Meetings, Programs & Events

2026

Transparency Presentation with Laura Viada 

February 19, 2026 6:30pm  On Zoom No Registration/Virtual

Transparencies are fun to weave and present a wealth of opportunities for expression and design. Transparency is a supplementary weft weave that utilizes tapestry techniques. Faster and freer than tapestry weaving, the distinguishing characteristic of the transparency is the contrast between opaque areas of pattern inlay and the sheer background cloth.  Transparencies can be stand alone art pieces, or they can be functional items such as window coverings, table linens, and wearables. This lecture will cover the basics – yarn choices, sett, weaving tips and techniques, and finishing. 

 Laura Viada is a handweaver and fiber artist who creates works of art in natural fibers – primarily, linen and silk.  Her guiding philosophy is that humans have an intimate relationship with the objects that surround us – the things we see, touch, wear, and use -- and that the human spirit thrives when these things are beautiful and meaningful. 

Laura employs many different weaving techniques, but is most at home with a technique called “transparency.” A close relative of the tapestry, a transparency is characterized by sheer background areas contrasting with opaque pattern areas.   The contrast and tension between the positive/pattern and negative/background space is the principal component of transparency design.  Color can be used effectively and can add interest, but form is at the heart of a successful transparency.  Because the negative space is sheer, the environment in which a transparency is displayed becomes an integral part of the piece. 

 Laura grew up  in Houston, Texas. While taking a pause from demanding career in law, she learned to weave, fell in love with the world of fiber and never looked back. For the past 20-plus years, Laura has been an active member of Texas’s fiber art community.  Her work has been exhibited nationally and has won numerous awards, and she was an Artist-in-Residence at the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft. Her work can be seen at Archway Gallery in Houston, Texas.

http://www.lauraviada.com/

Fiber Identification Lecture w/Maria Pacheco 

March 19 6:30pm   No Registration

Trinity Old Lutheran Church 

Weave Structures for Color and Texture Lecture with Robyn Spady

April 23, 2026 6:30pm     No Registration          Trinity Old Lutheran Church 

Perhaps you have walked into a yarn shop and been fascinated with stunning novelty yarns. But as a weaver, it can be a challenge to figure out how to incorporate them into weaving projects to showcase the yarns without breaking the bank. Or you may have been inspired by the fabric used for a Chanel-style jacket that was created by Linton Tweed, Lesage, or Bernat Klein and would like to understand how these fabrics were created so you can design and weave your own.  In this program, Robyn Spady will share a small collection of weave structures that let you take advantage of fun and exciting yarns and to add new dimensions to your weaving.

Robyn Spady 

A Parallel Threading is the Weaver’s Playground Robyn Spady 3 Day Workshop     

April 23-25, 2026   10am-4pm 

Registration  Fee $180.00, Nonmembers $200.00

Registration on open to nonmembers February 19 - March 19, 2026 

Trinity Old Lutheran Church 

The workshop A Parallel Threading is the Weaver’s Playground is an on-loom workshop that is a combination of weaving, presentations, and discussion. During this workshop, we will explore the possibilities in color and treadling variations of a parallel threading – from echo weaves and corkscrew twills to turned taqueté and network-drafted twills. You will warp your floor or table loom prior to the workshop and weave only on your own loom during the workshop. 

I encourage workshop participants to use materials they already have on hand. The warping instructions for this workshop specify 5/2 cotton, 8/2 cotton, 8/2 Tencel®, or 10/2 cotton; however, if you would like to substitute a yarn you already have, please contact me so we can adjust the sample set-up accordingly. 

Come prepared to learn and have fun. I’m looking forward to sharing with you my enthusiasm for parallel threadings and the amazing possibilities. It’s not uncommon to run out of warp before you run out of  ideas.

Mark your calendar for April 2026. More details and registration will be in the December Gamp. Level: Intermediate to Advanced (and adventure-seeking beginners). 

The cost for members will be $180. plus a $15 materials fee.

What is a Parallel Threading?

Thanks to Denise Kovnat, this information can be found at denisekovnat.com, Tuesday, September 24, 2024. Echo is one of the treadling variations that Robyn Spady will be teaching.

Echo, Echo, Echo on 8 Shafts

A parallel threading is used for ‘Echo’. Take a simple 8-shaft point draw. Insert a parallel threading line that is 4 shafts above it. The parallel thread is usually half of the total shafts above the base-line thread.

Eight-shaft parallel twill threading example:

Threads 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 have a parallel threading line that is 4 shafts above them on an 8 shaft loom. The overall threading is now 1,5,2,6,3,7,4,8. Then, when you reach the base-line thread on shaft 5, the parallel thread “above” it is on shaft 1. Just as with a straight twill, after 8, the next thread for a straight draw is 1.

On 4 shafts, the base-line of 1,2,3,4 becomes a parallel threading of 1,3,2,4,3,1,4,2. On 4 shafts, the parallel threading line is 2 shafts above the base-line.

Echo calls for two colors in the warp, one for each threading line. For the workshop you will wind 2 warp threads together- one dark and one light. Robyn will provide the drafts, treadling variations, and weft suggestions.