Meetings – Weavers of Orlando
Celebrating 75 Years | Est. 1942
Promoting Weaving and Other Fiber Arts in Central Florida

Meetings

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Holiday Luncheon

Members gather annually to enjoy the holiday season with their fiber friends and families. Currently, the guild gathers at the Mount Dora, FL United Methodist Church on N. Fifth Street.

2018

 

2017

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Captions for the above…. (1) The annual holiday luncheon is a great time for friends to get together. There are always warm greetings and hugs.  (2) Lee T indicates he is having a good time.  (3) Anne M greets long-time friends Ellen and Chuck T.  (4) Mona R sets the table.  (5) Sandy L, right, starts the serving line.  (6)  Cynthia S, right, and Pat I catch up on events.

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Captions for the above … (7 and 8) Lively conversations and dining are the hallmark of a great holiday luncheon.  (9) Pam W officially opens the event with a greeting and thanks for a great 2017.  (10 and 11 ) Nancy R invites Berna L, center, and Pat I to bless the meal.

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Captions for the above photos……(12) The luncheon event was a good opportunity for Marilyn F to give thanks to the members of her 75th Anniversary Celebration Team for their contribution to the success of the event. (13) Marilyn recognizes Cindy L for her strategic plans, (14) Bev T for booking the venue, the Camelia Room of Leu Gardens and her close coordination with their staff, (15) Mary S for her contributions, (16) Nancy R for her support and guidance, (17)  Berna L for her role as key-note speaker and (18) Pam W for booking the catering company and coordinating their services.  It was a wonderful way to celebrate the milestone event, thanks to many volunteers.

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Captions for the above ……(19) Diane C gives a brief report on the recent Holiday Sales event at the Lakeside Inn and shared that sales from the event were very good. Looking forward, Diane reported that the 2018 Holiday Sales event would be moved to the Donnelly Pavilion in downtown Mount Dora, providing more space. The building offers  higher visibility for tourists and shoppers and better access from the street.  The dates of the 2018 sale are Nov 30 and Dec 1 and 2. (20) Sandy L and Cynthia S handle the door prize portion of the luncheon. All gifts were to be made by members. (21) Ann R shows off her beaded bracelet created by Nancy R. (22) Anne M shows off her exchange gift: a jar of blueberry jam, a felted home made lemon drop soap and a quilted place mat for the table from Mona R.

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Captions for the above ….. (22) Ellen T shows her wire, bead and pine bark pendant. (24) Jamie L received two woven jelly fish scarves from Pam W.  (25) Ann C shows her beaded bracelet. (26) Jane G shows her beaded earrings. (27) Jewel B received a felted tree ornament. (28) Judy S received a blue beaded Christmas ornament made by Mimi S.

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Captions for the above ….. (29) Liz H received a woven tartan plaid towel created by Mary S. (30) Marilyn F shows off her glass tree ornament, created by Jamie L. (31) Mary S shows off her exchange gift: a crocheted scarf from Jane G. (32) Mimi S received a scarf and fragrant soap.  (33) Nancy H shows her scented candle. (34) Nancy R scored with her lacy cowl.

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Captions for the above ….. (35) Pam W shows her bracelet from Malaysia, courtesy of Nancy H, who flies the world with Delta.  (36) Peg C admires her door prize tickets, or, as she proudly proclaimed, her: ‘investment in the guild.’ (37 and 38) The grand prize of the luncheon door prize event was a hand-made, 4-shaft, 4-treddle, 24″  floor loom which had been totally reconditioned and given a new life, new shuttles and a starter stash of yarns, which Ann R won. Ann promptly announced that she is gifting the loom to a friend in Tallahassee who expressed an interest in learning to weave. Two members of the guild volunteered to provide the new owner with beginner instructions on how to get started. The spirit of Christmas is alive within the hearts of members of The Weavers of Orlando.

By webweaver
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Workshops 2019

Weavers of Orlando have 3 different 3 day workshops planned for 2019.
We sponsor 3 workshops a year, 2 of the workshops are usually with nationally known instructors, and members get first chance to take these workshops. 
The cost of the workshops are estimated prior to the workshop and a deposit is required when signing up to take a workshop with Weavers of Orlando. 
The exact cost of the workshop is determined by the cost of travel for the instructor, teaching fees along with room rental and any other expenses encountered for the workshop. These costs are then divided among the participants in the workshop.  Some of the instructors also require a materials fee that is separate fee from the cost of the workshop. 
If you are interested in joining us at one of the following workshops or would like more details please contact our workshop chair Nancy R  at workshops@weaversoforlando.org

The well stocked workshop basket This file contains a very good list of things you should bring with you to every workshop Please take the time to click on the link, read & print the list for future reference.

2019 Workshops

If you are interested in joining us at one of the following 2019 workshops or would like more details please contact our workshop chair Nancy R

Workshops will be held 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.

June 15, 16, and 17, 2019 (Saturday, Sunday, and Monday)

Summer and winter workshop and program by Berna Lowenstein 

Summer and Winter is an ancient weave structure that consists of a plain weave ground cloth in cotton or linen, and a thicker pattern weft traditionally in wool.  The fabric is reversible and with the colors completely reversed on the backside.   Summer and Winter was traditionally used for coverlets, with the dark colored side being used in Winter time and the light colored used in Summer time.   But S&W fabric can be used for everything from fine scarves to rugs.
This summer and winter workshop will be using a 4-shaft draft.  Everyone gets the same draft. Most people will be happier weaving this technique on a floor loom, but table looms are acceptable. Participants will work at their own looms at their own pace.
The yarns required will be 10/2 pearl cotton for the warp and tabby weft in a light color, like white, natural, or a pastel. Pattern wefts can be 2 strands of a contrasting 10/2 cotton, or sock wool, or embroidery floss, or rayon boucle’. We can have some fun trying out different pattern wefts.
Level: This is the perfect workshop for new weavers who know how to warp a loom and weave plain weave and twill already. (It could possibly even be a good workshop for our child members if they know how to weave on a 4-shaft loom.)
Bio:
Berna Lowenstein is a nationally known weaver, who has been weaving 30 years.   She has won many awards at the Florida Tropical Weavers Guild conference, and she has been published in Handwoven and Weavers magazines and book.   She’s been president of Weavers Of Orlando twice, and taught several workshops and study groups.

October 18, 19, 20 Friday, Saturday, and Sunday

The Art of Transparency workshop and program 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.
This workshop introduces students to basic transparency weaving techniques, and to all the possibilities transparency offers.
  • On day one, we will explore the basics — yarns, sett, weaving techniques, creating shapes, etc.
  • On day two, we will explore design sources and methods and students will create an original cartoon.
  • On day three students may continue experimenting with yarns and techniques and/or begin weaving from the cartoon designed on day two.
Level:  All levels, must be able to warp your own loom

Bio:

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.
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Programs for 2019

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.

May 18, 2019

Fabric analysis with Mimi Smith.  Meeting will be held at Fashion Square Mall Community Room

How to Analyze a Piece of Cloth! 

You can use someone else’s creativity for your inspiration!

Join this discussion and learn the following:

  • Learn the steps of reading a cloth to figure out the mysteries of a favorite piece of fabric. Those steps include creating drafts, figuring out sett, sampling, and more, so you can weave the fabric yourself. 

  • Learn how to reproduce a simple shirt or pants that fits you well using your own cloth.

Mimi will bring samples and instructions to inspire you to make your own clothes.

Mimi learned weaving from the Cincinnati Weavers’ Guild before moving to Connecticut and joining the guild there and worked on the three levels of Weavers classifications-Beginner, Intermediate, and Master.  She admitted to taking the Master’s level twice.  After four years in New England, she returned to the Cincinnati Guild and organized a 16-person Overshot Friendship Coverlet home study group which produced a display at the Cincinnati Historical Society.
After retiring from Oncology nursing and relocating to Sarasota, she established herself with the Manasota Guild.  She is the former President of the Cincinnati and the Manasota Weavers’ Guilds.  Mimi is now happily living in Mt. Dora, where she and her husband moved to be close to the Orlando Guild, which then promptly left town!
Mimi has published several articles in WEAVERS magazine, (Summer, 1996, “Found Treasure: Lace and Honeycomb Mat”) and HANDWOVEN (May/June 2003, “Evolution of a shawl in Bronson Lace”) and (Sept./)ct. 2005, Warp -Faced Rosepath Rugs”).  She has presented instructional workshops on overshot , double weave and Kente cloth jacket designs.
Mimi’s designs frequently combine rectangular pieces of cloth made with a simple, plain weave or more elaborate pieces employing lacey patterns using cotton, Tencel, or rayon; She produced a fashion show of her clothes using the Lazy Kates as models for the WoO guild.
In retirement, her ownership of looms has reduced to “Grace”, a 32” 8 shaft Macomber bought new on arrival in Mt. Dora, and “Lily”, an 8-shaft Voyageur table loom with its own table.
Her latest interest is the Complex Weavers Home Study of Antique Books and Manuscripts, requiring a yearly sample from a book printed earlier than 1920

June 15, 2019 

Discussion of Summer and Winter weave structure by Berna Lowenstein – Meeting will be held at Fashion Square Mall Community Room

The program will be an introduction to Summer and Winter, which is an ancient weave structure that consists of a plain weave ground cloth in cotton or linen, and a thicker pattern weft traditionally in wool.  The fabric is reversible and with the colors completely reversed on the backside.   Summer and Winter was traditionally used for coverlets, with the dark colored side being used in Winter time and the light colored used in Summer time.   But S&W fabric can be used for everything from fine scarves to rugs.

July 20, 2019 

Demos—You too can help demo!- Meeting will be held at Fashion Square Mall Community Room

The WoO Demo Crew will provide a panel discussion regarding demos that the Crew provides at festivals, schools, etc. They will also offer opportunities to those in attendance to weave on a loom, spin on a wheel, and help create the Crew’s “make and take” projects that they take for children to be able to make a project and take it with them. This year the Crew is having children finish the make and take the following projects:  God’s Eye, butterflies, and turtles. Plan to stay after meeting and help create the kits for these projects.

August 17, 2019 

WoO’s Annual Auction – Meeting will be held at Fashion Square Mall Community Room

This is a fundraiser for the guild. This is a way for members to support our Weaving Guild and share fiber items that they no longer want or use with other members.  It’s always fun to buy those items that others no longer need or use but are just what we need! You never know what you’ll be able to find! In the recent years, lucky individuals were able to buy such wonderful and useful items as reeds, warping wheels, inkle looms, knitting yarn, cones of various weaving threads, silk, books, and magazines.  We even had  looms one year so you never know what you might find at the Guild Auction.

September 21, 2019 

Tied Unit Weaves Beyond Summer and Winter – Meeting will be held at Fashion Square Mall Community Room

This program 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 

Beautiful Handwoven Hems by Margarete Griffiths- Meeting will be held at Fashion Square Mall Community Room

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.
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!