When you join the Guild, you receive discounts on classes, a subscription to our monthly newsletter, and other great opportunities. But the real benefit of a Guild membership, as described by new member Cindy Owen, is the chance to get involved in an exciting and dynamic weaving community. Here is Cindy's account of her first few months as a member of the Weavers Guild of Minnesota:
How did you get interested in weaving?
I’ve been a knitter since I was very young so I always visit the knitting exhibits at the State Fair. I happened upon the Weavers Guild demonstration area a couple of years ago and that sparked my interest. I came to the open house in January, saw the facility, talked to several of the instructors and decided to take a class.
Why did you join the Weavers Guild?
To be honest, I joined in order to get the discount on the classes. I now know that there are a lot of good reasons to be a member. I have made use of the reference library, I have rented a loom, and I have purchased weaving yarns at the Guild. I especially like that the Guild has dozens of looms available for members to rent. It gives me a chance to weave with other weavers - there is always someone there! - and to use looms from several different manufacturers.
What was your first class like at the Guild?
My first class was Beginning Weaving on a 4-Harness Floor Loom with Lou French. The class met for five full days over the course of two weeks in March 2006. My first project was a simple table runner. I learned how to choose materials, to measure the warp threads, to get the warp onto the loom and, of course, to weave. My second project was a more complicated overshot table runner, which I was also able to complete during that class. After the class was over I rented a loom at the Guild in order to attempt a project on my own. I made a kitchen towel – and learned a lot. I have since signed up for two more classes.
As a new member, what are your impressions of the Guild?
I think the Weavers Guild of Minnesota is a fantastic organization. The leadership is strong and the membership is very active. A good variety of classes are offered year-round, several study groups are in place to develop new resources, plenty of equipment is available on-site for use in classes and for rental and the Guild maintains a substantial reference library. The monthly newsletters are interesting and informative, the monthly meetings are well worth attending, and there is plenty of opportunity for everyone – even new members – to get involved. This year, I’ll be one of the weaving demonstrators at the State Fair. And in the fall, I’ll be on the Board of Directors as a New Member Representative.
Benefits
Membership in the Guild runs from September 1st through August 31st. Benefits of joining the Guild include discounts on classes and workshops, a subscription to our monthly newsletter, the opportunity to sell your work at the annual Fiber Fair sale, and library privileges for the extensive Textile Center collection. To join the Guild or renew your membership, please fill out this membership form and mail it to the Guild office.
Classes and Workshops
Learning opportunities are offered throughout the year in the form of classes, workshops, lectures, and demonstrations. Classes in weaving, spinning, and dyeing that require varying levels of skills and experience are offered for adults and children. The Guild sponsors several workshops led by recognized fiber artists each year. For more information about current classes and workshops, please visit our Classes/Workshops page.
Programs
Member Meetings are held on the second Thursday evening of each month from
September through May and usually once in the summer. Meetings feature
informational lectures by various fiber artists and an opportunity for members to show their work.
Social
hour
begins
at 6:30 pm and the meeting begins at 7:00 pm.
Last Thursday Lunches are opportunities for members to gather informally to talk about weaving and share their latest projects. All members are invited. The gatherings take place between 11 am and 1 pm. Members should bring a lunch, a weaving question, their latest project, and should feel free to arrive and leave when convenient.
Please see our list of upcoming events for more information about these programs.
Equipment
Guild members may rent equipment not scheduled for use in a class or workshop on a short-term basis. This includes floor looms, rigid heddle frame looms, spinning wheels and carding equipment. Members may also use the equipment and accessories housed at the Guild including warping boards, reels, the electric drum carder, rag cutters, and weaving software.
Fiber Fair
Each November the Guild sponsors a sale of members' work. The sale is held at the Textile Center. This is a great opportunity for Guild members to market their work at a low commission rate. For more information about this year's Fiber Fair, please see our list of upcoming events.
Library
As a member of the Guild you receive lending privileges with the Textile Center library. The Guild's circulating library is housed in the Textile Center library along with the combined contributions of other Textile Center member organizations. From copies of old treasures now out of print to new volumes and magazines, this library is one of the finest collections of its kind in the nation. The Guild also maintains a reference collection that includes books, periodicals, an extensive swatch collection, and historical books. None of these materials leave the Guild so they remain available for use by classes and visitors alike.
Newsletter
The newsletter is published monthly and features news about the Guild, its members, upcoming events, and the fiber arts. A swatch sample is offered in each edition of the newsletter to help weavers learn new techniques and gain new ideas for projects.
Fiber Source
Fiber Source sells a wide variety of yarn, books, and accessories at reasonable prices. The Guild also offers used equipment for sale, including looms and spinning wheels.
Study Groups
Several support and focus groups gather to discuss topics of specific interest and are open to all members. Meeting times and places are published in the newsletter and posted on the website calendar. For more information, please visit our study group webpage.
