Potomac Fiber Arts Guild
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Potomac Fiber Arts Guild
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Study GroupsThe Potomac Fiber Arts Guild study groups are made up of members who share a common interest and want to continue to develop their skills and knowledge. The groups provide not only learning opportunities but also a way to connect with others who enjoy fiber arts. All that is required to join a group is a desire and a commitment to learn and explore a group's topic for the year.
Below are descriptions of each group with contact and meeting information. Some groups have a limit on the number of members and may be closed to new members. However, newer groups may emerge throughout the year. If you would like additional information about a study group or would like to create a new group, please contact the Study Groups Coordinator at studygroups@potomacfiberartsguild.org .
Color Theory Tuesday Afternoon
Color Theory Tuesday AfternoonThe Color Theory Tuesday Afternoon group meets on the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 1-3 p.m. in the Rockville area. The study group started in the fall of 2010 and currently has 4 members. We are working our way through a series of topics based on the Deb Menz book, Colorworks. Each month, a member gives a short presentation on a color theory topic and leads a group exercise. Over the following month we work individually on the topic we are exploring. At the next meeting, we share our explorations and what we learned from them. We also discuss any color issues we are having with any of our projects. We are accepting new members.
Color Theory Wednesday MorningThis group meets on Wednesday mornings at 10. In 2010-2011 we did exercises from David Hornung's book, Colour. This year we will complete the suite of exercises and move on to the recommended additional exercises. This group is now closed with 10 members.
Design 1The Design 1 study group meets on the third Tuesday of the month from 10:30 to 2:30, in homes of the members. During the first two years (2008-10) each meeting focused on one or more of the essential design principles/elements and each member presented a work of her own for discussion. In 2010-11 we alternated meeting in members' homes and visiting museums in the greater Washington, DC, area. We arranged for a docent for each of our visits and had lunch together after the tour where we discussed what we had seen. Our home meetings continued our critiquing our own works, and where possible, we tried to create something inspired by the previous month's museum visit. For 2011-12 we are planning to each focus on a different visual artist that inspires us—to present to the group and to create a textile work from that study. Our goal is to improve the quality of design in our own textile creations. We are currently closed to additional members.
Design 2The Design 2 study group was new in 2010. Each monthly meeting was focused on one of the elements and principles of design. Each member led a discussion on an individual design principle or element at least once during the year and presented an activity that exemplified her particular topic. Each member presented a piece of work monthly for discussion and critique. Our goal is to learn the basic principles and elements of design so we might apply them to our particular fiber field. We plan to continue in the same manner during 2011/2012. At this juncture we are closed to new members.
Dyeing 1The Dyeing 1 study group has members ranging from intermediate to experienced dyers. The group experiments with various types of dyes and discharging color on natural fabrics and fibers. They usually meet on the fourth Tuesday of the month year-round at 10:30 a.m. in members' homes. The group is currently full, and has a waiting list, adding new members as space becomes available.
Dyeing 2The Dyeing 2 Study Group is composed of newbie to advanced dyers, and meets on the third Friday of the month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Our studio time includes the use of fiber-reactive dyes (MX), textile paints, and a variety of resist techniques on fiber. Techniques we are exploring are low water immersion, full immersion, painting (stamping), soy wax batik, indigo vat dyeing, and silkscreening. The current group is closed because we have 10 people.
Felting 1Felting Study Group 1 comprises intermediate to advanced felters. This year the group will focus on advanced techniques and continue to improve the quality of the felt we make. The Group meets on the third Thursday of the month except for the months of July and August at 10 a.m. The group usually meets in Potomac, Maryland, but sometimes also in members' homes. The group is currently closed because of space restrictions in our meeting place(s).
Felting 2The Felting 2 study group meets monthly in Ellicott City, MD. Projects during the past year have included making purses, scarves, flowers, wrist warmers, jewelry, and drapeable nuno felt. We especially enjoyed having a workshop in ori kiri felting. The group is currently closed to new members because of space constraints.
First ThursdayThe First Thursday Study Group transformed itself into an outings and lunch group in late 2009 after many, many years of studying clothing. We take a different field trip every month, mostly to museums, followed by lunch at a nearby restaurant. In 2010-11, our second year as a tour group, we visited Delaplaine Art Center in Frederick; the Torpedo Factory Art Center in Alexandria; the Renwick Gallery's Art of Gaman exhibit; the Kreeger Museum; Woodlawn plantation for its annual needlework show, and the Pope-Leighy house there; the Hillwood Museum, and a museum in Maryland that's so exclusive we're not supposed to mention it. We also met at the home of Roz Houseknecht, for a discussion of Nisei Memories: My Parents Talk about the War Years, by Paul Howard Takemoto, guild member Alice Takemoto's son; and at the home and farm of Gretchen Frederick, who showed us her sheep and goats and garden and explained her yarn production and dyeing business. Our group is full — we have 16 to 18 members.
Group GGroup G emphasizes general weaving, and is open to all levels of weavers. The group meets on the third Saturday of most months from September through May, from 10–12:30, at members' homes. We try to do one field trip per year, often in June. Meetings start with a program presented by a member, followed by sharing. And, yes, there is food. The programs are not always strictly about weaving, but are on topics of interest to fiber artists. Sharing is an important part of our meetings. Sharing is a time to show the group what members have been working on, to get inspired, to get feedback, and to get help for any weaving problems. We are limited to 20 members and have some openings for 2011-2012. For 2011-12, Group G is doing weaver's poker. Each member randomly selects cards from the suits: structure, texture, fiber, color, embellishment. The challenge is to weave something incorporating at least four of the five characteristics drawn.
KnittingThe Knitting study group is informal, with no set agenda. It is guild members who who like to knit, sharing ideas, being inspired and helping explore solutions for knitting tangles. Show and tell provides inspiration for everyone. Once in a while we have a guest give a special workshop. The group meets the last Wednesday of each month at Alice Takemoto's home in Kensington, MD, from 10-12. The group accepts members at the intermediate through advanced level of knitting. The group is currently full, and is keeping a waiting list.
Knitting 2The Knitting 2 study group meets the first and third Friday of every month from 10:00 a.m. to noon in Rockville. The group is comprised of new and advanced knitters who meet to get assistance completing current projects as well as run mini-workshops in each meeting on learning new skills, such as colorwork, lace, finishing, and steeks.
Metro MultishaftIf you would like to explore weaving on looms with eight or more shafts, join the Multishaft Study Group. This year we will vary the program and work on critiquing our work with concrete suggestions about color, design, weave structure, and materials. We take turns leading discussions. The group meets in various members' homes on the second Friday of the month at 10:30 a.m. The group is open to additional members.
Paper Study GroupThe paper study group is trying one more time to get started. An organizational meeting will be held in September. We will share the kind of work we do, and might like to do before determining the direction of the group. We will need to choose a regular meeting time and place(s). Paper includes making it, sculpting it, weaving it, collaging it, making books of it, using it for a shopping list or just HAVING it and sharing it. Among us we can consider individual and/or collaborative paper explorations.
SpinningWe invite you to join us and participate in the Third Thursday Spinning Study Group at the Palisades Public Library, DC (7:00-8:30 PM). We have open meetings with varying agendas, learning from each other. We always have a round robin to hear what fibers people are working on and what projects. For example, Carolyn Hamm has a wonderful collection of silkworms; she has brought her containers of mulberry leaves with all silkworm stages from cocoon to adult. Carolyn spins from the fold and is always looking for new ideas for silk spinning projects. Arlene Stein has an endless stash of fantastic fibers. She has brought linen, cotton, mohair, blends and pure, to spin. Jocarol Robb has a new wheel and always brings new fibers to try. One meeting we brought our combs and cards, and talked about the merits of each for fiber preparation. In the coming year, we will continue to recruit members with an interest and love of spinning. We are working on our goals for next year, staying open to the needs of our members as we pursue new spinning techniques and challenges.
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