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Welcome to 2018 Kansas Alliance of Weavers and Spinners Conference
April 20-22, 2018 – Four Points Sheraton, Manhattan Kansas
- Hosted by Manhattan Area Weavers and Spinners Guild
“KAWS & EFFECT – Fiber: Start to Finish”
As fiber enthusiasts, we are all on a journey of learning and exploring. Please share the journey with us!
The deadline for registering at the regular price is March 19, 2018, after that date the registration price is $100.00. Classes will be filled on a first come, first served basis, late registration deadline is April 13, 2018
Keynote and Workshop Leader – Robyn Spady
We are very lucky to have Robyn Spady, a nationally known weaving instructor, coming as our keynote speaker. She will also be teaching classes on Saturday and Sunday and a weaving workshop (Extreme Warp Makeover) on Sunday and Monday. You can check out more about Robyn by checking out her website at spadystudios.com
Post Conference Information: EXTREME WARP MAKEOVER – Robyn Spady
Sunday 12:30 – 9:00 pm and Monday 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Pottorf Hall – CiCo Park, 1710 Avery Dr. - Manhattan
In this workshop, participants must bring a 4 shaft loom, floor or table, which they have prewarped. They will have a choice of one of three four-shaft threadings and perform an extreme makeover and weave it many different ways --- from twill, lace, and overshot to swivel, corduroy, deflected weft, and double-faced. Participants are presented with the basics of different structures and how to adapt a single threading to weave a number of different weaves, including concepts such as star vs. rose fashion, weaving on opposites and echo treadling. FEE: $150 for two day workshop (includes $15 materials fee)- Pre-warped loom with a minimum of four shafts, at least 3 shuttles, pen/pencil and paper to take notes and pair of small sharp scissors. Warping instructions and weft requirements will be sent upon registration.
Guild Exhibits: The theme this year is “KAWS & EFFECT – Fiber: Start to Finish”. Voting will be by KAWS members on Saturday until 5 pm with the blue paper ballot in their Goodie Bag. The winning guild display will be announced at the end of the Style Show.
Pete Soeken Award: Voting on handwoven items will be by KAWS members on Saturday until 5 pm on the green paper ballot in their Goodie Bag. The winner will be announced at the end of the Style Show
BONUS: While in Manhattan, don’t miss the fiber exhibit “Made by Hand: A Woman’s Journey Expressed through Fiber” by artists Anita Luvera Mayer and Jennifer Schermerhorn at the Manhattan Arts Center, 1520 Poyntz Ave. Mayer creates garments infused with personal experiences and layers of symbolism. Schermerhorn creates needle-felted figurative sculptures that capture the relationship of humans and nature. This exhibit will be available April 7-May 12, 2018. The gallery hours during the conference will be: Friday (noon – 7:30), Saturday (1:00 – 4:00 and 6:30-7:30) and Sunday (1:00 – 2:00)
KAWS 2018 Schedule
Friday
Noon to 9:00 pm Vendor set-up
3:00 pm to 9:00 pm Registration & Check in items for the Style Show
6:00 pm to 9:00 pm Vendor Hall open to KAWS attendees only
6:00 pm to 9:00 pm Guild Challenge table display setup
7:00 pm to 9:00 pm Meet and Greet and cash bar in Vendor Hall
7:30 pm to 8:30 pm KAWS Board Meeting
Saturday
7:00 am to 8:00 am Vendor Set up
8:00 am to 5:00 pm Registration
8:00 am to 9:00 am Check-in Handwoven and other items
for the style show & guild challenge display setup
8:00 am to 8:30 pm Vendor Hall open to public
9:00 am to 11:00 am Classes
11:45 am to 12:30 pm Lunch included in registration fee
12:30 pm to 1:15 pm Keynote Speaker – Robyn Spady
1:15 pm to 1:45 pm KAWS Business Meeting
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm Classes
4:30 pm to 5:30 pm Spin-In – (bring your drop spindle or spinning wheel)
5:30 pm to 6:30 pm Guild Challenge display tear down
7:00 pm to 8:30 pm Style Show
Sunday
9:00 am to 11:00 am Classes
9:00 am to 12:00 pm Vendor Hall open to public
Post Conference – Pottorf Hall, CiCo Park – 1710 Avery Drive, Manhattan
12:30 pm to 4:00 pm Extreme Warp Makeover Workshop with Robyn Spady
6:00 pm to 9:00 pm Workshop continues with Robyn Spady
Monday
9:00 to 12:00 Workshop with Robyn Spady
12:00 to 1:00 Lunch
1:00 to 4:00 Workshop continued
INFORMATION FOR EACH CLASS FOR SATURDAY, SUNDAY AND
POST CONFERENCE CLASS
All class fees will be paid at registration table - (checks and cash only)
**Saturday 9-11 am Classes
TRIPLE WRAP BRACELET – Mal Hoover 
This is a beginning level class. Participants will make a beaded leather bracelet, learning to add beads to the design on the inside and outside of a leather base. A button is strung at the beginning of the bracelet and becomes the clasp. Material Fees: $15. All supplies are provided for one leather bracelet. Participants receive a custom wood box used to stabilize the leather while stringing beads, C-lon cord, beads, button and plastic bag for transporting project. The instructor will also have scissors, glue and Thread Zapper for in classroom use.
LIFE TAPESTRIES: SECURING OUR PAST FOR THE FUTURE – Marla Day
This class provides the students with information on conservation methods to care for, display and properly store vintage textiles. Marla will have hands-on examples for storing apparel, quilts, and accessories to preserve an individual’s textile collection for generations to come. Materials Fees: None. Participants are encouraged to bring their own vintage textiles to class if they have questions regarding care, display or storage..
INTRODUCTION TO TAPESTRY TECHNIQUES/ 2 Session class (9-11 am and 2-4 pm) – Bea Bonanno
Tapestry weaving has cultural significance throughout history and continues to be a compelling way for fiber artists to express their creative visions. In this class we will learn how to form shapes and build texture using a variety of tapestry techniques. These basic concepts can be applied to many other woven items to add unique design elements. Goal of class is to create a small weaving using the following techniques: vertical stripes, interlocking weft, and slit technique. We will also discuss how to plan a tapestry project from concept to Sett and yarn selection. Materials Fee: None. Participants must have basic weaving skills. Participants must bring the following:
-A loom threaded for plain weave Sett at 8 epi, using 8/4 carpet warp or similar yarn (table looms, rigid heddle, and frame looms are all acceptable), 3 or more colors of worsted weight yarn (any fiber content), -Tapestry beater/fork or comb, -Tapestry or regular bobbins, -Pick up sticks (only if using a frame loom) Participants will be provided with cartoon, pins, markers and a variety of tools that may be borrowed during the class.
SPINNING WITH A DROP SPINDLE – Rebecca Snavely
Participants will learn and practice how to drop spin fibers into a yarn. Material Fees: $15. All supplies provided, includes a drop spindle, roving and bag to hold supplies.
TRIMMINGS WITHOUT THE TURKEY – Robyn Spady
Participants will explore a wide variety of techniques that can be readily used to add that extra special touch to garments, jewelry, accessories and more. The French call this passementerie. No loom or previous experience is necessary. Materials Fee: $10. Includes a spiral bound handout and class material. Participants need to bring scissors and an old fashioned clipboard.
WHAT IS OLD IS NEW AGAIN. SOUTACHE – Ronna Robertson
Soutache is an old textile embellishment (passementerie) technique also called Russian braid. Layers of special cords are sewn together and around beads to form beautiful designs. Participants will create wearable art as a brooch or pendant for necklace. Materials Fee: $10. All supplies provided
** Saturday 2-4 pm Classes
NEEDLE FELTED CRITTER – Julie Strauss
Participants will learn basic needle felting skills while making a felted critter. Materials Fee: $15. Provided supplies include foam, 3 needles, roving and zip-lock bags.
BREED-SPECIFIC SPINNING
(or there are hundreds of breeds of sheep, why should I care?) – Carolyn Fenn 
Here is your opportunity to sample and learn about fleeces from an assortment of different sheep breeds and fiber types, try different spinning techniques on different fiber types, learn a little breed history, and maybe fall in love just a little with a fleece you haven’t tried before. Participants will receive generous samples from at least eight sheep breeds and a notebook with record sheets to keep your samples organized. Materials Fee: $35. Participants need to bring Spinning wheel (in good working order) or drop spindle. Any fiber prep tools that you already own, such as hand cards, mini combs, dog comb and/ or flicker brush, nostepinne, small niddy noddy, scissors or snips, and a pen or pencil.
JEWELRY MAKING FOR THE FIBER ENTHUSIAST – Robyn Spady
Learn basic jewelry making techniques to transform thrums and “weftovers” into different types of jewelry. Materials Fee: $10. Includes spiral bound handout and class materials. Participants bring scissors, left over yarns, beads, old jewelry and optional jewelry tools if you have them.
KNIT THE BLUEBIRD OF HAPPINESS – Annette Mixon
Learn to knit this little 3-dimensional bird, including the make one stitch and wrap and turn techniques. Students must know how to knit comfortably. Materials Fee: $3. Participants need to bring: Size 4 double- pointed needles and about 25 yards worsted weight yarn in any color they wish their bird to be.
BRAID A FLAT BRACELET….WITH KUMIHIMO – Ronna Robertson
Using a Kumihimo wheel, participants will try this ancient Japanese weaving technique to braid a flat bracelet. Materials Fee: $8. All supplies provided
** Sunday 9-11 am Classes
WEAVE A BRACELET ON A BEADLOOM – Lynne Berry/Bev Jones
This class teaches how to warp a bead loom, weave the beads, and finish the bracelet with a clasp. Students please bring scissors and eye glasses if needed. Material Fees: $25. Fee includes all supplies necessary to make a loom bead bracelet. Loom, thread, needle, beads, and clasp are provided.
CREATING AN INSPIRATION BOOK – Marsha Jensen
Make your own Inspiration Book. In this class you will learn an easy, quick way to make your own little book to keep your ideas, sketches, and other inspirational ephemera. No experience required, just a creative spirit. Material Fees: $15. All supplies provided, including paper, mat board, card, beads, and adhesive. Tools will be available from instructor for all to use during the class.
HOW TO WEAVE ON A PIN LOOM – Sandy Glessner 
Want to be able to weave anywhere, any time? Use up your stash and complete projects in half the time by weaving on a pin loom. The pin loom squares can be sewn together to make handbags, baby blankets, scarves or used as coasters. In this class you will learn the history of pin looms, how to warp and weave on the pin loom and students will work on a small project. Material Fees: $35. INCLUDES A ZOOM LOOM, NEEDLE, AND YARN. If you are bringing your own pin loom, fees are $5. Please indicate at time of registration if you want the Zoom Loom. Participants should bring scissors, and darning needle.
TRIAXIAL WEAVE AKA MAD WEAVE – Maureen Conn 
Triaxial weaving makes a very strong fabric and is very often used in open basket work. Instead of just two directions, we will weave in three! There is a limit as to what can be done, but color can provide quite a bit of variety. We will use a warp, a weft and a wugh to weave a sample or two on a frame. If time allows we will play with looser and more open sampling. Material Fees: $3. For printed materials and needle. Participants need to bring the following: -3 colors of ¼ inch satin ribbon, at least 4 yards each -a pre-cut framing mat with a 4x6 opening, (in a color to compliment your ribbons) -good quality double sided tape -a sharp pencil –scissors -a small protractor (instructor will have several to use) -a long narrow blunt needle
WEAVING T-N-T: DYNAMITE TIPS & TECHNIQUES FOR EVERY WEAVER – Robyn Spady
Would you like to learn a great method for repairing a broken warp end, tracking your treadling while you weave, make your own repair heddles or just make weaving easier and more pleasurable? This prop riddled seminar looks and feels like an interactive show and tell and will introduce over 36 off beat tools, techniques or tricks to assist in all phases of weaving. For the weaver beginning through advanced, this class is for all with an interest in weaving. Material Fees: $2. Includes spiral bound handout
*** Post Conference – Sunday afternoon 12:30 – 9:00 pm and Monday 9:00 am – 4:00 pm (Pottorf Hall)
EXTREME WARP MAKEOVER – Robyn Spady
In this workshop, participants must bring a 4 shaft loom, floor or table, which they have prewarped. They will have a choice of one of three four-shaft threadings and perform an extreme makeover and weave it many different ways --- from twill, lace, and overshot to swivel, corduroy, deflected weft, and double-faced. Participants are presented with the basics of different structures and how to adapt a single threading to weave a number of different weaves, including concepts such as star vs. rose fashion, weaving on opposites and echo treadling.
Class Fee: $150 for two day workshop (includes $15 materials fee)- Pre-warped loom with a minimum of four shafts, at least 3 shuttles, pen/pencil and paper to take notes and pair of small sharp scissors. Warping instructions and weft requirements will be sent upon registration.
PARTICIPATING VENDORS:
Yak ‘n Yarn; Topeka, Kansas
Serenity Hill Farm Alpacas; Effingham, Kansas
T&H Fiber Works; Omaha, Nebraska
Aunt Steph’s Handmade Gifts; Topeka, Kansas
Hansen Hand Dyes; Hasting,s Nebraska
Yarn Barn of Kansas; Lawrence, Kansas
Wabaunsee County Wool & Fiber; Eskridge, Kansas
Spindle, Shuttle, and Needle; Stromsburg, Nebraska
Village Crafters; Carol Oslage, Tomahawk, Wisconsin
HLA Fiber Mill; Sara Morris, Augusta, Kansas
HOTEL AND CONFERENCE INFORMATION:
Conference – Four Points by Sheraton, 530 Richards Drive, Manhattan, KS
To make hotel reservations, go to https://www.starwoodmeeting.com/Book/kaws or call 888-627-8649. If calling, attendee must request the group rate for Kansas Alliance of Weavers and Spinners Conference.
Rate is $93/night plus tax which includes breakfast. In order to secure this rate, reservations must be made by 5:00 pm March 19, 2018.
Post Conference location – CiCo Park, Pottorf Hall in Fairgrounds, 1710 Avery Drive, Manhattan, KS
MEET OUR INSTRUCTORS:
Lynne Berry – She became interested in the art of weaving in the 70’s but has only been able to explore that interest in the last 10 years when she joined MAWS guild. She enjoys weaving, tapestry, spinning, and beading. She loves the connection of these arts with history.
Bea Bonanno – Fiber artist from Lawrence. She has her own studio where she explores form and texture in a variety of materials and techniques. She has been teaching fiber art classes at Yarn Barn since 2015.
Sally Brandon and Kay McCoy – As sisters they grew up with their hands in all kinds of fiber. Together with their mother they own the retail portion of The Shephard’s Mill. They both love to share their passion for fiber with others.
Maureen Conn – She has been playing with fiber for 40+ years. She is now retired from working and it has given her time to see which fiber form she would like to learn more about. She is a member of MAWS and a “Jack of all Trades and Master of None”.
Marla Day – B.S. and M.S. in Apparel and Textiles from K-State. She is the Curator of K-State Historic Costume and Textile Museum. Responsible for numerous curated exhibits, active member of the Kansas Museum Association, Beach Museum, and Riley County Historical Society.
Carolyn Fenn - She has been knitting since a little girl and spinning for at least fifteen years. She enjoys a good challenge trying new fibers, fiber preps, equipment and techniques. She is a member of the MAWS guild and has taught workshops at the local and state level.
Sandy Glessner – She is a member of the MAWS guild and loves to sew, knit and weave. She weaves on shaft looms, rigid heddle looms and pin looms. She enjoys the endless design possibilities of the woven square produced on a pin loom.
Mal Hoover – Certified Medical Illustrator who loves fiber arts. She has taught classes in entrelacs knitting, sock knitting and felting. She loves to knit, weave and try new fiber arts.
Marsha Jensen – She has been involved in the arts and has been teaching more than 40 years. Currently she is teaching classes in fiber arts in her home and is available for destination workshops. She is a member of MAWS and has taught for several Guilds, KAWS and other community venues
Bev Jones – She enjoys the creative process whether weaving, or designing jewelry. She especially likes both off loom and on loom beading techniques. The story of the fiber or beads is the most important component, and dictates the design. She is a member of MAWS and has taught various classes.
Annette Mixon – She is a member of MAWS and enjoys knitting and crocheting. She has found new love for spinning, dyeing and bobbin lace and enjoys sharing her excitement with others.
Ronna Robertson – She has been active in creative fiber arts for over 45 years, exploring the use of very fine threads in bobbin lace and heavier fibers in knitting and weaving. Along with teaching a variety of fiber techniques, she is a member of MAWS and our go to teacher for beginning weavers.
Rebecca Snavely – She is a member of the MAWS guild and loves to share her knowledge by attending community events or schools to demonstrate spinning and weaving. She is a talented knitter and loves to dye fiber.
Julie Strauss – She has a creative soul and the ability to design in a number of mediums. She is a member of MAWS and has taught at KAWS and for other guilds.
For any questions please feel free to email our guild at MAWSguild@gmail.com
If you choose to pay by check please send the check to: MAWS, PO Box 63, Manhattan, KS 66505
We hope you will enjoy your Journey!
