Spinning Weaving Stitching

Spinning isn’t only about wool!  As the weather warms up it's fun to experiment with spinning plant based fibres like cotton, flax and hemp. Vicki will be in store using a variety of spinning tools including wheels and spindles, and a unique Indian tool for cotton spinning called a Book Charkha.
Vicki has over 30 years spinning experience, so this is a great opportunity to pick up some tips and advice. Vicki will have her portable and easy to use Mayan Spinners available for sale on the day. 

When: Saturday 20th November 2021

Where: Hive and Gobbler, Dungog

Time: 10:00am - 3:00pm

Cost: FREE

In this workshop you will learn to stitch a classic myozashi pattern with a maple leaf motif onto a gorgeous 100% linen tea towel. You will have the option to stitch with some very special sashiko thread that Vicki has dyed with kakishibu (Japanese persimmon tannin).

Topics covered will include: 

· stitching technique with a long sashiko needle and Japanese leather thimble

· preparing your threads 

· tracing out and designing your stitching

· beginning and ending without a knot

· maintaining correct tension in your work

When: Saturday 5th February 2022

Where: Hive and Gobbler, Dungog

Time: 10:00am - 12:30pm

Cost: $75

This workshop gives you the opportunity to create a  woven wall hanging using your own hand spun yarn made from raw natural fibres.

Vicki will teach you how to create wonderful, textured yarn from raw sheep and alpaca fleece using a Mayan Spinner. These are simple, robust, easy to use tools and a fun introduction to hand spinning. 

You will then learn the basics of tapestry weaving by incorporating your hand spun yarn into a small woven wall hanging.

This is a wonderful introduction to the crafts of spinning and weaving for the absolute beginner.

When: Saturday 5th March 2022

Where: Hive and Gobbler, Dungog

Time: 10:00am - 2:30pm

Cost: $120

TinyStudio Creative Life Issue 11 - Article entitled "Keeping Ancient Crafts Alive" and accompanying photographs. 

This article is about my passion for keeping ancient crafts such as nalbinding and spindle spinning alive, and why I think they are a great fit for modern crafters. 

TinyStudio Creative Life Issue 10 - Article entitled "Permission to Make" and accompanying photographs. 

This article encourages fibre artists to follow their creative impulses and not worry about whether or not their work has a "useful" purpose.  It also encourages people to consider and value the many reasons there are for making.

Talk presented about the large scale hand spun and hand woven installation "Stay".  Stay was on display at Maitland Regional Art Gallery from May 11th to July 13th 2020.

This worksheet was created to accompany the installation "Stay". It provides step by step instructions on how to make a cardboard loom and use it to weave a wall hanging.

Interviewed by Mark Parry, an Instructional Designer at the Australian Film Television and Radio School. His podcast aims to provide "unexpected and profound insights from smart people you'd like to meet".  This interview was recorded on April 13, 2020