Spring Meeting April 29, 2017 Fred Maytag II Scout Center 6123 Scout Trail Des Moines, IA 50321

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1 Spring Meeting April 29, 2017 Fred Maytag II Scout Center 6123 Scout Trail Des Moines, IA Guest speaker: Hosted by the Des Moines Weavers and Spinners Guild Kate Larson loves using fiber arts as a bridge between her passions for art and agriculture. Her fiber journey has led her to a degree in soil chemistry, travels through northern Europe in search of textile traditions, and back to the farm where her family has lived for six generations. She keeps an ever-growing flock of Border Leicester sheep and teaches hand spinning and knitting regularly in central Indiana and around the country. Kate is the author of The Practical Spinner s Guide: Wool (Interweave, 2015), and her articles and designs have appeared in Spin- Off Magazine, Jane Austen Knits, Enchanted Knits, Knitting Sweaters from Around the World, and more. She manages the Spinner s Connection blog at SpinningDaily.com and keeps her own blog at KateLarsonTextiles.com. Kate has also made several videos available on DVD and to download including How to Spin Yarn to Knit. Travel: Detailed travel directions can be found on Google Maps searching for Fred Maytag II Scout Center, Des Moines, Iowa. Driving from the WEST Follow I-80 E to Des Moines. Keep left at the fork to continue on I-235 E. 4 miles. Take exit 4 for IA-28/63 rd St. toward Windsor Heights. Turn right onto IA-28/1 st St/63 rd St. Drive 7 minutes or 3.4 miles. Turn left onto Scout Trail. Driving from the EAST Follow I-80 W to Des Moines. Use the left lane to take exit 137A to merge onto I-235 W toward Des Moines. Use the right 2 lanes to take exit 4 for IA-28/63 rd St toward Windsor Heights. Turn left onto IA-28 S/63 rd St Drive 7 minutes or 3.5 miles. Turn left onto Scout Trail. Driving from the SOUTH Take I-35 N toward Des Moines. Take exit 68 for IA-5 toward W Des Moines/Norwalk. Continue onto IA-5 S. Take exit 101 for SW Connector. Turn left onto SW Connector/ Veterans Parkway. Turn left onto SE 1 st / SW 63 rd St. In 0.2 miles turn right onto Scout Trail. Driving from the NORTH Take I-35 S toward Des Moines. Keep left to continue on I-235 W, follow signs for interstate 235 W/Des Moines. Use right two lanes to take exit 4 for IA-28/63 rd St. toward Windsor Heights. Use left 2 lanes to turn left onto IA-28 S/63 rd St. Drive 3.4 miles. Turn left onto Scout Trail.

2 Vendors featured at the April meeting include: Karen Stewart, Prairie Retreat Farm; Brenda Harting, Ewe-nique Fibers; Ellen Sakornbut, Fiber Curio & Sundries; Karen DeVries, Enchanted Alpaca Ranch; Barbara Zumdome, Lamb Lane Farm; and Sherri Duey, Fiber Art Shoppe There are several hotels and restaurants on Army Post Rd. near the Des Moines International Airport. Schedule for the day: 7:00-9:00 Vendors set up 9:00-10:00 Registration - $25 fee includes lunch Coffee, Tea, Refreshments Hanging of Popular Choice Entries Handwoven with handspun yarn Handwoven with commercial yarn Hand knit or crocheted with handspun yarn Handspun skein of yarn An additional category is possible. Shop Vendors 10:00-11:30 Kate Larson Leicester Love and other stories The three Leicester sheep breeds (Longwool, Border, and Bluefaced) share a common history, but have become very different breeds. The sheep from Leicester, in the English Midlands, were deeply impacted by Robert Bakewell, the most notable livestock improver of the eighteenth century. Kate will talk about the history of these unique sheep, share stories about her own flock in central Indiana, and show you what to look for (and what to avoid) when purchasing curly, lustrous, Leicester fleeces. 11:30-12:30 Lunch provided by the Des Moines Guild Vote for Popular Choice Shop Board Meeting: Officers and Guild Reps meet at 11:30 12:30-1:00 Iowa Federation Meeting Awards for Popular Choice Door Prizes 1:00-3:00 Kate Larson A Short History of Dorset Buttons Soft, handmade buttons crafted from linen thread and bits of cloth were made in Dorset, England, as early as the beginning of the seventeenth century. The many generations of button makers came to an abrupt end with the invention of a Victorian button machine, creating great hardship for many families. Come learn about the history of these special buttons, how they were traditionally made, and how we can adapt these buttons for very modern uses. Kate will share some of her own handmade buttons and help you source button-making materials. Bring US 3 needles, yarn needle, scissors. 3:00-4:00 Last chance to Shop the Vendors Load up and doors lock at 5:00.

3 From Our President: Hello all from the shadows of the Old Man of Storr on the Isle of Skye. I have had the greatest fortune to be able to travel to Ireland and Scotland this month to attend the Edinburgh Yarn Fest and wander about the Highlands. I was told I would see sheep. I have, in fields and up close and personal, on one-lane tracks without fences. They ve been very accommodating about the photo ops. I think I ve been looking mostly at Scottish Blackface. I will need to consult with the Fleece and Fiber Sourcebook when I return. Knowing this newsletter was due when I left the States, I ve been thinking about connections. We ve had many small world interactions on this trip (people with Iowa Rotary connections). I was really struck at the Yarn Festival by the number small farm/mills represented and by the concern for preserving endangered breeds. They may be different than our US breeds (CVM, Targhee not so well known.) But I did buy BFL raised on Exmoor, UK alpaca blended with Exmoor Horn and Zwartable Yes, I now own Zwartable! Of course, Shetlands were represented and all the Leceister breeds as well as Gotland. Scotland and England are currently hotbeds of fiber arts activity. So many designers and dyers and I got to meet several. I had the brilliant (as it turned out) idea of bringing some of my handmade knitter s bling markers. I attached them to my cards and had something tangible to leave behind with the people I met. After writing this far it was time to head on. We wound up in Skye for lunch. Our young barkeep has been on Skye for a couple years. He is not a fiber artist, but he knew what I meant by Soay sheep (they come from the SW of the Isle and could tell me I was correct about the Scottish Black Faces on the hills. After lunch (yum) and directions across the Isle to a lighthouse view we headed off. We got sidelined by a sign which read Island at the Edge Yarn and Fleece. There we met Yasmin and Trevor and the boys. We shopped in their little croft from a collection of Scottish woolen items, handspun Hebridean fleece. Then we met the boys a mob of Hebridean and rare Black Cheviot rams. I feel like I digress, but this is so much what the Federation is about building connections and community among shepherds and fiber artists, old and new. So as I think about all this I think about the purpose of the Federation in our local areas. We have many guilds in Iowa/Illinois, but I still meet and know people who do not have guild connections. I encourage you to help your newbies find their local fiber families or set up a new family in your area. Our guilds really do serve a couple purposes (at least): we support one another locally and we bring in speakers to share at our bi-annual meetings where many of us would not have the chance to experience them. I hope to see many of you in Des Moines. It s been a while since I have been to a Federation meeting hosted there, but I have many fond memories. I was lucky to take a workshop with Kate Larson at SOAR in She was an inspirational and helpful teacher. I look forward to hearing from her. Rebecca

4 Kate Larson Spinning Workshop - Color and Creativity for Spinners Check with Sue Lustig for availability. Phone or at buckandsue@mchsi.com Des Moines Weavers and Spinners Guild will host Kate Larson on Friday, April 28, Location is Douglas Avenue Presbyterian Church, 4601 Douglas Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa. 9:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. Workshop fee is $ Materials fee of less than $25 will be collected at the workshop.. Guild will provide refreshments. Lunch will be on your own. Inspiration is everywhere. The challenge for fiber artists is in translating interesting architecture, a sunset, or a memory into yarn and textiles. In this workshop, Kate will walk you through her own design process and help you begin a spinner s creativity notebook. Building upon color studies and explorations you develop in class, the workshop will cover fiber preparation and spinning techniques used to manipulate color, managing hand painted fibers for different color effects, finishing techniques, and more. You ll leave with an organized notebook filled with samples and ideas, and the tools needed to turn them into beautiful yarns. Skills needed: Ability to spin and ply a basic yarn. Participant to bring: A spindle or working wheel, extra bobbins, and lazy kate. You will need handcards for this class some will be available to borrow. Optional: lace flyer if you have one. Knitting needles, crochet hooks, or pin-looms for sampling. Shepherds Market Saturday, May 6, :00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Kirkwood Center 1770 Boyson Rd. Hiawatha, Iowa Announcing the 2017 Iowa Sheep and Wool Festival June 17 & 18 Hansen Agriculture Student Learning Center Ames, Iowa Midwest Weavers Conference 2017 Textiles at the Crossroads June Butler University, Indianapolis, Indiana (It s never too early to start looking forward to a weaving conference! The Conference will be in Iowa in 2019! See the announcement elsewhere in this newsletter.)

5 The Iowa Federation of Handweavers and Spinners Executive Board Meeting Buffalo Community Center, Buffalo, IA October 29, 2016 In attendance: Rebecca Roush, President (Cedar Rapids Area Fiber Artists) Mary McCusker, Vice President (Northeast Iowa Weavers & Spinners Guild) Karen Agee, Secretary (Northeast Iowa Weavers & Spinners Guild) Sheryl Streeper, Treasurer/Publisher (Gateway Fiber Artists) Stephanie Van Housen for Vicki Tardy (Craft Guild of Iowa City) Linda Ryden (Valley Weavers & Spinners) Diane Davison (Northeast Iowa Weavers & Spinners Guild) Mary Boulet, Newsletter Editor and Website Minister (Cedar Rapids Area Fiber Artists) Melissa Brown (Oneota Weavers & Spinners) Cindy Griese (Des Moines Weavers & Spinners) Rebecca called the meeting to order at 11:35 a.m. 1. The treasurer s report of August 30, 2016, as printed in the fall 2016 newsletter, was received and filed for audit. Treasurer Streeper suggested asking at the member meeting for volunteers to conduct the 2016 audit. Unfinished Business 2. Mary Boulet reported that GoDaddy had required reformatting the site, which she did, and the site remains with GoDaddy. Mary also reminded the Board that editing the newsletter, which should fall to the secretary, had been added to the president s job, and that she had continued as news editor and added website management as president and past president but the Board needs to clarify and assign those roles. It was agreed to discuss by before the Spring 2017 meeting. On behalf of the website committee, Mary proposed adding a vendor page to the website. The Board agreed on five criteria for vendor postings: a. Vendors must be members in good standing of the Iowa Federation of Handweavers and Spinners. b. Vendors supply items of specific interest to the fiber arts community. c. Vendors are in Iowa or states bordering on Iowa; exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis. d. Vendors will be listed by name with a website link and a logo. A brief descriptive sentence may be added if space allows. e. Vendors will pay an annual fee of $10 to be listed. This fee will support the cost of maintaining the website. 3. It was moved (Agee), seconded (Davison), and passed to adopt a fiscal year of January 1-December 31, with an annual audit at the spring meeting. 4. A nominating committee did not form in the spring, so it was agreed to take nominations from the floor at today s member meeting. 5. It was announced last spring that the 2016 Iowa Sheep & Wool Festival would be the last. In fact, a 2017 Festival has been scheduled for June 17-18, overlapping the June Midwest Weavers Conference. New Business 6. The Board discussed volunteering to host the Midwest Weavers Conference in 2019 but decided against taking that action. President Roush adjourned the meeting of the Board at 12:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Karen Agee, Secretary KSA 31Oct2016

6 The Iowa Federation of Handweavers and Spinners Member Meeting Buffalo Community Center, Buffalo, IA October 29, 2016 Board President Rebecca Roush opened the general meeting of Iowa Federation members at 1:04 p.m. with a thank you to hosting guilds Gateway Fiber Artists and Valley Weavers & Spinners and a memory of her first meeting more than 20 years ago. 1. It was moved (Betty Huttner), seconded (Grace Tully), and passed to approve the minutes of the April 29 meeting as published in the Fall 2016 newsletter. 2. There were no changes offered to the Treasurer s report (30Aug checking balance $ ; CD value $ ; total balance $9,066.32) as published in the Fall 2016 newsletter, and it was announced that the report had been filed for audit. President Roush appointed volunteers Mary McCusker and Karen Agee to audit the books after this meeting. 3. President Roush asked for nominations for the office of secretary. After self-nomination by Stephanie Van Housen, it was moved (Karen Agee), seconded (Cindy Griese) and passed to close nominations and elect Stephanie by acclamation. There being no nominations for treasurer, Sheryl Streeper agreed to stand for the office again, and it was moved (Karen Agee), seconded (Mary McCusker), and passed to re-elect Sheryl. Sheryl expressed her willingness to step down if someone else comes forward at the Spring 2017 meeting. 4. President Roush reported that the Board will work to define the roles of website manager and newsletter editor. 5. President Roush reported on the Board s decision to add a vendor page to the website with five criteria for vendor postings. 6. Cindy Griese invited all to the spring 2017 Iowa Federation meeting and spin-in in Des Moines on April 29. Kate Larson will present on her Border Leicester sheep and making Dorset buttons. 7. Stephanie Van Housen read a report (written by Deb Zeitler) on the Craft Guild of Iowa City s weaving demonstration at the 2016 Iowa State Fair; they wove 5 hours a day and handed out Iowa Federation and Craft Guild brochures. There were 68 entries in weaving categories, including 10 rugs and 9 wall hangings, the largest number since 2005, which necessitated moving the weaving entries to a larger space. Terry Jones challenged every member to enter each of the 8 weaving categories in At 1:20 it was moved (Cathy Willoughby), seconded (Grace Tully), and passed to adjourn. Respectfully submitted, Karen Agee, Secretary KSA October 31, Treasurer Streeper reported 54 in attendance, including 4 new members and 7 vendors. The Craft Guild of Iowa City will be hosting the 2019 Midwest Weavers Conference on the Grinnell College campus June 17-22, The working theme is Uncommon Threads and we think it will be a lot of fun, both planning and attending. Please contact Cathy Willoughby at willoughby511@gmail.com if you or your guild are interested in joining us in the planning or production process. Opportunities for participation include such things as coordinating the fashion show, member exhibit, teacher exhibit or guild exhibits; weaving award ribbons; helping with conference logistics during the conference; and other things we have not yet imagined Midwest Weaving Conference Steering Committee: Linda Bergquist, Sue Fairchild, Lucy Hansen, Lois Lembke, Bev Pennell, Vicki Tardy, and Cathy Willoughby

7 Fall 2016 Winners of Popular Choice Awards Each meeting participant received a small bag of beans for popular-choice voting in five categories. Voting proved difficult because the numerous entries evidenced careful work and inspiring skill. In fact, there were ties in two categories. One item, which received the most beans cast across all five categories, was awarded a grand prize. A partial view of the many well-crafted entries in the Popular Choice competition. See photos of all the winners and their entries on our website: - Grand Prize Gail McPike lace shawl Handwoven of Handspun Yarn Mary Beth Carey Stephanie Van Housen rug small tapestry Handwoven of Commercial Yarn Lee Ann Wille color gamp Handknit or Crocheted Handspun Chris Thomson shawl Felted Ellen Sakornbut jacket Other Carolyn Saupe Cathy Willoughby rug rug

8 Iowa Federation of Handweavers and Spinners Treasure s Report March 2017 Checking account balance on $ EXPENSES Copy Works $45.21 Iowa State Fair Board $25.00 Fall 2016 Fed. Meeting Expenses Fee for Speaker $ (Laura Demuth) Mileage $ (193 miles x 2=386 miles at.50=193.00) Friday night Meal $44.50 Copies of handouts $67.56 Total pd to speaker $ Motel Room $ Rental for Buffalo Center $ Total Fall 2016 meeting expense $ TOTAL EXPENSES ($926.03) Fall 2016 Fed. Meeting Income Meeting attendance $ (54 ea. +donation of $5 plus 1 attendee paid $10 for half a day) Four new members $32.00 TOTAL INCOME $ Ending Checking Account Balance as of March 13, 2017 $ Certificate of Deposit value on $ Interest 2/14/17 $3.61 Interest 11/14/16 $3.60 Certificate of Deposit value on 3/1/207 $ Total balance of all accounts: $ Respectfully submitted by Iowa Federation Treasure Sheryl Streeper The checking account includes the Midwest Weavers Association Honorarium of $2000. $1000 is reserved to subsidize costs associated with meeting speakers, workshops, etc. with board approval up to $250 each event. Hosting group must apply a year in advance. $1000 was earmarked to pay website expenses. To date, $ has been expended. This leaves a balance of $ , which is expected to cover website and domain through 2018 with our current web site provider. As noted in the Board meeting minutes published in this issue of the newsletter, the Federation is asking for sponsors to subsidize the cost of the website and domain name. At this time, there are two paid vendor sponsors, with a few more planning to sponsor. Thank you so much for your support! Check out the website for links to sponsors and to other fiber events. Contact Mary Boulet with events to include on the website and/or to sponsor the website.

9 Plan ahead: Fall 2017 Iowa Federation of Handweavers and Spinners Our Fall 2017 meeting will be hosted by Northeast Iowa Weavers and Spinners (Waterloo/Cedar Falls), on October 7. Presenter John Mullarkey will also lead a tablet-weaving workshop on Oct Current Meeting Rotation Schedule Spring Year Fall Des Moines 2017 Waterloo/Cedar Falls Iowa City 2018 Cedar Rapids Northwest Iowa 2019 Decorah Quad Cities/Clinton 2020 Des Moines Waterloo/Cedar Falls 2021 Iowa City Cedar Rapids 2022 Northwest Iowa Decorah 2023 Quad Cities/Clinton UPCOMING CLASSES AT THE VESTERHEIM Needle Felted Norwegian Nisse or Troll June 19-20, 2017 with Coral Berge Weaving for the Very Beginner June 21-25, 2017 with Laura Demuth Billedvev (Picture Weaving) Norwegian Tapestry Techniques Sept , 2017 (Thurs. 1:00-5:00, Fri. and Sat. 9:30-5:30; Sun. 9:30-1:30) with Robbi LaFleur Intermediate Nålbinding Oct , 2017 (Fri. and Sat. 9:00-5:00 and Sun. 9:00-1:00) with Kate Martinson Twined Knitting Oct , 2017 with Arnhild Hillesland Danskbrogd Weaving Nov. 2-5, 2017 with Jan Mostrom For more information, contact Darlene Fossum-Martin at , ext. 215, or at dfossum-martin@vesterheim.org.

10 Iowa Federation of Handweavers and Spinners Guild Contact List Amana Arts Guild Joel Huebner Craft Guild of Iowa City Vicki Tardy (Quad Cities) Valley Weavers & Spinners Linda Ryden (Waterloo/Cedar Falls) Northeast Iowa Weavers & Spinners Diane Davison (West Burlington) Snake Alley Fiber Arts Guild Barbara Zumdome (Northwest Iowa) Little Sioux Spinners & Weavers Sheryl Wilson Cedar Rapids Area Fiber Artists Paula Grahs (Clinton) Gateway Fiber Artists Sheryl Streeper (Decorah) Oneota Weavers and Spinners Guild Melissa Brown Des Moines Weavers and Spinners Cindy Griese (Grinnell) A Spinner s Ceilidh Meredith Breiting aspinnersceilidh@yahoo.com (Hopkinton) Plum Creek Fiber Artists Margie Meehan tipperaryfiberstudio@gmail.com (Southwest Iowa) Wildwood Marcia Little marlittle@iowatelecom.net No group in your area? Start a new one!!! Please contact Mary Boulet to make changes to this list. Officers President Vice-President Rebecca Rouse Mary McCusker 2614 Bever Ave SE 5098 Schwiebert Dr. Cedar Rapids. IA Walker, IA iowaspinner@gmail.com mjm@ballymacosker.com Treasurer/Publisher Secretary Sheryl Streeper Stephanie Van Housen 511 W. Angus Ct th Street Maquoketa, IA Coralville, IA jsstreeper@gmail.com vanhousen.stephanie@gmail.com Link to our web site at Newsletter/Web minister: Mary Boulet 1923 Grande Ave SE, Cedar Rapids,IA bouletmary@imonmail.com