Complex Weavers

Chair: Jo Anne Ryeburn: ryeburn@sfu.ca
Fees: $5.00 sent with each sample set for US members or $5.00 Canadian to be sent in with each set of samples submitted. Send checks in either US or Canadian funds as appropriate
Publication: Two sample exchanges per year
Sample Exchange: Two sample exchanges per year
To Join: Contact the chair at the address above.
Group began: 1989
Closing Date New members may join any time
Membership: Limited to 20

The Beyond Plain Weave Garment Study Group has been going since Fall,1989. We have been sharing fabric swatches which are in some sense "beyond plain weave," not necessarily multishaft, and are intended for garments. While experimental samples may be of value, we hope most swatches will be for the actual garment fabric. We are also interested in design information, technical problems and successes, the type of garment planned - in short, copious notes.

A "Mystery Critic" is chosen each time who, in return for a set of samples, critiques the samples in the set.

The group is limited to twenty members to keep the work of preparing samples within reason. This plan has worked very well for the members of the group, and some splendid and inspiring samples have been produced. Members have acquired collections of lovely and valuable samples which spark their creativity in further projects and which they share with their weaving friends.

The garments of several members have been featured in Weaver's and Handwoven. It is a pleasure to actually own a sample of the fabric illustrated in one of these magazines! Like other study groups, we have provided the archives with copies of our samples so that all Complex Weavers can enjoy them.

Dues: $4.00 US or $5.50 CDN to be sent in with each set of samples submitted. This will pay for envelopes, postage and necessary phone calls. (Send checks in either US or Canadian funds as appropriate.)

Swatches: 4" x 4" due twice a year. Prepare up to 20 copies of your samples, depending on current membership. The participant sends enough copies so that copies can be sent to the Archives and to the Mystery Critic. Data sheets for eight, twelve, and sixteen harness are provided, and participants can photocopy and use these or make up their own sheets.

Due Dates: April and October. If a participant cannot send his or her samples on time, a set of samples is set aside, to be sent when the late samples are received. The late samples are sent out with the next sample mailing.

Participants are encouraged to send careful notes relating to designing, technical problems, style of garment, size, pattern number, pattern sketch or photocopy, construction or finishing hints, and a photo of the finished garment. Participants agree to honour the distinctive quality of each garment and not to copy it without special permission.