Sample Stitch Book

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Maya Matthew's tutorial on How to Make a Sample Stitch Book on Easy Crafts will tempt  those who embroider to find their supplies and begin stitching.

The link explains and shows in detail how to construct the book.

Knit Some Happiness

Knit Me Some Happiness was created by a knitting group in the United Kingdom. The blanket they created was made with hundreds of squares from people all over the the UK.

The film is short, a bit quirky, but fun to view.

The three minute film was shot and edited in three days as part of the ARRI Film Challenge, and after a screening at the festival award ceremony, the group won the prize for best film.

The outdoor scenes were filmed by cinematic drone - a short video of that process can be seen here.

Fiber Fest Activities

Laura B. demonstrates using a drop spindle
Fiber Fest 2011

Those attending the Fiber Fest will have an opportunity throughout the day to see demonstrations and take classes on a variety of topics. In the past, both men and women participated in the Fiber Fest activities.

The activities planned for the Saturday, September 10, 2016 Fiber Fest at the Fremont Center (old armory) on the Fremont County Fairgrounds in Riverton, WY include:

Demonstrations  - held in the main hall

     10:00    Pin Loom Weaving - Laura B.

     10:30     Drop Spindle - Sandy W.

     11:00     Steeking - Brenda H.

     11:30     Rigid Heddle Weaving - Laura B.

       1:00     Blending Board & Drum Carder - Sali A.

       1:30     Tunisian Crochet - Maia R.

       2:00     Needle-Felting - Vicky B.

       2:30     Cross-Stitch - Linda W.

       3:00     Yarn Substitutions - Christy P.

Colleen J. demonstrates wheel spinning at Fiber Fest 2009

All Day Demonstrations 

        Wheel Spinning - Colleen J.  - at her vending booth

         Dyeing - Cinde P.  -  outside

         Fiber Animals - Cinde P.  -  outside

Mary H. explains  to  Jeni V. and Jean A. how to begin crocheting
Spring Retreat 2014

Classes - held in the classroom

         9:30 - 11:30     Beginning Knitting  - Christy P. & Dana H.

         1:00 -  3:00     Beginning Crochet -  Mary H. & Cheryl O

The Fiber Fest has something for everyone. 

Come and spend the day with us. 

Dividing Yarn for Projects

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Dividing a skein of yarn is half is a good way to ensure having an equal amount for a pair of socks, mittens, or mitts.

This tip was posted on the WEBS website 

•  Using a kitchen food scale is the easiest way to split a ball of yarn exactly in half.
•  Weigh the full ball and write that number down so you don’t forget!
•  Wind off your yarn until the scale reads half the original weight.
•  Cut the yarn and you’ll have two equal balls to work from.

This method is also good when working with balls of scrap yarn. Weigh a completed pair of socks, mittens, or mitts to determine the amount of yarn required. Split the scrap yarn into two separate balls for the project. 

Note: If the yarn it self-striping, you may want to wind the balls so the striping will occur in the same sequence. If the scraps are not sufficient for a project, use a solid for heels and or toes - just weigh that yarn along with the other to make sure the needed weight is met. It's also helpful to add a bit more weight than the finished project requires to allow unexpected issues. 

Fiber Fest Vendors

vendors at the 2014 Fiber Fest

Fiber Fest will be held on Saturday, September 10, 2016 at the Fremont Center (old Armory building) at the Fremont County Fairgrounds in Riverton, WY.

The day (9AM - 4PM) will be filled with demonstrations on a variety of topics, classes in Beginning Knitting and Beginning Crochet, assistance with difficult or stalled projects, a silent auction, and vendors.

The following vendors will be at the Fiber Fest -- check out their websites to see what products may bring for their booths. Since there are no local yarn shops in Fremont County, this will be an opportunity to see some luscious yarns and wool in person and an opportunity to enhance your stash. 

Sheep Camp Quilt Supply - near Riverton, WY

Mountain Meadows Mill - near Buffalo, WY

Shepherd's Mill - Phillipsburg, KS

U Design It Yarn - Phillipsburg, KS

The Grand Loop - Cody, WY

In Sheep's Clothing - Sweetwater Station, WY

Jennings Family Fibers - near Riverton, WY

Be sure to mark September 10, 2016 on your calendar. Come to the Fiber Fest to learn, to shop, and to get help on your projects. Bring some friends and spend the day.

New Officers

Since the Guild will not be meeting in September, the elections of officers was held at the August meeting. The following individuals will be serving the Guild in the coming year. 

President - Mary H.

Vice President - Rachel B.

Secretary - Nancy S.

Treasurer - Jeni V. 

Communication Specialist - Katheryn E. 

Short Sock Needles

Colleen J. brought a new product to the August meeting

During the Show and Tell segment of the August meeting, Colleen J. introduced the members to the new Skacel sock needles. The needles are 10 inches in length and have one short tip and one longer tip for knitting comfort.

note the length difference in the needle tips

Colleen explained that the needles were designed for knitting small circumferences like socks, mitts, and cuffs. She is currently knitting fingerless mitts.

fingerless mitt on 10 inch needles by Skacel

 Colleen also brought a nearly finished mitt for the group to examine.

Show and Tell - August

Vicky B. brought a felted bag and told the members she will
 teach a class on its construction at the Lander Art Center
in October and November

the felted bag can be embellished with embroidery

Vicky B. knit this cute little octopus

Maia R. displayed some chair pads she made.
She was encouraged to teach a class
at the Spring Retreat.

Christy P. displays a cashmere cowl that she knit. 

Colleen J. shared a seaming technique from a class
 she took at the Chicago Stitches conference.

Colleen J. displays a shawl she knit

Securing a Crochet Hook

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WEBS offers a simple trick for keeping a crochet hook with its project.

Wrap a rubber band or a hair tie around the hook. It adds a little extra stickiness that keeps it in place. No more crawling around on the floor or digging in the couch cushions searching for the hook.

Meeting Reminder

Fiber Guild Meeting

Saturday, August 20, 2016

at

10:00 AM

Fremont County Public Library

   200 Amoretti Street

   Lander, WY 82520


Please bring any items you want to donate
for the Guild's Fiber Fest Silent Auction

Cord Control

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Everyone has a multitude of cords (phone, tablet, computer, mp3 player, ebook chargers, etc.) that seem to have a life of their own and love to get tangled with other cords.

Onelmon shares a tutorial for creating a quick and easy elastic fastener for cords.

Binkie Clip

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Binkies are important to little ones, and making sure they are always handy and stay clean is important to moms.

Rae Gun Ramblings shares a tutorial (complete with photos) for Making a Binkie Clip in just 15 minutes.

Silent Auction

Wanted:   Donated items for the Guild's Silent Auction
                      to be held at the Fiber Fest 
                      Saturday, September 10, 2016

What We Need:
                Anything that would appeal to a crafter
                Craft Books -- crochet, weaving, knitting, spinning,    
                     dyeing, etc.
                Yarn, fabric, kits, etc.
                Craft tools, accessories, and notions - needles, hooks, 
                     looms, equipment, accessories
                
Why:    Raise funds for Professional Development Weekends 
              Funds will be used for instructors, classes, 
                       and related expenses

Who:     Mary H. and Nancy S. will collect your items and 
               prepare it for the Silent Auction. Please bring all
               items to the August 20, 2016 meeting

             

Quilt-o-Mime

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Connecting Threads provides a fun and not-so-typical version of charades that will have you and your quilting friends in stitches. Test your quilting knowledge while amusing the other players with your acting ability as you gesture out these quilty phrases.

The pdf of the game can be found here

Fast Quilt Backs

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Quilters are always looking for techniques that save them time. Catbird Quilt Studio shares a tutorial with step by step photos for preparing a fast quilt backing.

The technique does not work for directional fabrics.

Using a Kitestick

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One of Peggy Osterkamp's Weaving Tips is how to use a Kitestick instead of Chaining Warps. 

She says, "Put your warp onto a kitestick rather than chaining it off the warping board. This new method keeps the threads under tension so they can’t tangle. The idea of chaining is to keep the warp threads organized by “crocheting” the warp, using your hand and arm as the crochet hook. However, this is the least desirable method to move your warp because the threads are not under tension and can tangle. A chain is also susceptible to coming un-chained when you least expect it. Remember: the only thread that can’t tangle is one under tension."

Read the entire post which includes multiple illustrations here.

Invisible Mending

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a recently completed patch - the threads just need clipped

The Invisible Mending technique, shown on Persian Gentleman, may be helpful to weavers who have a damaged piece they wish to repair.

Invisible mending is a sophisticated weaving method consisting in rebuilding the fabric of a garment but also of upholstery after an accident: snag, burn, accidental blade or scissor cut, etc.

Both the warp and weft of the fabric could have been damaged. Invisible mending is the reconstruction of both the warp and weft using a long needle.

The post includes photos of each step in the process. 

Sheep Cloth

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Knit2frog1 shared these charts for knitting an adorable sheep for a cloth, sweater, pillow, etc. 

Click on the "source" link under each image.

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Donating Unwanted Supplies

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Sew Mama Sew provides a list of twelve possible organizations that may accept donations of unwanted fabric or other craft supplies.

Please make sure you call the organization before taking any supplies.

How the West was Wooled

Twist Collective published a three-part history of How the West was Wooled. It's an interesting read.

Part One - bringing sheep to the West

Part Two - marketing and using wool

Part Three - the return of wool

Plastic Bottle Yarn Holder

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This recycle project is a handy way to keep multiple balls of yarn from rolling around as you use them. The holders also keep the yarn in the order that you need to use them.

No directions are provided for cutting the bottles, but note that the hole cut in the long strip of plastic must be large enough to slip over the bottle opening, but not too large that it will slip off. Click the photo to enlarge for more detail.

If you try this idea, please leave a comment or send an email to the email address in the top right column.

Armchair Sewing Table

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Sew Many Ways shares a tutorial for making a portable Armchair Sewing Table, aka Sewing Soap Dish.

The simple soap dish is transformed into an item that will keep your hand sewing tools handy and safely contained.

Needle Case

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Creating a case for crochet hook storage was last Friday's post, but straight, knitting needles also need to be be protected and organized.

Sew Bitter Sweet also has a tutorial for making a knitting needle case.

A tutorial for a smaller case can be found on Vicky Myers Creations.