Workshops 2020

Weavers of Orlando (WoO), an active non-profit organization, promotes and encourages interest in the fiber arts such as weaving, spinning, basketry, dyeing, felting, and beading through monthly programs.
When:  The 3rd Saturday of each month (see monthly schedule below)

• Socializing & Weaving questions answered starting at 9:30 am

• Business meeting starts at 10 a.m.

• Show and tell usually starts around 10:30 am

• Program starts around 11:00 am

Where:   We are in the processes of finding a new regular/permanent meeting place, so please check each month to see where we are meeting. We hope to announce a regular meeting place soon.

2019 Programs

Starting in May, we’ll have our meetings at the Fashion Square Mall conference center.

Directions:

Orlando Fashion Square Mall

3201 E Colonial Dr

Orlando, FL 32803

Once at the mall: Park in the front near Panera Bread, enter through the main mall doors to the left of Panera, walk straight toward Zales. As you approach Zales, bear to the right and walk down the hallway on right, next to Sam’s Watch and Jewelry repair. Follow signs to the bathroom. The Community Room will be on the left of the hallway.

The Mall opens at 10 a.m., so when you arrive early for our meetings, ask the guard to let you into the Mall.

September 21, 2019 

Meeting will be held at Fashion Square Mall Community Room

Tied Unit Weaves Beyond Summer and Winter –Audrey S.

Audrey will explain the “what” of Tied Unit Weaves and the differences between Summer and Winter, Half Satin, Bergman and Quigley weave structures.  Using slides, the audience will see the explanations unfold.  These weaves are very versatile and can be used for all types of projects, from linens to woven cards.

Bio: Audrey learned to weave in 1954 on a big, old barn loom which stood in the middle of her art classroom.  Students were allowed to weave on the loom after their art project was finished. She would quickly finish her project just to have a chance to weave.  In 1989, Audrey started weaving again.  She had the good fortune to study weave structure under our guild’s mentor, Betty TerLouw.  With this knowledge, Audrey discovered the joy of creating her own weaving designs.  Tied Unit Weaves, especially Quigley, rank high as her favorite weave structures.

October 21, 2019 

Transparencies by Laura Viada

Transparencies are fun to weave and present a wealth of opportunities for expression and design.  A close relative of the tapestry, the distinguishing characteristic of the transparency is the contrast between opaque areas of pattern inlay and the sheer background cloth.  Transparency techniques can be used to create expressive art pieces, or for dramatic functional items such as window coverings, table linens, and wearables.

Laura Viada is a handweaver and fiber artist who creates works of art in natural fibers – primarily, linen, silk, and wool.   Her guiding philosophy is that humans have an intimate relationship with the objects that surround us – the things we see, wear, use, and share with friends and family — and that the human spirit thrives when these things are beautiful and sensual.   In addition to art pieces, such as wall hangings, window coverings, and room dividers, Laura creates textiles designed to add a touch of luxury and mindfulness to our daily routines.   For Laura, a beautiful, handcrafted kitchen towel turns a daily chore into a ritual, a handwoven bath towel adds a touch of luxury to daily grooming, and a handwoven napkin makes even the simplest meal into a special occasion.

Laura grew up in Houston, Texas.  While taking a pause from demanding career in law, she learned to weave and fell in love with the world of fiber.  For the past 20 years, Laura has been an active member of Houston’s art community.  Her work has been exhibited nationally and has won numerous awards, and she spent 9 months in 2008 as an Artist-in-Residence at the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft.  Laura lives in Houston and maintains a studio at the Art Square Studios complex near Downtown Houston. Her work can also be seen at Archway Gallery in Houston, Texas.

November 16, 2019 

 Meeting will be held at Fashion Square Mall Community Room

Beautiful Handwoven Hems by Margarete Griffiths

Presentation will cover how to plan and execute beautiful hems primarily for towels and napkins.  Both hand sewn and machine hems will be discussed.  If you don’t look forward to hemming, this program will show you how to take the guesswork and pain out of finishing your handwovens – plus probably eliminate several unnecessary steps suggested by Handwoven.

Note: There is an optional mini workshop for a hands-on experience hemming after the presentation. Margarete will provide the weaving with the hems prepared for hand sewing. The materials fee for this mini workshop is $15 and is payable to Margarete Griffiths at the September meeting. This fee must be paid in September if you are interested.

Bio:  Margarete has been weaving for over 20 years.  She enjoys weaving towels, placemats, napkins, table runners, and, since moving to Florida, the occasional lightweight scarf or shawl.  In her non-weaving life she was a teacher, seminar presenter, and international sales account manager.  She enjoys retirement and the time it gives her to be involved in several weaving guilds and almost unlimited time for weaving.

 December 21, 2019

Annual Holiday Potluck Luncheon –

Methodist Church in Mt Dora.

Weavers of Orlando will have our annual holiday potluck luncheon, with a gift exchange, door prizes, the Betty Terlouw scholarship drawing, and yummy food! Come join us!

Programs 2020

January 18, 2020

Two programs:

Walking your Treadles by Margarete Griffiths

Margarete will explain the mysteries of walking treadling. You will learn how to convert any tieup to a walking treadling tieup.

Maintaining your Loom and Reviving a new-to-you Loom by Mary Schmutte

Mary will discuss maintaining your current loom. She will also discuss cleaning up and preparing that bargain “new-to-you” loom that you bought and are now wondering, “How do I clean and prepare it for its first warp?”

February 15, 2020

Color Fundamentals for Fiber Artists by Linda Hartshorn

Color is enriches our lives and is of primary importance to the fiber art we create. Color is not only fundamental but FUN! A Power Point slideshow will guide us through the basics of color and show inspiring examples in fiber art. Using what we have learned, we will make yarn wraps in a fun, hands-on exercise.

Provided for students: cards for wrapping and some yarns.

Materials for students to bring:  scissors, tape, and a few colorful pictures from a magazine or elsewhere for inspiration. Please also bring bits and balls of yarn leftover from your projects to share with the group.

March 28, 2020 — Annual Picnic