Welcome to the Cullman Fiber Guild
The Natural Dyeing workshop on May 19 was the best I’ve seen. Thanks to those who started the fires and kept them going, moved dyepots and water and rinse buckets and brought different plant materials. Some of you mordanted your own fiber and cloth. The more you do, the more you learn.

June 1 is the deadline for pre-registering for the June 23 Introduction to Fabric Marbling workshop. Don’t be left behind by this early deadline! The leader needs the time to order supplies.

July 1 is the deadline for pre-registering for the July 28 Spinning on the Drop Spindle workshop. The leader needs time to construct the drop spindles. You have the option of bringing your own drop spindle if you have one.

Planning for 2013 Workshops
Now is time to start planning the 2013 workshops. Send your suggestions for topics and leaders to CullmanFiber@yahoo.com.

Pre-Registering for Workshops
Please pre-register for workshops by sending e-mail to CullmanFiber@yahoo.com. Pre-registering will help the leaders provide enough supplies, equipment and copies of the handouts.

You will be welcome to the workshops whether or not you’ve pre-registered, if there is space. However if you don’t pre-register, there may not be enough supplies and you won’t receive the handout until the following week. So, if you are at least fifty percent sure you’ll be able to attend, pre-register.

2012 Workshop Schedule
See the button for 2012 Workshops to the right.

Can You Help Advertise the Cullman Fiber Guild?
There are some events coming up that we can use to spread the word about the Cullman Fiber Guild and help others too. Holly Pond Founders’ Day is Saturday September 22. Last year, visitors were interested in the weaving equipment we brought and enjoyed the braiding disks they took away. This year we can again make cornshuck dolls. I have some simple table looms that are easy to operate. Is someone willing to demonstrate weaving and spinning? Will someone talk about natural dyeing?

Peinhardt Farm Day is Saturday October 22. Last year, we had demonstrations in two areas: natural dyeing in the field, and weaving, spinning, and basketmaking in front of the dairy barn.

The Oktoberfest Craft Show is October 13. We need to submit an application if we want to demonstrate there. If things are as they were last year, we can have a demonstration booth at no charge as long as we provide a hands-on craft. We have never participated in this event. Do you think this event will be worth our time?

The Cullman County Fair will be about the same time, but I don’t have the exact date. The Peinhardts provide animals for children to pet at the county fair, and kindly allow us to have a table in their area to show what we are doing. Last year, I brought weaving equipment, baskets, natural dyeing samples, and my drop spindle. Several people stopped by to talk with me about the Cullman Fiber Guild. I feel that my time was well spent there.

Peinhardt Living History Farm will present programs to schoolchildren most of the month of October. These programs are staffed by volunteers. Wherever you volunteer (pre-electric kitchen and garden, barn and barnyard, woods, work animals, or field), you’ll enjoy the opportunity of helping teach young people how life was lived in the not-too-distant past, and where their food and clothes come from. See www.peinhardtfarm.org for more information.

Please Share This Newsletter
I’m looking forward to new learning opportunities and meeting new fiber friends. At each meeting, we have a different group of people. Thanks to all who have given information on the Cullman Fiber Guild to new folks. That is the way the Cullman Fiber Guild will grow.

Directions to Peinhardt Living History Farm in Cullman, Alabama
See the button for Driving Directions to the right.

Cullman Fiber Guild Membership Directory
The membership directory is shared only with those who give permission for their contact information to appear in it. If you want your contact information to appear in the directory, e-mail CullmanFiber@yahoo.com and ask to be included in the directory. Include your contact information to be shared, name, mailing address, telephone number(s) and e-mail address(es). If you do not want your e-mail address or telephone number included in the directory, let me know and your e-mail address or telephone number will not appear in the directory. Each time the directory is updated, all those in the directory will receive a new copy by e-mail.

Introduction to Twining
On June 7, 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., the Weaving Basics workshop will be Introduction to Twining. Twining is a simple weaving pattern using two weavers. We’ll work on a frame to twine a small bag. We will not finish the bag in class, but you’ll learn how to finish the project at home. The leader will bring all supplies and equipment for use in class. There will be a $5 supply fee due at the beginning of the workshop.

Weaving Basics is a series of workshops sponsored by the Huntsville Fiber Guild and designed to introduce adults, and youth ages 14 and up, to weaving and other fiber arts. These classes are limited to 6 students. Students must pre-register: e-mail HsvFiber@gmail.com by the pre-registration deadline.

The workshops are being held in the Huntsville Madison County Public Library located at 915 Monroe Street. Pre-registration is required to allow the leaders to provide enough materials. We will meet in the public lounge on the second floor.

The July 5 workshop is Introduction to Basket Making; August 2, Introduction to Kumi Himo; September 6, Introduction to Weaving with the Inkle Loom; October 4, Weave a Scarf on Soda Straws; November 1, Make a 3-D Bow Tie Quilt Block; December 6, Make a Dragon Boat. Please help advertise these workshops by sharing these workshop announcements. See WeavingBasics.tumblr.com for the workshop descriptions and pre-registration information.

Other Learning Opportunities
On Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m., Basket Classes continue at the Huntsville Madison County Senior Center. The classes meet in the Ceramics Room.

On Mondays and Wednesdays, Weaving Classes continue at the Huntsville Madison County Senior Center, meeting in the Weaving Room. Sign up at hvilleweavers@gmail.com. The Monday classes, from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., will be “participant driven,” and include loom maintenance, planning a project, tools and techniques used in weaving, the use of color, double weave rugs, weaving on the Isabelle loom, triangle loom shawls, rigid heddle weaving and occasional guest speakers. The Wednesday classes, from 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., are beginning weaving classes.

Basket and Crochet Workshops at Bailey Cove Public Library
On Saturday June 30, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Bailey Cove Public Library in Huntsville will present Weave a Shaker Cheese Basket. This unusual open weave basket was used for draining cheese. It makes a decorative catch-all basket. Learn how to handle reed and shape a basket. The basket will be about 12 inches in diameter and 3 inches tall. No basket making experience is required. Basket making is wet work, so wear old clothes and bring a towel. The leader will bring all the tools and other supplies you’ll need to use during the workshop. Bring a sack lunch.

On Saturday July 14, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Bailey Cove Public Library will present Beginning Crochet and Broomstick Lace. Learn a couple of crochet stitches and you’ll soon be making “peacock eye” lace. Broomstick lace can be used to make all sorts of lacy items from afghans to scarves to shawls. Broomstick lace allows you to make larger items faster because the loops take up a lot of space. Previous crochet experience is not required. Learn some crochet stitches (chain, single crochet, double crochet, half double crochet and slip stitch) and how to read crochet patterns in the first part of the class. Learn how to make broomstick lace in the second part of the class. Bring a sack lunch.

Students may provide their own supplies, or purchase them from the instructor. Students need a mandrill which can be a large knitting needle or a dowel, around 10 to 12 inches long and between 3/4 and 1 inch in diameter with a short but defined point; either worsted weight yarn and a size G or H crochet hook, or sports weight yarn and a size E or F crochet hook; and scissors. Please do not bring any of the eyelash, ribbon, fuzzy or “homespun” yarns for the first project.

See WeavingBasics.tumblr.com for workshops as they are scheduled at Bailey Cove Public Library. The workshops at Bailey Cove Public Library are open to adults and youth ages 14 and up. See www.hmcpl.org or call 256-881-0257 to learn the fees and to pre-register.

Basket Workshop at Madison Public Library
On Friday June 22, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Madison Public Library will present Weave a Round Basket. In this workshop, you’ll make a round basket. You’ll learn how to handle basket reed, how to start a round basket, and how to shape a basket. The finished baskets will be about 6 inches tall with a 5-inch diameter base. You can use colored reed and beads to decorate your baskets. No basket making experience is required. If you’ve already woven a round basket, you’ll have the option of weaving a double wall basket or weaving a basket over a quart jar (bring your own jar). If there is time, you can weave another basket, starting with a wooden base. Basket making is wet work, so wear old clothes and bring a towel. The instructor will bring all the tools and other supplies you’ll need to use during the workshop. Bring a sack lunch.

See WeavingBasics.tumblr.com for workshops as they are scheduled at Madison Public Library. The workshops at Madison Public Library are open to adults and youth ages 14 and up. See www.hmcpl.org or call 256-461-0046 to learn the fees and to pre-register.

How to Do Things: Kumi Himo
On Tuesday June 26, 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., the Main Library in Huntsville will present How to Do Things: Kumi Himo. Kumi Himo is Japanese braiding. Start a friendship bracelet in class. Learn one of the patterns in class, and how to change the way the braid looks by changing the way the colors are placed. You’ll learn how to finish the bracelet at home. The leader will bring all the tools and other supplies you’ll need to use during the workshop.

The workshops at the Main Huntsville-Madison County Public Library are open to adults and youth ages 14 and up. See www.hmcpl.org to pre-register.

2012 Alabama Fiber Gathering Picnic
On Saturday, August 4, 2012, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., the West Alabama Fiber Guild is hosting the Annual Picnic of the fiber guilds in Alabama in the Tuscaloosa Department of Transportation Building which is located at 1000 28th Avenue in downtown Tuscaloosa, AL 35401. Everyone is asked to bring a dish to share. Also, folks are encouraged to bring a project to work on while we visit with each other.

E-mail CullmanFiber@yahoo.com if you’re planning to attend. Do you want to carpool? Tell us if you want to drive, and how many passengers your vehicle can seat.

Driving directions: From I-20/59, take exit 71 B onto I-359 heading north toward Tuscaloosa. I-359 changes to Lurleen Wallace Boulevard. Turn left (west) onto Stillman Boulevard. Turn left at the first traffic light—it’s just past the cemetery. The TDOT building will be on your right with a portico. There’s a small parking lot just past the building. Enter the building under the portico, then go to the first door on your left, across from the reception/security guy.

Southeast Fiber Forum Association 2013
The Southeast Fiber Forum Association has announced the instructors for the 2013 Fiber Forum to be held April 4 - 7, 2013 at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
Weaving
Diane Totten Crimp & Create
Jason Collingwood 4 End Block Weaves + Summer and Winter
Karen Donde Turned Biederwand: One Threading, Multiple Structures
Kathrin Weber Thinking Outside the Blocks
Liz Spear Sewing Your Handwoven Fabric
Susan Leveille Small Looms with Big Results
Walt Turpening Weaving a Bench
Spinning
Kate Larson Spinning (topic TBD)
Paula Vester Spinning 2.0: Let’s See What Else There is to Spin
Felting
Becky Walker Rug in a Tub
Vicki Bennett Taking It to the Edge: Felted Vessels, Creative Edges
Knitting/Garment Fitting
Jane Prater Perfect Fit, the Easy Way
Dyeing
Eileen Hallman Natural Dyes on Cotton

See the SFFA webpage for more information, http://sefiberforum.org/.

The association is trying to update the membership list with correct email addresses. There is a link on the website to update your membership is you haven’t since last November. All notices and newsletters are being sent by e-mail. If you are not a member you can also join on the website. Lifetime Membership in SFFA is $5.

Alabama Fiber Guild News
See ALFiberGuilds.tumblr.com for contact and event information for other fiber guilds in Alabama. If you’re a member of another fiber guild, and want to share that guild’s information, e-mail ALFiberGuilds@yahoo.com.

We’re Just Beginning – Join Us
The Cullman Fiber Guild has been meeting regularly since April 2010. To receive the full newsletter by e-mail, send a request to CullmanFiber@yahoo.com.

To Receive the Cullman Fiber Guild Newsletter on Paper
We will mail paper copies of the newsletters to those who do not receive e-mail. The first newsletter will be mailed at no charge. We publish 11 newsletters a year, January through November. If possible, we ask that those who need paper copies of the newsletters, help with the costs of photocopying and mailing, $13 for 11 issues. If you’re interested, but unable to pay, we are able to continue mailing your newsletters thanks to the generosity of some members. Send a note to P. O. Box 12632 Huntsville, AL 35815 to learn how to pay. Remember, we don’t have a bank account, and no way to cash a check made payable to the Cullman Fiber Guild. E-mailed newsletters are still free!

Purpose of the Cullman Fiber Guild
The purpose of the Cullman Fiber Guild is to encourage and assist folks who are interested in fiber arts. The fiber arts include spinning, weaving, dyeing, basket making, knitting, crocheting, felting, lace making, sewing, etc. A fiber guild can help keep handcrafts from earlier centuries alive in the 21st century. We have to make an extra effort to learn and practice the handcrafts that those before us used daily.

Permission to Copy
The Cullman Fiber Guild grants permission to copy articles from this newsletter as long as the source of the article is included.

Share this newsletter!

Welcome to the Cullman Fiber Guild
Thanks to the leader for the excellent peyote beading workshop in April. She brought pony beads to teach us the peyote stitch, and created a simple version of the pattern for us to follow. Has anyone finished their chapstick cover yet?

Several members brought their completed piece of fabric pottery to show us. One of the baskets had a lid, and another would make a perfect hat. It’s good to see the finished products from the workshops. I’m glad to hear one member say she will be teaching fabric pottery to another group.

We need help with the natural dyeing workshop. We’d appreciate donations of white/natural 100 percent wool yarn, white/natural 100 percent cotton yarn/crochet thread, onion skins, black walnut hulls, pecan shells, acorns, mimosa leaves, marigold blossom, Queen Anne’s lace blossoms and other interesting plant material for dyeing. E-mail CullmanFiber@yahoo.com by May 12 if you’re able to donate materials. You’ll have to prepare the plant materials, and we’ll need to have enough dye pots.

We are grateful to some members for cleaning the rust off two of the reeds from the looms donated to the Peinhardt Living History Farm. As time permits, a member will be cleaning the looms themselves. The Cullman Fiber Guild will be able to use these looms for weaving projects in the near future.

June 1 is the deadline for pre-registering for the June 23 Introduction to Fabric Marbling workshop. Don’t be left behind by this early deadline! The leader needs the time to order supplies.

Process for Cleaning the Reed on a Loom
On April 28, we used this procedure to clean rust off the reeds of two Structro Artcraft Looms at Peinhardt Farms in Cullman, AL.

Cleaning Reeds
1. Remove wooden beater from loom.
2. Remove metal reed from wooden beater. (May require screwdriver and/or wrench.)
3. Use fine brass wire brush to loosen rust on reed. First brush up and down with the reed dents (vertical) and then gently brush back and forth across them (horizontal).
4. Shake off rust and/or wipe off with clean cloth.
5. Use clean toothbrush to apply full-strength vinegar to reed dents. (Do not touch non-metal parts.) Use clean pastry or paint brush to rinse with clean water. Dry with clean cloth. Let dry in sun.
6. Use clean toothbrush to apply automotive or paste wax to reed dents, which will help protect them from future corrosion. Brush off excess wax with dry, clean toothbrush.
7. Use heat gun or hair dryer to make wax penetrate reed dents. (Avoid non-metal parts. Be careful not to melt binder on either side of reed.)
8. Wipe off excess wax with clean brush or paper towel.
9. Reinstall metal reed in wooden beater, then reinstall beater on loom.
Note: The reeds have metal cross-bars at either end, which may contain useful information, including width of the reed, number of dents per inch, and date that the loom was manufactured.

Pre-Registering for Workshops
Please pre-register for workshops by sending e-mail to CullmanFiber@yahoo.com. Pre-registering will help the leaders provide enough supplies, equipment and copies of the handouts.

You will be welcome to the workshops whether or not you’ve pre-registered, if there is space. However if you don’t pre-register, you won’t receive the handout until the following week. So, if you are at least fifty percent sure you’ll be able to attend, pre-register.

2012 Workshop Schedule
See the button for the 2012 Workshops to the right of this screen.

Giving Back and Passing It Along
There are some events coming up that we can use to spread the word about the Cullman Fiber Guild and help others too. Holly Pond Founders’ Day is Saturday September 22. Peinhardt Farm Day is Saturday October 22. I don’t have the date for the Oktoberfest Craft Show, which will be around the first of October. Also, the Cullman County Fair will be about the same time. The Peinhardts provide animals for children to pet at the county fair, and kindly allow us to have a table in their area to show what we are doing. Peinhardt Living History Farm will present programs to schoolchildren most of the month of October. These programs are staffed by volunteers. These are opportunities for us to share what we’ve been learning as we attend these monthly workshops. Us includes you.

As you know our workshops are taught by volunteers. I don’t exactly know what motivates other volunteer teachers. I know that I share crafts with others so they won’t be lost.

Please Share This Newsletter
I’m looking forward to new learning opportunities and meeting new fiber friends. At each meeting, we have a different group of people. Thanks to all who have given information on the Cullman Fiber Guild to new folks. That is the way the Cullman Fiber Guild will grow.

Directions to Peinhardt Living History Farm in Cullman, Alabama
See the button for Driving Directions to the right of this screen.

Introduction to Twining
On July 5, 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., the Weaving Basics workshop will be Introduction to Twining. Twining is a simple weaving pattern using two weavers. We’ll work on a frame to twine a small bag. We will not finish the bag in class, but you’ll learn how to finish the project at home. The leader will bring all supplies and equipment for use in class. There will be a $5 supply fee due at the beginning of the workshop.

Weaving Basics is a series of workshops sponsored by the Huntsville Fiber Guild and designed to introduce adults, and youth ages 14 and up, to weaving and other fiber arts. These classes are limited to 6 students. Students must pre-register: e-mail HsvFiber@gmail.com by the pre-registration deadline.

The workshops are being held in the Huntsville Madison County Public Library located at 915 Monroe Street. Pre-registration is required to allow the leaders to provide enough materials. We will meet in the public lounge on the second floor.

The July 5 workshop is Introduction to Basket Making; August 2, Introduction to Kumi Himo; September 6, Introduction to Weaving with the Inkle Loom; October 4, Weave a Scarf on Soda Straws; November 1, Make a 3-D Bow Tie Quilt Block; December 6, Make a Dragon Boat. Please help advertise these workshops by sharing these workshop announcements. See WeavingBasics.tumblr.com for the workshop descriptions and pre-registration information.

Other Learning Opportunities
On Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m., Basket Classes continue at the Huntsville Madison County Senior Center. The classes meet in the Ceramics Room.

On Mondays and Wednesdays, Weaving Classes continue at the Huntsville Madison County Senior Center, meeting in the Weaving Room. Sign up at hvilleweavers@gmail.com. The Monday classes, from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., will be “participant driven,” and include loom maintenance, planning a project, tools and techniques used in weaving, the use of color, double weave rugs, weaving on the Isabelle loom, triangle loom shawls, rigid heddle weaving and occasional guest speakers. The Wednesday classes, from 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., are beginning weaving classes.

Tennessee Valley Women in Agriculture - First Annual Fiber Show and Festival
On Saturday May 19, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., the first annual Tennessee Valley Women in Agriculture’s Fiber Show and Festival will be at the Agribition Center on Moores Mill Road in Huntsville. There will be sheep shearing, spinning, weaving, knitting, dyeing, carding and wool processing. Children will enjoy the sheep petting corner. There will be vendors and concessions. Both parking and admission are free.

If you are willing to demonstrate at this event, e-mail 4mazfarms@gmail.com.

Basket and Crochet Workshops at Bailey Cove Public Library
On Saturday June 30, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Bailey Cove Public Library in Huntsville will present Weave a Shaker Cheese Basket. This unusual open weave basket was used for draining cheese. It makes a decorative catch-all basket. Learn how to handle reed and shape a basket. The basket will be about 12 inches in diameter and 3 inches tall. No basket making experience is required. Basket making is wet work, so wear old clothes and bring a towel. The leader will bring all the tools and other supplies you’ll need to use during the workshop. Bring a sack lunch.

On Saturday July 14, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Bailey Cove Public Library will present Beginning Crochet and Broomstick Lace. Learn a couple of crochet stitches and you’ll soon be making “peacock eye” lace. Broomstick lace can be used to make all sorts of lacy items from afghans to scarves to shawls. Broomstick lace allows you to make larger items faster because the loops take up a lot of space. Previous crochet experience is not required. Learn some crochet stitches (chain, single crochet, double crochet, half double crochet and slip stitch) and how to read crochet patterns in the first part of the class. Learn how to make broomstick lace in the second part of the class. Bring a sack lunch.

Students may provide their own supplies, or purchase them from the instructor. Students need a mandrill which can be a large knitting needle or a dowel, around 10 to 12 inches long and between 3/4 and 1 inch in diameter with a short but defined point; either worsted weight yarn and a size G or H crochet hook, or sports weight yarn and a size E or F crochet hook; and scissors. Please do not bring any of the eyelash, ribbon, fuzzy or “homespun” yarns for the first project.

See WeavingBasics.tumblr.com for workshops as they are scheduled at Bailey Cove Public Library. The workshops at Bailey Cove Public Library are open to adults and youth ages 14 and up. See www.hmcpl.org or call 256-881-0257 to learn the fees and to pre-register.

Weaving and Basket Workshops at Madison Public Library
On Friday May 18, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Madison Public Library in Madison will present Introduction to Weaving Bands With The Inkle Loom. Learn to weave on an inkle loom, which can be used to make narrow bands. In class you can make a bookmark, hatband, strap or small pouch, depending on how much time you want to spend. Begin to learn the language of weaving. The inkle looms will be ready to use when you arrive, and you’ll learn how to dress an inkle loom. No weaving experience is required. The leader will bring all the tools and other supplies you’ll need to use during the workshop. Bring a sack lunch.

On Friday June 22, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Madison Public Library will present Weave a Round Basket. In this workshop, you’ll make a round basket. You’ll learn how to handle basket reed, how to start a round basket, and how to shape a basket. The finished baskets will be about 6 inches tall with a 5-inch diameter base. You can use colored reed and beads to decorate your baskets. No basket making experience is required. If you’ve already woven a round basket, you’ll have the option of weaving a double wall basket or weaving a basket over a quart jar (bring your own jar). If there is time, you can weave another basket, starting with a wooden base. Basket making is wet work, so wear old clothes and bring a towel. The instructor will bring all the tools and other supplies you’ll need to use during the workshop. Bring a sack lunch.

See WeavingBasics.tumblr.com for workshops as they are scheduled at Madison Public Library. The workshops at Madison Public Library are open to adults and youth ages 14 and up. See www.hmcpl.org or call 256-461-0046 to learn the fees and to pre-register.

How to Do Things: Kumi Himo
On Tuesday June 26, 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., the Main Library in Huntsville will present How to Do Things: Kumi Himo. Kumi Himo is Japanese braiding. Start a friendship bracelet in class. Learn one of the patterns in class, and how to change the way the braid looks by changing the way the colors are placed. You’ll learn how to finish the bracelet at home. The leader will bring all the tools and other supplies you’ll need to use during the workshop.

The workshops at the Main Huntsville-Madison County Public Library are open to adults and youth ages 14 and up. See www.hmcpl.org to pre-register.

2012 Alabama Fiber Gathering Picnic
On Saturday, August 4, 2012, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., the West Alabama Fiber Guild is hosting the Annual Picnic of the fiber guilds in Alabama in the Tuscaloosa Department of Transportation Building which is located at 1000 28th Avenue in downtown Tuscaloosa, AL 35401. Everyone is asked to bring a dish to share. Also, folks are encouraged to bring a project to work on while we visit with each other. If you know of a vendor that you would like the West Alabama Fiber Guild to invite, please let us know by sending e-mail to aycock@bellsouth.net.

E-mail CullmanFiber@yahoo.com if you’re planning to attend. Do you want to carpool? Tell us if you want to drive, and how many passengers your vehicle can seat.

Driving directions: From I-20/59, take exit 71 B onto I-359 heading north toward Tuscaloosa. I-359 changes to Lurleen Wallace Boulevard. Turn left (west) onto Stillman Boulevard. Turn left at the first traffic light—it’s just past the cemetery. The TDOT building will be on your right with a portico. There’s a small parking lot just past the building. Enter the building under the portico, then go to the first door on your left, across from the reception/security guy.

Alabama Fiber Guild News
See ALFiberGuilds.tumblr.com for contact and event information for other fiber guilds in Alabama. If you’re a member of another fiber guild, and want to share that guild’s information, e-mail ALFiberGuilds@yahoo.com.

We’re Just Beginning – Join Us
The Cullman Fiber Guild has been meeting regularly since April 2010. To receive the full newsletter by e-mail, send a request to CullmanFiber@yahoo.com.

To Receive the Cullman Fiber Guild Newsletter on Paper
We will mail paper copies of the newsletters to those who do not receive e-mail. The first newsletter will be mailed at no charge. We publish 11 newsletters a year, January through November. If possible, we ask that those who need paper copies of the newsletters, help with the costs of photocopying and mailing, $13 for 11 issues. If you’re interested, but unable to pay, we are able to continue mailing your newsletters thanks to the generosity of some members. E-mail CullmanFiber@yahoo.com to learn how to pay the fee. Remember, we don’t have a bank account, and no way to cash a check made payable to the Cullman Fiber Guild. E-mailed newsletters are still free!

Looms For Sale
20 year old 4 harness Baby Wolf loom for sale. It had been inside all the time and is in good condition. Apparently owner has never used it and wants $800. She also
has a box of equipment and a binder with information. E-mail, rayandjean4570@gmail.com.

Harrisville 22-inch 4-harness, 4-treadle floor loom, made of high quality hardwood (maple), for sale. The loom is lightly used, and in excellent condition. It comes with a 12-inch and 21-inch flat shuttle, and 6.5-inch heddle hook. $800, cash sales only, no shipping. E-mail srgriess@gmail.com.

Permission to Copy
The Cullman Fiber Guild grants permission to copy articles from this newsletter as long as the source of the article is included.

Share this newsletter!

Welcome to the Cullman Fiber Guild
We had a good fabric pottery workshop in March. We enjoyed learning the coiling technique with yarn and clothesline. We also had a taste of working with pine needles.

We need help with the natural dyeing workshop. We’d appreciate donations of white/natural 100 percent wool yarn, white/natural 100 percent cotton yarn/crochet thread, onion skins, black walnut hulls, pecan shells, acorns, mimosa leaves, marigold blossom, Queen Anne’s lace blossoms and other interesting plant material for dyeing. E-mail CullmanFiber@yahoo.com by May 5 if you’re able to donate materials. You’ll have to prepare the plant materials, and we’ll need to have enough dye pots.

Several of us have been researching how to remove rust from loom reeds. Three Structo looms have been donated to the Peinhardt Foundation, and they need to be cleaned. The biggest problem is the rust on the reeds. When we’ve decided the best way to remove the rust, there will be some work days scheduled at the Peinhardt Living History Farm Museum in the building where we meet. When the looms are ready for use, Cullman Fiber Guild members will be able to make arrangements to use the looms. If you’re willing to help with the cleaning, e-mail CullmanFiber@yahoo.com to let us know.

Pre-Registering for Workshops
Please pre-register for workshops by sending e-mail to CullmanFiber@yahoo.com. Pre-registering will help the leaders provide enough supplies, equipment and copies of the handouts.

You will be welcome to the workshops whether or not you’ve pre-registered, if there is space. However if you don’t pre-register, you won’t receive the handout until the following week. So, if you are at least fifty percent sure you’ll be able to attend, pre-register.

2012 Workshop Schedule
See the button for the 2012 Workshops on the right of this screen.

Please Share This Newsletter
I’m looking forward to new learning opportunities and meeting new fiber friends. At each meeting, we have a different group of people. Thanks to all who have given information on the Cullman Fiber Guild to new folks. That is the way the Cullman Fiber Guild will grow.

Directions to Peinhardt Living History Farm in Cullman, Alabama
See the button for Driving Directions on the right of this screen.

Cullman Fiber Guild Membership Directory
The membership directory is shared only with those who give permission for their contact information to appear in it. If you want your contact information to appear in the directory, e-mail CullmanFiber@yahoo.com and ask to be included in the directory. Include your contact information to be shared, name, mailing address, telephone number(s) and e-mail address(es). If you do not want your e-mail address or telephone number included in the directory, let me know and your e-mail address or telephone number will not appear in the directory. Each time the directory is updated, all those in the directory will receive a new copy by e-mail.

Weaving Basics
Weaving Basics is a series of workshops sponsored by the Huntsville Fiber Guild and designed to introduce adults, and youth ages 14 and up, to weaving and other fiber arts. These classes are limited to 6 students. Students must pre-register: e-mail HsvFiber@gmail.com by the pre-registration deadline.

The workshops are being held in the Huntsville Madison County Public Library located at 915 Monroe Street. Pre-registration is required to allow the leaders to provide enough materials. We will meet in the public lounge on the second floor.

The May 3 workshop is Introduction to Macrame; June 7, Introduction to Twining; July 5, Introduction to Basket Makin g; August 2, Introduction to Kumi Him o; September 6, Introduction to Weaving with the Inkle Loom; October 4, Weave a Scarf on Soda Straws; November 1, Make a 3-D Bow Tie Quilt Block; December 6, Make a Dragon Boat.

See WeavingBasics.tumblr.com for workshop details, items to bring and supply fees.

Other Learning Opportunities
On Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m., Basket Classe s continue at the Huntsville Madison County Senior Center. The classes meet in the Ceramics Room.

On Mondays and Wednesdays, Weaving Classe s continue at the Huntsville Madison County Senior Center, meeting in the Weaving Room. Sign up at hvilleweavers@gmail.com. The Monday classes, from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., will be “participant driven,” and include loom maintenance, planning a project, tools and techniques used in weaving, the use of color, double weave rugs, weaving on the Isabelle loom, triangle loom shawls, rigid heddle weaving and occasional guest speakers. The Wednesday classes, from 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., are beginning weaving classes.

Basket Workshop at Madison Public Library
On Friday April 27, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Madison Public Library will present Weave a Basket Purse . Weave a 4.5” x 9” x 8” tall purse. Learn how to handle reed, fill in the bottom and shape a basket. Dyed reed will be available for decorating your basket. No basket making experience is required. Basket making is wet work, so wear old clothes and bring a towel. The leader will bring all the tools and other supplies you’ll need to use during the workshop.

See WeavingBasics.tumblr.com for workshops as they are scheduled at Madison Public Library. The workshops at Madison Public Library are open to adults and youth ages 14 and up. See www.hmcpl.org or call 256-461-0046 to learn the fees and to pre-register.

We’re Just Beginning – Join Us
The Cullman Fiber Guild has been meeting regularly since April 2010. To receive the full newsletter by e-mail, send a request to CullmanFiber@yahoo.com.

To Receive the Cullman Fiber Guild Newsletter on Paper
We will mail paper copies of the newsletters to those who do not receive e-mail. The first newsletter will be mailed at no charge. We publish 11 newsletters a year, January through November. If possible, we ask that those who need paper copies of the newsletters, help with the costs of photocopying and mailing, $13 for 11 issues. If you’re interested, but unable to pay, we are able to continue mailing your newsletters thanks to the generosity of some members. E-mail CullmanFiber@yahoo.com or send a note to P. O. Box 12632 Huntsville, AL 35815 to learn how to receive the newsletters by mail. Remember, we don’t have a bank account, and no way to cash a check made payable to the Cullman Fiber Guild. E-mailed newsletters are still free!

Permission to Copy
The Cullman Fiber Guild grants permission to copy articles from this newsletter as long as the source of the article is included.

Share this newsletter!

Welcome to the Cullman Fiber Guild
We had a good Market Basket Workshop in February. With nineteen people making baskets, thanks to all who pitched in and helped their neighbors make baskets. Those of us who have been coming since 2010 have now learned how to start baskets in four ways: round basket with round reed, wooden/gourd bottom, ribbed basket, and rectangular basket with flat reed and “D” handle.

We’re grateful to those who brought lunch, stew and bread, and also fruit, sweets, bowls and spoons.

More Changes to the Workshop Schedule
Holly Pond Founders Day will be Saturday September 22. So, Introduction to Rug Hooking will be moved to Saturday September 15. Peinhardt Farm Day will be Saturday October 20.

Pre-Registering for Workshops
Please pre-register for workshops by sending e-mail to CullmanFiber@yahoo.com. Pre-registering will help the leaders provide enough supplies, equipment and copies of the handouts.

You will be welcome to the workshops whether or not you’ve pre-registered, if there is space. However if you don’t pre-register, you won’t receive the handout until the following week. So, if you are at least fifty percent sure you’ll be able to attend, pre-register.

2012 Workshop Schedule
See the 2012 Workshops by pressing the button on the right of this page.

Please Share This Newsletter
I’m looking forward to new learning opportunities and meeting new fiber friends. At each meeting, we have a different group of people. Thanks to all who have given information on the Cullman Fiber Guild to new folks. That is the way the Cullman Fiber Guild will grow.

Directions to Peinhardt Living History Farm in Cullman, Alabama
See Driving Directions by pressing the button on the right of this page.

Cullman Fiber Guild Membership Directory
The membership directory is shared only with those who give permission for their contact information to appear in it. If you want your contact information to appear in the directory, e-mail CullmanFiber@yahoo.com and ask to be included in the directory. Include your contact information to be shared, name, mailing address, telephone number(s) and e-mail address(es). If you do not want your e-mail address or telephone number included in the directory, let me know and your e-mail address or telephone number will not appear in the directory. Each time the directory is updated, all those in the directory will receive a new copy by e-mail.

Weaving Basics
Weaving Basics is a series of workshops sponsored by the Huntsville Fiber Guild and designed to introduce adults, and youth ages 14 and up, to weaving and other fiber arts. These classes are limited to 6 students. Students must pre-register: e-mail HsvFiber@gmail.com by the pre-registration deadline.

The workshops are being held in the Huntsville Madison County Public Library located at 915 Monroe Street. Pre-registration is required to allow the leaders to provide enough materials. We will meet in the public lounge on the second floor.

The April 5 workshop is Introduction to Rug Braiding; May 3, Introduction to Macrame; June 7, Introduction to Twining.

See WeavingBasics.tumblr.com for workshop details, items to bring and supply fees.

Huntsville Fiber Guild Events
On Saturday March 17, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., the Huntsville Fiber Guild will have a business meeting and program at Bailey Cove Public Library. The program, Pick-Up Weaving – the Alphabet, is based on an article, Letters From an Inkle Loom by Ann Brophy, in the May/June 1999 issue of Handwoven.

After the meeting and program on March 17, we’ll have a workshop 12:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. so you can weave letters on an inkle loom. Ten inkle looms will already be dressed and ready for you to use. Weave a bookmark, hatband or strap with a message. There will be a small supply fee for the thread used. I’ll gladly send you the directions for dressing your own inkle loom. E-mail HsvFiber@gmail.com by March 9 to reserve one of the ten looms, or to receive directions for dressing your own inkle loom. Plan to bring a sack lunch and join us.

Tennessee Fiber Festival
May 25-26, the Tennessee Fiber Festival will be in Dickson, Tennessee. See www.tnfiberfestival.com to find the workshops offered both Friday and Saturday, and the vendors who will come.

Festival of Alabama Fiber Arts Juried Exhibit 2012
The deadline to enter the Festival of Alabama Fiber Arts Juried Exhibit 2012 has been extended to March 10. Entry forms and more information are available at the website: http://www.AL-FiberArts.org. E-mail festivaloffibers@gmail.com. The Festival of Fiber Arts will be March 30 and 31. The festival is co-sponsored by South Alabama Fiber Enthusiasts Guild (S.A.F.E.) and Old Alabama Town in Montgomery, Alabama. Many of the workshops, seminars and demonstrations at the Friday and Saturday event are being offered at no charge. This project has been made possible by grants from the Alabama State Council on the Arts and The National Endowment for the Arts. Free tent space is available for guilds to reach out to the fiber community, by using this for vending and demonstrations.

Farm Kids Day
On Saturday April 14, 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m., Farm Kids Day will be a Sheep to Wool program. There will be some sheep to show and volunteers will talk about the animals and then show wool products with any steps of the process along the way. If anyone in the Cullman Fiber Guild would be interested in showing any process from sheep to wool to clothes, we would appreciate it! It is a parent child program for children who are kindergarten age and up. If someone is interested in volunteering, call Rachel Dawsey at 256-297-1044 or e-mail cullmanag@gmail.com.

Other Learning Opportunities
On Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m., Basket Classes continue at the Huntsville Madison County Senior Center. The classes meet in the Ceramics Room.

On Mondays and Wednesdays, Weaving Classes continue at the Huntsville Madison County Senior Center, meeting in the Weaving Room. Sign up at hvilleweavers@gmail.com. The Monday classes, from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., will be “participant driven,” and include loom maintenance, planning a project, tools and techniques used in weaving, the use of color, double weave rugs, weaving on the Isabelle loom, triangle loom shawls, rigid heddle weaving and occasional guest speakers. The Wednesday classes, from 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., are beginning weaving classes.

Fiber Workshops at Madison Public Library
On Friday March 23, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Madison Public Library will present Beginning Crochet and Broomstick Lace. Learn a couple of crochet stitches and you’ll soon be making “peacock eye” lace. Broomstick lace can be used to make all sorts of lacy items from afghans to scarves to shawls. Broomstick lace allows you to make larger items faster because the loops take up a lot of space. Previous crochet experience is not required. Learn some crochet stitches (chain, single crochet, double crochet, half double crochet and slip stitch) and how to read crochet patterns in the first part of the class. Learn how to make broomstick lace in the second part of the class.

On Friday April 27, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Madison Public Library will present Weave a Basket Purse. Weave a 4.5” x 9” x 8” tall purse. Learn how to handle reed, fill in the bottom and shape a basket. Dyed reed will be available for decorating your basket. No basket making experience is required. Basket making is wet work, so wear old clothes and bring a towel. The leader will bring all the tools and other supplies you’ll need to use during the workshop.

See WeavingBasics.tumblr.com for workshops as they are scheduled at Madison Public Library. The workshops at Madison Public Library are open to adults and youth ages 14 and up. See www.hmcpl.org or call 256-461-0046 to learn the fees and to pre-register.

Basket Workshop at Bailey Cove Public Library
On Saturday April 14, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Bailey Cove Public Library will present Weave a Harvest Basket with Wooden Base. Weave a basket in harvest colors, walnut and rust, on a wooden base. In addition to basket reed, the kit includes walnut weavers and maple curls. The finished basket will be 10.5” in diameter and 4” tall. Basket making is wet work, so wear old clothes and bring a towel. The leader will bring all the tools and other supplies you’ll need to use during the workshop.

We need the $25 supply fee by March 23 so that supplies can be ordered. We will keep a “waiting list” and if someone pays for your place then your money will be refunded if you cannot come.

See WeavingBasics.tumblr.com for workshops as they are scheduled at Bailey Cove Public Library. The workshops at Bailey Cove Public Library are open to adults and youth ages 14 and up. See www.hmcpl.org or call 256-881-0257 to pre-register.

We’re Just Beginning – Join Us
The Cullman Fiber Guild has been meeting regularly since April 2010. To receive the full newsletter by e-mail, send a request to CullmanFiber@yahoo.com.

To Receive the Cullman Fiber Guild Newsletter on Paper
We will mail paper copies of the newsletters to those who do not receive e-mail. The first newsletter will be mailed at no charge. We publish 11 newsletters a year, January through November. If possible, we ask that those who need paper copies of the newsletters, help with the costs of photocopying and mailing, $13 for 11 issues. If you’re interested, but unable to pay, we are able to continue mailing your newsletters thanks to the generosity of some members. Send a note to P. O. Box 12632 Huntsville, AL 35815. Remember, we don’t have a bank account, and no way to cash a check made payable to the Cullman Fiber Guild. We’ll reply to your note and let you know how to write the check. E-mailed newsletters are still free!

Permission to Copy
The Cullman Fiber Guild grants permission to copy articles from this newsletter as long as the source of the article is included.

Share this newsletter!

Notes from the January Meeting
During the short business meeting, we discussed some changes to the way we’ve been operating. We have agreed to provide a paper copy of the newsletter to those who do not receive e-mail. The first newsletter will be mailed at no charge. We publish 11 newsletters a year, January through November. To continue receiving the mailed newsletters, the member needs to pay $13 for 11 issues. E-mail CullmanFiber@gmail.com or send mail to P. O. Box 12632 Huntsville, AL 35815 for details on receiving paper newsletters. E-mailed newsletters are still free!

Those who attend the workshops may make a small donation to allow us to pay for the photocopies and postage for the “first mailed” newsletter to those who do not receive e-mail, and other small expenses.

Three Structo looms have been donated to the Peinhardt Foundation. They need to be cleaned. The biggest problem is the rust on the reeds. When we’ve decided the best way to remove the rust, there will be some work days scheduled at the Peinhardt Living History Farm Museum in the building where we meet. When the looms are ready for use, Cullman Fiber Guild members will be able to make arrangements to use the looms.

Thanks to those who prepared the looms for the January 28 Weaving Round Robin. We learned some of the language of weaving and saw a variety of looms. All were encouraged to weave on the variety of looms.

Changes to the Workshop Schedule
There have been several changes to the workshop schedule. The February 25 workshop will be Weave a Market Basket; March 24, Fabric Pottery; April 28, Introduction to Peyote Stitch Beading; May 19, Natural Dyeing; June 23, Introduction to Marbling; July 28, Spinning on the Drop Spindle; August 18, Make a Rag Rug – Learn to Crochet; September 22, Introduction to Rug Hooking.

Pre-Registering for Workshops
Please pre-register for workshops by sending e-mail to CullmanFiber@yahoo.com. Pre-registering will help the leaders provide enough supplies, equipment and copies of the handouts.

You will be welcome to the workshops whether or not you’ve pre-registered. However if you don’t pre-register, you won’t receive the handout until the following week. So, if you are at least fifty percent sure you’ll be able to attend, pre-register.

See 2012 Workshops on the right side of this page.

Please Share This Newsletter
I’m looking forward to new learning opportunities and meeting new fiber friends. At each meeting, we have a different group of people. Thanks to all who have given information on the Cullman Fiber Guild to new folks. That is the way the Cullman Fiber Guild will grow.

Directions to Peinhardt Living History Farm in Cullman, Alabama
See Driving Directions on the right side of this page.

Cullman Fiber Guild Membership Directory
The membership directory is shared only with those who give permission for their contact information to appear in it. If you want your contact information to appear in the directory, e-mail CullmanFiber@yahoo.com and ask to be included in the directory. Include your contact information to be shared, name, mailing address, telephone number(s) and e-mail address(es). If you do not want your e-mail address or telephone number included in the directory, let me know and your e-mail address or telephone number will not appear in the directory. Each time the directory is updated, all those in the directory will receive a new copy by e-mail.

Weaving Basics
Weaving Basics is a series of workshops sponsored by the Huntsville Fiber Guild and designed to introduce adults, and youth ages 14 and up, to weaving and other fiber arts. These classes are limited to 6 students. Students must pre-register: e-mail HsvFiber@gmail.com by the pre-registration deadline.

The workshops are being held in the Huntsville Madison County Public Library located at 915 Monroe Street. Pre-registration is required to allow the leaders to provide enough materials. We will meet in the public lounge on the second floor.

The March 1 workshop is Introduction to Sprang; April 5, Introduction to Rug Braiding; May 3, Introduction to Macrame; June 7, Introduction to Twining.

See WeavingBasics.tumblr.com for workshop details, items to bring and supply fees.

Huntsville Fiber Guild Events
The Huntsville Fiber Guild is sponsoring a Nuno Felting Workshop with Geri Forkner on February 18, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Huntsville. If you haven’t registered for this workshop already, e-mail HsvFiber@gmail.com to learn if there is space for you and workshop details. The workshop fee is $50 for HFG members and $70 for non-members.

On Saturday March 17, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., the Huntsville Fiber Guild will have a business meeting and program at Bailey Cove Public Library. The program, Pick-Up Weaving – the Alphabet, is based on an article, Letters From an Inkle Loom by Ann Brophy, in the May/June 1999 issue of Handwoven.

After the meeting and program on March 17, we’ll have a workshop 12:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. so you can weave letters on an inkle loom. Ten inkle looms will already be dressed and ready for you to use. Weave a bookmark, hatband or strap with a message. There will be a small supply fee for the thread used. I’ll gladly send you the directions for dressing your own inkle loom. E-mail HsvFiber@gmail.com by March 9 to reserve one of the ten looms, or to receive directions for dressing your own inkle loom. Plan to bring a sack lunch and join us.

Introduction to Weaving and Round Robin Weaving at Madison Public Library
On Friday February 24, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., there will be an Introduction to Weaving and Round Robin Weaving Workshop. Come prepared to weave samples on the portable looms we’ll have ready for you. There will be a variety of patterns and looms for you to experience. Begin to learn the language of weaving and learn how to read a weaving pattern. Come ready to work. There will be enough looms and equipment so that everyone will be able to weave samples. No weaving experience is required. Bring a sack lunch.

See WeavingBasics.tumblr.com for workshops as they are scheduled at Madison Public Library and Bailey Cove Public Library. The workshops at Madison Public Library are open to adults and youth ages 14 and up. See www.hmcpl.org or call 256-461-0046 to learn the fees and to pre-register.

West Alabama Fiber Guild Sheep to Shawl
On Saturday April 14, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., the West Alabama Fiber Guild will host a Sheep to Shawl in the courtyard at Kentuck Museum, 503 Main Ave., Northport, Alabama 35476. We will be working on a fleece sheared off a sheep the previous year and already cleaned. This fleece has been scoured. We are hoping other folks will join us with their spinning wheels, carders, and other equipment. Folks hear “Sheep to Shawl” and may think we will be working “in the grease” with the fleece right off the sheep which would be pretty smelly work.

Festival of Alabama Fiber Arts Juried Exhibit 2012
You’re invited to enter the Festival of Alabama Fiber Arts Juried Exhibit 2012. Co-sponsored by South Alabama Fiber Enthusiasts Guild (S.A.F.E.) and Old Alabama Town in Montgomery, Alabama. $300.00 in cash prizes and ribbons will be awarded.

Eligibility: Open to all Fiber Artists residing in the State of Alabama. Current work of 2 and 3 dimensional items made of fiber, encompassing a wide variety of styles, to include but not limited to knitting, sewing, spinning, weaving, quilting, crochet, felting, basketry, etc. – any fiber made item. The winners will be announced during the Festival of Fiber Arts March 30 and 31 at Old Alabama Town in Montgomery.

To enter, deliver or ship entries by March 1, 2012, to: Old Alabama Town, 301 Columbus Street, Montgomery, AL 36104-2624. (334) 240-4500.

Entry forms are available at website: http://www.AL-FiberArts.org. The e-mail address is FestivalofFiberArts@gmail.com. Include registration form, identification form for each item, and entry fee. Entry fee is $10.00 per piece, enter 1 to 3 pieces.

As part of the event, we are very interested in getting fiber guilds from all over the state together, so much so that we are offering free tent space for guilds to reach out to the fiber community. So far, the Montgomery Guild and the Tuscaloosa Guild are in and we’re reaching out to the other guilds statewide. Your organization can use this for vending space and demonstrations.

Many of the workshops, seminars and demonstrations at the Friday and Saturday event are being offered at no charge. This project has been made possible by grants from the Alabama State Council on the Arts and The National Endowment for the Arts.

Other Learning Opportunities
On Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m., Basket Classes continue at the Huntsville Madison County Senior Center. The classes meet in the Ceramics Room.

On Mondays and Wednesdays, Weaving Classes continue at the Huntsville Madison County Senior Center, meeting in the Weaving Room. Sign up at hvilleweavers@gmail.com. The Monday classes, from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., will be “participant driven,” and include loom maintenance, planning a project, tools and techniques used in weaving, the use of color, double weave rugs, weaving on the Isabelle loom, triangle loom shawls, rigid heddle weaving and occasional guest speakers. The Wednesday classes, from 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., are beginning weaving classes.

For Sale
Loom for sale by DeSoto Fiber Guild: Low-castle, 6 treadle, 4-harness, 46-inch wide Schacht standard floor loom. The back beam does fold forward to get through doorways, but this is not the X-frame “wolf” model that Schacht makes. It is maple wood, though there is a cherry-wood lamp holder mounted on one side. It has about 500 flat steel heddles. Included in the package are several reeds, a 14-inch Schacht warping board, Schacht single-ended bobbin winder and a homemade bench. E-mail DeSotoFiberGuild@aol.com for details on the condition of the loom and possible delivery options.

Spinning Wheel for Sale: Kromski Sonata spinning wheel, excellent condition. Easily transported folding wheel with clear finish. 11.5 lbs, includes kate, oil bottle and 5 bobbins, wheel comes assembled price includes padded carrying bag $500. Call 205-562-1883 or 205- 331-3751.

We’re Just Beginning – Join Us
The Cullman Fiber Guild has been meeting regularly since April 2010. To receive the full newsletter by e-mail, send a request to CullmanFiber@yahoo.com.

To Receive the Cullman Fiber Guild Newsletter on Paper
We will provide a paper copy of the newsletter to those who do not receive e-mail. The first newsletter will be mailed at no charge. We publish 11 newsletters a year, January through November. To continue receiving the mailed newsletters, the member needs to pay $13 for 11 issues. E-mail CullmanFiber@yahoo.com or send mail to P. O. Box 12632 Huntsville, AL 35815 for details on receiving paper newsletters. E-mailed newsletters are still free!

Permission to Copy
The Cullman Fiber Guild grants permission to copy articles from this newsletter as long as the source of the article is included.

Share this newsletter!

The February workshop will not be Spinning on a Drop Spindle. When we have a replacement, we’ll publish it.

See the 2012 Workshops and Driving Directions to Peinhardt Living History Farm in Cullman, Alabama by selecting the buttons on the right of this screen.

Happy New Year
The new year looks good where I’m sitting. We’re planning a full schedule of interesting fiber workshops suitable for either beginners, or those who want to learn more about the subject. The January 28 Weaving Round Robin will be a hands-on experience with us weaving samples on as many looms as we want. We’ll see a variety of patterns, color combinations and textures. We’ll be working on several different kinds of looms. This will be a good introduction to the language of weaving. Come prepared for a busy day of experimenting.

Other workshops are February 25 Spinning on the Drop Spindle, April 28 Introduction to Peyote Stitch Beading, May 19 Natural Dyeing, June 23 Introduction to Marbling, August 18 Fabric Pottery, September 22 Introduction to Rug Hooking and (TBD) Crocheting a Rag Rug. I’m proud that so many of you are stepping forward to share your skills.

Pre-Registering for Workshops
Please pre-register for workshops by sending e-mail to CullmanFiber@yahoo.com. Pre-registering will help the leaders provide enough supplies, equipment and copies of the handouts.

You will be welcome to the workshops whether or not you’ve pre-registered. However if you don’t pre-register, you won’t receive the handout until the following week. So, if you are at least fifty percent sure you’ll be able to attend, pre-register.

Please Share This Newsletter
I’m looking forward to new learning opportunities and meeting new fiber friends. At each meeting, we have a different group of people. Thanks to all who have given information on the Cullman Fiber Guild to new folks. That is the way the Cullman Fiber Guild will grow.

Cullman Fiber Guild Membership Directory
The membership directory is shared only with those who give permission for their contact information to appear in it. If you want your contact information to appear in the directory, e-mail CullmanFiber@yahoo.com and ask to be included in the directory. Include your contact information to be shared, name, mailing address, telephone number(s) and e-mail address(es). If you do not want your e-mail address or telephone number included in the directory, let me know and your e-mail address or telephone number will not appear in the directory. Each time the directory is updated, all those in the directory will receive a new copy by e-mail.

2012 Peinhardt Farm Kids Club
The Peinhardt Living History Farm is planning a Farm Kids Club for 2012. The meetings will be Saturday January 14, February 4 Seed Starting, March 3, April 14, May 5 The Chicken and the Egg, June 2, July 7, August 4, September 1, October 6, November 3 Harvest Time, and December 1 Decorating Naturally for the Holidays. I’ll be helping with a program on Natural Dyeing for one of the meetings. See PeinhardtFarm.com for more information.

News from Alabama Fiber Guilds
I am starting a statewide web site to direct attention to the workshops and meetings of the fiber guilds in Alabama, and groups which may someday become guilds. See ALFiberGuilds.tumblr.com for the initial version of the web site. There are only three guilds represented on the site today. I invite other guilds to send their information to be added.

Weaving Basics
Weaving Basics is a series of workshops sponsored by the Huntsville Fiber Guild and designed to introduce adults, and youth ages 14 and up, to weaving and other fiber arts. These classes are limited to 6 students. Students must pre-register: e-mail HsvFiber@gmail.com by the pre-registration deadline.

The workshops are being held in the Huntsville Madison County Public Library located at 915 Monroe Street. Pre-registration is required to allow the leaders to provide enough materials. We will meet in the public lounge on the second floor.

The February 2, 2012 Weaving Basics workshop is Introduction to Basket Making. The March 1 workshop is Introduction to Sprang.

See WeavingBasics.tumblr.com for workshop details, items to bring and supply fees.

Huntsville Fiber Guild January Events
On Saturday January 7, 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., the Huntsville Fiber Guild will celebrate Roc Day and a Yarn Swap/Challenge at Lowe Mill (2211 Seminole Drive SW Huntsville).

The Yarn Swap was inspired by our viewing of Laura Bryant’s DVD, The Fiber Artist’s Guide to Color. Bring four 4-ounce balls of any fiber, different colors, suitable for weaving, knitting or crocheting. We’ll create a color river by sorting all the contributions by color weight. You’ll leave with as much fiber as you brought from one part of the color river.

The Challenge is to create a sample color study in weaving, knitting or crocheting by the June meeting. The “fine print” will be discussed at Roc Day. Come to learn about color.
On Saturday Janaury 21, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., we’ll learn about a member’s Dorset loom. She has refinished the wood, and it is a lovely piece.

She says, “The Dorset is a 4 harness floor loom with a weaving width of about 20 inches. It has a direct tie-up system with each of the harnesses permanently tied to one treadle. It was developed by F. C. Wood, and the design later used in the Schacht Spindle Company’s Wolf Pup loom.”

“I have become accustomed to finding a wealth of information with a few Internet searches, and I’m surprised when little is found. So far I have about 1 minute on the history of the Dorset Loom, with one good lead still to arrive by snail mail. Most of the program will discuss the parts of a loom, how it works, and invite people to try it for themselves. It is a sweet little loom, particularly suited to narrow projects and workshops.“

The meeting will be at Bailey Cove Library, 1409 Weatherly Plaza Drive, Huntsville, located SW of intersection of Bailey Cove Road and Weatherly Road, off west side of Bailey Cove Road, turn between Bailey Cove Eye Care and Dollar General.

Roc Day at Little Barn
On Saturday January 7, Little Barn, 173 McKee Road Harvest, will celebrate Roc Day from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. See LittleBarnInc.com for more information.

Other Learning Opportunities
On Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m., Basket Classes continue at the Huntsville Madison County Senior Center. The classes meet in the Ceramics Room.

On Mondays and Wednesdays, Weaving Classes continue at the Huntsville Madison County Senior Center, meeting in the Weaving Room. Sign up at hvilleweavers@gmail.com. The Monday classes, from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., will be “participant driven,” and include loom maintenance, planning a project, tools and techniques used in weaving, the use of color, double weave rugs, weaving on the Isabelle loom, triangle loom shawls, rigid heddle weaving and occasional guest speakers. The Wednesday classes, from 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., are beginning weaving classes.

Madison Public Library Workshops
Madison Public Library will present a workshop on Friday January 17, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Weave a Round Basket, and on Friday February 24, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Weaving Round Robin.

See WeavingBasics.tumblr.com for workshop details. The workshops at Madison Public Library are open to adults and youth ages 14 and up. See www.hmcpl.org or call 256-461-0046 to learn the fees and to pre-register.

Bailey Cove Public Library Workshops
Bailey Cove Public Library will present a two-part workshop, Decorate the Handle and Weave a Melon Basket, on Saturday February 4 and 11.

See WeavingBasics.tumblr.com for workshop details. The workshops at Bailey Cove Public Library are open to adults and youth ages 14 and up. See www.hmcpl.org or call 256-881-0257 to learn the fees and to pre-register.

Learning Quest Workshops
Learning Quest will present two workshops of interest to us. Oops! Correcting Your Knitting Mistakes will meet three Thursdays, February 23, March 1 and 15, 10:00 a.m. - noon.

Weave A Round Basket will meet five Thursdays, March 22 through April 19, 10:00 a.m. - noon. In this class you’ll be able to complete three baskets if you do your homework. There are plenty of other interesting courses on the schedule. This Learning Quest workshop is open to Learning Quest members, adults and youth ages 14 and up. Registration will begin at Rally Day on Friday January 13, 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., in the auditorium of the Huntsville Madison County Public Library located at 915 Monroe Street. See LQuest.org for more information.

GBFG Workshops – from December issue of Southern Strands
The Greater Birmingham Fiber Guild will “… be offering a beginning weaving class on January 28th and 29th, 2012, 9:00 to 5:00 Saturday and 9:00 until 4:00 Sunday, at her studio located at 14280 Jaffa Lane Cottondale, AL 35453. The class will cover dressing a loom and basic weaving. There will be a fee of $25 for materials. This class will be limited to a maximum of 5 students who are beginners. If you are interested or have questions please contact jgormanws@yahoo.com.”

Handweavers Guild of Nashville Workshops – from November issue of Warp & Weft
The Handweavers Guild of Nashville will present a Pattern Workshop/Round Robin on February 25-26. “Round robin style means you get to weave the patterns on the looms brought by other weavers, and you take home a sample notebook full of ideas. So start pulling out pattern books and back issues of magazines, and start formulating your pattern.”

The Handweavers Guild of Nashville will also present Acadian Weaving Workshop with Melissa Weaver Dunning on March 10-11. “Does 2 harness weaving sound boring to you? This class may change your mind! Beginning and advanced weavers alike will be amazed at the variations of patterns possible with just 2 harnesses and a few simple techniques. We will weave samples of weaving unique to early French Canada and Louisiana: couverture de marriage, a la planche, boutonne, cordonne.”

See handweaverstn.org for more information.

Atlanta Fiber Guild Workshops
The Chattahoochee Handweavers Guild will present two workshops in the first quarter of 2012, Extreme Warp Makeover with Robin Spady on January 11-13 and 14-16, and The Splendor of Multicolor Warps with Betty Vera on March 17-19. See chgweb.com for more information.

We’re Just Beginning – Join Us
The Cullman Fiber Guild has been meeting regularly since April 2010. To receive the full newsletter by e-mail, send a request to CullmanFiber@yahoo.com.

Permission to Copy
The Cullman Fiber Guild grants permission to copy articles from this newsletter as long as the source of the article is included.

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See the 2012 Workshops and Driving Directions to Peinhardt Living History Farm in Cullman, Alabama by selecting the buttons on the right of this screen.

Thank You
We owe a debt of gratitude to the folks at Peinhardt Living History Farm who prepare the Peinhardt Living History Museum for our workshops, and provide coffee and snacks. The person who does all this work tells me she plans to participate in the workshops, but when the time comes, she usually needs to tend an animal or has some other pressing chore. We have absolutely the best natural dyeing workshop because she starts the fires, keeps them going, moves all the heavy pots, saves and soaks several natural materials, and brings the large amounts of water we need. Thank you for all you do to make these meetings and workshops possible.

We have had a good year of learning from each other and practicing various fiber arts. Thank you for making time in your busy lives to lead and attend these meetings and workshops.

Pre-Registering for Workshops
Please pre-register for workshops by sending e-mail to CullmanFiber@yahoo.com. Pre-registering will help the leaders provide enough supplies, equipment and copies of the handouts.

You will be welcome to the workshops whether or not you’ve pre-registered. However if you don’t pre-register, you won’t receive the handout until the following week. So, if you are at least fifty percent sure you’ll be able to attend, pre-register.

Peinhardt Farm Day Successful
Thanks to those who represented the Cullman Fiber Guild on October 22 at Peinhardt Farm Day.

Welcome to the 14 new people who are received this newsletter by e-mail. We look forward to seeing you at the next workshop!

Please Share This Newsletter
I’m looking forward to new learning opportunities and meeting new fiber friends. At each meeting, we have a different group of people. Thanks to all who have given information on the Cullman Fiber Guild to new folks. That is the way the Cullman Fiber Guild will grow.

Cullman Fiber Guild Membership Directory
The membership directory is shared only with those who give permission for their contact information to appear in it. If you want your contact information to appear in the directory, e-mail CullmanFiber@yahoo.com and ask to be included in the directory. Include your contact information to be shared, name, mailing address, telephone number(s) and e-mail address(es). If you do not want your e-mail address or telephone number included in the directory, let me know and your e-mail address or telephone number will not appear in the directory. Each time the directory is updated, all those in the directory will receive a new copy by e-mail.

News from Alabama Fiber Guilds
I am starting a statewide web site to direct attention to the workshops and meetings of the fiber guilds in Alabama, and groups which may someday become guilds. See ALFiberGuilds.tumblr.com for the initial version of the web site. There are only three guilds represented on the site today. I invite other guilds to send their information to be added.

Weaving Basics
Weaving Basics is a series of workshops sponsored by the Huntsville Fiber Guild and designed to introduce adults, and youth ages 14 and up, to weaving and other fiber arts. These classes are limited to 6 students. Students must pre-register: e-mail HsvFiber@gmail.com by the pre-registration deadline.

The workshops are being held in the Huntsville Madison County Public Library located at 915 Monroe Street. Pre-registration is required to allow the leaders to provide enough materials. We will meet in the public lounge on the second floor.

The December 1, 2011 Weaving Basics workshop is Braid a Mug Rug. The January 5 and February 2, 2012 Weaving Basics workshops are Introduction to Basket Making. The March 1 workshop is Introduction to Sprang.

See WeavingBasics.tumblr.com for workshop details, items to bring and supply fees.

Other Learning Opportunities
On Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m., Basket Classes continue at the Huntsville Madison County Senior Center. The classes meet in the Ceramics Room.

On Mondays and Wednesdays, Weaving Classes continue at the Huntsville Madison County Senior Center, meeting in the Weaving Room. Sign up at hvilleweavers@gmail.com. The Monday classes, from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., will be “participant driven,” and include loom maintenance, planning a project, tools and techniques used in weaving, the use of color, double weave rugs, weaving on the Isabelle loom, triangle loom shawls, rigid heddle weaving and occasional guest speakers. The Wednesday classes, from 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., are beginning weaving classes.

Historic Holidays: Grapevine Wreath Making Workshop
On Saturday, December 3, 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., there will be a Grapevine Wreath Making Workshop at the new North Alabama Agriplex Education Center in Cullman. Decorate for the holidays naturally by making an evergreen wreath to take home. There is limited space. Preregister at 256-297-1044 by November 30th. The new North Alabama Agriplex Education Center is located across from Cullman Bowling Alley, 1714 Talley Ho Drive, Cullman.

Pluckyfluff Class in Georgia
Lexi Boeger, aka Pluckfluff (http://www.pluckyfluff.com/camp.html) will be presenting a two-day workshop at Legacy Alpaca Farm (http://www.legacyalpacafarm.com/index.php) in Loganville, January 29-29. This is a great chance to learn how to make wild art yarns.

Convergence 2012
The fall issue of Shuttle, Spindle & Dyepot (Handweavers Guild of America publication) is here, and it has all the information you need for Convergence 2012. The conference will be held in Long Beach, California, and runs from Saturday, July 14th until Saturday July 21st. There is a wide variety of workshops and seminars as well as tours, lectures, exhibitions, and vendors.

There are four exhibitions you can enter: Longitude: yardage; Small Expressions; Latitude: all media exhibit; Pacific Currents: Wearable Art and Fashion.

Check the magazine or go online [www.weavespindye.org] for class descriptions, instructor biographies, hotel information and more. The Alabama HGA representative is Debbie Scott.

For Sale
Harrisville 22-inch 4-Harness, 4-Treadle Floor Loom, made of high quality hardwood (maple). Loom is lightly used, in excellent condition. Comes with 12-inch and 21-inch flat shuttle, 6.5-inch heddle hook. $850, cash sales only, no shipping. E-mail srgriess@gmail.com.

We’re Just Beginning – Join Us
The Cullman Fiber Guild has been meeting regularly since April 2010. To receive the full newsletter by e-mail, send a request to CullmanFiber@yahoo.com.

Permission to Copy
The Cullman Fiber Guild grants permission to copy articles from this newsletter as long as the source of the article is included.

Share this newsletter!

We’ve Had a Great Year
The September Kudzu Basket workshop was fun. Watching people’s faces as I speak of the virtues of kudzu is always the best part of this workshop for me. Some of the baskets folks made were really large, and all looked wild and wooly. Thanks so much to those who brought kudzu and other wild vines for us to use.

Let’s look back over the year. We divided into teams and dressed floor and table looms. We were wet and soapy as we made flat felt. We wove ribbed baskets in the shape of melon or egg baskets. We saw the magic of natural dyeing with nuts, leaves, roots, flowers and a bug. We learned to spin on our homemade drop spindles. We made paper by recycling junk mail. We made cordage from leaves. We braided mug rugs from recycled sheets. And then we made baskets from kudzu, that pesky vine that was brought here with good intentions.

We’re Planning 2012 Workshops
We’ll be planning workshops for January 28, February 25, March 24, April 28, May 19 (one week early to avoid Memorial Day weekend), June 23, July 28, August 25 and September 22, 2012. We would appreciate hearing your ideas. E-mail CullmanFiber@yahoo.com.

School Days Volunteers Needed
This year the first School Day was September 27 and last day will be October 20. We need approximately 20-25 volunteers each day. Thanks to each of you.

See www.peinhardtfarm.com for descriptions of the School Day teaching stations and the latest Peinhardt Living History Farm newsletter. E-mail CullmanFiber@yahoo.com for more information and to volunteer.

Farm Day
On Saturday October 22, Peinhardt Living History Farm will present Farm Day, a public festival with the crafts and tools from earlier times being demonstrated. Volunteers are needed both to demonstrate crafts and to allow the guests to enjoy themselves. The Cullman Fiber Guild will have a special area where we can advertise the guild. We hope to demonstrate basket making, weaving, spinning, knitting, crocheting, and natural dyeing. If you can help for a few hours that day, I will gladly provide the tools for you. For instance, if someone will help with weaving, there will be 2 table looms dressed for rag rugs where visitors can try their hands at weaving, plus some other table looms that are simple to operate. E-mail CullmanFiber@yahoo.com and we’ll make arrangements.

There will be a volunteer meeting on Saturday October 8. There will be a list of demonstrators at the admission gate to allow you to get into the festival at no charge. E-mail CullmanFiber@yahoo.com for more information and to volunteer for the public festival, and to get your name on the gate list.

Please Share This Newsletter
I’m looking forward to new learning opportunities and meeting new fiber friends. At each meeting, we have a different group of people. Thanks to all who have given information on the Cullman Fiber Guild to new folks. That is the way the Cullman Fiber Guild will grow.

Weaving Basics 2011
Weaving Basics is a series of workshops sponsored by the Huntsville Fiber Guild and designed to introduce adults, and youth ages 14 and up, to weaving and other fiber arts. These classes are limited to 6 students. Students must pre-register: e-mail HsvFiber@gmail.com by the pre-registration deadline.

The workshops are being held in the Huntsville Madison County Public Library located at 915 Monroe Street. Pre-registration is required to allow the leaders to provide enough materials. We will meet in the public lounge on the second floor.

See WeavingBasics.tumblr.com for workshop details, items to bring and supply fees.

October 6, 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. - Weave a Scarf on Soda Straws, pre-registration deadline October 2
November 3, 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. - Introduction to Weaving With the Inkle Loom, pre-registration deadline October 30
December 1, 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. - Braid a Mug Rug, pre-registration deadline November 27

Other Learning Opportunities
On Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m., Basket Classes continue at the Huntsville Madison County Senior Center. The classes meet in the Ceramics Room.

On Mondays and Wednesdays, Weaving Classes continue at the Huntsville Madison County Senior Center, meeting in the Weaving Room. Sign up at hvilleweavers@gmail.com. The Monday classes, from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., will be “participant driven,” and include loom maintenance, planning a project, tools and techniques used in weaving, the use of color, double weave rugs, weaving on the Isabelle loom, triangle loom shawls, rigid heddle weaving and occasional guest speakers. The Wednesday classes, from 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., are beginning weaving classes.

October 15-16, the Alabama Gourd Society will present several gourd crafting workshops at the Cullman Civic Center. See www.AlabamaGourdSociety.org for details.

Madison Public Library Workshops
Madison Public Library will present a workshop on Friday October 28, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Weave a Round Basket.

See WeavingBasics.tumblr.com for workshop details. The workshops at Madison Public Library are open to adults and youth ages 14 and up. See www.hmcpl.org or call 256-461-0046 to learn the fees and to pre-register.

Bailey Cove Public Library Workshops
Bailey Cove Public Library will present a workshop on Saturday October 29, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Triangle Loom Weaving: Beginner and Beyond.

See WeavingBasics.tumblr.com for workshop details. The workshops at Bailey Cove Public Library are open to adults and youth ages 14 and up. See www.hmcpl.org or call 256-881-0257 to learn the fees and to pre-register.

We’re Just Beginning – Join Us
The Cullman Fiber Guild has been meeting regularly since April 2010. To receive the full newsletter by e-mail, send a request to CullmanFiber@yahoo.com.

Permission to Copy
The Cullman Fiber Guild grants permission to copy articles from this newsletter as long as the source of the article is included.

Share this newsletter!

Welcome to the Cullman Fiber Guild
We had a beautiful day at the Holly Pond Founders Day Celebration! We had an entire (very large) picnic shelter to spread out all the crafts we demonstrated. There were inkle looms and rigid heddle looms ready for weaving. There were baskets, triangle shawls, felt and cordage (from natural fibers) to show past workshops. There were CD drop spindles and fleece ready for spinning. Members crocheted, wove and welcomed curious visitors.

Thanks to those who threaded the braiding disks. Lots of visitors walked away from our display braiding, and several came back later with finished friendship bracelets.

In addition, we conducted a workshop to show what we normally do on the fourth Saturday of each month. We learned how to braid rugs by braiding a mug rug. Making cornshuck dolls was a bonus experience.

Thanks to those who came to talk to visitors about the Cullman Fiber Guild. Nine new people will be receiving this newsletter as a result of our efforts.

We’re Planning 2012 Workshops
On Saturday, September 24, 9:30 a.m., we’ll be planning the 2012 workshops. If you cannot attend, please e-mail CullmanFiber@yahoo.com by Thursday, September 22, to participate.

The proposed dates for the 2012 workshops, if we follow our usual schedule, are: January 28, February 25, March 24, April 28, May 19 (one week early to avoid Memorial Day weekend), June 23, July 28, August 25 and September 22.

Do you want to participate in the Holly Pond Founders Day Celebration next year, August 25, 2012?

I’ve made a list of possible workshop topics. Please add to the list, and e-mail CullmanFiber@yahoo.com to select those you want to study. Are you willing to lead a workshop, or know someone else who is interested in leading a workshop for us?

Basket making - Square basket with flat reed
Broom making
Felting
Loom weaving - Weaving different patterns in “round robin”, Twining on frame, Dressing a loom
Natural dyeing
Spinning
Surface decoration - Have possible leaders for tie dyeing, marbling and leaf pounding.
Rag rug making - Have possible leader for crocheted rag rug
Seat weaving

School Days Volunteer Orientation for 2011
On Saturday September 10, 7:30/8:00 a.m., Peinhardt Living History Farm will have a Volunteer Meeting. We will gather in the Museum for fellowship, overview and refreshments. Bring a friend. This meeting shouldn’t last more than an hour and half. By wagon we will ride the route to each station for our new people to get an idea of our set-up.

This year the first School Day will be September 27 and last day will probably be October 20. We need approximately 20-25 volunteers each day. Thanks to each of you.

Farm Day, which will be October 22, will also be discussed.

See www.peinhardtfarm.com for descriptions of the School Day teaching stations and the latest Peinhardt Living History Farm newsletter.

Farm Animals at the Cullman County Fair
Peinhardt Living History Farm will be taking farm animals to the Cullman County Fair this year for exhibition. The dates are Friday September 23, 5:00 – 9:30 p.m.; Sunday September 25, 2:00 – 8:00 p.m.; Friday September 30, 5:00 – 9:30 p.m.; Saturday October 1, 2:00 – 9:30 p.m.

Volunteers are needed to help the visitors with the animals. Volunteers can choose whatever time period they want. Volunteers will come in the back gate.

E-mail bjohn781@aol.com for more information. Your name has to be on a list so the gate keepers will admit you.

Farm Day
On Saturday October 22, Peinhardt Living History Farm will present Farm Day, a public festival with the crafts and tools from earlier times being demonstrated. Volunteers are needed both to demonstrate crafts and to allow the guests to enjoy themselves. Demonstrations of basket making, weaving, spinning, knitting, crocheting, and natural dyeing are needed. E-mail yakrp@aol.com for more information and to volunteer for the public festival.

We Need Kudzu In September!
If you can provide some kudzu vines for the September 24 workshop, let us know. The kudzu needs to be harvested about three days before the workshop. We need the woody vines that are still alive, not this years’ growth. Scrape a small patch of bark off the vine to see if it’s green, or dead. The problem with harvesting the abundant kudzu alongside the highway is the high weeds (and snakes) that usually surround it. Please e-mail CullmanFiber@yahoo.com by September 17. If there isn’t enough kudzu available, I’ll have to make other plans.

Please Share This Newsletter
I’m looking forward to new learning opportunities and meeting new fiber friends. At each meeting, we have a different group of people. Thanks to all who have given information on the Cullman Fiber Guild to new folks. That is the way the Cullman Fiber Guild will grow.

“Original” Name Badges
Each person is invited to use/display a favorite fiber art on their name badge. Be sure to include the name “Cullman Fiber Guild” on your badge/badges.

Cullman Fiber Guild Membership Directory
The membership directory is shared only with those who give permission for their contact information to appear in it. If you want your contact information to appear in the directory, e-mail CullmanFiber@yahoo.com and ask to be included in the directory. Include your contact information to be shared, name, mailing address, telephone number(s) and e-mail address(es). If you do not want your e-mail address or telephone number included in the directory, let me know and your e-mail address or telephone number will not appear in the directory. Each time the directory is updated, all those in the directory will receive a new copy by e-mail.

Interweave Press Annual Guild Subscription Program
Subscribe or renew your subscription for a full year of any of the 14 Interweave Press magazines for $18 each. See InterweavePress.com for magazine descriptions. E-mail CullmanFiber@yahoo.com to receive the code for this special price.

Pre-Registering for Workshops
Please pre-register for workshops by sending e-mail to CullmanFiber@yahoo.com. Pre-registering will help the leaders provide enough supplies, equipment and copies of the handouts.

You will be welcome to the workshops whether or not you’ve pre-registered. However if you don’t pre-register, you won’t receive the handout until the following week. So, if you are at least fifty percent sure you’ll be able to attend, pre-register.

Press the button to the right to see the 2011 workshops.

Huntsville Fiber Guild Open House
The Huntsville Fiber Guild invites you to an Open House Sunday, September 18, 2011, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., at the Bailey Cove Public Library. The address is 1409 Weatherly Plaza Drive, Huntsville, Alabama. The library is located SW of the intersection of Bailey Cove Road and Weatherly Road, off the west side of Bailey Cove Road. Turn between Bailey Cove Eye Care and Dollar General.

For more information, see http://sites.google.com/site/hsvfiber/
or e-mail HsvFiber@gmail.com

Weaving Basics 2011
Weaving Basics is a series of workshops sponsored by the Huntsville Fiber Guild and designed to introduce adults, and youth ages 14 and up, to weaving and other fiber arts. These classes are limited to 6 students. Students must pre-register: e-mail HsvFiber@gmail.com by the pre-registration deadline.

The workshops are being held in the Huntsville Madison County Public Library located at 915 Monroe Street. Pre-registration is required to allow the leaders to provide enough materials. We will meet in the public lounge on the second floor.

See WeavingBasics.tumblr.com for workshop details, items to bring and supply fees.

October 6, 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. - Weave a Scarf on Soda Straws, pre-registration deadline October 2
November 3, 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. - Introduction to Weaving With the Inkle Loom, pre-registration deadline October 30
December 1, 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. - Braid a Mug Rug, pre-registration deadline November 27

Other Learning Opportunities
On Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m., Basket Classes continue at the Huntsville Madison County Senior Center. The classes meet in the Ceramics Room.

On Mondays and Wednesdays, Weaving Classes continue at the Huntsville Madison County Senior Center, meeting in the Weaving Room. Sign up at hvilleweavers@gmail.com or leave a message at 256-684-2281. The Monday classes, from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., will be “participant driven,” and include loom maintenance, planning a project, tools and techniques used in weaving, the use of color, double weave rugs, weaving on the Isabelle loom, triangle loom shawls, rigid heddle weaving and occasional guest speakers. The Wednesday classes, from 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., are beginning weaving classes.

October 15-16, the Alabama Gourd Society will present several gourd crafting workshops at the Cullman Civic Center. See www.AlabamaGourdSociety.org for details.

Madison Public Library Workshops
Madison Public Library will present the following workshops:
Friday September 30, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Triangle Loom Weaving: Beginner and Beyond.
Friday October 28, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Weave a Round Basket.

See WeavingBasics.tumblr.com for workshop details. The workshops at Madison Public Library are open to adults and youth ages 14 and up. See www.hmcpl.org or call 256-461-0046 to learn the fees and to pre-register.

Bailey Cove Public Library Workshops
Bailey Cove Public Library will present the following workshops:
Saturday September 17, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Weave a Round Basket.
Saturday October 29, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Triangle Loom Weaving: Beginner and Beyond.

See WeavingBasics.tumblr.com for workshop details. The workshops at Bailey Cove Public Library are open to adults and youth ages 14 and up. See www.hmcpl.org or call 256-881-0257 to learn the fees and to pre-register.

We’re Just Beginning – Join Us
The Cullman Fiber Guild has been meeting regularly since April 2010. To receive the full newsletter by e-mail, send a request to CullmanFiber@yahoo.com.

Purpose of the Cullman Fiber Guild
The purpose of the Cullman Fiber Guild is to encourage and assist folks who are interested in fiber arts. The fiber arts include spinning, weaving, dyeing, basket making, knitting, crocheting, felting, lace making, sewing, etc. A fiber guild can help keep handcrafts from earlier centuries alive in the 21st century. We have to make an extra effort to learn and practice the handcrafts that those before us used daily.

Permission to Copy
The Cullman Fiber Guild grants permission to copy articles from this newsletter as long as the source of the article is included.

Share this newsletter!I