Monday, February 1, 2016

Getting an early start for ANWG

starting on the ribbons
The Qualicum Weavers and Spinners guild is a member of the Association of North West Weaving Guilds (ANWG).  We are excited that the association conference will be in Victoria in 2017.  The dates for the conference are June 28 to July 2, 2017.
Now that may seem like a long way off but work on the conference is gearing up and as we all know time speeds up if there is a deadline.  For more details go to the following www.anwgconference2017.com

 Our guild is helping to weave the prize ribbons.  You can see the beginning of one set of ribbons in the picture to the right.  Other guilds are weaving more ribbons,and name bags.  If you are lucky enough to come home with a ribbon it might have been made by one of our members.  If you attend the conference you are certain to go home with a lovely and quite useful name bag.

Our guild members are starting to think about weaving something for the conference.  There are lots of opportunities.  You can do something special for the fashion show, juried show or the open show or your guild booth.  There is also talk of a tea towel exchange.  Oh my do weavers love tea towels!  The conference is going to be the focus of our projects over the next year.

warp for ribbons


The colour study group is looking into the "conference colours" and members are working on designs using the conference colours as a palette.  Working outside your normal palette is a challenge that can expand your ideas of colour in weaving.
The warp for the ribbons includes a selection of the conference colours.  The warp is cotton from Maurice Brassard in Quebec but there are many other sources.  You will find the full range of conference colours at the conference web site.




Our guild is in the process of applying for booth space.  That will inspire another group project.  What will be our theme and how will it link to the conference theme  "Treadle Lightly"??  The guild booths at previous conferences were very well presented.  It will be a challenge to meet their standard.
Our studio looms are being set up for tea towels so members will have lots to exchange.
guild booth ANWG


The More Than Four group are working on the subject Inlay Techniques but members have challenged each other to plan a project that could be submitted to one of the shows or put in the guild booth.
But perhaps the most important project is something to wear to the conference.  It is always great fun to people watch at these functions, or more accurately to check out their clothing.  And of course if you created that artsy top that you just never get to wear this is the place to show it off.  Whether you are scanning the crowd in the exhibition hall or watching the women (and men) at the conference banquet you'll see awesome wearable art.


But time flies so don't procrastinate.  Start your planning now after all you may need several outfits, something for the booth and something for one of the shows.  Don't forget the tea towels!