Well Leslie was so excited for Christmas she said the 24th was Thursday. Well we will be open on Friday the 24th all day.

Have a really great Holiday.

Suzie

Updates

I want to let you know the NUNO felting demo was so much fun. We had a nice size group come to learn a new way to felt. Two of the viewers even volunteered to try it a bit. Everyone went home with fiber to start their own new projects. One woman was even smarter and rented studio time immdiately afterwards and made herself a beautiful nuno felted scarf. I am looking forward to doing more demonstrations here and hope you will too.

Marilyn had another surgery last Friday and she is doing well. She is hoping to go home on Thursday.

We will be open all day (10am-5:30pm) on Thursday, December 24th for you last minute shopping. Remember that is the last day to take advantage of the 10% off all Schacht and Ashford looms. We only have a few 8 Shaft Baby Wolfs left.

I want to wish everyone a Happy Holiday, and a very Healthy Prosperous New Year. All of us here at Eugene Textile Center apprecaite everyone who has been by the store whether to just visit the gallery, come by and see what the store has to offer and most of all to shop.

Free Demonstration

Tomorrow Saturday, December 18th we will be having a free demonstration on how to do NUNO Felting. This is a process of felting wool or other fibers to silk. Come on by between the hours of 1pm to 3pm to get in on this fun opportunity. Nuno felting is so easy you can create more gifts using this technique before the holiday. BTW there are only 8 more days till Santa comes. HO HO, OH NO !!

Wrap it Up

I just came up with a crazy idea. You are probably into wrapping all your holiday gifts. One of the problems is finding a time and place to do that without peeking eyes. Well I think you should come to ETC with all your supplies and use our large space to wrap things up. No studio charge, just a fun time in a beautiful space with hot cider to drink and holiday music to listen to.

How can I let people email my posts to their friends?

How can I let people email my posts to their friends?

A Good Tip

A few days ago someone came into the store wanting to purchase a certain book. We were out of stock on that book so we called our distributer only to find out the book was out of print. You may remember my story about the book "Wild Colour". Well this book was originally published about three years ago, so that is a short time on a publishers list. Now it is selling for $450 on Amazon.com. So my advice to you is when you come in and see a book you like, BUY IT then. Do not wait and get disappointed later, or pay much more than you needed to. Just a bit of sage advice.

17 More Days!!!!

If you are reading this on December 7th you need to realize that there are only seventeen more days until Christmas. Now is the hectic time of year to be in the stores. Finding a parking spot takes too much time. The stores are crowded, and people are starting lose that HO HO HO feeling. Then there is also the chore of finding just the right gift this late in the buying season. Be of good cheer and tell everyone you know to buy you a Gift Certificate at Eugene Textile Center. They'll thank you for saving them from the seasonal frustration. You can come in and shop in our delightful store with cheer and glee, getting yourself exactly what you wanted. But best of all it's the one gift you will not want to return.

Wild Color

Many years ago I took a Dyeing class at Lane Community College. For our textbook we used Wild Colour By Jenny Dean . The book is wonderful and I used it quite a bit for dye recipes as well as for reference. I had even loaned it to a friend who was not too prompt in returning it. I came into ETC to use Marilyn's book and she told me how that book went out of print and was then selling for $150.00 online. I freaked out and immediately called my friend and she returned the book. I vowed never to loan that book out again. Now to my delight Wild Color has been reprinted with a few spelling changes, such as colour to color. So I am now pleased to tell you we have copies of it here for you in the store. I know that there are some Natural Dyeing and Indigo classes coming up and this book would be a great help to you.

Tell Santa

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving day. Eugene Textile Center hosted the Eugene Weavers Guild Holiday Sale. One woman who came by for the sale was so impressed with the woven scarves she came in today to learn to weave. Many people were impressed with the fact of having handspun yarn in their work, whether knit, crocheted or woven.
I have some wonderful news for you weavers who have been dreaming of a new loom. ETC is selling all Ashford and Schacht Looms for 10% off the original price until Christmas. It's time to whisper that information into Santa's ear, or tell one of his elves. ;)

A Snowy Blanket.

I awoke today to the outside covered in a soft blanket of snow. Oh it is so beautiful. A perfect day for me to stay inside and weave. Since I am between projects I thought what better than to plan a beautiful white throw. I have taken some of my homespun white yarn and wound it into a balls. Now I need to plan the weave structure. I plan to sit on my couch surrounded by past issues of Handwoven and other weaving books to get my inspiration. What will you do with this wonderful day. For those of you in warmer climates let me know what you are planning to do on this beautiful day.
Oh I almost forgot to tell you that we got some beautiful fibers for spinning in all dyed with Natural Dyes. We have small carde wool-mohair batts and silk noil along with some bamboo. Come and check it out.

For the young fiberholic.

So many of us fiberholics have grandchildren that want us to teach them to weave on our looms. Alas, our looms are a bit big for them to reach the treadles, or a bit too complicated for them to use. Well problem solved. We have different looms and fiber project kits here for those future fiber artists. These looms by Harrisville Designs are designed for small hands and are versatile enough for the adult weaver too. We have lap loom, peg looms, backstrap and deluxe potholder looms. Many of the lap looms we sell are purchased by adults who use them as small tapestry looms when they travel, or for sampling projects. When you are doing your holiday shopping, remember those future fiber artists on your list.

Fibermania

Hello to all of our new friends down south in Grants Pass. We had a fabulous time at Fibermania. I think the highlight for me was Joelle, an 11 year old girl whose grandmother purchased a new spinning wheel for her. I gave her a quick lesson and she is spinning away. It is so nice to see younger people embracing fiber arts. We are already looking forward to next years show.

Spinners Groove

Our spinning group here at the center has been meeting for a month now. Although we are still a small group we are having a good time. Our next meeting will be this Thursday, Nov. 11th from 2 until 4 pm. I hope more spinners will join us. Beginner spinners will benefit from learning from older spinners. Such a deal, free lessons from the experienced. I hope more of you will join us.

10% OFF

Are you ready to save some money? Eugene Textile Center is selling it's fabrics that are PFD (Prepared For Dyeing) at 10% off. This is a great time to stock up on some of those silks, linens and velvet fabrics you'll need for your future projects. We also have felting needles on sale, 10% off. Every felter knows how easily they can break, so come in and stock up. Not to be forgotten we have T-Juice Markers on sale also. They are also 10% off. You can create a one of a kind fabric by coloring with a T-Juice marker. They only need to be heat set with an iron. They can also be easily used by children. What can make a child more proud than displaying his or her art on their own clothing. This sale runs through the end of November.

Also don't forget ETC will have a booth at the Fiber Festival at the Josephine County Fairgrounds next weekend, November 13th and 14th. We will have a nice large booth with lots to stimulate your creative appetite . We look forward to seeing you there.

Dyeing in the Hood

I know many of you of have heard of the" boy in the bubble". This is a photo of Suzie in the bubble. She is connecting the ventilator top so it will exhaust the residue dye while you are mixing it. The dye mixing station is a new addition to ETC. Now you will no longer need to use a respirator while mixing dyes. When Suzie taught at the Kansas City Art Institute they had a dye mixing station there. It was one thing she has been excited to add to our resources for our dyers. I think it this is extremely valuable for the health and safety of our customers. When you come in to use the mixing station be sure to ask us for instructions to get the best use of the equipment.

Holidays are coming.

Can you believe it is November first already. Now it is time to think about all the wonderful people and things that you are thankful for. It is also the time to really put your energy into making those gifts for loved ones this holiday season. I have always made gifts for my friends and family. One reason I have done this is because it is so much more appreciated by the recipient. The time I put in means so much to them. Especially with my busy schedule they appreciate the "handmade" gift. I have a trick on how I accomplish this. Since I am a weaver, I put on a long warp for dish towels. Then I weave different towels and wrap a loaf of homemade bread in it. I tie this up with a nice hand dyed silk ribbon. Voila!! A nice gift that keeps on giving.

FiberMania

In June we had the Black Sheep here in Eugene. Last month Canby held the Oregon Flock and Fiber Festival. Next month, November 13th & 14th in Grants Pass, OR, will be the first FiberMania. It will be at the Josephine County Fairgrounds. This fiber festival is sponsored by SOJAA. (State of Jefferson Alpaca Association). Eugene Textile Center will have a large booth down there with looms, spinning wheels, fibers, dyes and lots of other supplies for your needs. If you plan to attend and need anything from us, be sure to give us a call so we can bring it down there for you. You save because there is no shipping fee. Come by and say hello to Suzie and Leslie. We are looking forward to a fun time there.

Weekend Update

The start of the bimonthly spinning group is off to a nice start. We are hoping that more spinners will come and join us. If you are just a beginner spinner who has learned from Leslie, come by and show off all your new yarn and spin some more. If you are more experienced come by too. Give us some inspiration with your yarns.
The Old World New Age felt class with Marilou Moschetti was a huge success. Everyone went home with at least one beautiful piece of wearable art. Most people had at least two felted pieces. Hopefully we will be able to get Marilou back here again for those of you who missed this opportunity.
Coming up next is the Chinese Sewing Kit class this Saturday, October 16th, to be taught by our own wonderful Marilyn. Yes you read that correctly, Marilyn is back in the center part time. She is healing well and it is a pleasure to see her smiling face around her once again. The sewing kit can be used for many purposes other than just sewing supplies. Marilyn had many of them in her last show at the Jacobs Gallery here in Eugene. I bet you didn't even know they were sewing kits when you saw them. So lets fill this class up and welcome Marilyn back to teaching with enthusiastic fiber students.

Spin-In

Hello Spinners. We are having a spin in tomorrow, Oct 7th from 2 - 4, here at ETC. This is the start of a spinning group to meet here twice a month on the second and fourth Thursday of the month. All levels of spinners are welcome from beginner to advanced. We also would love to have drop spindlers join us. We hope that this will become a special time and place for you to spin. Come and be in on the very beginning..

Plan ahead

Yesterday I made an appointment for my husband and discovered that i needed a new calendar. I love calendars that inspire me in some way. What could be better than twelve months of weaving projects from past issues of Handwoven magazine. A great idea I had was to schedule in my weaving, spinning, felting and fiber days ahead of time. We still have a few left here at ETC for you too.

Come Spin with Me

We had a lot of fun up in Canby at OFFF. It was nice of many of you who stopped by to say hello. I have some good news for all of you spinners. We are starting a spinning group here at ETC on Thursday afternoons. We will meet from 2 until 4 on the second and fourth Thursday of the month. That means our first spinning day will be October 7th. I hope to see many of my beginning spinners here. We will also have a Saturday spin in starting up soon so keep posted for all of you who work during the week.

OFFF is here

We at Eugene Textile Center will have a booth at Oregon Flock andFiber Festival this weekend. We hope you stop by and say hello while you are doing your shopping up there. We are in the main building. Our store is also open Saturday so if you want to shop more local we are here for you. Have a great weekend.
P.S. Don't forget you can call the store to register for classes offered in the brochure or register online.

Have Some Fun

While driving in to work, the radio was playing "All I want to do is have some fun, I have the feelilng I'm not the only one". So while singing along I started thinking about the fun I will be having at Marilou Moshetti's old World New Age Felt class. I am so excited because I have seen her work on her web site, mariloumoshetti.com and it is awesomely gorgeous. I have heard she is extremely generous with her knowledge and time. What more can you ask for from a teacher. I think we still have a few spots open if you want to sign up, but hurry, the class is October 9th and 10th.

Dye and Save

I just had a customer come into the store who is going to do some dying. She was dimayed at the fact that she couldn't use her kitchen pots and pans for both dyeing and cooking in later. So I told her about renting time in our dye studio. For a low fee you get the use of our dye equipment, pots, measuring cups and spoons, stove, steamer, extra long tables, etc.... You dye, clean up and go home with your lovely work. I hope you too will feel inspired to come in and use our studio for your creative outputs.
OBTW (oh by the way) I just discovered there is a great coupon online for instore purchases on our web site. Cut yours out and save some money on ETC.

Well folks fall is almost officially upon us. The nice cool weather arrived sooner than the actual solstice date, but that is ok with me. This is the time I focus on getting gifts made for my holiday giving. I just started some knitting some socks from the fiber i spun this past summer. I used the merino combed top in Riverstone. They are coming out so amazingly cool I wish I was making them for myself. Because I am in such an artistic environment I am never at a loss for a project. Lately more and more people are taking advantage of renting looms in the studio. It is so much fun to see their work. A young woman today bought some handblown glass buttons to use as wine glass charms along with some dye stuff she needed. If you need inspiration come on in and leave with at least one project idea for a gift to give, or make for yourself. Monday evening Janis Thompson is teaching a hat knitting class. Learn this FITS EVERY TIME way to knit a hat.Starting with I-cord, we will learn how to measure, increase and throw in design elements ON THE FLY....The Hat class requires that the student bring the yarn they want to knit the hat out of and the appropriate size double pointed needles - usually recommended on the yarn band. Sign up NOW!

I am one of those people who can never get enough books about fiber arts. One book that has been out of print for awhile, but is now back is "LINEN From Flax Seed to Woven Cloth" By Linda Heinrich. I think it is one of the most comprehensive books on the topic of linen. This book has inspirational linen projects for you to weave designed by artists from different countries including Finland and Sweden. One month ago, this book was valued at almost $200 because it was out of print. Be sure to get a copy now.

For those who are looking for instruction in weaving we now have a good supply of Doramay Keasbey's book Pattern Techniques for Handweavers. Doramay makes it fun and easy to understand and then weave fabrics that will look complicated but are actually loom controlled patterns. You will be impressed with what you can do.

I want to let all those spinners out there that we have a wonderful class taught by Janis Thompson, Spinning the Next Level. I encourage all those beginning students who learned to spin from Leslie to take this class. You will learn how to adjust your wheel to create the yarns you want by learning how to set up your ratios between the whorl and wheel. It is a marvelous class and Janis is an enthusiastic teacher who freely shares her knowledge. Her next class is Monday October 18th.

Marilyn Is Home again.

Marilyn is home now from her back surgery. YAHOOOO She is doing very well. It will take awhile till she will be back at ETC but we are happy she is back in Eugene at her home.
I just sent out an Email from the center so if you did not get it let us know so we can get you on that list.
We have a coupon in it for $10 dollars off every $100 you spend in the store.
Our used looms are on sale as we have an abundance of them. There are some real beautiful ones. I just picked up 3 to put on consignment. We also have many used reeds for sale so you can call and check out the sizes that might fit your loom.
Our Number is 541-688-1565.
The center has been booming with activity lately. Come by if you are in the area and see what is happening.

As many of you may know, rental of looms is available at our center. One customer came from Texas and sent us this letter after arriving home.

Dear folks at ETC- Last week I was visiting a friend in Junction City, and while he was working I rented a loom in your store. It proved to be a terrific experience... I imagined I'd be left to figure the new-to-me loom on my own, and what actually happened was I had a lot of guidance and encouragement--I ended up feeling like I had private weaving lessons! It was great to interact with the staff and customers. I liked being able to take weaving breaks and look at the lovely yarn and spinning wheels and used weaving equipment. I live in a city of 2 million people and we don't have a shop nearly so nice there! I learned so much and came away with 3 overshot projects and plenty of memories. An exceptional value--thanks so much!

It was such a pleasure to have Wendy here, and hope to have more people come in and weave at ETC.

Are you looking for a bargain today? We have hand created glass buttons on sale for 50% off this week. Along wtih that we just received some beautiful almost new, and some never used shuttles. We received boat, rag and end feed shuttles. There are also some spinning aids like diz's, and a little niddy noddy, back in our Sale Corner. The prices are too good to pass up on.
Our new class schedule is out. We have the printout copys here at the store. Soon they will all be online also.

Good news for weavers. We just received 1" Linen Testers in our store. These magnifying lenses come in a metal frame along with a nice protective case. These are extremely helpful in counting your picks per inch (ppi) to match your ends per inch (epi), so you end up with an evenly woven cloth. This item is available both online and in our retail store.

Hello Everyone. We have good news for you. First of all Marilyn's surgery went quite well and she is recovering as well as can be expected. Keep her recovery in your thoughts.

Tomorrow, 8/18/10 at the Lane County Fair in the atrium area, the Eugene Weaver's Guild will be demonstrating. Our store employee Leslie will also be there, weaving on our new portable loom built by Ashford, called the Katie. Ask her to show you all the special features it has to offer.

We just received some great new books in our store. First we have the long awaited Doubleweave by Jennifer Moore. You can purchase the video to go along with the book.

For those of you that love your rigid heddle loom we have the just out the weavers idea book by Jane Patrick. It has so many great ideas you will be busy for months. The book is spiral bound so it lays out easy for following directions. You can purchase them on our website http://www.eugenetextilecenter.com/ or come into the store where you will receive topnotch service.

back to work

Hi everyone,

I will be returning to work at ETC, at least part-time, beginning Monday June 7. Suzie will be away on Whidbey Island. She and Leslie, Joan and Patty have kept things going strong while I was out of commission. I'll be back to teaching on Wednesday, a dye class with procion dye on cellulose fibers, cotton, etc. I look forward to seeing everyone again.

Marilyn

Marilyn's recovery update

Hi folks,
I have been home from hospital for 8 days. According to the professionals, I am doing very well. On last beautiful sunny Sunday I walked with Larry and my walker to the corner and back. I felt lucky to be able to do that. Soon I’ll be using a cane instead of a walker. I’ve had family and dear friends here helping out the last couple weeks. I haven’t seen my show at Jacob’s Gallery at the Hult Center yet, but will as time and health permit.

So many of you have sent healing thoughts, food, cards, flowers. I can’t tell you how much it means to me to have friends who are so considerate. Thank you for your kindnesses.

Marilyn

Promise yourself to be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
Christian D. Larson

More on Marilyn

Marilyn is convalescing after a successful surgery at RiverBend Hospital. She is walking, talking, and climbing the hospital stairs, and plans to come home Sunday, expecting another six weeks of recovery. Her natural resilience, positive outlook and the support of her family and friends will see her through. She looks forward to a return to ETC sometime in June. We don't expect any changes; she just needs a lot of rest towards her gradual recovery. She will be quite fatigued during this period. Larry

Marilyn Update

Marilyn Update

Marilyn is doing well. The surgery went well yesterday and today she will be moved out of ICU and into a room. Larry says she is doing as well as expected at this time.

If you knitters want something to do Marilyn could use some soft cotton hats to keep her head covered.

She is at Sacred Heart River Bend hospital. If you want to send a card her address is

1915 Fairmont ,Eugene Oregon 97403

Kudos to Eugene Textile Center

Customers sent these to us .

: I rented the Ashford Joy from you yesterday- Thank you SOOO much. I had so much fun yesterday getting to know the wheel and spinning some fun, chunky yarn (I am still new at spinning). I already want to go buy a bulky flyer. :) Thanks again for offering this renting option so I could afford to spin now and not wait months. You have no idea how much that means. (My husband is away for a few months and this will help distract me). I look forward to continuing my business with you and sharing your company with anyone I meet. (I'm already getting a friend of mine into drop spinning) I really love your staff and your supplies, you guys are great. Thanks again!!

Source: Handwoven Magazine

Comments: No reply necessary. I just want to thank you for the generous sample of mercerized cotton, (natural) that you sent. I just got it. When I finish this note I'll be placing an order. Incidetally, I'm going to use it to weave the placemats that were featured in last Nov./Dec. issue of Handwoven. They're perfect for the handwoven gifts my family hinted about. If you're the Suzie who designed them, many thanks for sharing these beautiful patterns!! Mary Lou

Working Hard

Today was a good day Marilyn finished up her work for her show at the Jacobs Gallery. Leslie and I taught some great kids today. We have 5 young girls threading looms to weave thier project, it is very cool.
Marilyn will be going in for surgery on Tuesday, I am going to Whidbey Island to assist at the Weavers' School and Leslie and Joan will be holding the fort down.
I will be getting better and better at this blogging stuff.
Oh yeah we got the Kromski Fantasia Spinning Wheels in today oh my gosh I am in love. They are so beautiful and spin nice too. Come in a try one out.
All for now
Suzie

Hello out there

Hello this is our first post we will add to this as time allows.

We will keep you posted as time goes on at ETC.

Suzie