Scotland Trip May 2022 - Recap

The intrepid travelers at the Scottish Textiles Showcase in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Members of the Hudson-Mohawk Weavers’ Guild went on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to learn about the textile heritage and industry of Scotland in May 2022.  Delayed from May 2020, this trip was long-anticipated.  The original idea came from Guild member Cecilia Frittelli, who visited Scotland in 2018 and immediately knew she needed to share this amazing place with other textile enthusiasts.  Cecilia and Guild member Nancy Sharples spent several years planning this trip, with assistance from Kitty Bruce-Gardyne of the Scottish Textiles Showcase and logistics help from Grant Wilson of AE Chauffeurs Ltd (AEC).  The result was simply amazing: a trip no one will ever forget.  We will recap the trip in a series of posts.  Read on to learn more about the textiles of Scotland!

Day 1. Sunday, May 8, 2022: We land in Edinburgh early in the morning and have the day to ourselves to visit the many sights of this beautiful city before our group dinner at Howies Restaurant.

Some travelers enjoy fine weather at the lovely Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.  It features a spectacular beech hedge, a tulip vista, and espaliered fruit trees in flower. There is a wonderful alpine garden, an interesting trillium collection and even a big clump of terrestrial orchids.  Plus a lovely garden café.  Others visit the Palace of Holyroodhouse, which is the Queen’s official residence in Scotland, towering Edinburgh Castle at the other end of the Royal Mile, or just walk the length of the Royal Mile and take in the atmosphere. The group dinner at Howies Restaurant is where we get our surprise: haggis is tasty! Many in the group also enjoy sticky toffee pudding for the first time. It’s very sweet, but yummy.


Community Weave Event, April 2022

The Community Weave Event, held on Saturday, April 23, as part of the Creative Placemaking Leadership Summit Northeastern & Mid-Atlantic, was a fun day. Those who braved the chilly weather were warmed by their hearts, minds and the threads that connected everyone on Jay Street that day. There was a Climate March in conjunction with the Community Event which helped increase participation to approximately 300 people.

The New York State Folklore Society, C.R.E.A.T.E. Community Studios, Jay Street Collective, Hamilton Art Center, Union College, Kira Dominquez Hultgren and members of the Hudson-Mohawk Weavers’ Guild helped guide participants in a community event which was fun for all of us. It was a great day of sharing and collaboration.

April 2022 Guild Meeting

We had excellent turn out for the April in-person meeting. Two excellent speakers provided the program. Tomi Bentley discussed a color workshop she attended with Tom Jipson, and Gary Avanzato demonstrated how he prepares a photograph for weaving on his TC-2 digital loom.

December 2021 Guild Meeting - Maren Beck and Josh Hirschstein of Above The Fray: Traditional Hill Tribe Art

Maren Beck and Josh Hirschstein of Above The Fray: Traditional Hill Tribe Art presented a talk via Zoom for a hybrid audience of in-person and virtual meeting attendees. They shared personal stories, photos and video depicting the textile traditions of the Tai Daeng and Lao Loum peoples of Houaphan Province, Laos. Guild members learned about sericulture in the region, natural dyeing and the clever loom design which would require hundreds of shafts to replicate on a western-style shaft loom.

Visit Maren and Josh’s website, shop the gallery or learn about textile tours. Autographed books available for purchase.

Guild picnic at Thacher State Park, June 2021

Turnout for the Guild picnic at Thacher State Park was great, and the weather was simply perfect. It was wonderful to see members live for the first time in well over a year. Show & Tell was extra-full with items woven over the past 15 months.

Thank you for making the 2020 (Virtual) Show & Sale a success!

hmwg youtube.jpg

Thank you to everyone who helped make the 2020 (Virtual) Show & Sale a success. Although we missed being in person with everyone, the virtual event allowed us to give the public a glimpse into our workshops and to stage a fashion show in a beautiful outdoor location. Thank you to everyone who shopped with our weavers. The livestream videos are all available on Youtube. Check out our great line up of interviews, demonstrations, panel discussions and, of course, the fashion show! The 2020 Show & Sale webpage is still available in our archives, including links to shop with our weavers and local weaving stores.

Outdoor 5 Arts Show - Sept 25-26

khjneippihdaiegk.png

Do you miss in-person craft shows? We sure do! The 5 Arts Show, hosted by guild member Sandy Lommen, will give you a little taste of what we have all been missing this year. Artists include:

  • Kathryn Benson - ceramics

  • Mary Ann Hoffay - weaving

  • Kathy Klompas - textiles

  • Mary P. LaFleur - ceramics

  • Sandy Lommen - weaving

  • Katie Nare - jewelry

  • Shady Acre Homestead - soaps

  • Kim Tateo - painting

This event is entirely outdoors and attendees are asked to wear masks. Be safe and have some fun at this great event!

Professional Weaver Podcast

pod.jpg

HMWG members Tegan and Eric Frisino have started a podcast! Here’s a little taste of what you will find: “One of our favorite things about being professional weavers are the connections we make not only with other weavers but with others in the supply chain. Through discussions with weavers, manufacturers, show promoters, and patrons of the fiber arts on this podcast we hope to build depth, transparency, and connection within the weaving community.

In our upcoming episodes we cover topics ranging from our first big sale to our biggest mistakes. What it’s like going to shows and how the community has changed over the years. But best of all, we answer weaving questions submitted by you!“

The Professional Weaver Podcast is available via your favorite podcast platform, including Apple, Google and Spotify. Check it out!

February Guild Meeting

We had the pleasure of a presentation by Justin Squizzero of The Burroughs Garret in Vermont at the February guild meeting. Justin was a great presenter and told the story of how his obsession with weaving and history turned into life on an old farm in Vermont as a working handweaver. He brought piles of amazing samples, include Venetian carpet and oodles of linen. As always, we had lots of inspiring Show & Tell.

Guild member Lilly Marsh featured in Ply magazine

The Fall 2019 issue of Ply magazine features a wonderful spread on guild member Lilly Marsh and her Hudson Valley Textile Project. It details her work in developing regional cloth from local fiber and processing. Her article traced the fleeces of Blue Pepper Farm’s East Friesian Dairy Sheep as they were blended with Little Creek Alpaca fiber by Battenkill Fibers Carding and Spinning Mill to produce versatile yarns for use in the weaving studio. It is an example of the HVTP goals for strengthening a sustainable and climate friendly fiber supply chain in action and a model for regional cloth production through multiple
HVTP members. It is available online or in print through purchase or subscription.