HTS Newsletter, March, 2008Volunteer editor: Gary Lee Phillips, fuffle@ix.netcom.com
HTS Newsletter, March, 2008
Volunteer editor: Gary Lee Phillips, fuffle@ix.netcom.com
Our next meeting will take place on Saturday, March 8, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at The Fold, 3316 Millstream Rd., Marengo (directions available here.) The meeting will feature a member to member workshop on cotton spinning (led by Gary Phillips and Susan Tauck.) There is no charge for this workshop, so please plan to participate. If you own a charkha or tahkli, bring it along whether you are proficient in its use or not, and we'll try to get you started if necessary. Bring a brown bag lunch if you wish, and remember that dues for 2008 are now payable if you haven't yet done so ($25 payable to The Fold, marked as HTS dues.)
April 12 meeting reminder: This meeting will include a member to member workshop on Color Blending with the Hand Cards or Drum Carder, as well as a sit & spin social. The workshop is free. If you have hand cards, you should bring them. Drum carders will be available for you to try as well.
NEW: You can now subscribe to the HTS newsletter using an RSS reader. Many e-mail programs, such as Thunderbird or Outlook Express, have this capability. The newsletter updates will arrive automatically in your mailbox, ready to read.
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The deadline for the next
newsletter will be March 29, 2008. If you are submitting material for inclusion in the newsletter, I really would appreciate having it by the deadline. The newsletter continues to be delayed by late announcements and information, and I would much prefer to get it out to you several days earlier than is now possible.
Cotton and linen seem to scare people off. Most of us began spinning with wool, and eventually branched out into similar scaly fibers such as mohair, alpaca, and cashmere. Vegetable fibers require some significant adjustments to your spinning techniques, but they are not really any more difficult than animal protein. In many cultures, spinners begin with cotton or flax, and may never touch animal fiber at all.
This month's meeting will feature a member to member presentation on cotton. We may touch briefly on the history of the plant and its culture, and how the fiber can be dyed and used, but the main focus will be practical. Everyone will be encouraged to try out the different tools and techniques, and hopefully you will come away with enough confidence to try some more on your own, even if you have never spun cotton before.
The main topics will include:
Please plan to participate. If you have experience with cotton, we welcome your insights and experiences. This is an opportunity for all of us to share ideas and techniques. There is no fee for this workshop.
If you would prefer to sit and spin but not participate in the cotton spinning, feel completely free to do so; but we hope you will be inspired to join us.
Dues are due if you haven't already paid up. Your annual payment of $25 helps to sponsor the show in October, as well as other events and privileges during the year. Please pay promptly. Checks should be payable to The Fold, and clearly marked as "HTS dues" with your mailing address and e-mail address.
Don't forget this year's challenge project. The goal is to do something planned and orderly with color, using a color harmony of your own devising. You can use any fiber and any technique you choose, and the finished project can be anything at all. The focus is on the color scheme, which should be selected and applied in a planned manner.
Back in 2006 I was convinced I could never manage to spin cotton fibers. The technique and mindset is radically different from what we all learn with wool, but really no more difficult. I look forward to showing you what I have learned and perhaps inspiring you to try more with cotton on your own. It's an inexpensive and practical fiber, and can adapt to many different types of work. Because it is durable and easy to care for, it is especially useful for children's garments and household fabrics. We will show you the basic techniques of preparation and spinning, and should have enough tools available so that you can try the charkha and tahkli, as well as learning how to spin cotton on your wheel. Plan to join us for the fun.
Programs for the new year: This year's schedule is as follows. Changes, if any, will be announced as early as possible both at meetings and in the newsletter. Note that all workshops are optional, and you are welcome to come and socialize or sit & spin during workshops. All of this year's presentations will be led by members, so there will be no fees. Refer questions about events or schedule to Susan at SusanRubendall@aol.com.
There are just SEVEN months left until all show projects for 2008 must be complete. Start planning your projects now. Your editor already has skeins set aside for next year, so you might as well get one ready too.
If you know of an upcoming event, or have a press release or web link, send it to Gary (fuffle@ix.netcom.com) in time for the previous month's deadline in order to make sure it gets into the newsletter in time.
Space permitting, members and their friends may submit notices and classified advertisements to appear here.
Did you miss the February newsletter? It's still available online, right here.
Are you receiving a monthly e-mail telling you that the newsletter is ready? If not, you need to sign up for the Hollow Tree Spinners e-mail discussion group.
We are trying a Web-based newsletter instead of e-mailing the document. This should mean that anyone with access to the internet will be able to see the newsletter, regardless of the kind of computer or software they are using. Most public libraries now have internet browser access as well. An e-mail will be sent to members once a month when the newsletter is ready, reminding them to look at it and print it if they wish. Please let us know what you think. E-mail the editor, Gary Phillips, or guild manager Toni Neil with your comments or suggestions.
Meetings are on the second Saturday of each month unless otherwise announced. The newsletter should be ready by the Saturday before the meeting. Please get items, announcements, etc. to the newsletter editor, Gary, at least a full week in advance of the newsletter date (TWO weeks before the next meeting.)