Year: 2018

We will have out June meeting at the Western Watauga Center on Thursday, June 21.  We will have the potluck beginning at 6:30 pm and then enjoy trading fibery things.  Please be there for the good food and the fun.

See you there!

The next meeting of the Blue Ridge Fiber Guild will be Thursday, May 17, at 6:30. We will meet at the Western Watauga Center and have a program and demonstration of knitting machines. If you have one, please bring it.

The Yadkin Valley Fiber room has moved to Elkin, NC as of May first.
Our March newsletter discussed change, creative evolution, and springtime refreshment. On this note, it is my pleasure to share some exciting news with you!

As of 1 May, 2018 the Yadkin Valley Fiber Room is becoming the Yadkin Valley Fiber Center, relocating to historic Elkin, North Carolina! In addition to occupying the top floor of the Foothills Arts Council, our new location offers a wide range of dining, lodging, and area attractions, all within a short drive of the Center.

Our new location is an easy drive up I-77 from Charlotte or Hwy 421 from the Triad area. In addition to housing the Center, the Foothills Art Council, features a gallery, gardens, amphitheater, and gift shop filled with local heritage arts and crafts.

I am thrilled to invite you to visit our new space and continue to help us in our mission of fostering creativity in the fiber arts either as a student, instructor, or visitor to the Center.

I look forward to seeing you at the Center soon!

Leslie Fesperman

On May 26th there will be sheep shearing and a sheep to shawl demonstration at the Ashe County Farmer’s Market in West Jefferson (on Back Street). Needed are spinners (we will spin from the grease); pickers and drum carders, and any other fiber demonstration showing how wool has been used. Demonstrators may sell their wares that day. contact Rita or Jane Campbell if you can help out that day. It’s fun – also anyone who wants to “skirt” the sheared fleece is welcome. Learn it all here.

September Arts council show from Susan Payne:

Unfortunately, I will not be at the meeting Thursday nite due to a quilting retreat- but wanted to share some info about the Art Space display. I did hang Cindy Weaver’s weavings this week and used some empty frames to hang/ display some scarves & smaller work. Artspace has plenty! There are some pedestals as well and at least 2 black velvet upper torsos that will work for wearables.

In addition Cherry simply changed the light bulbs in our gallery space making the area seem larger & more professional.

Stop by any Wednesday – Saturday from 11:00 am – 5:00 to check it out!

Please keep checking our blueridgefiberguild website to find dates and information about upcoming fiber festivals and shows.

We are back to meeting on the third Thursday evening of each month from 6:30 – 8:00 at the Western Watauga Center. There’s a new loom to see, more yarn and books, and papers to complete for those who will have item(s) in the September Arts Council show.

This is a “:share-show-tell” meeting – Bring any projects finished or otherwise to share with the group. snoacks and drinks are up to everyone. A little goes a long way.

Can’t wait to see you there.

Our next get-together is Saturday, March 17 at 9 AM to car pool to Sycamore Shoals in Elizabethton, Tenn. We will be going to the Over Mountain Weavers demonstrations, vendors, and fun for all. The show starts at 10 – 4 and features a lot of weavers, spinners, knitters and vendors of fibery stuff.

Don’t forget the spinning-knitting group this Sunday at Western Watauga Center 2 – 4. If you need more information or fiber, contact Sandi Basel.

The February Guild Meeting is on Sat. Feb. 17th at 10:30 am at the Western Watauga Center

This is a share and tell program so please bring what you are working on or something you’d like to share – any fiber-related goodie is welcome. This way we learn from each other and get new ideas.

Bring food or drink to share also – nothing fancy.

Can’t wait to see you there.

Our January meeting has been rescheduled for Jan. 20th. Janeene will present a demo on the inkle loom. All who have them are invited to bring them.

The meeting for tomorrow will be rescheduled do to bad weather. Stay tuned for new date.

We are meeting a week earlier this month due to a conflict our presenter had so join us on January 13th from 10:30 – 12:30 at the  Western Watauga Community Center – 1081 Old US Hwy 421, Sugar Grove, NC 28679.

Blue Ridge Fiber Guild Workshop Jan 2018 presented by: Susan Sharpe

Designing Ikat Warps: Ikat is a resist-dyeing method of creating color and pattern in weaving. Sections of warp can be blocked out with a plastic wrap which resists color when dyed later. Susan Sharpe will show samples of ikat projects and demonstrate the basic technique for designing warps. She will also demonstrate how to warp and weave on an inkle loom.

Part 1: You can choose to use warping boards or a clamp set-up to wind out warps of various lengths, then wrap areas to resist dye. Bring warps you would like to use, or choose from our assortment. 2, 3, or 4-ply cotton warp or cotton/rayon blends will give good results. Wool and silk are okay, if you are planning to use a heated dye bath. Good project ideas are belts, guitar straps, or even shoe laces for inkle looms, or placemats and scarves for rigid heddle looms.

Part 2: We will schedule a dye workshop at Redwing Studio in the spring or summer, which will feature natural indigo and madder from Stony Creek Colors in Tennessee. We will check out their website to see some color possibilities. We can easily do black walnut or other colors, too.