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PO Box 163, Battery Point TAS 7004, email aggie39@bigpond.net.au  

The Knitty Gritty - Workshops - Gallery - Exhibitions - Resources


WORKSHOPS
Workshops are held from time to time, as requested by members and/or as tutors are available. These are almost always fibre-related, and incorporate any one of the main guild activities such as spinning, weaving, dyeing and felting.

Workshop costs are:
Members half day = $15    
Non-members half day = $20  
Members full day = $30     
Non-members full day = $40
                       
Coffee, tea and biscuits provided, bring your own lunch.


The next workshops are...
       
Title Spinning - Getting the most from your fleece - workshop full
When Saturday 17th May 2008, 9.30am - 3.30pm
Presenter Maureen Hudson
Venue Guild Room , Hobart
Maureen Hudson spinning From beginner to advanced. Maureen will guide you with tips to help with your spinning. She is a very experienced spinner who wins prizes at the Hobart Shows and other places.  As with all workshops tea, coffee & biscuits will be provided, but you shall need to bring your own lunch. The class is full with 12, if interest is shown a second class will be arranged.  Email webmaster to show your interest.


Title Tips & Advice on Sewing up Knitted  Garments
When May 15th at the next Guild meeting
Presenter Knitting Judge, Maree Davey
Venue Guild rooms, Hobart
More info Maree will show what judges look at and will give tips on sewing garments. Bring along items.


Title Module Knitting
When Saturday 30 August, 9.30am - 3.30pm
Presenter Judy Blackburn
Venue Guild rooms, Hobart
Judy B You will need to bring knitting needles, coloured wools, darning needle and scissors. This will be a fascinating class as Judy has so many great ideas to help inspire your creations. At the same time she will show you how to finish off your ends neatly.


Previous workshops...
Colouring Silk with Sylvia Parr on 29 Mar 2008.
Japanese bags with Joy Rees on 24 January 2008

Dévoré weaving with Anne Field - Anne Field is an internationally recognised weaver, spinner and author who lives in New Zealand. Thirteen members attended Anne's workshop weekend on Dévoré Weaving at Guild. Dévoré or burn-out is typically used on specially constructed composite fabrics. These are fabrics composed of cellulose/synthetic blends or cellulose/protein blends. When the chemical is applied to the fabric the cellulose fibres are physically burnt out of the composite. This leaves a translucent area on the fabric. The Dévoré method works better with fine woven fabric so a month before the workshop we were sent the warps 110/2 fine merino 16 e.p.i. to get a width of 9 inches to put on our looms.

The first day we wove samples of plain weave using various combinations of cellulose/synthetic blends and cellulose/protein blends. We twisted the blends together using a bobbin winder and some experimented by plying on a spinning wheel. All the fibres were very fine. We then cut out shapes from butchers paper and ironed the paper onto our samples. We applied the special chemical to our shapes and left them to dry overnight. Next day we removed the paper, ironed and washed the samples. We could then see the shapes imprinted on the samples. I experimented with hand spun wool/silk and wool/glitz, but the effect wasn't that good. We discussed each other's samples and then decided what one we liked before starting to weave a scarf, which we would complete at home.

Anne showed us articles she had made using Dévoré technique and the ideas are endless. Each piece will be unique. The weaving is very fine so takes a while to complete, but the plain weave is easy. You have to think carefully about your design as once you have started applying the chemical you can't go back. For special gifts this would be worth the effort. Go to the Gallery to see us at work.


Discharge Dyeing & Nuno Felting with Sue Evans - The Discharge Dyeing method was demonstrated by Sue to a large group of very keen members.  Various methods were used to tie the materials, and soon the items  were in the dye pot and  this was where so many changes took place.  Each item was different , although they were all placed in the same solutions. In the afternoon the Nuno class commenced. After a demonstration by Sue each member commenced the rolling method to chain the item to felt. Time ran out and the finished product was shown at the December meeting.

Tapestry workshop - representing the sky in tapestry using simple shapes and shades.
Needle felting - Andrea Harris taught how to make a teddy bear with needle felting.
Felting fun - Susan Judge talked about The Southern Felting Convergence she had attended in Canberra. She also showed the current types of felting batts available and what batt was most suited to which projects. Learned to make strong felt bag handles or straps using wool tops and exotic flowers using the nuno felt technique. Also learned how to make cobweb felt.


Expressions of Interest for Future workshops

If you wish to attend one of the following, or have another suggestion, please email me

1. Beginning Felting
2. Advanced Felting
3.
Felted Jewellry
4.
Beginning Weaving
5.
Advanced Weaving
6.
Spinning


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