves
Dyeing with small appliances – Microwaves, crockpots and mason jars
Natural Dyes
Dye the Colour Wheel
Introduction to Natural Dyeing with Amanda Carrigan
Dyeing 101
Handpainted Warps - Visual Landscapes
Sunday May 10, 2015
Instructor: Judith Rygiel
Description: Create visual interest by hand painting wool warp threads with
acid dyes.
($25 includes one lb of wool yarn, dyes, dye fixer and plastic wrap)
Level: Beginner
Prerequisite: None
Class Size: not more than 6
Time: 9:30am -3:30pm
Cost: 5h -$55 Member/
$70 Non-Member
Materials fee: $25 (includes one lb. of
wool yarn, dyes, dye fixer and plastic
wrap)
Note: Students should bring : Old
clothes, paper towels, cotton rags, 2
buckets, 5 or more soft fat paint brushes, five yoghurt or margarine cups, 5
jam jars with lids, rubber gloves, plastic
apron
Small
size sizes
Smallclass
classes
promotes
promote learning
learning
Page 30
To register or for further information contact the Registrar at [email protected]
Teaching for Teachers
These two days of workshop are designed to assist the Fibre artist who has
the knowledge but wants to develop the teaching skills to share that
knowledge. Or, those who are already teaching may want to improve upon existing skills.
Teachers
2015
Facilitation Basics/Teaching for Teachers : 2 Day Course
Saturdays: June 13 and 20, 2015
Instructor: Kelly MacGregor
Description: Teaching for Teachers is a two day course to prepare you for leading
the classroom. Designed to build confidence and skills, this course covers the
basics of organizing and delivering information to small groups. We will cover
basic learning styles; build an awareness of how to deliver materials in a variety
of ways; prepare a lesson plan and deliver it. This two day course is designed to
assist the fibre artist who has the knowledge but wants to develop the teaching
skills to share that knowledge. Or, those who are already teaching may want to
improve upon existing skills.
Level: Not applicable
Prerequisite: Not applicable
Class Size: not more than 15
Time: 10am-4pm
Cost: 6h -$65 Member/
$85 Non-Member
Materials fee: Not applicable
Note: Students should bring: Not applicable
Small class size
promotes learning
Page 31
To register or for further information contact the Registrar at [email protected]
The Ottawa Valley weavers and Spinners Guild
is a large and active guild. We have just celebrated
our 65th anniversary in September 2014. Our
monthly meetings, which are open to the public, are
held at Heartwood House, 404 McArthur Ave Ottawa. (Check the ovwsg.com for all the details) This is
also the location of our studio, extensive fiber related library and of course our workshops.
You can find members of the guild volunteering at
various community events demonstrating; weaving
spinning felting and sometimes basketry around the
city.
Members of the Guild organize group purchases of
yarn or fiber. We have frequent socials in the studio
and foyer.
Members can join a group who will warp and
weave projects together on the 100 inch Loom.
This size of loom requires 2 weavers to operate
and there are only a few guilds who have one.
Come Join us!
We are having fun!
You are welcome to join us so please drop by one
of our meetings.
Page 38
To register or for further information contact the Registrar at [email protected]
Last years Happy grand prize winner!
2015 Annual
Fall Exhibition and Sale
Glebe Community Centre
Friday, November 6 (4 pm - 8 pm)
Saturday, November 7 (10 am - 5 pm)
Sunday, November 8 (10 am - 4 pm)
The 35th edition of the Exhibition and Sale will be at the Glebe Community Centre, 175 Third Avenue (corner of Third Avenue and Lyon St.
South).
Admission is Free.
Parking is Free - along Second Avenue, Third Avenue,
OC Transpo routes 1, 6 and 7 are within a very short walk to the
Glebe Community Centre. (Click on this OC Transpo link and type in
"175 Third Avenue". Click on the red triangles to see bus stops &
route information.)
Watch the website for a full list of venders for the 2015
Exhibition and sale
Page 39
To register or for further information contact the Registrar at [email protected]
2015 Annual Fall Exhibition and Sale
You can find us at the Glebe community center the first weekend in
November for our annual exhibition and sail.
Come see guild members demonstrate weaving and spinning.
We will be raffling off a hand woven blanket made by guild members
on our 100 inch loom. This loom requires 2 people to weave on it.
For more information see our web site
http://www.ovwsg.com/exhibitionandsale/index.html
Keep for your Records
Mail to Registrar
OVWSG Workshop Registration Form
OVWSG Registration Information
All courses and workshops are held in our Studio at
Heartwood House, 404 McArthur Ave Ottawa, ON K1K
1G8. (Enter the building by the Heartwood entrance in
the middle of the building using the buzzer code for
OVWSG if the door is locked. Take the Short hall at the
back of the foyer. Turn Right down the hallway the Studio is the last door on your right.)
– Detach and send to Registrar
Mailing Address c/o: Elizabeth Watt, Registrar
1118 West Ave, Manotick, ON K4M 1G6
Tel: 613-692-6115
E-mail: [email protected]
OVWSG
Workshop
Registration
2015
Make a separate cheque for each course, dated one
(1) week before the course, payable to “OVWSG”.
The OVWSG strives to be accessible to all. If you require
accommodation for special needs in order to take part
in a workshop please contact the Registrar.
Please list workshop title, date, and cost
Title
Date
Cost
Equipment for all workshops is provided unless otherwise specified. If you would like to bring your own
equipment please let the Registrar know.
Payment: 1) PayPal: Email the form to the Registrar
at [email protected]. The Registrar will send you
a PayPal invoice for each workshop. Once payment is
completed you will receive a confirmation e-mail that
your registration is complete.
2) By Mail: Print out and complete the registration
form. Keep this section of the form for your records.
Mail the other section of the form with a separate
cheque for each workshop to the address below.
(Please note that materials fees are to be paid directly
to instructors and should not be included in your
cheque). You will receive confirmation by e-mail that
your registration is complete.
To register or for further information contact the Registrar at [email protected]
Registration Form: Contact information
Page 40
Small
class size
promotes
learning
Name:_________________________________________________
For your reference please note the workshop titles and
dates and times here:
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
Phone:________________________________________________
Mailing Address c/o: Elizabeth Watt, Registrar
1118 West Ave, Manotick, ON K4M 1G6
E-mail: [email protected]
E-mail:________________________________________________
You are welcome to bring your lunch and snacks. A refrigerator, microwave and Keurig coffee maker are
available for your use. Coffee pods are $0.75 or you may
bring your own. There are also several fast food restaurants nearby.
Address:______________________________________________
Cancellation policy: Students who need to cancel their
registration up to 1 week prior to the start of the workshop will receive a full refund. Cancellations within 1
week of workshops and “no-shows” will not be refunded. If the OVWSG cancels a workshop for any reason all
registration fees will be re-funded.