All posts by TeddieG

Nov 16, 2017 – “Sustainability in Textiles: The Case of San Francisco”

Past Programs

As Bay Area residents, we are all aware of the environment, and we work hard as individuals to do our part to walk gently on the earth. But we are all textile creators and users. What do we do with textile waste?

Dr. Connie Ulasewicz, the Chair of the Department of Family Interiors Nutrition and Appparel at San Francisco State University, pursued that question in a uniquely San Francisco way. She sought to find out what happens to the many textiles – sheets, towels, tablecloths and other items – used by the tourist and conference industry in the Bay Area, when they have worn out and must be discarded.

She and her colleague, Dr. Hamid Khani, Professor in the Broadcast & Electronic Communication Arts Department, produced a video that explores this issue.

At our November 16th meeting, Dr. Ulasewicz will be with us for the screening of the video and to discuss with us the issue of sustainability in textiles.

Teresa Ruch Workshop – Creating Drape in Handwoven Fabric

Past Workshops, Workshops

TeresaRuchDrapeWorkshop

Drape Class with Teresa Ruch
Drape Class with Teresa Ruch

August 2-3
The purpose of this workshop is to understand how drape can be created in a handwoven fabric. It is a combination of fiber characteristics, yarn twist, the sett (ends per inch), the weave structure or the number of intersections of yarn per inch and the finish of the fabric. All of the factors contribute to the drape of the fabric.
This workshop would be held the first weekend in August at Amazing Yarns in Redwood City.  Total cost would be about $200-$250 (includes $95 material fee) depending on the number of participants.  Please contact Barbara O’Connor (mailto:barbara_oconnor [at] earthlink [dot] net) if you are interested or need more information.

See Teresa website at http://www.teresaruchdesigns.com/ for some examples of her work.

Exploring the Design Process

Past Workshops

EXPLORING THE DESIGN PROCESS WITH TIEN CHIU
NEW DATE – JANUARY 19-20, 2013
Location – Amazing Yarns

Summary: This two-day workshop will cover a design process for exploring ideas and translating them to practical designs.  Topics covered include:

  • Exploring techniques and materials to inspire ideas
  • Creating a mood board/idea board to collect your thoughts
  • Translating ideas into design
  • Designing samples to test your design ideas/questions
  • Creating and evaluating samples

Because this workshop is about the design process, you should not expect to leave with a completed project; instead, you should expect to leave with a completed design for a new project, and an expanded understanding of design tools and process.

What to bring:

  • Loom (preferably two shafts or more, but rigid heddle looms can be used too), pre-warped  in white or some other neutral color.  Needs to be at least 6″ wide but can be as wide as you like.  Suggested yarn is 10/2 cotton, but can be another weight if you prefer. Sett for twill or plain weave, your choice.
  • Two or more shuttles, including a stick shuttle if you have one
  • Colored pens or pencils
  • Sketchbook or notebook to record your designs
  • 1-2 fiber-related magazines or fiber arts catalogs with lots of photos, that you would be willing to cut up OR fifteen photos of fiber arts related stuff that you like (must be willing to cut up the photos, so print on something cheap).
  • Double-sided or regular Scotch tape

Cost:

  • Black Sheep Members: $50 plus $10 materials fee.
  • Non-Members: $80 plus $10 materials fee.

Sign-up:  Teddie Guenzer (teddie [at] guenzer [dot] com)