WC Fibre Guild weaving community

DUNROBIN – The West Carleton Fibre Guild has been creating practical art for 35 years and the group of weavers, spinners and knitters still love the camaraderie of getting together once a month sharing stories, tips and companionship talking about what they love to do and make.

West Carleton Online dropped by last Tuesday’s (Feb. 13) meeting, held at the Dunrobin Community Centre, and was thrilled with the opportunity to see the wide variety and incredible skill on display used to create beautiful pieces that can also keep you warm during a chilly winter.

The membership currently sits at around 38, and 21 of those members came out to the February meeting, the annual unfinished work gathering (or UFO as the members refer to it) where members have a chance to share their unfinished projects and get some tips and advice that might just move the project to the ‘completed’ pile.

After the business portion of the meeting, the members lead off with a show and tell, sharing some of the fibre projects they’re working on as well as tips and suggestions on books, documentaries and other fibre-related information.

One of the surprises, because the project can’t be worn or draped around one’s shoulders, was Lori Savignac’s embroidered ‘painting.’

“It’s thread painting,” Savignac told the guild. “Long and short stitch with a single thread.”

This month, the guild gives members the once-a-year opportunity to share unfinished projects in order to gather tips and inspiration to take those projects off the To Do List.

“I have a bunch, but I selected just a few,” one member joked.

“It’s just off,” another member said of their in-progress sweater.

Dunrobin resident Roberta Murrant is a founding member of the West Carleton Fibre Guild and says the group, although the membership changes over the years, always brings a sense of fun.

“In 1989 we were seven people,” Murrant told West Carleton Online as the monthly meeting wrapped up. “There was an angora goat farmer in the area, and she wanted to get a group going and get like-minded people together. You can see the fellowship and laughing and it’s always been like that.”

Murrant modeled a cardigan she was waring as her UFO project.

“If you have a problem and you get 14 opinions, you can choose the one you like,” she said.

The West Carleton Fibre Guild seems more open to free opinions than one would normally expect.

Murrant say a few smaller groups such as a spinners’ and stitchers’ group, have formed out of the guild, but those members stay a part of the larger organization as well. She says guild membership sits at roughly 38 people and has held steady during the years, but they are always looking for new members.

“The group has life,” Murrant said. “Many organizations come in to being and then fade. This group continues to grow.”

Although she says there is a certain segment of humanity missing.

“Oe of the things we’re missing is the male presence,” Murrant said. “But we can’t do much about that.”

Murrant, and some other members in the group, say they know more than a few male spinners, weavers and stitchers, but they seem to be a solitary group.

Murrant says one of the things that makes the fibre guild lasting is the work itself.

“There is something very satisfying about creating something with your own hands,” Murrant said. “I’ve been weaving for more than 50 years, and it never gets old. The style, colour, fibre, there’s always something new.”

Murrant said, when it was finally over, COVID was a bit of a blessing in disguise.

“We appreciated getting together more,” she said. “It’s a lot of hand work and it’s solitary work.”

The West Carleton Fibre Guild is not averse to moving around and also hosts workshops throughout the year. The March meeting (March 12) will be held at the Mississippi Mills Textile Museum at noon as Michael Rikely-Lancaster will share his coverlet historical collection which dates back to the 1800s.

Rikley-Lancaster is a Chatham, ON, native who is the executive director and curator of the textile museum.

If you would like more information, or would like to join the West Carleton Fibre Guild you can call 623-832-3428 or 613-832-3668 or email Reinouw Bast at btreinouw2@gmail.com.