Two years ago Bette Nordberg had a dream. Wouldn’t it be great if the ANWG conference could do more for the craft than just bringing the community together for a week? What if we actually added people to the community by teaching new people how to weave. Would that even be possible?
Well, it was possible. Last year in Yakima Marjy Fiddler and a group of volunteers brought Bette’s dream to life. Over the course of three days they taught 12 people how to weave. And at the end of that conference we welcomed them into the ANWG fiber arts community.
For the 2027 conference we’re honoring Bette’s memory and keeping her dream alive with another Learn to Weave class intended to create new weavers and welcome new folks to the world of fiber arts. The process is a little different this time, but the goal is the same. Help folks who’ve never woven become new weavers and members of our community. Last time around prospective students needed to be nominated by someone in the weaving community. This time we’re inviting folks who’ve never woven to apply directly. No nomination required. Just tell us a little about yourself and why you’d like to learn how to weave. Details and the application are available on the website at https://anwgconference.org/learn-to-weave/.
And if you’re already a weaver you can help. First, think about the folks in your life who are already working with fiber. Folks who knit, crochet, needlepoint, sew – all are great candidates for this class. Know anyone who’s looked at your work and said, “That looks wonderful. I liked to learn how to do that someday.” Well, why not next June? The class is free to those are selected, and they’ll get a free ticket to the fashion show, Green Book talk and Shopping Extravaganza, and the final night’s dinner and keynote. Second, do you have some spare time next June to help? Our Learn to Weave co-chairs are looking for volunteers to help teach the class. If you’d like to help you can sign up now. Lastly, do you have a 4 shaft table loom? We’re looking for looms to use during the class. If you’re willing to let us borrow your loom to help teach new weavers you can sign up on the Portland Handweavers Guild website to lend your loom for a couple days. Whether you’re sharing, lending or volunteering you’ll be helping to make this effort a success.
We’re happy to be keeping Bette’s memory and dream alive, and we hope you’ll dream along with us.