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.
March 31: cancelled
April 28: Linda Cortright
May: ?
June/July - no meetings
MEETING MINUTES (LINDA B.)
Treadles to Threads Guild Meeting, February 24th, 2021
Robin spoke of her business that encompasses raising Jacob sheep for fiber, meat and profit. She then uses their fiber to create her own handwoven products for sale, whole fleece for sale, pelts, horns, etc. Every part of the animal can be used. Robin also makes room in her shop to offer small weaving classes and has expanded to use Zoom and videos for teaching (in-person classes not currently offered due to COVID-19). We were thankful that Robin was able to join us from her shop/home barn as February 26 was the official start of her lambing season. She was expecting at least 75 babies this year (Lisa W. edit - 86 so far, as of 3/16/2021). Jacobs are known for twin births and being good mothers. Robin offers memberships in the Farm Club, a way for people who would like to be involved in farm (sheep) life and have no other way to feed their passion.
Robin described how the Jacob breed, while not being “improved”, still has standards written for color, fleece style, (polycerate) horn placement, etc. that complicates breed registration. Our interest is in the wool which has 3-7 inch staple, 26-36 micron count and a weight of 3-6 pounds. The colors accepted in the US are black, white and lilac.
Robin described her business of producing wool, from genetic diversity of her flock, grazing management, ram behavior and shearing sheep with so many horns. She is kept busy during lambing season, coping with video cameras and phone texts when she is not physically in the barn (which is rarely, it seems).The Farm Club members come and assist, when possible, with most aspects of farm life, easing her burden a bit. By using every part of the sheep, including using a BFL cross for market lambs, Robin is able to make a living. She is a member of Fibershed, keeps a Facebook page, has written a blog for the past ten years, and hosts a Farm Open House when possible, in addition to assisting with the Farm Club activities. We are fortunate to have a successful shepherd, business woman and teacher so close by.
Wendy thanked Robin for taking this time to speak with us.
Old Business: Lisa W. has yet to have a volunteer to take the blog/newsletter over. Please consider this as electronic communication is becoming our only method of information about the guild and other fiber activities.
Guild project: Wendy has 18 people interested in knitting a sheep hat with fiber colors purchased from Robin Lynde. The project kits are available for contactless delivery from her porch. There are two patterns to chose from and are included in the price of the kit. Wendy and Pam will arrange a Zoom meeting for the next three Thursdays so participants can share their methods of arriving at 7-9 colors from 5 roving balls and how to conquer stranded knitting with handspun in so many fiber types.
CNCH 2022: Joan A. asked that anyone thinking of attending the Conference held from May 18-23, 2022, to please make room reservation through the CNCH website with the Marriott. These reservations will not be set in stone. However, the room block needs to fill so the hotel won’t drop/pull rooms from our block that aren’t filled.
Upcoming Meetings:
April 28, 2021 Linda Cortwright
May?? (Usually Spinning at the Winery)
Please think of officers for the Guild .The new year begins in August. Wendy mentioned how having speakers through Zoom presentations, even at the library, has been a boon to program planning. We are fortunate that our treasury was in great shape from the raffle prize donations at the Winery.
Craftsy is now available on Roku or Firestick.
Reba S. submitted a weaving pattern to Jist Yarns.
We had a great show and tell with Kathy showing her Norwegian cradle loom and others with lovely spun hanks of yarn..
We signed off at 8:08 p.m.
April 28, 2021 Linda Cortwright
May?? (Usually Spinning at the Winery)
Please think of officers for the Guild .The new year begins in August. Wendy mentioned how having speakers through Zoom presentations, even at the library, has been a boon to program planning. We are fortunate that our treasury was in great shape from the raffle prize donations at the Winery.
Craftsy is now available on Roku or Firestick.
Reba S. submitted a weaving pattern to Jist Yarns.
We had a great show and tell with Kathy showing her Norwegian cradle loom and others with lovely spun hanks of yarn..
We signed off at 8:08 p.m.
Linda B.
REMINDER: 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.
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.
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
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)
Crockett Fiber Arts Studio (Crockett)
Fibershed (various locations)
Fiber Circle Studio (Cotati)
Meridian Jacobs (Vacaville)
West County Fiber Arts (Sebastopol)
Windrush Farm (Petaluma)