Rug/Tapestry Study Group Minutes April 14, 2012

Present: Catherine Easton, Lori Beck, Jan Tooker, John Geppert, Mary Howell, Victoria Hilton, Sue Ranta, Cheryl Rennick, Henda Pretorius, Paula Churchill, Karen Cantrell.

Show venue: We are hoping to be able to schedule a show at Westminster Presbyterian Church in October of 2013. Cheryl will be making arrangements with the church and will let us know once this is definite. If anyone wants to have their piece for sale, a the tag will need to indicate that along with price and contact information; the buyer would then contact the weaver directly to arrange the purchase.

Last month Shelda discussed the possibility of having a show at the Library in Nebraska City, but this is not definite.

Show Theme: Previously we had discussed theme topics including butterflies, nature, and spirituality. Today we discussed the possibility of using a prairie theme, and talked about two choices for a title: Spirit of the Prairie, and Homage to the Prairie. We did not decide on a title, but discussion included the fact that the prairie theme can include all the earlier-discussed ideas. This will be discussed more in the future. Our hope is that our theme will inspire colors and design idea choices.

Study Options: We talked about the fact that we have many newer weavers who may want some guidance on making rugs, and that more experienced weavers may want to try some techniques that are new to them. After discussion, we decided to schedule opportunities to learn the basics and try our hand at a variety of weaving structures that can be used in rugs. Jan will put together some basic information about weaving rugs, and several of us will thread table looms which can be used to weave samples of each of the techniques described. The looms will be available at the studio for sample weaving for a length of time sufficient so everyone has a chance to try the ones they want. We will try to videotape the demonstration so people who are unable to attend can still benefit from the video, the handouts, and the hands on sample weaving.

April 28, 11:00 - 3:00: Plain Weave structures including:
Bound weave
Pick and pick
Clasped weft
Compensated Inlay
Wedge weave

June 9, 11:00 - 3:00: Twill derivatives including:
Krokbragd
Point twill
Rosepath

July 14, 11:00 - 1:00: Block weaves including:
Plain block weave
Log Cabin
Crackle
Shaft switching

August 11, 11:00 - 1:00: Rep weave

October 20, 11:00 - 3:00: Theo Mooreman technique

Other study options for the future may include a tapestry class taught by Shelda and Sharon (possibly in the summer of 2013), a dyeing class taught by Sharon sometime in 2013 (she will do a short program on dyeing at the Guild meeting on November 10),and other programs that will happen as part of the Guild meetings, scheduled every month (except June). See the calendar listing on the web site for planned program topics. www.lincweaver.blogspot.com.

Our next meeting will be on Saturday, May 12 at 11:00 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Jan Tooker