Still going strong
Washington Spinners and Weavers Guild turns 50
The Washington Spinners and Weavers Guild was founded 50 years ago and is still going strong.
The group of about 30 members who are all interested in fiber, said club president Barbara Campbell of Grindstone.
“Most of us do a little bit of spinning. A lot of the women are knitters. Several of us are also weavers,” she said. “Everybody seems to enjoy sharing what they know and what they do (and) the best way to learn is to be around people that do it.”
Spinning involves the use of a spinning wheel to twist fiber together to make yarn or thread. Weaving is described as the interlacing of two distinct sets of yarns or threads at right angles to form a fabric or cloth.
“We try to inspire each other to learn new things and try new things,” said Campbell, who has been a member off and on since the 1980’s.
Five women started the group in January 1975, said member Sheri Franz of Castle Shannon during a presentation at the guild’s March 21 meeting.
“They were weavers and wanted to find a community with other people where they could help each other and teach each other. They decided to reach out to people they knew to maybe get a larger group,” Franz said.
One month later, the group increased to 14 women from Washington and Allegheny counties. “Mostly, they talked, sharing their knowledge,” Franz said. “The recurring theme that day and for some time was how thrilled (they) were to find each other.”
The guild’s current members participate in various types of fiber art such as basketry and beading, and members include folks from Washington, Fayette, Allegheny, Greene and Westmoreland counties.
Earlier this month, Campbell opened a time capsule that was sealed in March 2000 to mark the guild’s 25th anniversary. Contents included a newsletter, a magazine called the Wool Rag, information on a sheep and fiber farm tour in Washington County in New York, a Touchstone catalogue and notes written by group members at the time.
Joan Byrne of West Alexander has been a member for more than two decades.
“I bought alpacas, and I had to find out what to do with the fleece,” she said.
Debbie Barisa of Scenery Hill also has been a member for more than 20 years.
“I went to a craft festival and saw a lady weave rag rugs,” she said. “I started researching and ended up meeting a couple of the ladies.”
Barisa met Byrne, who encouraged her to buy a spinning wheel and drum carder, “And there you go,” Barisa said.
A drum carder is a tool used to card wool and other fibers to prepare them for spinning.
The March 21 meeting was Cindy Clark’s first with the guild. The Washington resident said she recently moved back to Western Pennsylvania. She sought out a group that shared her interests in spinning and weaving.
“It’s 15 minutes down the road,” Clark said. “I showed up (at the meeting) and now I’m a member. ”
Campbell said the group hopes to get out in the community more to possibly attract younger members.
“Kids are always fascinated with learning the craft or at least learning about the craft,” she said.
The guild meets at 10 a.m. the third Friday of every month from March through November at Center Presbyterian Church at 255 Center Church Road in McMurray. New members are always welcome. Anyone interested can show up at a meeting or contact the guild’s website at wswguild.org or its Facebook page.