2026 Programs
March 11, 2026 - Virtual Program
The Science & Art of Plying Yarn with Jillian Eve
Members can watch the above program recording and access the pdf handout by going to Virtual Programs or Member Resources (available through March 26)
April 8, 2026
Once upon a Warp: From the Loom to the Runway
with Denise Kovnat
This lecture traces my weaving journey from concept to completion of a garment, followed by a fashion show of the garments themselves. Every year since 2008 I have set myself a challenge: Weave a garment (or two) that will be juried into the Convergence fashion show, part of the biannual conference of the Handweavers’ Guild of America. To date, I have been able to meet the challenge – but there’s more to the story, with some ups and downs along the way! Anyone who weaves or creates fabric or designs garments will relate. Photo’s above taken by Tim Fuss of Pixelwave photography.
Denise is giving a 2 1/2 day workshop for the guild called Variations on Harriet’s Shawl. For more information please go to our Workshops Page.
ABOUT DENISE KOVNAT
I'm a weaver, dyer, and "free-range" seamstress who loves painting warps, dimensional weaving, and extended-parallel threadings -- all to create colorful, textured cloth for teaching, shows, and sales. My pieces have won many awards and have been juried into the Handweavers Guild of America Convergence fashion shows since 2008. I teach on Zoom and at conferences and guilds throughout the United States and Canada and as far away as Australia.
Working out of my home, I weave on a 32-shaft Louet Megado, 16-shaft Toika Eeva, a 16-shaft Germaine table loom, and a 12-shaft LeClerc table loom. Plus a lovely little 8-shaft Structo.
May 13, 2026
Upper and Lower Body Posture
and Hand Ergonomics for Makers
With andrea lui
Curious how to optimize or correct your posture for your making? Or are you experiencing some pain, sorenes or discomfort during your crafting time? In this lecture presented by Andrea Lui, PT, DPT, you will learn optimal seated posture for the upper and lower body, what posture pitfalls we as makers are prone to, and how to address it with exercises and postural corrections. There is also a portion of the lecture dedicated to hand ergonomics. Bring a work in progress to work on so that you can try out exercises and postural corrections while learning from Andrea. Andrea is a board certified orthopedic physical therapist, and avid knitter/crocheter/spinner.
Andrea is giving a workshop called Maker Anatomy after the program. For more information go to our Workshops Page.
about andrea lui, PT, DPT, OCS
Andrea’s expertise comes from her background as a physical therapist. She completed her undergraduate degree at Wellesley College, and obtained her Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from MGH Institute of Health Professions. She is a board certified clinical specialist in orthopedic physical therapy (OCS), and is skilled in treating a variety of patients with acute and chronic pain. She is also a NASM-certified personal trainer. Andrea is passionate about patient education and empowering her patients to help themselves.
She began noticing that there were very little resources available to knitters, crocheters, and crafters alike on how to take care of their bodies. She was inspired to put out short videos with information on stretches, strengthening exercises, and information on how to care for your body.
When she is not knitting or practicing as a physical therapist, Andrea enjoys cooking and spending time with her husband and 2 kids.
JUNE 10, 2026 — IN-PERSON YEAR-END PICNIC
Please join us at the church for our year-end get together. Show and Tell, donation table, and installation of officers are all on the schedule.
September 9, 2026 — in-person meeting and
“What I Did Over the Summer!” Show & Tell
Please join us at the church to share your fiber pieces and experiences, or perhaps a new tool you would love to share.
september 12 & 13, 2026
New Jersey Sheep and Fiber Festival — Demonstration Booth
We will need members to demonstrate and greet attendees. This is a wonderful event to not only talk to your fellow guild members and spread the joy of fiber arts, but you get to shop too!
october 14, 2026
from ibm to ai: 50 years
of digital design for weavers
With patrice george
Patrice’s talk will trace the history of digital weaving technology, from IBM’s first software patent in 1970 for Janice Lourie’s Textile Graphics System, through the adaption of digital textile technology by industrial mills, hand loom and power loom manufacturers, textile education and artists’ explorations. The transition from slow design to advanced applications for woven textiles today will be discussed and illustrated.
about patrice george
Patrice George recently retired from the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she was Associate Professor in the Textile Development and Marketing Department for 18 years, specializing in woven textile design, and the history of the textile industry. After studying history of art at the University of Michigan, she spent a year in India, and studied traditional handweaving in Sweden. Moving to NYC in 1974, she found work as a handweaver/designer in the textile industry, where she learned dobby and jacquard design and production skills. She has been a design consultant to the interior textile industry since founding her NYC studio, Patrice George Designs, in 1979. In her NYC studio, Patrice was an early adopter of computer-interfaced looms and software. She participated in beta-tests and product education in the emerging field of computer-aided design in the early 1980’s, creating an early course in computer-aided woven design for the School of Visual Arts in 1984.
November 20 — November 22, 2026
The Handweavers of Bucks County 2026 Show & Sale
December 9, 2026
Holiday Party
january 13, 2027 - Virtual Program
any flower drawn: restoring a 19th-century
linen damask Jacquard
With Justin squizzero
This presentation tells the story of how a mid-19th century Jacquard machine made for the Irish linen damask industry made its way to Scotland and Vermont. The process of restoring that machine to weaving figured linen damask is followed with an in-depth look at recreating a piece of 17th-century linen, from painting the point paper to punching the Jacquard cards and the operation of the loom itself.
about Justin Squizzero
Handweaver Justin Squizzero challenges modern definitions of progress by creating functional textiles that celebrate the natural world and the dignity of human labor. Echoing a time when utilitarian objects were entirely handcrafted, his work connects material, maker and user across time and place. Squizzero’s venture, The Burroughs Garret, draws on the textile traditions of his northern Vermont home, marrying natural dyes and fibers with a reserved aesthetic rooted in early New England. Produced on his 19th-century farm using 200-year-old hand looms, Squizzero’s textiles examine the role of handcraft in a post-industrial society, questioning the human experience in a digital age. Justin has exhibited his work internationally and shares his love of process in his role as Director of The Newbury School of Weaving in Newbury, Vermont.
february 10, 2027 - Virtual Program
weaving a unique path
With Janice Lessman-moss
Using the distinctive language of weaving, in concert with digital technology, Janice has explored making and meaning for over 40 years. This presentation will take you along on a visual journey of her woven art work, emphasizing how process and materials have played important roles visually and metaphorically.
about Janice Lessman-Moss
Janice Lessman-Moss maintains a weaving studio in her home in Kent, Ohio, USA where she is Emeritus Professor at Kent State University. She was awarded a United States Artists Fellowship in 2019, the Cleveland Arts Prize Lifetime Achievement Award, the Governor’s Award for the Arts in Ohio, an Arts Midwest/National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship in Crafts, and nine Individual Artist Fellowships from the Ohio Arts Council throughout her career. Her work has been presented throughout the United States and internationally, including a recent solo exhibition at the Kent State University Museum.