Ga
Photo courtesy
of Gallatin
Historical
Society
Weavers'
Groups
Waiting
for You
By Valerie Harms
tingntana
livan o
lund M
Aro
If you work with fiber and would like to
learn more about techniques or just meet
others who share your interest, opportunities abound. The mother of all local guilds is
the Montana Association of Weavers and Spinners
(MAWS). On its Web site, www.mawsonline.
org, you will find an abundance of information:
newsletters, links to weaving specialties, guilds
around the state, photos, workshops/events, and
a classified section.
Member guilds can be found in Kalispell, Billings, Bozeman, Lewiston, Great Falls, Helena,
and Missoula. These guilds typically meet once a
month for instruction and show 'n' tell. Dues are
$20 of which a portion goes to MAWS to put on
exciting workshops or shows.
The Bozeman Weavers Guild is an outgrowth
of the Gallatin Valley Weavers. Formed in 1968,
its purpose is to further knowledge and appreciation on techniques of handweaving for
creative work. They maintain a library of books
and periodicals for members. The contact for
the Bozeman Weavers Guild is Barbara French,
barbarafrench27@gmail.com, 406-586-1881.
The oldest Guild in the state is the Missoula
Weavers Guild, now 65 years, with 34 members.
The women meet monthly and maintain a library.
Their focus is on the range of fiber arts, from
spinning, knitting, textile painting, needle felting, basket weaving, to wool dyeing. For more
information, contact Coby Johnson, coburn47@
hotmail.com, 406-543-3303.
Sample a newsletter for an enticing view of
activities, finished works, and works in progress.
Red Rosepath, by Heather Torgenrud
See the Montana
Association of Weavers
and Spinners photo gallery
www.distinctlymontana.com/weavers134
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