Fiber Raven Soiree

The Dues

Well, here it is. The day we've all been waiting for, the day the weaving workshop begins. I'm exhausted and nobody is talking to me. Nanny Granny sits in her rocker humming and paying no attention to anyone. Ermadine sits out on the deck with her arms folded. Her long hair is in a messy bun and every once in a while she mutters while suddenly clapping her hand on a fruitfly or a mosquito.

Tippie Jane confers with Nadia Krinkelmeyer but when I ask what they're talking about they give me a withering look and turn back to their conversation. Apparently I have ticked off all my inner selves.

Do you think they're angry because I'm weaving and not knitting? Or because I'll be gone most of the day for the next five days? I just can't figure them out.

Yesterday I finished my sampler for the Weaving Works class and took it off the loom.

I will have to find a more comfortable position for weaving because my neck is screaming this morning.

The selvedges gradually got better. The exercise was to weave several kinds of weave-- plain, twill, reverse twill, crow's foot, reverse crow's foot, basketweave, warp-faced twill, welf-faced twill and ruana...

and then to weave a straight twill with different color sequences.

I ended with some straight weave just to finish the warp. I discovered that I hate too much of the same color. I discovered that yellow plus pink make coral. I reinforced the fact that I don't like working with cotton all that much.

I think I will go to the workshop ready to be inspired for a new project rather than having something in mind. Judith brings wonderful materials with her and I know that something will strike me as perfect. I just hope it doesn't hurt.

Have you all paid your dues to society yet? I've never received a bill, and I'm not sure how much it is. Is this a yearly expense, or can you pay a lump sum and not have to worry about it again? And what benefits do you get from becoming a Member in Good Standing? Is there some kind of pin you wear so that others know? This worries me. It seems to me we're all members of society, but if we haven't paid our dues isn't there going to be some guy named Luigi or Guido who pulls up in a big black car one day and sends you to swim with the fishes?

Well, wish me luck. I don't know how much I'll be able to post through the duration of the workshop, but I'll be thinking of you!