25 Years of Fiber and Friendship

Sheila's transparency

centre piece

This month we celebrated our guild's 25th anniversary with an old fashion tea complete with china cups, silver tea pots, fancy sandwiches and cake.

 Each table was decorated with an imaginative table centre.  As you would expect they were one of a kind fibre creations    

 Past members came with stories and memories to share.  We learned how the guild had made several moves before finding a home in the via Train Station and how a painting of the station had helped to raise funds for the studio renovation.      

founding members

   






Elaine Duncan, the weaving teacher who encouraged her students to form the Qualicum Weavers and Spinners Guild, was our special guest.  Myrtle, who helped to found the guild was one of Elaine's students.  Myrtle presented Elaine with a hand woven shawl. It is inspiring to see that after 25 years both teacher and student are still deeply involved in weaving and continue to share their knowledge and experience with others.

Elaine our first teacher

Our guild has many long term members who have contributed over time by serving on committees or the executive and who continue to be mentors and volunteers a guild events.  They were also recognized as an ongoing resource and presented with the commemorative coasters.

Linda's coasters in summer and winter

Interest in the fibre arts waxes and wanes over time.  Guilds such as ours maintain the knowledge and resources over the long term. They provide support and fellowship for artisans with a common interest.  They encourage new artisans to take up the craft and move it forward.  Thanks to people like Myrtle and Elaine who saw the value in starting and maintaining a guild there will be organizations to help us in our fibre arts journey for many years to come.





As part of the celebration guild members were asked to weave something with silver threads.  The entries into the "glitz" challenge were on display at the tea.  Sheila's transparency (pictured above) captured the spirit of the day with the fireworks and silver threads.  The black outline on the lettering makes it pop against the neutral background.

Many of our guild members are spinners and knitters as well as weavers and we can all use a knitting angel from time to time.

silver and white hand spun yarn

Knitting angel

 

Several of the pieces were elegant scarves or shawls that were "dressed up" with the subtle use of metallic threads.

close up of inlay section

Silver, white and black make a stunning combination. The piece on the left uses pattern inlay in silver and white against a plain weave in black to make a dramatic statement.

detail undulating twill shawl

Black and silver in an undulating twill creates a glittering effect over the entire piece.  This item will look even better with movement as the silver flashes in the light.
The picture below shows another version of a black and silver shawl.  Narrow silver bands in the warp and in the weft create a pattern of squares. The shawl is open and so light that it would make an elegant wrap for a dressy outfit on even a summer evening.
Any of these shawls would look stunning with the braided necklace with its Celtic knot.

silver lines on black background

braided necklace

sequin scarf

 The final black and silver piece is a narrow scarf with a multitude of silver sequins.  It looks more like a piece of jewellery than a scarf.

Benita's scarf

shawls in teal

Silver also pairs well with cool greens and blues and several members took advantage of this.  The photos shows quite different interpretations of a similar theme.  The three scarves are related in colour although one is a pastel shade.  Two have used a fancy ribbon accent.  One includes the ribbon accent in the warp while the ribbon forms weft bands in varying sizes in the other.

detail of shawl

Silver threads are also present in this twill shawl.  They create a subtle twinkle when the light catches them.







Some imaginative accessories were included in the show.  These items were made using a pin-loom to create squares of cloth that can be assembled to produce larger pieces.  The colourful bags are meant for carrying wine to a party.  Now that's an accessory that fits with the celebration theme.

pin loom bag

wine bags

There was a prize for the best entry into the glitz challenge.  Elaine was put to work to judge the entries.  She was complementary about all of the entries but in the end she had to make a choice.  The winner is now busy deciding which yarns to buy with the gift certificate.

the winner

Many hands helped to make this a great afternoon.  The organizing committee did a great job and we appreciate their efforts.  We would also like to thank Quality Foods of Qualicum Beach for supplying the food and Lyle Mufford of Strait Coffee Roasters in Sechelt for supplying the tea.