CNCH 2023 – San Luis Obispo, CA

Many Black Sheep Guild members were able to participate in the recent Conference of Northern California Handweavers in San Luis Obispo from Aug 3-6, 2023.

Below you will find some impressions and images our members brought back as well as samples of the amazing work that was done in 16+ classes during the conference. 

Thank you to members for sharing their work with us!

Barbara S – Deb Curtis’ Class on “Birch Bark Explorations”

Here are two stitched vessels I did in Deb Curtis class. Stitched birch bark with 4 strand and 3 strand braided and flat cedar bark rims.
Deb is an excellent teacher, the students were so much fun to be with, and I learned a lot about materials I have never before worked with. What looks like black stitching on the cylinder is actually natural to the bark as are the short brown lines.

Ange M – Inge Dam’s class on “Tablet Band Incorporated into Fabric”

I took Inge Dam’s class on “Tablet Band Incorporated into Fabric”. My
sample is still in progress but here’s a photo of it! All 10/2 cotton,
and there are 28 cards in the threaded-in cardwoven accent.

Stefanie S – Jennifer Moore’s class on Double Rainbow

Here are some images of the finished sampler we started in Jennifer Moore’s class. Lot’s of opportunity to play with color and shapes and get creative with different yarns.

Show & Tell: Table Mats by Lschickli

Table mats in 6 shaft irregular satin on the Drawloom

Show & Tell: Handcrafted paper by Gail B

Lovely handcrafted paper from a recent Creative Endeavors workshop

Show & Tell: Sewing with Handwovens Study Group

Beautiful projects shared by the Black Sheep Sewing with Handwovens Study Group. Check out more details here

Show & Tell: Star of Bethlehem Baby Blankets by John H.

Comparing the same pattern in 24 epi vs 20 epi demonstrates how the 24 epi is more elongated and the 20 epi is more balanced. 

Show & Tell: Handspun Merino wool by Monique H

Show & Tell: Woven shibori cotton and indigo scarf by Gail B

Show & Tell: Catikat by Ally Krause
One of my ikat weavings, Catikat, has been selected for the Pets & Animals show at the Pacific Art League in Palo Alto. Catikat is a warp ikat piece based on the silhouette of my cat, Mo, and is naturally dyed with cutch. The opening reception is this Friday 6/2 from 5:30-8pm, and it will be up through 6/27.
— Ally Krause

Catikat ikat, photo courtesy of the artist

Show & Tell: Cotton Baby Blanket By Stefanie S.

I love this Leave pattern for a super-soft baby blanket for my new grandson! The pattern is from handweaving.net,  it is an 8-Shaft pattern made with 3/2 white and brown organic cotton (American Maid) in warp and weft. 

Show and Tell May 2023

Making the Most of It – Barbara Shapiro

I wanted to make a three row flower knot Möbius strip, but didn’t take into account how
thick the band would be. When it was close to being done, but before I worked all the ends in, I realized it was too short to twist and fashion into a closed twisted loop. So I stepped back from it and, lo and behold, this is what I saw crawling across my table.

I added the eyes and he took off to attack a group of ceramic kimono clad zombies.
— Barbara Shapiro

Beautiful Beiderwand pillows – Ange M.

Beautiful Beiderwand Pillows woven by Ange M. 8/2 cotton in beige and grey with garage sale mystery wool in black. 

Black Sheep interested in weave structures like Beiderwand can join the Weave Structure Study Group!