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POSTED: Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009

Whatcom guild helps people learn to weave

Whatcom Weavers Guild members were gratified by the exposure they gained last year during their first participation in a Whatcom Art Guild show, so they're back.

Weavers Guild president Donna Hunter of Blaine and vice president Julie Barnes of Ferndale lead the thriving group of 78 weavers, but they're interested in having more potential members check out weaving and related arts.

The Whatcom Art Guild show, in the basement of the Waldron Building at 12th Street and McKenzie Avenue, in Fairhaven, continues today and Monday, Nov. 22-23, then runs four more Friday-through-Monday sessions until Christmas.

About the club: For 38 years, Whatcom Weavers Guild has given members a way to learn beginning and advanced weaving and spinning techniques.

"Weaving can be expensive and can take a lot of equipment, but people shouldn't be discouraged from joining if their financial resources are limited," said Hunter, noting that looms can be borrowed.

"We do everything we can to help people learn all they can about weaving and related skills," Barnes said. "We have workshops and programs with special speakers, plus a lending library, a monthly newsletter, special interest groups, and educational outreach."

Major events: The guild's annual "Fibers and Beyond" program consists of sales, exhibitions and demonstrations the second weekend of October.

"Since most weavers are also knitters, this big show explores a lot more than weaving, such as felt making," Barnes said.

"Two of our members, Sheri Ward and Joyce Noordmans, came up with the idea of creating 'mug rugs' for residents at the YWCA," Barnes said. "That started a project to teach YWCA residents to weave with readily available small equipment."

Why they joined: "I came to a display by guild members in 1985 at the Bellingham Public Library and I got to chatting with Joan Dudley," Hunter said. "I was a rookie weaver, but I never forgot seeing a gorgeous hand-woven shawl in a shop in my 20s and telling myself, 'Wow, somebody actually made that.' Joan was doing a demonstration, and I was hooked."

Barnes had a large loom land on her front porch five years ago.

"My husband's aunt gave me a loom," she explained. "Then a neighbor who was a member of the guild came to my garage sale and talked to me, and here I am."

Member stories: "Marcia Ford is a retired special education teacher and now serves as the organizer of the annual wool show at the fair," Hunter said.

Professional weaver Jo Morgan, a guild member , does specially designed commission work.

"One of her beautiful tapestries is hanging on a wall at Village Books," Hunter said.

CLUB AT A GLANCE

Name: Whatcom Weavers Guild.

Purpose: Provide educational and social programs for local weavers.

Meets: Second Wednesday of the month, September through June, at 6:30 p.m. at St. James Presbyterian Church.

Year started: 1971.

Number of members: 78.

Affiliations: Association of Northwest Weavers Guilds; Handweavers Guild of America.

Contacts: 380-9203 or info@whatcomweaversguild.org. Online: whatcomweaversguild.org.

Leadership: Donna Hunter, president; Julie Barnes, vice president; Cathy Thompson, secretary; Barbara Young, treasurer.