Victoria Handweavers & Spinners Guild presents
Texere: Exploring Fine Fibre Arts
April 12-14 at Goward House, 2495 Arbutus Road, Victoria
Opening is Friday April 12, 5-8pm, show continues Saturday 10am-5pm & Sunday 10am-4pm.
Texere in Latin means to weave or intertwine, referring to the binding of fibres into cloth. Texere is also an exhibition and sale of fibre artistry, hosted by the Victoria Handweavers & Spinners Guild. The Guild is excited to host its premiere weekend event, showcasing the diverse talents of our fibre community. For the first time in ten years, they display their wares as a solo group.
Active members number 140 and include weavers, spinners, felters, knitters, basket weavers and rug makers. Visitors to historic Goward House can purchase hand-made items and special gifts. Displays and demonstrations continue over three days. One busy weaver will make and sell tea towels - hot off the loom! Free admission and parking is available
Active members number 140 and include weavers, spinners, felters, knitters, basket weavers and rug makers. Visitors to historic Goward House can purchase hand-made items and special gifts. Displays and demonstrations continue over three days. One busy weaver will make and sell tea towels - hot off the loom! Free admission and parking is available
The Guild has a fascinating past and vibrant future, according to Texere committee members. Doing research into the Guild, they found stories in the Times Colonist dating back to 1934. In recent years, there’s been a resurgence in fibre arts.
The Guild offers mentorship and support through monthly meetings and casual drop-ins. A lending library, access to looms, workshops and a newsletter build up skills and knowledge. The members demonstrate their craft at community events like the Spin In, Fibrations, the Saanich Fair and Metchosin Sheep Dog Trials. Four Guild members are featured below.
The Guild offers mentorship and support through monthly meetings and casual drop-ins. A lending library, access to looms, workshops and a newsletter build up skills and knowledge. The members demonstrate their craft at community events like the Spin In, Fibrations, the Saanich Fair and Metchosin Sheep Dog Trials. Four Guild members are featured below.
Arlene Kohut's woven towels on display.
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Arlene Kohut at her loom.
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Arlene Kohut discovered weaving during an Oak Bay Studio Tour. Her first teacher was Jean Betts, a local weaver who studied textile design in Japan. Constantly learning and experimenting, Arlene has recently woven a two by three foot carpet.
Arlene the weaver loves colour. She paints her warp threads with vibrant colours using Procion dyes. "This is my happy place” she says, “sitting at the loom looking at the rainbow shades of the warp threads.”
Arlene the weaver loves colour. She paints her warp threads with vibrant colours using Procion dyes. "This is my happy place” she says, “sitting at the loom looking at the rainbow shades of the warp threads.”
Painting warp threads is a many-stepped process. First, the fibres are prepared with soda ash, to better absorb the dye. Small sections of warp chains are tied off with yarn. Then a brush or sponge applies the dye. The colours wick up the cotton yarn and blend into each other where they touch. Knowing colour theory helps to create harmonious effects. After soaking for 24 hours, the warp chains are rinsed and dried. “I like to do the dyeing outside in warmer weather,” she says, “and invite my fibre friends to join in the messy joyful affair.”
Annabelle, enjoying weaving at a young age.
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Six-year-old Annabelle proves that fibre arts suit all ages and abilities. Annabelle discovered weaving during a demonstration at Saanich Fall Fair. The child became fascinated and watched for two hours, then was invited to try her hand at weaving. The following month, her mom Cara took Annabelle to a Guild meeting. Delighted by her enthusiasm, guild members offered to loan the child a loom. One member helped Annabelle choose the colours and warped the loom for her.
Annabelle completed her lovely scarf in no time. Her parents decide to buy her a loom of her own. “I learned how to warp the loom from Youtube videos,” says her mother. The photo shows Annabelle wearing her first creation, while working hard on her second - a shawl. The talented and determined youngster picked the colours and chose the design herself.
Spin In Feb 23, left Diane Gray, right Johanne Byskov.
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Spin In guests Feb 23, 2019
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Diane Gray has been a member of the Guild since 1985. “The knowledge base of the guild is phenomenal,” she says. “I have learned so much, and now can share my skills with others.” Diane’s first spinning wheel was a gift from her uncle in the late 1970’s. Honoured to receive his hand-built gift, she decided to learn how to spin. In 1980, she took lessons from Judith McKenzie at Fan Tan Gallery.
The photo shows her latest knitting project - a honeycomb cabled sweater. She spun the yarn herself, using hand-dyed wool rovings. Diane used indigo blue dye, a natural colour prized for centuries. The variations of blue tones in the sweater add visual interest. “The amount of hours that go into one item of clothing is incredible,” says Diane. She estimates that 50 hours of spinning are required to make yarn for one adult sweater. Then there is the knitting time to add on. It's a good thing that fibre artists are a social group. They love getting together to spin yarns and weave away the hours.
Diane Gray hard at work at Spin In, Feb 23, 2019
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Diane Gray's knitted treasures including Honeycomb sweater.
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Ryan Davis operates Knotty by Nature Fibre Arts with partner Stephanie Papik. Customers appreciate Ryan’s extensive knowledge and teaching skills at the Fairfield location. Each of the fibre arts is a complex science, requiring skill and perseverance to perfect. Ryan brings an assortment of richly-coloured Nuno felted shawls to Texere. Lightweight and lovely, they’re made from silk chiffon and hand-dyed rovings. “I’m excited to offer some original pieces at Texere,” he says. “the way chiffon ruffles and gathers gives the cloth a luxurious drape.”
Felting is an organic process known for over 15,000 years. Nuno felting was invented in 1992 by an Australian woman. The technique bonds fibres to create a sheer strong fabric suitable for clothing. Colour texture and design are built up with several layers of fibres. Ryan’s felting classes are popular at Knotty. He describes felting as different from weaving and knitting, which require careful planning and precision. “Felting embraces a certain element of chaos,” he says. “depending on how the fibres come together.”
For more information about Texere please visit the following sites
Photos of April 12 Texere opening at Goward House are below.
Show continues Saturday April 13 10am-5 pm and Sunday April 14 10am-4pm
Show continues Saturday April 13 10am-5 pm and Sunday April 14 10am-4pm
Fibre art enthusiasts celebrated at the 5-8pm opening on April 12. Many remarkable creations were on exhibit and the sale room was a hive of activity. Along with demonstrations of weaving and warping, a wine and cheese bar added to the festivities.
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Web Design and Content by Kate Cino arts writer published in Focus, Yam and Boulevard. She has a History in Art degree and Public Relations certificate from the University of Victoria This website and its content is copyright of Art Openings, 2009. All rights reserved. Written permission is required for reproduction of photos or text. kate-cino@shaw.ca 250 598-4009 |
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