2022
All programs will be in the gym of the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church with the exception of the December and May meetings. The December program will be held in the Community Room at the church. The May luncheon will be held at the home of Nancy Smothergill.
September
Saturday September 10th, 10:00am: Thrums, Crumbs, and Other Things That You Might Throw Out
Presenters: Sue Szczotka and Nancy Gaus
No, we won’t be dealing with real crumbs, but the subject of this year’s Guild challenge is sustainability and the three R’s – reduce, reuse and recycle. Our kick-off program will cover a myriad of ideas for using leftovers in your weaving and other fiber projects. We challenge you to create beauty and usefulness from fibery things that you might ordinarily discard — thrums, remnants, old T-shirts, woven scraps, and other materials worthy of a second life. Be inspired to make something completely different. Dive into this year’s “Thrums and Crumbs Challenge” and help save our little corner of the Earth!
Saturday/Sunday September 10-11th: Endless Mountains Fiber Festival, New Milford, PA
Saturday/Sunday September 24-25th: Adirondacks Wool and Arts Festival, Greenwich, NY
Saturday/Sunday September 24-25th: Fiber Arts Weekend, Farmers’ Museum, Cooperstown, NY
October
Saturday October 1st, 10:00am: Rug Weaving on 2-4 Shaft Looms
Presenter: Jan Towsley
Facilitator: Nancy Smothergill
Jan will explore a variety of basic rug weaves, such as rag rug, rya, tapestry techniques and more, that you can create on your 4-shaft (or possibly rigid heddle) loom. She will show and demonstrate a few structures that may inspire members to give them a try. We will consider materials, equipment, desired goals, and estimated work time. Let us share ideas to start a good winter’s project!
Saturday/Sunday October 8-9th: Little York Fall Fiber Arts Festival, Preble, NY
Saturday/Sunday October 15-16th: New York Sheep and Wool Festival at Rhinebeck, NY
November
Saturday November 5th, 10:00am: Make Time for Tassels
Presenters: Donna Connery and Elaine DuBois
Passementerie is as interesting as it sounds! Once your main weave is over, learn how to put those thrums to creative use as cording and tassels. Use them in decorative gift wrapping, as functional shade pulls, ornamentation, and for other festive uses. This hands-on program will show you how to make them and will kick off our guild project to make tassels as table favors for participants in the biennial Eastern Great Lakes Fiber Conference (EGLFC) in October 2023. Bring these materials: thrums, scissors or rotary cutter, ruler, and a fringe twister (if you have one).
Saturday/Sunday November 5-6th: Fiber Festival of New England in West Springfield, MA
December
Saturday December 3rd, 10:00am: Weaving by Design with Kelly Marshall via Zoom
Presenter: Kelly Marshall
Facilitator: Nancy Smothergill
Since 1992, Kelly Marshall of Custom Woven Interiors has been designing and handweaving
functional textiles for individual homeowners and corporate clients. Her custom rep weave
designs are stunning, with vibrant colors and bold patterns. In this talk, she will discuss her
design process, rep weave, and her journey in developing a weaving business.
2023
January
Saturday January 7th, 10:00am: Selling Your Handwovens
Presenters: Barb Decker, Joyce Lock, Sue Szczotka, Susan Mehringer
Facilitator: Andie Scamehorn
How many members have considered selling their creative work? You might be surprised at the
answer. Many have thought about it, but the process of taking a finished piece and marking it
“sold” can be a daunting one to the uninitiated. We will explore many facets of this topic with our
resident experts in selling handwoven creations. Whether you just want to dip your toe in the
water or dive right in, our presenters will have the answers and encouragement you need.
February
Saturday February 4th, 10:00am: Floatwork/Overshot: How It Works and How To Play With It
Presenter: Nancy Smothergill
Overshot/Floatwork is a historical, three element, two shuttle, twill-based weave structure known by several names. The program will explore its relation to twill, how patterns have been derived, and various methods of notating the threading and treadling. We will also look at the different ways to use this versatile weave structure.
March
Saturday March 4th, 10:00am: Krokbragd
Presenter: Eileen Kloss and Nancy Gaus
Krokbragd is a thick, 3-shaft weft-faced structure marked by colorful and intricate patterns. This Swedish boundweave is known for its bold pops of color and makes beautiful rugs, cushion covers, table linens, and wall hangings. It’s fun to weave on a variety of looms, and spontaneously designed patterns can be both playful and striking. Come and see what all the excitement is about!
April
Saturday April 1st, 10:00am: Presentation of the Guild Challenge
Facilitator: Rachel Abbot
Bring the pieces you created for the Guild challenge, and tell us what inspired you. What challenges did you face, and what new techniques did you explore?
Saturday April 1st, 10:00am – 4:00pm: Syracuse Maker Faire, LeMoyne College
Maker Faire is a gathering of fascinating, curious people who enjoy learning and who love sharing what they can do. From engineers to artists to scientists to crafters, Maker Faire is a venue for these “makers” to show hobbies, experiments, projects. The Syracuse Weavers Guild will host a booth 1:00-4:00pm.
May
Saturday May 6th, 12:00pm: Annual Potluck Luncheon and Towel Exchange
Bring a dish to pass and your place setting along with a handwoven towel if you wish to participate in the Towel Exchange. The luncheon will be at the home of Nancy Smothergill.
Salina Library Weaving Exhibit May, Mattydale, NY
Guild members’ weavings will be on display for the month of May. Channel 3 News Clip.
June
Saturday/Sunday June 10/11th, CNY Fiber Arts Festival, Bouckville, NY
There are a number of weaving events happening at the festival.
- See guild members demonstrate weaving and try your hand at weaving on a floor loom or on the Story Loom.
- Stop by the Syracuse Weavers Guild sales booth to purchase a variety of handwoven goods.
- Check out the Viv Fulton Memorial Weaving Competition.
Thursday June 15th, 5:30pm, Planning Meeting for 2023/2024 Guild Programs, Home of Nancy Smothergill
All guild members are welcome to help plan the monthly programs for the upcoming guild year. Bring your ideas and dinner, dessert will be provided.
Syracuse Weavers Guild 