Programs
September 10, 2025 - In-Person program
A Dyer’s Journey: A Conversation with Cloth
with ANA LISA HEDSTROM
About Ana Lisa Hedstrom
Ana Lisa Hedstrom’s signature Shibori textiles are in the collections of the Cooper Hewitt, the Museum of Craft and Design, the De Young Museum, and the Racine Art Museum. Exhibitions include Shibori: Fusion and Diffusion at Tama University, Tokyo, and The Box Project at the Textile Museum in DC.
She has completed public art installations in Emeryville, Ca. and the American Embassy in Brunei. Ana Lisa has received two NEA grants and is a fellow of the American Craft Council.
Instruction experience includes S.F. State University and California College of Art, and she is a frequent instructor at summer programs including Penland, Haystack, Pacific Northwest Art Center, and at Textile Conferences.
September 13-14, 2025 - NJ sheep and Fiber Festival —
Demonstration Booth
The 30th SHEEP AND FIBER FESTIVAL will be held at the Hunterdon County 4-H Fairgrounds (South County Park) in Ringoes, NJ. 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! Sign up here
October 8, 2025 - Member Sharing - Extended show & Tell
We will have an extended Show & Tell after our business meeting. Anyone who attended MAFA or other workshops over the summer, please share your wonderful fiber pieces with fellow guild members and tell us about your experiences.
November 12, 2025 - In-person Presentation
strike up the Bands!
with deborah holcomb
Our member Deborah Holcomb will talk about and demonstrate her mastery of the newly designed Band Loom from Vavstuga Weaving School. This loom has many advanced features and capabilities that you don’t want to miss. She will also discuss the “ancestors” of the band loom.
November 21-23, 2025 - The Handweavers of Bucks County
2025 show & Sale
We welcome all members to participate and/or attend our annual three-day fund raiser. Members can find information on our Show & Sale Member Page.
December 10, 2025 - In-Person Holiday Party
Come join your fellow guild members to celebrate another great fiber year!
January 14, 2026 - Virtual Program
with andrea alexander
Rigid Heddle
February 11, 2026 - Virtual Program
The Magic of Wool: You Can’t Make AnYthing Like it in a Lab
With Deborah Robson
March 11, 2026 - Virtual Program
The Science & Art of Plying Yarn with JillianEve
This workshop covers the essential aspects of plying yarn, offering both scientific insights and artistic techniques. The session begins with an introduction to plying basics and grist, then explores the effects of ply twist on yarn characteristics. It examines various types of plied yarns, from under plied to overplied, and discusses common plying methods such as two-ply, center-pull ball plying, and chain plying. The outline also includes troubleshooting tips and best practices for achieving consistent results. Interspersed throughout are hands-on plying activities to reinforce learning. The presentation concludes with a Q&A session, allowing participants to ask Evie all their questions about plying yarn. This well-rounded exploration of the science and art behind plying yarn, has something for both beginners and experienced spinners to learn.
Materials to have at hand:
3 Different yarns to observe (commercial or handspun), combed top, scotch tape, paper (cardstock is best), magnifying glass, pen/pencil, ruler
About Evie
Evie, the creative force behind JillianEve, is a passionate fiber artist dedicated to preserving and innovating traditional textile crafts. With over a decade of experience in spinning, weaving, and knitting, she has built a thriving community of fiber enthusiasts through her YouTube channel, workshops, and magazine contributions. Her work seamlessly blends historical textile practices with modern techniques, making fiber arts accessible and inspiring for creators of all skill levels.
Through JillianEve, Evie shares her expertise in handspinning, exploring everything from breed-specific wool studies to unconventional materials like moss and flower sequins. Her YouTube channel, boasting over 78.8k subscribers, features in-depth tutorials, historical insights, and whimsical projects that celebrate the artistry and science of fiber creation.
Beyond digital content, Evie fosters hands-on learning through engaging workshops and Patreon-exclusive classes, where she teaches advanced techniques like creative plying, fiber blending, and designing yarn for weaving. Her commitment to education extends to her community Discord challenges, where she encourages fiber artists to experiment with various themes, such as floral-inspired spinning projects. She regularly contributes to Ply Magazine and has written for Spin Off Magazine, expanding her reach within the spinning and weaving community.
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.