A most enjoyable day. The sun shone, though it was bit chilly in the woods, and there was a nice friendly atmosphere with families out to enjoy the woodland and the activities that had been laid on. We were first asked to participate in this event last year when it was held at the end of May, and I had … Read More
Tapestry Weaving Workshop 22 September
Our tutor was tapestry weaver Alastair Duncan (https://alastair-duncan.com/tapestry-weaving), and our theme, reflecting the date, was the autumn equinox. Alastair started off with a power point and talk about his journey as a tapestry weaver, and his approach to design. In tapestry weaving light, texture and yarns all work together, so choice of materials is crucial and may be influenced by … Read More
Anna Champeney Talk
Anna’s talk to guild members on Saturday told the story of her weaving life from the year 2000, when aged 30, she and her partner moved to rural Ribiera Sacra in NW Spain, until the present day. “Madness” is how she described this decision, and bold it certainly was… without any weaving skills she set out to revive what was … Read More
Open Day and Warping Demo October 2023
After an unexpected change of venue, the day got off to a start with Stephanie demonstrating how to wind a warp using a warping mill. The principal is the same as using a warping frame. She explained “the cross” – you wind so that in one direction the thread goes over the second last post, and on the return it … Read More
Jaine Mahon, Skye Silks
On 11th February twenty plus Guild members met by zoom to hear Jaine Mahon’s inspirational talk about her journey as a spinner, weaver and dyer. Like many of us she learned to knit and sew as a child – so young she can’t remember learning to knit! After school she did a computing course at university, visited a craft centre … Read More
November 2022 Rigid Heddle Weaving Workshop
It was a pleasure to run this workshop for 13 people, even though everyone was at a different skill level. Beginners progressed from plain weave to simple pick-up, while the more experienced produced a range of patterns, guided by examples on a worksheet. I was able to instruct and help, as needed, aided by Bryony. However, skill-sharing among the group … Read More
September Open Day 2022
This meeting had a focus on spindles. Sheila had brought along a collection of different types, and started by demonstrating a kick spindle. The spindle is supported in a framework and operated by spinning the ball at the lower end with the foot, giving the spinner a really good workout!! She also demonstrated a Navaho spindle, as well as smaller … Read More
Double Weave Workshop May 2022
Our first face to face workshop for over two years was tutored by Christina Chisholm, a very experienced weaver, who is also very good at explaining things. She also used samples from her Certificate of Achievement to show what we we’re aiming at. In double weave half of the warp threads are used for the top layer, half for the … Read More
Weaving Challenge Jan 2023
Following the example of the spinning group we are setting a weaving related challenge for January. This is not restricted to those who join in the monthly zoom. It’s open to everyone to join in and have fun! You won’t need to get any fancy equipment, in fact (and I’ve just thought of this!) part of the challenge could be … Read More
January 2022 – Janet Phillips, Weaver
Janet describes herself as textile designer rather than a hand weaver: she starts with a design brief, constructs the weave, then works out a threading and lifting plan, rather than the other way round. This is the way she learned to work in her first weeks at Galashiels. She uses a table loom to sample and works multiple section sample … Read More
August 2021 All About Cotton
I wasn’t able to attend this meeting, so the write up is thanks to Liz. I clearly missed a very interesting meeting which looked at spinning, weaving and dyeing cotton, with contributions from several of our members. It’s attached here as a document: Cotton spinning
July 2021 Cally Booker – Weaver
Cally gave an inspiring talk on her life as a weaver from how she got started to the work she is doing now. She described her journey as a series of accidents! Cally lives and works in Dundee and her walk from home to her studio in an old jute mill takes her through a park, which is a source … Read More
Rigid Heddle Weaving 14 March 2020
Jane Kitchener tutored this beginners workshop, which was held the day before the Krogbragd workshop. Apologies for not posting this sooner. I wasn’t there, but it seems to have been a very successful day, and Inga has provided photos which show what went on. The resulting weaving looks lovely. Here is Jane’s report of the day: As someone who regularly … Read More
Krokbragd Weaving 15 March 2020
Another excellent workshop tutored by Kathryn Kusa. Eleven Guild members took part, and there was a lot of bustle early on as everyone arrived and started to set up their looms – quite a variety of these, including 2 rigid heddle looms. We had warping instructions beforehand. Krokbragd uses just uses 3 shafts and is threaded 1, 2, 3, 2. … Read More
Spinning workshops 11 & 12 January 2020
The Spinning for Beginners workshop, run by Michelle Stirling on 11 January seems to have gone very well – here is a write up from Inga: As is very common at guild events the air at the beginning of the session seemed full of anticipation for a day of crafting fun, and Michelle did not disappoint! The day was full … Read More
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