August 22, 2016

Silk Workshop with Robin Russo in September

Update - I just got off the phone with Robin. She is bringing mating moths with her! They have just completed their 17 day metamorphosis.  - Elizabeth - 9/13/16

Understanding silk from the egg to the final product. We will cover everything about silk from raising silkworms to spinning every form of silk available to the hand-spinner. This class involves a little science, geography, history, and lots of spinning. We examine silk fabrics, threads and fibers with magnification devices; reel cocoons; stretch cocoons over frames (hankies); and blend silk with other fibers to create luxurious yarns. This is a very popular class. I have been teaching this subject since 1989 when I first began raising silkworms. If this class is greater than 1 day it can include making silk paper or incorporating silk into your felting projects. --Robin's brief description of class

Registration is open!



February 1, 2016

Fixing PayPal Link





Weaving Workshop Registration




January 31, 2016

Weaving with Handspun Workshop with Melissa Johnson

Weaving Workshop with Melissa Johnson
Weaving with Handspun
March 12,13, 19, and 20, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m
2 day or 4 day option (same affordable price)
at The Putney School
Sponsor: River Spinners - riverspinners@gmail.com

Instructors:
Melissa Johnson

Melissa moved to southern Vermont from Istanbul in 1973 and graduated from The Putney School in 1977. She learned to weave at the Putney School from Libby Mills, one of the Green Mountain Spinney founders, and now teaches Textile and Fiber Arts as a member of the Putney School faculty. She attended the University of Vermont, Goddard College and apprenticed to Trudy Walker, a production weaver, before beginning her career as a weaver and knitwear designer. Melissa has been working with the Green Mountain Spinnery since the beginning in 1981.

She teaches workshops on weaving, knitting, and natural and synthetic dyeing to all skill levels and multiple topics simultaneously all the while being supportive, helpful, gracious, and as lovely as possible. Melissa is a designer, dyer, and color consultant, and creates custom textiles on commission. During the summer of 2013, she and a group from Putney School brought looms and yarn to Kigali, Rwanda. They set up a weaving studio and taught 12 disadvantaged Rwandans to weave. The Rwandan weavers have now formed a co-operative and are producing scarves for sale to support themselves and their families. Melissa continues to visit the Rwandan weavers and is surely saving up yarns and planning her next visit.

Melissa is a lifelong member of the River Spinners.

For more information on Melissa check out these links.
FYI most of the information above was shamelessly stolen from these sources.
http://www.spinnery.com/index.php/2012/05/meet-the-dyer-melissa-johnson
http://summer.putneyschool.org/adultstudio/fiber-arts
http://www.reformer.com/localnews/ci_25435794/weaving-sustainable-future

Minimum requirements:
Desire to weave.

What to bring:
Your own handspun yarns are not a requirement but suggested due to the topic.
Rigid heddles are fine, but we encourage the use of floor looms at The Putney School.
Lunch and snacks.

Pricing:
$60 (members only event due to the 10 participant limit)
Cost to become a member $20 (just $10 youth through 21) New members will only have option of taking class if there are any openings.
Nominal material fee should you desire to use yarn from the weaving studio. Paid by weight at the event. Very affordable.
The studio is open from start of class to end of last day – we will need to be off looms by the last day.

Business meeting will be held during one of the days - date will be determined after we have a better idea of what day will have the most attendance. All are welcome join business meeting voting is a member privilege.

Scholarships:
A limited number of partial scholarships are available. Please only request if the cost is preventative for you to attend. Scholarship recipients will have all but $5 of class fee waived.

Registration:
Registration in advance is required as space is limited to 10 people. If you are planning to attend please register by March 1, so that we can have a better idea what day do hold the business meeting and if any outside advertising will be required in the end. Please send checks to our treasurer, River Spinners, c/o Leslie Markey, PO Box 91, East Dover VT 05341-0091, PayPal option is also available. Space is only reserved when payment is received. Detailed directions will follow with confirmation upon receipt of payment.

Refund Policy:
100% refund prior to February 29; 50% March 1-5; 0% March 6 and after unless your seat is filled.

January 28, 2016

Green Mt. weavers and Spinners 3rd annual spin in


Spin in will be held Saturday, February 20, from 9:30 - 3:00. It will be at the Parish Hall, All Saints Church, Summer Street (next to the Post Office), North Adams.

Please join in for a day of spinning, learning, sharing, camaraderie, relaxing, knitting, or just socializing.

Spinners, weavers, knitters, crocheters, shepherds, and everyone welcome.

No schedule, so come for the day, an hour, or whatever fits your schedule.

If you have a special skill you would like to share, there will be an opportunity to do that, as well.

Fiber related Swap table..only one rule..if no one else wants that ugly yarn you brought it goes back home with you.

Plenty of parking, kitchen facilities, chairs, it will be bright and warm, coffee and tea provided. Munchies welcomed.

Hope to see you all there, Martha Seymour 
Email riverspinners@gmail.com for Martha's contact info. Happy to share just don't want to put it out there for all of cyberspace. . .