Manitoba Weavers and Fibre Artists (MWFA)

–  Members share knowledge and experience in handweaving and the fibre arts. Many MWFA weavers are also spinners and knitters, and they explore dyeing, braiding, fingerweaving, felting, rug-making and other fibre techniques.

Monthly meetings, organized by MWFA‘s volunteer Board, are held in Winnipeg from September to June each year. Members bring completed projects and other items of interest for “show-and-tell“ and participate in educational programs.  MWFA maintains an extensive library with a collection of classic and contemporary books and subscriptions to weaving periodicals. Looms and equipment are available for loan to active members.

MWFA offers classes in basic weaving on an irregular basis and workshops in more advanced techniques. Weaving study groups and sample exchanges are organized by guild members.  Send us an email for information about upcoming courses.

MWFA welcomes new members, and guests may attend any of our meetings. Please e-mail to request additional details.

  • Manitoba Weavers and Fibre Artists (MWFA) is a guild that meets in Winnipeg once a month from September to June.  Members bring handwoven projects for “show and tell” and participate in educational programs.  A new technique may be explored or an old one given a fresh interpretation. Guest speakers are often featured. Potluck suppers in January and June are popular events with members.

    An extensive library, e-library, and current issues of fibre-related periodicals are available for members’ use.  We also have looms and equipment available for loan to members.

    MWFA offers workshops, and our workshop coordinator always welcomes input from members to help in choosing topics of interest.  Recent workshops have included “The Fab Four” with Robyn Spady, “New Rep Weave” with Joanne Tallarovic, and a silk/merino felting workshop.  

    MWFA also offers courses in basic weaving on an irregular basis.  Contact us for more information if you want to learn how to weave!

    Guests are welcome to attend any of our meetings. Please contact us to request additional details.

  • ~ Contact us for information on MWFA’s next introductory 4-harness weaving course.

  • Workshops will be posted here.

    Members, please bring your suggestions of topics for study groups or workshops to our next meeting.

    Nine members investigated linen and lace weaves in our most recent study group.

  • Follow us on Instagram:

    MB Weavers

    We have a Facebook page for members only

  • Please check out our history here.

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“I often get asked ‘How long does it take to weave something?’ Follow along to see the weaving process from conception to completion.”

— 48northhandwoven

Step 1: Pick your colours and yarn and decide on design and pattern.

Step 1: Pick your colours and yarn and decide on design and pattern.

Your design and pattern may come from a book, or you can design with paper and colored pencils or use software available.

Your design and pattern may come from a book, or you can design with paper and colored pencils or use software available.

Step 2: Make the warp. In this example, 8 yards long for 8 tea towels. 469 threads of fibre all the same length measured on the warping mill. The warp runs vertically in the woven fabric.

Step 2: Make the warp. In this example, 8 yards long for 8 tea towels. 469 threads of fibre all the same length measured on the warping mill. The warp runs vertically in the woven fabric.

Step 2 continued. Keeping the threads in order is so important! At the top of the warping mill the cross in the threads is formed which will later serve to identify the order of the threads when threaded onto the loom.

Step 2 continued. Keeping the threads in order is so important! At the top of the warping mill the cross in the threads is formed which will later serve to identify the order of the threads when threaded onto the loom.

Step 3: Chain the warp off the warping mill. Using your hand, crochet the warp, make a pretty braid with all those threads to keep everything secure until you bring it to the loom.

Step 3: Chain the warp off the warping mill. Using your hand, crochet the warp, make a pretty braid with all those threads to keep everything secure until you bring it to the loom.

Step 4: Put the cross end of the warp chain on the back rod. Put lease sticks in the cross.

Step 4: Put the cross end of the warp chain on the back rod. Put lease sticks in the cross.

Step 4 continued. Attach the raddle (board with nails every 1/2 inch) onto the loom.

Step 4 continued. Attach the raddle (board with nails every 1/2 inch) onto the loom.

Step 4 continued. Spread the warp out to its weaving width. In this case 12 threads in every space for about 20" of width, centered on raddle/loom.

Step 4 continued. Spread the warp out to its weaving width. In this case 12 threads in every space for about 20" of width, centered on raddle/loom.

Step 5: Beam the warp. This means roll the threads onto the back beam with even tension. A pile of books helps if you are by yourself. (Thanks to @janestaffordtextiles for that tip.)

Step 5: Beam the warp. This means roll the threads onto the back beam with even tension. A pile of books helps if you are by yourself. (Thanks to @janestaffordtextiles for that tip.)

Step 6: Thread the heddles (in this case made of nylon string). Take each of your 469 threads and put them through the eye of the heddle. The chosen pattern is a twill 1,2,3,4 with some direction changes, like 1,2,3,4,3,2,1. We are getting closer t

Step 6: Thread the heddles (in this case made of nylon string). Take each of your 469 threads and put them through the eye of the heddle. The chosen pattern is a twill 1,2,3,4 with some direction changes, like 1,2,3,4,3,2,1. We are getting closer to the weaving part!!

Step 6 continued: For this twill, 4 layers of heddles are used, with each thread staying in order to retain the pattern. Each set of heddles are located on a shaft. Bundling the threads as you work helps manage them all.

Step 6 continued: For this twill, 4 layers of heddles are used, with each thread staying in order to retain the pattern. Each set of heddles are located on a shaft. Bundling the threads as you work helps manage them all.

Step 7: Sley the reed. This is where you set the density of your fabric. For these towels, 24 epi (ends per inch) is applied. Using a 12 dent reed (meaning 12 dents/spaces in an inch), 2 ends are sleyed per slot to accomplish 24 epi. Again, cent

Step 7: Sley the reed. This is where you set the density of your fabric. For these towels, 24 epi (ends per inch) is applied. Using a 12 dent reed (meaning 12 dents/spaces in an inch), 2 ends are sleyed per slot to accomplish 24 epi. Again, center the threads in reed/loom.

Step 7 continued. All 469 threads have been sleyed through the reed.

Step 7 continued. All 469 threads have been sleyed through the reed.

Step 8: Tie the threads on. Take 1/2 inch to 1 inch sections of thread and tie them onto the front rod. You need to do this so ensure the tension is even across the warp. And now you see all those lovely threads in order tied onto the front or br

Step 8: Tie the threads on. Take 1/2 inch to 1 inch sections of thread and tie them onto the front rod. You need to do this so ensure the tension is even across the warp. And now you see all those lovely threads in order tied onto the front or breast beam rolled onto the back beam. Almost ready to weave...

Once all the treadles are tied up for the pattern, a shed is created; where the shuttle is passed through to weave. A clean shed is important. The stray thread is a floating selvage thread to assist in changing weaving direction for this twill patt

Once all the treadles are tied up for the pattern, a shed is created; where the shuttle is passed through to weave. A clean shed is important. The stray thread is a floating selvage thread to assist in changing weaving direction for this twill pattern.

Step 8 continued. A look from the back of the loom, with lease sticks still in place.

Step 8 continued. A look from the back of the loom, with lease sticks still in place.

Step 9: Tie up the treadles (these are the pedals under the loom that lift the shafts holding the threads). In this case treadle 1 lifts shafts 1 and 2, treadle 2 lifts shafts 2 and 3, treadle 3 lifts shafts 3 and 4 and treadle 4 lifts shafts 4 and

Step 9: Tie up the treadles (these are the pedals under the loom that lift the shafts holding the threads). In this case treadle 1 lifts shafts 1 and 2, treadle 2 lifts shafts 2 and 3, treadle 3 lifts shafts 3 and 4 and treadle 4 lifts shafts 4 and 1. Pressing each treadle opens a different shed, allowing the weft threads to be woven through. When weaving begins, treadling order will be 4,3,2,1.

Step 10: Weave in your header. This spreads your threads evenly across your weaving width. Now you can start weaving.

Step 10: Weave in your header. This spreads your threads evenly across your weaving width. Now you can start weaving.

But, before you weave, you need to load your bobbins with the thread you will weave with. This is the weft fibre (running horizontally). Once the bobbin is full it is placed into the boat shuttle. Each pass of the shuttle typically occurs in a dif

But, before you weave, you need to load your bobbins with the thread you will weave with. This is the weft fibre (running horizontally). Once the bobbin is full it is placed into the boat shuttle. Each pass of the shuttle typically occurs in a different shed created by pressing down a treadle based on the pattern.

Different colours of threads can be used in the weft, as you did in the warp. Sampling can be done to try different colours in weft, even different treadling. There was extra length included in the warp for sampling. Notice how the pattern pops w

Different colours of threads can be used in the weft, as you did in the warp. Sampling can be done to try different colours in weft, even different treadling. There was extra length included in the warp for sampling. Notice how the pattern pops where different thread colours overlap? See the change in treadling order moving from diagonal line to a diamond?

Here is the end of the weaving story. Cut the fabric off the loom.

Here is the end of the weaving story. Cut the fabric off the loom.

Zigzag or serge the ends of the cloth. Fold and iron ends of each towel then sew seams by hand or by machine.

Zigzag or serge the ends of the cloth. Fold and iron ends of each towel then sew seams by hand or by machine.

Trim the long threads where a new bobbin of thread started and ended. Sometimes skips or errors need to be fixed by carefully 'weaving' in the missed stitch using the weft and warp thread.

Trim the long threads where a new bobbin of thread started and ended. Sometimes skips or errors need to be fixed by carefully 'weaving' in the missed stitch using the weft and warp thread.

Wash and dry the tea towels as these are woven with a fibre that is machine washable. Some projects require hand washing, fulling and blocking.

Wash and dry the tea towels as these are woven with a fibre that is machine washable. Some projects require hand washing, fulling and blocking.

And, that's a wrap for that warp. Eight tea towels made; six to give away and two to keep.

And, that's a wrap for that warp. Eight tea towels made; six to give away and two to keep.

FAQs

What are the benefits of membership?

We feel there are many benefits to becoming a member of the Manitoba Weavers and Fibre Artists (MWFA) guild. They include:

  • Monthly meetings from September to June offering speakers, presentations, Guild challenges, workshops, hands-on activities, study groups and show & tell at each meeting.

  • Access to a library of over 100 books and videos, both hardcopy and electronic.

  • Option to borrow a loom, accessories or a spinning wheel.

  • Events involving fundraising auctions, field trips.

  • Connecting with like-minded people to share your weaving and fibre passion or get assistance or inspiration.

  • Joining our Facebook page to share your projects, get inspiration or ask for advice or help.

  • A monthly Newsletter informing members of the program for future meetings, looms or accessories for sale, reminders, … and always an inspirational quote or message.

What is the cost of membership?

Annual membership is $40.00 Cdn. Membership is due in September. For administration ease, membership is not prorated.

Membership dues are accepted in cash or cheque. E-Transfer is currently not available.

What does ‘Fibre Artists’ in Manitoba Weavers and Fibre Artists reference?

When weaving is mentioned, we often assume a floor or table loom where yarn is being woven.

Although this is the source of all of our clothing and upholstery fabric, weaving also entails basket weaving, inkle and card weaving, tapestry weaving to create wallhangings or ….

How often do you meet?

Between September and June, we meet the last Thursday of each month; once a month. Meetings are in-person, but COVID had us meeting via Zoom.

Beyond this there could be special events planned.

  • Guild Days, where members gather to work on individual projects, see what others are working on, learn new skills, socialize and share food.

  • Field trips might take us to tour a sheep farm or participate in a dyeing workshop.

  • Workshops organized to learn a new weaving structure or technique.

How do I become a member?

We would love to have you as a member. To join us, do that, click on the Join Us button or send an email to manitobaweavers@gmail.com.

Your email will be directed to our Membership committee to be processed. You will be contacted through email with details on paying your dues and collecting your contact information. You will also receive information on our social media presence. Our Facebook page is for member’s only and a quick way to reach out to others or share your work. We also have an Instagram page to insert pictures of weaving into your feed.