Canadian weaving history

I would like to thank a Ellen Allas and Marion Kirkwood for their donations to our draw and weaving class. Monies collected from the draw go to paying for equipment, assorted items for weaving and reparations. One of the items donated was Mary Black's New Key to Weaving. This publication has some interesting Canadian history attached to it. Mary Ellouise Black, the author, was born September 18, 1895 and was an occupational therapist who trained at McGill University in Montreal. She went on to become a teacher, master weaver and writer, contributed to a renaissance in weaving in Nova Scotia in the 1940s and 1950s. She helped to establish the Guild of Canadian Weavers in 1947, The Key to Weaving was first published in 1945 and has since had 3 editions and numerous printings, and retitled in its subsequent printings as The New Key to Weaving. Half a century later, it remains a well respected source of information for the hand weaver. Ms Black died in Wolfville, Nova Scotia on February 11, 1988, at age 92. Other items in the draw are: a swift, knitting books, weaving magazines, yarn and more. Make sure you buy your ticket next time you are in: they are $2 each or 3 for $5.

Jane A. Evans, Weavers  magazine, Winter 1997

 It's time to register for the Spring weaving classes. The TDSB will start taking online and telephone registrations come February 19. You can also register with me in the class but please do not leave it to the last minute as the last two sessions we have had to turn people away  because we were at maximum. In the coming weeks I will include a link to the courses with their codes.
Come the Spring session, I will be offering painted warp lessons as used in an 'art' manner if you ask for it. Presently, it is only available in the spring session.

Examples of woven shibori from the book Woven Shibori by Catherine Ellis

I am also offering painted warp, woven shibori and shibori technqiues  Mondays 10am to 1pm and 6pm to 9pm  only. These techniques are best used for garments and fashion accessories. Please rsvp with me at tapestryline@sympatico.ca.

Examples of shibori created by Judith Fielder.

Mimma Draga found this incredible rafia woven bag at a Goodwill. She was intrigued with the pattern it was woven in. I showed her how to figure that out. She discovered that this was a 16 shaft pattern. She tried to edit the pattern but the best she could do was make it a 10shaft pattern. If you want to learn how to figure out how you can do a pattern that you've seen let me know.

Baby Alpaca lap blanket woven and felted by Gert Rogers.

The international tapestry project continues with energy and enthusiasm. The gobelin loom is now ready for people to weave on. Colours and the cartoon have been prepared in advance. Please feel free to come and weave on it Mondays and Wednesdays from 10am to 9pm excluding holidays. We will document everyone creating the tapestry. If you do not want your picture taken please let me know. We will also have an official launch of the project sometime in March and hope to have some special guests join us. To see the Tapestry blog and the progress of the project go to http://tapestryline.blogspot.ca/2013/02/shapes-are-arriving.html.