For almost all of human history, cloth was created from plant and animal fibers. Over the past 75 years, the textile industry has undergone extraordinary changes and the vast majority of clothing and fabrics are now made with oil and toxic chemicals.
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Find out why we need to move urgently toward sustainable textile practices, what kinds of amazing new fibers are coming down the pipeline, and how you can incorporate sustainability into your fiber arts work and life.
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I will be supporting this conversation with anecdotes from my family history, my travels over the past 30 years, and my creative journey as a fiber artist.
The Handweavers Guild of America
Convergence 2024
Panel Session
WEAVING THE FUTURE: SUSTAINABLE & ETHICAL FIBER ART
Sponsored by John C. Campbell Folk School
Saturday, July 13th, 2024
12:15pm - 1:00 pm Eastern Time
Join me at the the ultimate international fiber art experience: the Handweavers Guild of America's Convergence® conference!
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I will be hosting a panel session with fiber artists who work in eco-friendly ways. Learn more about their art, and get inspired to evolve your practice into something that becomes part of the solution!
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Find out more at WeaveSpinDye.org
Learn to Spin with a Spindle
July 2024 in-person at
Blue: The Tatter Textile Library, Brooklyn NY
Dates to be announced soon...
The John C campbell folk school
Appalachian Week
SPIN IT! DYE IT! WORK IT!
A Basketful of Fiber Art
Sunday, August 18th through Friday, August 23rd, 2024
Brasstown, North Carolina
Join me and my good friend artist/instructor David Heustess on an exciting adventure into the fundamentals of the fiber arts with a week of spinning, dyeing, and weaving! First, learn to spin the traditional fibers of sheep wool and flax (linen) to make handspun yarn. Next is a journey into the plant world to explore pulling dyes from leaves, barks and flowers to create beautiful dyed yarns and cotton cloth; also an indigo vat and some synthetic dyes. Third, see the results of your efforts; knit, crochet, embroider, or weave on a small tapestry loom your beautiful yarns into samples for future projects. CLICK HERE for complete info and to register!
Handweavers of Bucks County
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
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10:45 am PRESENTATION: From Plant To Cloth
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According to a 2016 report carried out by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, approximately 390,900 types of plants are known to science but very few can be used to make textiles. Find out how stems, leaves, and bark have been ingeniously transformed into cloth around the globe for over 30,000 years. We will also learn about modern methods used for turning agricultural waste products into usable textile fibers.
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1:00 - 4:00 pm WORKSHOP: Gigi's Spinning Circle
Bring your wheel or spindle and spin a little bit of everything spinnable! From rare breed sheep locks to denim reclaimed from blue jeans manufacturing, silk and nettles to fabric and thrums, we will spin through a smorgasbord of protein, cellulose, and upcycled fibers. As we spin, we will learn the fascinating history of each fiber. Participants will take home a sampler skein suitable for reference. This class is great for spinners who are curious about the possibilities beyond roving. Materials fee. (Participants must bring spinning wheel or spindle plus carders.)
For more information, visit the Handweavers of Bucks County website.
In-person & online
CLASSES, WORKSHOPS
& TALKS
I have taught spinning and chair yoga at guilds, the MidAtlantic Fiber Association's biennial conferences, and the John C Campbell Folk School. I'm happy to teach or talk in-person or via Zoom for your organization too! Contact me for details & pricing.
LEARN TO MAKE YARN WITH A SPINDLE
Participants will learn to spin wool and flax on a drop spindle, the most ancient tool of the fiber arts. Dating back over 30,000 years, spindles can fit in a pocket or hang from a belt so you can make yarn anywhere! This can be done as a 2 hour class to teach the basic skills, or expanded all the way up to a day long workshop, depending on how many fibers you want to work with, and how many skills you wish to learn. Spindles and fiber provided, or can be purchased as a materials kit.
Spin It! Dye It! Work It!
Co-taught with David Heustess of Follow The Spiral Studios, participants will learn to spin wool and flax on a drop spindle, use natural and synthetic dyes to dye their yarn, and then - based on their interests or existing skills - learn to weave on a tapestry frame loom, knit, crochet, or embroider with their handspun yarns. Suitable for all levels of experience but designed with beginners in mind, this workshop can be tailored for weekend or week-long events.
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Spinning & Yoga:
Ancient & Contemporary
The ancient craft of spinning is the foundation of the fiber arts! Spin your way down the millenia while learning to use the various tools of the trade. Learn to make traditional yarn using animal and plant fibers and contemporary "art yarn" with sustainable materials. Participants have the option to practice gentle seated yoga poses during class time. Suitable for all levels of experience, including beginners; this workshop can be tailored for weekend or week-long events.
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Spin The World!
Take a trip around the world making handspun yarns using fibers and materials from around the globe! Learn how to create unique yarns with ingredients such as kapok, soy, hemp, reclaimed denim and sari cloth, recycled plastic fiber, silk waste, flax, nettles, wood shavings, thread and fabric remnants, and more! With a spinning wheel or a spindle, this workshop offers spinners an opportunity to play and let imaginations run wild.
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We will compose batts of amazing color and texture and learn spinning techniques for the various materials used while traveling the world, learning about Himalayan nettles and forests that produce wild tussah silk; flax and Egyptian mummies; ancient traditions of hemp in Japan and its more recent history in colonial America; Indian saris; tropical kapok trees; and more! Participants must already know how to use a spindle or spinning wheel; this workshop can be tailored for weekend or week-long events.
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The Eco-nomics of the Fiber Arts:
It's time to change the way we make and appreciate textiles
The textile industry is one of the most polluting on the planet. Find out how your guild can become more eco friendly. Embracing sustainability also makes your guild more appealing to a younger generation of weavers and fiber artists - it's their future! A one hour talk.
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Very gentle chair yoga
Suitable for all, but especially suited to weavers, spinners, knitters, and anyone who spends extended periods of time looking downwards. Learn posture correction and gentle exercises for the core muscles of the torso, the back and shoulders as well as the legs, arms... and don't forget the hands and feet! Simple breathwork can energize or relax the body and mind; simple mindfulness can de-stress and refresh.