2022–2023 Programs
We currently plan to have several in-person meetings and workshops in 2022-2023, but some meetings will be conducted virtually using the ZOOM Internet service, rather than in-person at our normal meeting place. Unless otherwise noted, meetings start at 10 am US Central Time.
Masks are optional but recommended for indoor guild events. Please do not attend if you have any Covid-19 symptoms, have been exposed to Covid-19, or have tested positive for Covid-19.
Please be sure to check this page for updates closer to the actual program dates.
Tuesday, September 13th
Berit Engen
“1000 Jewish Tapestries”
Berit began weaving as a child in Norway and now practices this ancient craft in the centuries-old tradition of expounding on Jewish texts. Her ongoing project, “WEFT and DRASH – A Thousand Jewish Tapestries,” begun in 2007, consists to date of about 640 pieces. She compares her small-scale, linen-yarn tapestries to Japanese Haiku: formally constrained by a miniature size, imagistic and focused, yet allusive.
Living and working in Oak Park,Illinois, Berit proudly combines different traditions from her life’s journey. In her presentation, she will discuss that journey and display about thirty of her series of Jewish tapestries woven with a variety of techniques and expressions.
Hybrid Meeting (in-person & Zoom) — Monday, October 10th
Dianne Totten
“From Cone to Cloth – One Weaver’s Journey”
Through a PowerPoint presentation of her work, Dianne will share her approach to designing one-of-a-kind garments and what she learned along the way. Follow steps taken to make her ‘visions’ materialize. Hear tips for garment construction using minimal cuts to the cloth. Additional tidbits and finishing ideas, including a demonstration for stitching that perfect hem, will be presented. It concludes with sewing tips from her current work with “crimp” cloth.
Guild members will receive a Zoom link via e-mail. Non-members, please complete our Visitor Registration Form to participate via Zoom at least 48 hours prior to the meeting time.
In-person 2.5-day Workshop
“Crimp & Create” with Dianne Totten
October 10th (pm), 11th (all day), and 12th (all day)
This is an on-loom workshop taking fiber in a new direction by creating “crimp cloth.” Using a variation of woven shibori for either warp or weft, learn to create fabric with permanently crimped designs that hold their memory even when washed. Apply this stash-busting technique to any threading and learn the thought process that will lead to endless possibilities for creating this magic cloth. Participants will draft, weave, and crimp their samples in class. Learn how the fabric can be used for one-size-fits-all garments and for scarves and shawls that won’t fall off your shoulders. See how permanently crimped pleating can replace knitted ribbing for a sweater or can add a knit look to the collar area of a jacket. No dyeing is involved as with traditional handwoven shibori. Participants will weave only on their own looms, to be prepared before class.
Equipment needed: Pre-warped loom with 4 or more shafts.
Skill level: adventurous beginners and beyond
Workshop fee: $165 (members), $185 (non-members)
To register for this workshop, please complete and submit our Workshop Registration Form. Someone will be in touch with you about where to send your payment.
Note to non-members about workshop registration: Guild members are given priority in registering for workshops. If spaces are available, this workshop will open to non-members on August 15, 2022. Non-members may fill out the Workshop Registration Form at any time; if spaces are available, non-members will be contacted in the order in which registrations were received.
Hybrid Meeting (in-person & Zoom) — Tuesday, November 8th
Heather Winslow
“The Magic of 3/1 and 1/3 Twill”
Like anything magical, a 3/1 and 1/3 twill block structure appears much more complex and mysterious than it is. This eight- (minimum) shaft structure alternates warp and weft dominant twill sections across the width of the fabric. It is fascinating and versatile. What if you change the warp or weft color here, or make this block a little wider, or reverse the twill angle there, or change the tie up, or alter the treadling order? What if . . . ?
Guild members will receive a Zoom link via e-mail. Non-members, please complete our Visitor Registration Form to participate via Zoom at least 48 hours prior to the meeting time.
In-person Mini-Workshop (2 hours)
“Carolina Snowflake” with Natalie Boyett
Tuesday, November 8th, 1-3 pm
Make this delightful seasonal decoration in a 2-hour workshop taught by Natalie Boyett of the Chicago Weaving School. You will learn a twill variation of Billie Ruth Sudduth’s original design. Written directions and all materials will be provided, and you will take home a completed 13” snowflake.
Equipment needed: None
Skill level: All
Workshop fee: $40 (members), $60 (non-members)
To register for this workshop, please complete and submit our Workshop Registration Form. Someone will be in touch with you about where to send your payment.
Note to non-members about workshop registration: Guild members are given priority in registering for workshops. If spaces are available, this workshop will open to non-members on October 8, 2022. Non-members may fill out the Workshop Registration Form at any time; if spaces are available, non-members will be contacted in the order in which registrations were received.
In-person – Tuesday, December 13th
Holiday Party and Guild Challenge
Zoom Meeting — Tuesday, January 10th
Becky Ashenden
“A Nordic Journey”
After receiving a small toy loom as a child, Becky soon realized weaving was her passion. She learned Swedish while attending Säterglätan Hemslöjdens Gård, spent 13 years as a production weaver, and in 1991 founded Vävstuga Weaving School, devoted to offering weaving instruction in the Scandinavian tradition in western Massachusetts. Becky will recount her personal weaving journey, discuss structures and techniques used in Sweden and beyond, and show many pieces she has woven over the years.
Guild members will receive the Zoom link via e-mail. Non-members, please complete our Visitor Registration Form to participate at least 48 hours prior to meeting start.
Zoom Meeting — Tuesday, February 14th
Anastasia Azure
“Double-Weave as Expressive Art”
Anastasia shares the development story of her sculptural woven art and jewelry. By transforming the double-weave technique, she incorporates contemporary materials and traditional metalsmithing techniques to create fiber art. Elegant geometry, complex science, and spirituality inspire her.
Guild members will receive a Zoom link via e-mail. Non-members, please complete our Visitor Registration Form to participate.
Hybrid Meeting (in-person & Zoom) — Tuesday, March 14th
Linda Arndt
“Double Your Pleasure, Double Your Fun: A Journey into Double Weave Pick-up (DWPU)”
“Inspired by prayer flags on the mountainsides of Tibet,” says guild member Linda, “I wanted a tribute to my mom and chose to weave a prayer flag with her favorite saying: ‘No good deed goes unpunished.’” Linda’s love of DWPU grew into weaving prayer flags, banners, table runners, and zines (an origami-folded book). Building on the basics of DWPU led to weaving three layers for three colors, and learning split-shed weaving from Deb Silver. Linda has developed a different method for DWPU that was featured in Complex Weavers Journal (2020) and Handwoven Magazine (2012). It is this unique method that she will share with us in her presentation.
Guild members will receive a Zoom link via e-mail. Non-members, please complete our Visitor Registration Form to participate via Zoom at least 48 hours prior to the meeting time.
Hybrid Meeting (in-person & Zoom) — Tuesday, April 11th
Ann Coddington
“Basketry as Art Form”
A studio artist and Professor of Art at Eastern Illinois University, Ann will share the origins and history of the fiber art movement and how the field of contemporary basketry emerged in the 1960s. She also will discuss and show examples of her own work, which explores basketry as a sculptural medium capable of expressing ideas and carrying meaning beyond the utilitarian aspects of traditional basketry.
Guild members will receive a Zoom link via e-mail. Non-members, please complete our Visitor Registration Form to participate via Zoom at least 48 hours prior to the meeting time.
Hybrid Meeting (in-person & Zoom) — Tuesday, May 9th
Deb Essen
“Velvet Weaving in Venice”
In 2018 Deb had a personal tour of Tessiture Bevilacqua, a handweaving velvet studio in Venice that has been in the same building for centuries. “As we toured,” she explains, “I asked a million questions and my husband Marty took pictures.” Her presentation will show us velvet weaving on the original 18th century looms. We’ll see the way the looms are set up, the fabrics created, and how the tradition continues in the 21st Century.
Guild members will receive a Zoom link via e-mail. Non-members, please complete our Visitor Registration Form to participate via Zoom at least 48 hours prior to the meeting time.
In-person 2-Day Workshop
“Weaving with Supplemental Warps” with Deb Essen
May 8th (all day), 9th (pm), and 10th (am)
This workshop explores using supplemental warps without needing a second back beam. Learn how supplemental warps work, how to design textiles using supplemental warps, how to set up your loom for supplemental warps, and then weave samples in class. Participants will weave only on their own looms. Participants must be comfortable warping their looms.
Equipment needed: Pre-warped loom
Skill level: Advanced beginner and beyond
Workshop fee: $135 (members), $155 (non-members)
To register for this workshop, please complete and submit our Workshop Registration Form. Someone will be in touch with you about where to send your payment.
Note to non-members about workshop registration: Guild members are given priority in registering for workshops. If spaces are available, this workshop will open to non-members on March 20, 2023. Non-members may fill out the Workshop Registration Form at any time; if spaces are available, non-members will be contacted in the order in which registrations were received.
Hybrid Meeting (in-person & Zoom) — Tuesday, June 6th (first Tuesday)
Phyllis Shemluck
“A Rep Weave Story: Ups and Downs”
What do you do when a good friend asks you to design and weave a table runner for their very special dining room table? “Or did I volunteer?” wonders guild member Phyllis. “After taking Kelly Marshall’s rep weave class a couple of years ago and learning to design my own, I figured I had this. I do love rep weave. And so the project began …” Her presentation and photos will lead us through the project and share some of the pitfalls of designing. Mistakes – heck no! Just more learning opportunities.
Guild members will receive a Zoom link via e-mail. Non-members, please complete our Visitor Registration Form to participate via Zoom at least 48 hours prior to the meeting time.
In-person Stash Sale (after the presentation)
Back after a several-year absence! Buy and sell fiber, fabric, books, and equipment. Remember, what one guild member wants to get rid of may be just what another guild member wants.
Illinois Prairie Weavers Guild 