Illoominations 2019-2020
The following is a list of TFAC Illoominations that were offered by the guild during the 2019-2020 guild year.
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Join Noelani Jones for an informative and fascinating illoomination where she will explore the mysteries of natural dye.
At this forum she will demonstrate the natural dye process -
For questions please contact jonesngart@gmail.com Noelani is lead hand-weaver for Dawn Sweitzer studio in High Point, North Carolina. She has just returned from an extensive training at Penland where she learned many techniques and tips for natural dyeing. This summer, Noelani will participate in an artist’s residency at Lazuli in Vermont - more natural dyeing and weaving!!! This Illoomination is now closed |
Coiled Baskets & More With A Sewing Machine
Leader: Paula Baumann Thursday, July 25, 2019, 1-3 pm Materials fee $2 for handout & cord samples Class limited to 10 Registration deadline: Thursday, July 18, 2019 Coiling with cord on a sewing machine will be demonstrated with an opportunity for participants to try it on a sewing machine. Key how-to’s will be reviewed to enable participants to coil at home. Ideas and samples will be available to evaluate.
Knowledge of using a sewing machine a help but not required. This Illoomination is now closed |
Make the Most of Your Spinning Wheel
Leader: Jane Bynum 2 Saturdays: August 3, 2019 - 1:30-3:30 pm & August 17, 2019 - 1:00-3:00 pm Materials fee $20 for fiber, material for brake bands, and drive bands Class limited to 6 Registration deadline: Thursday, July 27, 2019 Enter the technical side of spinning via the back door and learn enough to decide what you want to embrace and what you want to ignore. We’ll start with a wheel tune-up and discuss selecting wheels and optimizing them for various types of spinning. We will move into a discussion of how fiber type, fiber prep, and drafting techniques interact to produce different yarns. The second session will focus on yarn design and plying - basic techniques and more complex structures. There will be plenty of time for questions and dealing with specific issues.
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Students must be able to spin a continuous yarn on some device.
Students should bring:
This Illoomination is now closed
Students should bring:
- A complete wheel in working order
- Oil if their wheel needs it
- Extra parts for the wheel if they have them
- At least three bobbins or storage bobbins and a way to wind off quickly
- Lazy Kate - home made shoe box version is fine; not needed until second session
This Illoomination is now closed
Learn to Spin on a Drop Spindle
Leader: Jane Bynum Saturday, August 31, 2019 - 1:30-3:30 pm Materials fee $20 for spindle & fiber Class limited to 6 Registration deadline: August 24, 2019 Learn the principles of making yarn from fiber by adding twist. Spindle spinning is an ancient technique, but still relevant for working with many kinds of fiber. Compared to wheel spinning, it is characterized as, “slower by the hour, but faster by the day”. We will progress from Stone Age to Renaissance to modern methods of drafting and twisting, using very simple but efficient tools.
No experience necessary. Experienced wheel spinners are welcome if they wish to explore the possibilities of spindle spinning. Students should bring: Paper and writing implement. Cards and baggies for samples. This Illoomination is now closed |
Embroidery stitches on cloth and paper
Leader: Sally Kahler Monday, September 23, 2019 - 1-3 pm Materials fee $5 covers all materials, threads, paper, cloth, needles Class limited to 10 Registration deadline: September 18, 2019 Demonstration and practice of common embroidery stitches including French knots, stem stitch, chain stitch, feather stitch, satin stitch and couching on cloth and paper.
This Illoomination is now closed |
Beginners Guide to Selling Handmade Art at Craft Shows
Leader: Kelly Walsh Tuesday, October 1, 2019 - 2-4 pm Materials fee $3 for handout Class limited to 12 Registration deadline: September 17 & 26, 2019, respectively Are you interested in selling your handcrafted work? The Triangle Weavers Guild is hosting our Annual Sale & Show this November and we want all members to feel comfortable in participating. If you've ever been curious about selling your art but haven't known where to begin, we'd love to help. Our panel of guests are all members of the Triangle Weavers Guild who have been selling their work at craft shows around the state. During this talk we'll cover some of the biggest questions about how to price your work, some of the best ways to display it, and how to present yourself to potential customers. We'll also cover some technical details on how to get connected with a square device so you'll be able to take credit card payments, and answer any questions you have about the upcoming Annual Sale & Show.
Please bring paper and pencil for taking notes. This Illoomination is now closed |
How to Make a Camel Necklace
Leader: Karen Sturzenbecker Saturday, October 5, 2019 - 1-3 pm Materials fee $5 covers all materials and handout Class limited to 8 Registration deadline: October 1, 2019 Learn the steps and techniques for making a Camel Necklace. We will start by making a bracelet and then you can go home and make a necklace using thrums, yarn, buttons & beads from your own stash.
Please bring tape measure, scissors and credit card (for wrapping tassels) This Illoomination is now closed |
Holiday Wrap-a-Rama!
How to package gifts, make cards, tags & more, using random and recycled materials Leader: Deb Suchoff Wednesday, November 6th, 2019, 2:00-4:00 Materials fee $3 for crafting materials Class limited to 10 Registration deadline: November 1, 2019 Deb will show different ways to package gifts, make tags, cards, and more - using random/recycled materials.
No experience necessary - must have a fun attitude. Please bring gently used shopping bags, tissue paper, greeting cards, random threads, yarns, ribbons, etc.... scissors & glue stick. We will create a sharing table and everybody will leave with a stash for the upcoming holidays. This Illoomination is now closed |

Adding Beads to Your Knitting
Leader: Jane Bynum
Tuesday, January 7, 2020, 1:30 to 3:30 pm
Materials fee $10 or less for beads and optional metallic yarn
Class limited to 6
Registration deadline: January 2, 2020
Leader: Jane Bynum
Tuesday, January 7, 2020, 1:30 to 3:30 pm
Materials fee $10 or less for beads and optional metallic yarn
Class limited to 6
Registration deadline: January 2, 2020

Participants will learn two methods for adding beads to knitting as it progresses.
Prerequisites: Must be able to knit with fingering or finer yarn on appropriate needles.
Please bring leftover fingering (sock) or lace weight yarn (two lengths of at least 4 yards) and US 3 knitting needles. Participants may wish to bring a US 10 or US 12 (1.3 or 1.0 mm) crochet hook. #6 Miyuki seed beads will be available for purchase; if students have their own #6 Japanese seed beads, they are welcome to bring them. Smaller beads are harder to learn with.
This Illoomination is now closed
Prerequisites: Must be able to knit with fingering or finer yarn on appropriate needles.
Please bring leftover fingering (sock) or lace weight yarn (two lengths of at least 4 yards) and US 3 knitting needles. Participants may wish to bring a US 10 or US 12 (1.3 or 1.0 mm) crochet hook. #6 Miyuki seed beads will be available for purchase; if students have their own #6 Japanese seed beads, they are welcome to bring them. Smaller beads are harder to learn with.
This Illoomination is now closed
Winding a Faux Ikat Warp
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Adjusting Knit Patterns to Fit
Leader: Joan Beebe When: CANCELLED! Materials Fee: $5 for handouts, optional $2.99 fee for "Knit Figures!" app for iPhone/iPad users (purchased separately ahead of time) Prerequisite: Knitter with experience or desire to knit garments. Location: TFAC, 3717 Murphy School Rd., Durham, NC 27705 Class limit: 10 participants Registration Deadline: 3/17/2020 This class is for anyone who wants to learn to customize the fit of knit garments. Learn how to (1) adjust rates of increases/decreases prescribed in a pattern to achieve a better fit (sleeve length, raglan armhole depths, converting a straight top to a-line top, princess seams), (2) add sleeve width and accommodate that extra width in cap shaping, and (3) adding bust darts if possible. We will discuss how row gauge affects the fit of garments. |