Chair: Melissa Littlefield
CU Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of the month UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. Meetings start with a half-hour social beginning at 7:00. A short business meeting at 7:30 is followed by the program. Meeting location: Hessel Park Christian Reformed Church, 700 W. Kirby, Champaign. Exceptions to this meeting place or time will be noted in the individual program description and the newsletter.
2016/2017
September 13, 2016 Show and Tell!
Welcome back! We have an exciting program of events this year, and what better way to begin than with us! So bring a friend, bring your latest fiber creation and tell us what you have been up to this summer! We would love to see old members, new members, potential members, and friends at this first meeting where we will kick off the year in style.
October 11, 2016- Film A Weaverly Path **Meeting begins at 6:30; Champaign Library
Join us for an evening screening of A Weaverly Path, a documentary about Swiss tapestry artist, Silva Heyden. From the website: “Heyden during a year of weaving and reflection. Heyden creates works inspired by the Eno River in Durham, North Carolina and shares how nature, music, her Bauhaus influences, and her life experiences anchor and inform her weaving. Heyden is a 20th century modernist whose body of work redefines the art of modern tapestry.” (http://aweaverlypath.com/the-film/). **Please note: we will meet in the Champaign Public Library for this meeting to facilitate our technological requirements. Meeting start time: 6:30! Room: Robeson Pavilion Room A & B
November 8, 2016- Skype w/ Sarah Hunt of Fiber Trek **Meeting begins at 6:30; Champaign Library
Podcasts have been a feature of the fiber community for many years, and tonight, we have the opportunity to hear from one of the best video podcasters, Sarah Hunt of Fiber Trek (https://fibertrek.wordpress.com/). Sarah is a knitter, a spinner, and a historian who will share a “Textiles in Time” lecture with us via Skype! There will be plenty of time for Q&A after Sarah speaks and she will be happy to talk about natural fiber, podcasting, fiber history, her own sheep and so much more. **Please note: we will meet in the Champaign Public Library for this meeting to facilitate our technological requirements. Meeting start time: 6:30! Room: Robeson Pavilion Room A & B
December 13, 2016- Holiday Potluck hosted by Jayne Burkhardt
Bring a dish to share and come enjoy the evening! We’ll meet at Jayne’s house at 6:00; more details forthcoming. Please RSVP to jburkhar@sbcglobal.net by December 6th.
We’re also going to have a gift swap at the event! If you are interested in participating, bring a wrapped gift to swap and label it with “spinning” / “weaving” / “knitting” / or whatever your fiber craft! As a guide, the gift range is $10-15.
January 10, 2017–Farming Alpaca with Steph Block **Hessel Park Church 7:00 Social / 7:30 Program
We have some excellent local fiber farmers in our midst and tonight we will hear from one, Steph Block of Sundrop Alpacas. Steph hosted a spinning event last year and she has been featured on Melissa’s blog, knittingthestash.wordpress.com. Come hear about alpaca farming, check out some sample alpaca fibers and ask Steph all of your burning questions about alpaca!
February 14, 2017- Rivers of Cloth (Documentary) Film Screening
**Social begins at 6:30; Program at 7:00
Location: Champaign Library, Robeson Pavillion Room C
Thanks to Sue Cutter, we have a copy of this neat archival, documentary film available to us. The film is centered on the historical textile industry in Shroud, compiled by volunteers at the Stroudwater Textile Trust, and narrated by Anthony Burton. It promises to be a terrific documentary with original photos, footage, and audio from mill workers as we follow the fiber process from sheep to finished fabric. You can read a brief review here: http://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/textile-history-stroud-recalled/story-11935185-detail/story.html
March 14, 2017- Fleece Grading with Cathe Capel
**Social begins at 6:30; Program at 7:00
Location: Champaign Library, Robeson Pavillion Room B
Cathe Capel, a long-time CU SWG member who also shepherds a flock of Corriedale, Cormo, and Leicester Longwools, will speak to us about the process of grading fleece. Come out for some food, festivity, and wooly-info! Looking forward to seeing everyone at the Champaign Library
April 11, 2017- The Annual Bourse! and Study Group Show n’ Tell
**Social begins at 6:30; Program at 7:00
Location: Champaign Library, Robeson Pavillion Room B
Bring your unwanted fiber-related goodies to sell, swap, or donate. Then share what you’ve learned and accomplished in your Study Group(s) and Play Dates. Remember, it’s also helpful to learn about what doesn’t work, so don’t be shy about sharing those lessons too.
May 16, 2017- Spring Potluck and Installation of Officers hosted by Kristi Pyatt
DATE and TIME: Tues, May 9th at 6:00
PLACE: Kristi Pyatt’s farm in Monticello (**directions in newsletter**)
**We’ll meet for the meal in Kristi’s brand new barn! How exciting!
BRING: A dish to pass and table service; Kristi can provide one main dish and drinks