Hitchhiker’s Guide to SIGs

by Margie Gale

Special Interest Groups (SIGs) are led by volunteers. A SIG is a gathering place for people to hang out, learn more or just explore what the guild has to offer. I was curious to learn more about tapestry and was welcomed into my first SIG with open arms. Experience is not required to join a SIG. I learned so much by watching others, asking questions and being inspired.

Sometimes you don’t know if you would be interested enough or good enough at a skill to take a class. You can join a SIG and gain a better understanding of what it’s all about and you will meet people who love to share what they are doing. When I left my first SIG meeting, l felt that I could learn too.

The best place to learn more about the various arts and see what people are doing is Portable Fibers. Portable Fibers is perfect for those local and long distance members. We have Portable Fibers Groups in West Philly, the guild house in Manayunk, and two meetings in Center City.

The best way to learn about SIGs is to join one. Each have their own personality and you can belong to more than one. The leaders are always open to suggestions and value active participation. SIG’s are the life blood of the guild so pick something you enjoy or would love to learn and join in.

Multi-Shaft Weavers

Meeting times listed in members area. 

This group explores the enjoyment that can be had weaving on multi-shaft looms including: four, eight, twelve, or more shaft looms. Topics will be chosen by members of the M-SIG and have included block weave, weaving software, and project journaling / record keeping.

Must be a member to join.

Tapestry and Little Looms

Meeting times listed in members area. 

Whether you are an active tapestry weaver, have a tapestry loom you would like to activate, or are simply curious about the process, please join us for a time to weave together and to share ideas and skills.

Must be a member to join.

Spinning

Meeting times listed in members area. 

Join us for a Spin-In at our group meeting time (above) and/or at Portable Fibers on Tuesdays. The meetings are informal and open to all members to stop by for some or all the gatherings. Some members have wheels, others use a drop spindle.

Must be a member to join.

Hand Stitchers

Meeting times listed in members area. 

Do you love the quiet contemplation of hand stitching? Is hand stitching part of your creative voice? Or would you like to learn to hand stitch? We welcome all PGHW members to the Hand Stitchers SIG who do embroidery, hand quilting, hand sewing, needlepoint, cross stitch, fabric collage, crewel—anything that involves a substrate, needle with an eye, and a length of fiber that goes through the eye of the needle.

Must be a member to join.

Dye Garden & Dyeing

Meeting times listed in members area. 

The Dye Garden at Awbury Arboretum in Germantown, Pa, was planted by members of PGHW. As its centerpiece, this study group investigates nature’s colors and plants in relation to their producing natural dyes. Guild members are encouraged to help maintain the plants, weed the garden, and learn to harvest and process the dye plants. The Guild uses our garden for demonstrations and instruction at events that are hosted at Awbury Arboretum. Members are encouraged to help maintain the plants and learn to harvest and process the dye plants.

Dyeing: Using natural dyes from our dye garden, mordants, or purchased chemical dyes, participants learn about the dyeing process. Beginners are welcome. Experienced dyers are encouraged to share their knowledge by organizing dye events that are open to other members. Must be a member to join.

Portable Fibers

Meeting times listed in members area. Available in many city locations.

This study group is designed to be a group without an agenda other than getting together and doing whatever fiber project the member is currently interested in. Good company, good conversation, new or traditional ideas as well as teaching and learning are part of each week’s meeting. New and experienced weavers, spinners and other fiber artists are welcome to stop by any Tuesday to experience a wonderful environment of creativity and sharing.

Must be a member to join.

Felting

Meeting times listed in members area. 

This study group is designed to explore the art of felting and learning the process of turning a protein fiber (meaning animal fiber) such as sheep wool, alpaca, mohair, yak, etc. into a piece of fabric by connecting the individual fibers.

The wool can be in any form from raw locks to processed roving or batts and there are several different methods of accomplishing this felting process. This group if for all levels!

Must be a member to join.

Rigid Heddle Group

Meeting times listed in members area. 

The rigid heddle group is open to all members. We welcome new and experienced weavers as well as those coming to see what the rigid heddle loom is all about.

We share ideas, insights, give advice when needed, problem solve, teach and show rigid heddle videos. We help new weavers with their first warping. Our group distributes a monthly newsletter which contains online resources and instructions.

Must be a member to join.

Knitting/Crochet

Meeting times listed in members area. 

Whether you are an avid knitter and really advanced (whatever that really means!) or you are just moving beyond the knit stitch, this is the group for you! We will explore all knit techniques and help one another learn to progress and/or learn new techniques.

Must be a member to join.

Evenings at the Guild 

Meeting times listed in members area. 

This is like Portable fIbers, but in the evening for those who can’t make daytime SIG’s. Bring your fiber related practice and make some new friends!

Must be a member to join.

Sewing

Meeting times listed in members area. 

Like to sew? Collecting fabric and don’t know what to do with it? Want to learn to sew? We’re the SIG for you!

Maybe you just need some motivation to complete a project. Perhaps sewing with friends and being inspired is your idea of sewing
heaven. This SIG will be a great venue for members to learn new techniques, get help with projects, share knowledge, and motivate each other.

You will need to bring a sewing machine to the SIG.

Must be a member to join.

Surface Design

Meeting times listed in members area. 

Calling all Surface Designers! We’re looking for members who appreciate the craft of Surface Design, including, but not limited to: Itajimi, Aarashi, Kanoko Shibori, Kumo Shibori, Nui Shibori (Stitch Resist Shibori), and Dye pots, and Indigo vats, to name a few. If these words excite you and you would like to explore these techniques and learn more, then this Special Interest Group (SIG) is right up your alley. We hope to learn how to make our own Indigo vats, practice new techniques and folds, and have fun in the process. If this speaks to you, then join (via the SIG portal on our member web page) and we will be in touch to hear what kinds of things you would like to see happen in this SIG.

Must be a member to join.

Book Arts SIG

In this SIG, we will explore the range of techniques for creating handmade books — stitching, folding, cutting, gluing, decorating–using paper, recycled materials, fabrics we weave, fabrics we buy; and how to make boxes for our books and how to think outside the box.  Making your own book structure to highlight your fiber art can add a new dimension to your creativity. 

Must be a member to join. 

Exploring Floor and Table Loom Weaving

Meeting times listed in members area. 

This group is for beginning and experienced weavers who are looking to grow their knowledge of all things weaving. The goal in this group is to meet at the guild house once a month to explore the process of weaving a project. We will start at the beginning and decide what to weave. Then we will move forward and dress either a table loom or a floor loom together. During this process we will learn as a group all about sett, color, warping, threading, drafting, weaving, shuttles, wet finishing and any and all things weaving.

Media to West Chester and Beyond!

Meeting times listed in members area. 

If you live in the Media, West Chester and surrounding area, this is the satellite group for you! Meet and Greet, bring small projects to show and tell.

If you would like more information about any of our Special Interest Groups, please email info@pghw.org