Events
Deb Robson: Breed Specific Wools: What They Are and Why They Matter! February 25, at 2:00 pm via Google Meet
Join us to hear Deb Robson, co-author of The Fleece and Fiber Sourcebook talk about Breed Specific Wools. Wool grows in an amazing range of varieties with all sorts of different properties, and the wool you want to use to make a camisole isn't the same wool you'd choose to make a laptop case or stuff a mattress with. Wools vary in comfort, warmth, durability, and other factors that can make or break our textile projects. What is a breed? Why do breeds matter? What are some breed-specific wools, and how do we best use them? With a combination of science and art, we can broaden our fiber horizons and have more fun with the fabrics we construct and use.
Free to Des Moines Weavers and Spinners Guild Members
Non-members: $10 Please fill out a class registration form under the events tab to register. A Paypal invoice will be sent to you.
A Link to Google Meet will be sent to all participants February 24.
Midwest Weavers Conference ~ Confluence of Threads
June 12 -17th 2023 in Des Moines, Iowa
NAVAJO STYLE WEAVING BOOT CAMP
APRIL 19 - 22, 2023 9AM TO 6PM $620*
We are excited to announce we will be hosting two Navajo Master Weavers, Jennie Slick and Gloria Begay, along with Mary Walker, owner of Weaving in Beauty, for Navajo Style Weaving Boot Camp in Des Moines, Iowa. Participants need not have any prior experience in Navajo style weaving, but have an intense interest in learning this beautiful form of tapestry weaving.
Classes will meet daily from 9 am to 6 pm in Room 1165 of Franklin Jr. High Events Center, 4801 Franklin Ave., Des Moines, IA. Looms and tools will be provided in class for use during Boot Camp. They will be available for purchase after the class is completed. Participants will need to provide their own yarn, or purchase yarn from Mary in class. Recommended: Burnham's Trading Post Yarn in Worsted weight (can be ordered from weavinginbeauty.com) or Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride in worsted weight. Bring at least 3 colors, or more if you have a design in mind that will use more than 3 colors.
Participants will design and weave their own Navajo type tapestry during class, with help from Master Weavers Jennie Slick and Gloria Begay. What you can expect to learn:
The Basics:
Loom warping
Basic weaving
Basic joins
Problem-solving
Finishing
Advanced topics available:
Side selvage cord use
Designing for weavability
Computer-based design options
Combining joins
Twill techniques
Wedge weave
Raised outline
To Register: Complete a Class Registration form (under the Events tab), and pay by check or Paypal.
If paying by check, the class is $600. If paying by card, the class is $620 to cover PayPal's fee.
FIBERFEST APRIL 29, 9:00 - 4:00
Classes, Vendors, and Demonstrations
Examples of what our vendors will have to offer
