NEXT MEETING: December 3rd, 2025

Our Guild meets in the Art Studio room on the first floor as you enter from the parking lot.  Please remember to arrive between 6:15 and 6:30 p.m., as AF building doors will be watched to open for you during this time, and after that time, the doors are locked. Call Diana if you arrive after that time. 

Business Agenda

Item # 1.  Upcoming Fiber Events in December

• No "local" festivals to report.

Item #2.  Requests for Spinning Demonstrators in December

• "Thank Yous" for Feast volunteers have not ended.  If you volunteered at the Feast, the TCHA is inviting you to a potluck get together "thank you" on December 4th (the day after our Dec 3rd meeting!!) at 6:00 PM at the TCHA History Center (522 Columbia St.).
• Feast Volunteer Appreciation Evening | Facebook
  
• No local spinning demonstration requests to report.  

Item #3.  Beginning Spinners Group  

• Off to a start and meeting Monday evenings, 6:30 - 9:00, my house.  This group is FULL with 6 attendees.

Item #4.  Dues are Due  

• Dues to be collected for 2026!  (Still $10.)   (If you recently paid, you've already paid for 2026.)

Item #5.  Idea Sharing for 2026

• Come prepared to share lots of ideas for 2026, and let's "vote" on those topics!

Item #6.  THIS Meeting !!!

• Bring snacks to share!  Sweet or savory, please bring something to share.  (Who's bringing the lobster & cracked crab?!! )  (Anyone want to bring item to drink (e.g., apple cider, soda) OR everyone bring own drinks?  Let me know if you volunteer item to drink.) 
• If you want to participate in the gift exchange, bring 4 oz of ready-to spin fiber for the exchange.  (NO YARN: this is a spinning group!  NO raw wool: it's NOT 4 oz after it's washed, and not everyone wants to give a pretty, ready-to-spin gift, & have to prep wool in return!)  Notes: Place item to exchange into a store bag (Meijer, Payless, Wal-Mart, whatever) along with a description of what the gift is (e.g., fiber color name and fiber content) if the description is not already on the item's tag, and who it is from.  When you enter the meeting room, there will be a bunch of gray Wal-mart bags.  Place your already-bagged item into a second gray Wal-Mart bag to make them all "look alike."  Then you are ready for the fun later ... !

Item #7. Show & Tells

What have you learned this year?  What do you hope to learn next year?  Please share your show and tells (purchased or prepared) fibers, yarns you've spun, finished items you've made, etc.

 

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Meeting Program 

Holiday Get Together -- Food! and Gift Exchange (The "Right Family's Christmas")! 

Self-explanatory on the food; you'll find out about the gift exchange when there!

 

NEXT MEETING: October 1st, 2025

Our Guild meets in the Art Studio room on the first floor as you enter from the parking lot.  Please remember to arrive between 6:15 and 6:30 p.m., as AF building doors will be watched to open for you during this time, and after that time, the doors are locked. Call Diana if you arrive after that time. 

Business Agenda 

Item # 1.  Upcoming Fiber Events in October

• Bloomington Wool & Fiber Festival, Oct 3 & 4, 9am - 4pm, Bloomington, IN
  Bloomington Wool & Fiber Festival – October 3 and 4, 2025

• Southern Indiana Fiber & Arts Festival, Oct. 17 & 18, 10am - 5pm, Corydon, IN
  soinfiberfestival.com

Item #2.  Requests for Spinning Demonstrators in October

• First: Thank you to Linda C., Ella S., Becky P., and Olivia O.for demonstrating spinning at The Farm at Prophetstown State Park for their Country Fair. Always appreciated!
• The Feast!!  (A separate topic that follows)   

Item #3.  Feast Topics

• Updates on shades for Feast Booth (Barb C., Glynis B.) 
• Finalize Feast schedule
• Dressing those who need help with costumes this year
• Pass out Feast buttons -- maybe, maybe not ...

Item #4.  Nov Meeting

• Open spin or lichen dyes?  (See also Item #6)

Item #5.  New Group for beginning spinners (mid-November-ish)

• Interest level? 
• Any topic repeats?

Item #6.  Topics for November Meeting --> Open Spin or Lichen Dyeing

• Pass out lichen (?)
• Give instructions for making the dye (?)

Item #7.  Show & Tells

Please share your show and tells -- pine needle baskets!!, (purchased or prepared) fibers, yarns you've spun, finished items you've made, etc.

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Meeting Program – Angora Fiber (Revisited)

• If you plan to participate, please bring the following:
• Handcards
• Scissors
• Very soft wool for blending
• Spinning wheel with empty bobbin or drop spindle(s)

See you at the meeting!

NEXT MEETING: September 3rd, 2025

Our Guild meets in the Art Studio room on the first floor as you enter from the parking lot.  Please remember to arrive between 6:15 and 6:30 p.m., as AF building doors will be watched to open for you during this time, and after that time, the doors are locked. Call Diana if you arrive after that time. 

Business Agenda 

Item # 1.  Upcoming Fiber Events in September / October

• Wisconsin Sheep and Wool, Sept. 5 - 7, 8 am - 4 pm, Jefferson, WI
  wisconsinsheepandwoolfestival.com

• Bloomington Wool & Fiber Festival, Oct 3 & 4, 9am - 4pm, Bloomington, IN
  Bloomington Wool & Fiber Festival – October 3 and 4, 2025
  

• Southern Indiana Fiber & Arts Festival, Oct. 17 & 18, 10am - 5pm, Corydon, IN
  soinfiberfestival.com

Item #2.  Requests for Spinning Demonstrators in September

• First:  Thank you to Elise T., Glynis B., & Olivia O. for demonstrating spinning at The Farm at Prophetstown State Park for their Purdue Homesteaders Day!  Always appreciated!
• Country Fair, The Farm at Prophetstown State Park, September 20 (11am - 3pm), Battleground, IN.
  
• Not a specifically requested event, however if spinners would like to publicly demonstrate their skills, they may attend Canal Days, Wabash & Erie Canal, any Saturday between May 24 through Sep 13 (1 pm - 4 pm), Delphi, IN.  See Linda C. or Vilija D. for more information.    

Item #3.  Brief Summary of Ideas Discussed by Members at the August Meeting

• Dye sessions
• Members voted "yes!" on another meeting for lichen dyeing (entire group, single meeting) (will require members to have handspun yarn ready to dye; details shared prior to dye meeting)
• Members voted "yes" on 12-color acid dye workshop (entire group, single meeting) (will require members to have 12 6-yard skeins of handspun yarn ready to dye; details shared prior to dye meeting)
• Members voted "yes" on low-immersion acid dye workshop using Superwash Merino fiber (multiple meetings, 2 people per meeting across several months, these members will need to arrive EARLY to their designated meeting, fiber provided) (Will need to ensure access to TAF kitchen for each dye workshop.)
• Members suggested speakers: can we afford one?  get one?
• Jillian Michaels 
• Kate Larson (Spinning for Socks, other topics)
• Esther Peregrine (all things Silk)
• Bev Larson (Basket Weaving)
• Breed Study possibilities
• Westfield Woolies (Cormo, others?)
• Christine Voorheis (Leicester Longwool, Teeswater, CVM, angora goats)
• Fiber source request possibilities
• Wolf Park (Wolf, Bison) (Contact question sent on 8/7/25; zero responses received)
• Wooly Yak & Winery (Yak (also paw paws & wine!)) --> field trip?!
• Set aside month of May annually for Member fleece growers to sell within group
• Set aside month of Oct or Nov as a "destash" month between group members 
• A year-long project next year+ that creates an item using a patchwork of samples spun or dyed at meetings (e,g, a market bag, a lap blanket, other ...) 

Item #4.  Update on Shades for Feast Booth (?)

• Any updates (Glynis B., Barb C.)?

Item #5.  Llama Fiber Dispersal (White)

Item #6.  Topic for October Meeting --> Angora Fiber

Item #7.  Show & Tells

Please share your show and tells -- pine needle baskets!!, (purchased or prepared) fibers, yarns you've spun, finished items you've made, etc.

Meeting Program – 3-Braid Mash-Up

• If you plan to participate, please bring the following:
• Spinning wheel or drop spindle(s)
• Lazy kate
• At least 3 empty bobbins

 

NEXT MEETING: July 2nd, 2025

Our Guild meets in the Art Studio room on the first floor as you enter from the parking lot.  Please remember to arrive between 6:15 and 6:30 p.m., as AF building doors will be watched to open for you during this time, and after that time, the doors are locked. Call Diana if you arrive after that time. 

Business Agenda

Item # 1.  Upcoming Fiber Events in July / August

• Michigan Fiber Festival, Aug 13 - 17, Allegan MI

  michiganfiberfestival.info

Item #2.  Requests for Spinning Demonstrators in July / August

• Not a specifically requested event, however if spinners would like to publicly demonstrate their skills, they may attend Canal Days, Wabash & Erie Canal, any Saturday between May 24 through Sep 13 (1 pm - 4 pm), Delphi, IN.  See Linda or Vilija for more information.
• Still under discussion for later in July:  Mon. Jul 21 through Thurs, Jul 24 Tippecanoe County Fair, under discussion with county fair contact; set schedules to be set at this upcoming meeting if we are to attend.  
• Coming up in August:  Purdue Homesteaders Day, The Farm at Prophetstown State Park, August 16 (11am - 3pm), Battleground, IN. 
  The Farm REALLY wants us to volunteer at this event, so please put this on your calendars!!  (You've got time to plan!) 

Item # 3.  Random Updates

• Anything else?

Item #4.  Topic for August Meeting --> Continue with Pine Needle Weaving?  Or -- Three-Braid Mash-Up ?

Item #5.  Show & Tells

Please share your show and tells -- (purchased or prepared) fibers, yarns you've spun, finished items you've made, etc.

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Meeting Program – Pine Needle Baskets

• If you plan to participate, please bring the following:
• String (18 yds or more).  Reminder: last month we learned to spin hemp & flax: this is PERFECT use of a very thin 2-ply hemp or flax thread that you have spun yourself!!!
• Tapestry Needle with eye large enough for your string
• Small tub (5" x 7" x 2") to soak pine needles in.  (Note: No need to bring; I have enough small tubs to bring & share!)
• Small pair scissors
• Large, 4-hole button, or drilled dowel (holes large enough for needle & tread to go through) (Linda C may have several drilled dowels to share.)
• 2 old dish towels (you'll be working with wet/ damp pine needles)
• Provided at the meeting:
• 2 oz White Pine needles / person, washed & ready to use
• 1/4" x 1" clear carrier tube
• Instruction sheet for project
• Water to soak pine needles
• It might help if you pre-watch the following (or other related) YouTube(s) to have an idea of what we'll be doing:
• Pine Needle Basketry Basic Stitching and Working with A Wood Center / Textile Indie:
  Pine Needle Basketry Basic Stitching and Working with a Wood Center: Tutorial 

 

NEXT MEETING: June 4th, 2025

Our Guild meets in the Art Studio room on the first floor as you enter from the parking lot.  Please remember to arrive between 6:15 and 6:30 p.m., as AF building doors will be watched to open for you during this time, and after that time, the doors are locked. Call Diana if you arrive after that time. 

Business Agenda

Item # 1.  Upcoming Fiber Events in June

• Hoosier Hills Fiber Festival, June 6 (10:30 am – 5:30 pm) & June 7 (9 am – 4 pm), Franklin, IN
  hoosierhillsfiberfestival.com

Item #2.  Requests for Spinning Demonstrators in June, upcoming in July

• Not a specifically requested event, however if spinners would like to publicly demonstrate their skills, they may attend Canal Days, Wabash & Erie Canal, any Saturday between May 24 through Sep 13 (1 pm - 4 pm), Delphi, IN.  See Linda C. or Vilija D. for more information.
• Family Day, The Farm at Prophetstown State Park, June 7 (11am - 3pm), Battleground, IN. 
  Volunteers needed THE WEEKEND after this meeting!!!
• For discussion this month:  Mon. Jul 21 through Thurs, Jul 24 Tippecanoe County Fair, These demo days are tentative: more discussion and commitment is needed by members so I know whether to coordinate with our county fair contact. 
  

Item # 3.  Random Updates

• Pine Needle Baskets / Trivets:  Brief discussion on next month's topic.  
• Anything else?

Item #4.  Topic for July Meeting --> Pine Needle Weaving 

Item #5.  Show & Tells

Please share your show and tells -- (purchased or prepared) fibers, yarns you've spun, finished items you've made, etc.

Meeting Program – Spinning Hemp; Spinning Flax

If you plan to participate, be sure to bring your wheel and at least one empty bobbin.  Fiber, water cups, and sponges will be provided.  Also: there is a special way to set the twist / finish your hemp or linen yarn.  It requires washing soda.  If you'd like a small amount of washing soda to finish your yarn (without having to go buy a big box yourself), be sure to bring a small ziplock bag.  

A few references (I'm sure there's a ton more, but here's a start) on this topic:

• 0313_SO_Guide_to-Spinning_Flax.pdf
  
• Bast Basics: Get to Know Flax and Hemp Fibers | Spin Off
  
• Trampled by Geese: Why spin flax counterclockwise?
  
• Introduction To Hemp Spinning By Joan Ruane

 

NEXT MEETING: May 7th, 2025

Our Guild meets in the Art Studio room on the first floor as you enter from the parking lot.  Please remember to arrive between 6:15 and 6:30 p.m., as AF building doors will be watched to open for you during this time, and after that time, the doors are locked. Call Diana if you arrive after that time. 

Meeting topic: 

Open spin! Bring your projects and show-and-tells.

 

NEXT MEETING: Apr. 2, 2025

Our Guild meets in the Art Studio room on the first floor as you enter from the parking lot.  Please remember to arrive between 6:15 and 6:30 p.m., as AF building doors will be watched to open for you during this time, and after that time, the doors are locked. Call Diana if you arrive after that time. 

*** Text below is copied from the monthly email. Please reply to that email for items requiring responses.***

Meeting topic: 

Breed Study: Gotland Sheep (presented by Amanda B.)

(Potential Additional Program Demonstration – Wool Combs and Hackle (Diana H.))

Agenda for the Meeting: 

Item # 1.  Upcoming Fiber Events in March

• Greencastle Wool Show, April 11, 10am - 5pm, April 12, 9am - 4pm, Greencastle, IN https://greencastlewoolshow.org/ 

• Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival, May 3 & 4, West Friendship, MD, (near Baltimore) sheepandwool.org

 (Item #2.  Requests for Spinning Demonstrators in April -- None) 

 Item # 3.  Items Requiring Responses

• Feast of the Hunter’s Moon.  Applications for attending the Feast have received by our guild and always must be returned far in advance of the Feast (Sat-Sun, Oct 11-12). Please respond if you plan to demonstrate for at least one shift at the Feast this year. (Reminder: those who are receiving free spinning lessons – this is your “cost” – demonstrating spinning at public events.)

• Interest in Pine Needle Weaving.  Although not a spinning topic, this activity is tentatively planned for the July meeting. We need to confirm interest and need a count of how many people would like to participate in making a pine needle bowl or trivet to plan for the quantity of materials needed.  Please respond if you would like to participate in this activity so that we can adequately plan ahead for materials.

Item # 4.  Odds and Ends

• 
  Spinning Wheel.  Vilija D. forwarded the following e-mail message for our guild members: 
• "I found your Facebook page for weavers in Lafayette, Indiana. I was wondering if anyone in your group, or if you know of a group near/around Lafayette Indiana that does spinning. I have a spinning wheel that my father made and my mother used to spin with for years, that I'm trying to find a new loving home for."

We are assuming the wheel is free (but not confirmed).  Two pictures are attached.  Let me know if you want the contact info for this wheel.

•  Honey.  Not a “spinning” topic, but an opportunity from one of our guild members.  Ella's partner is selling local honey for $15/quart. (Quart size only.  Cash or check only.) If interested, please contact Ella directly, or let me know and I will forward the request to her. If you would like to receive the honey at the Wed meeting, they need to know no later than Friday / Saturday, so that they can prepare the quart containers over the weekend.
  
  

 Item #5.  Topic for May Meeting --> Open Spin

 Item #6.  Show & Tells

Please share your show and tells -- (purchased or prepared) fibers, yarns you've spun, finished items you've made, etc. etc.