February 21, 2021

NEXT MEETING: WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24th, 6 P.M., ONLINE

 2021 MEETING DATES

Online meetings start at 6 p.m.  Zoom link is open around 5:30 p.m.  The link will be sent to guild members within a few days of the meeting.  If you don't receive the link, please contact Wendy L.

February 24:  Robin Lynde of Meridian Jacobs - All About Jacobs!



March 31:  cancelled

April 28:  Linda Cortright

May:  ?

June/July - no meetings

MEETING MINUTES (LINDA B.)

Treadles to Threads Guild Meeting, January 27, 2021
President Wendy L. called us to order at 6:00 p.m. to introduce our speaker for the evening, Deb Robson. There were 28 people online. In keeping with our year’s theme, “By (Buy) the Book”, Deb described her journey in writing “The Fleece and Fiber Source book” and the by-product, “The Field Guide to Fleece”.

Deb started spinning in 1973 and was always interested in sheep breeds. She detailed the four year journey in preparing the book for publication. Deb had editing experience already from 50 editions of Spin Off magazine. Deb began by sourcing her own samples of rare wools, which also involved genetic research to verify the origins of names of breeds in various locations through Europe and the Americas. There were some questions that could not be answered.  Once the samples were adequately identified, she carefully cataloged them resulting in rooms full of labeled boxes. This resulted in redecorating the house to accommodate it all.

 Deb did all the fiber preparation and spun the yarn samples on her single treadle Lendrum wheel. She often took log weekends at a primitive cabin in the mountains to do this complex work.  To insure that all samples were correctly identified in the book’s photo shoot, she was present for the photo session. Three of the thirteen boxes of samples had been misplaced in shipment to the photographer. However, due to her extensive and exacting cataloging, she knew what was in each missing box. Her daughter helped track them down ten days later. All items were included. The photo background of old barn wood, hand-dyed wool fabric and poster board were kept consistent through both books. There was a “last minute” expansion of the book to include other animals; yak, rabbit, bison, dog, cashmere, etc.

Deb hopes to bring wool back into the economy’s financial equation, with sheep not being just a meat source.

Business meeting:

Wendy showed twelve pictures of sheep ornaments she has received so far. A big thank you again to Santa’s helper, Donna S.


February 24, 2021 meeting: our possible speaker for February is not ready. Wendy will ask Robin Lynde of Meridian Jacobs if she can work us into her schedule. Robin was currently zooming in her car as the power was out. The program committee is working on a mail-out project for those wishing to participate (note: guild members should have received an email with details about the project: spinning various colors of Jacob roving
and making a hat. If you didn’t receive the email, please contact Wendy L.)

April 28, 2021: Linda Cortright
May is open until we hear about the winery. June and July are our non-meeting months.

CNCH liason: Reba is looking for help on committee work. The meeting will be at the San Mateo Marriott, May 20-22, 2022. Please let her know what you can do to help other than our guild assignment of reservation desk help.

Linda B.

CNCH 2022 RESERVATIONS

Go to CNCH2022.com, click on "Accommodations" and follow the prompts.

Your credit card will not be charged until you arrive at the conference.  You can cancel several days in advance of the conference.  It is important to book if you think you might attend as the hotel can take rooms away from our block if a better conference comes along.  They can't take away our booked rooms.  It costs you nothing to book and can be cancelled at any time with no penalty.

Joan A.

INTERESTING ARTICLES/LINKS


From Rosemary B. - Japanese Dyeing

From Rosemary B. - New Shade of Blue

Selvedge Magazine has a new podcast.

Stephany Wilkes talks about sheep, wind, and fire on the Fiber Nation podcast.

Handweavers Guild of America online fashion show, "Seasons of the Smokies"

Selvedge magazine article about Harris Tweed, beautiful photographs

Links to information discussed during Q&A with Deb Robson at the January meeting:



Livestock Conservancy "Shave 'Em to Save 'Em" initiative

UPCOMING FIBER EVENTS & NEWSLETTERS


Handspinning News - Shiela Dixon's monthly blog, includes events

Mielke's Fiber Arts Newsletter - news for fiber artists

FiberEvents - a calendar of wool festivals, fiber festivals, knitting, crocheting & craft gatherings/events in the U.S. and the world

Clara Parkes' Knitter's Review - knitting and fiber events

Botanical Colors Feedback Friday - video archive and information on upcoming presentations.

ITEMS FOR SALE

Megan C. has processed fleeces for sale, including Shetland, BFL, Alpaca, Polworth, etc. Contact Megan directly for more information.

ONGOING FIBER-RELATED CLASSES & WORKSHOPS

Contact the business to find out their current situation due to COVID-19.

Black Rock Ranch (Stinson Beach)

Crockett Fiber Arts Studio (Crockett)

Fibershed (various locations)

Fiber Circle Studio (Cotati)

Meridian Jacobs (Vacaville)

West County Fiber Arts (Sebastopol)

Windrush Farm (Petaluma