Love Your Blending Board: Going (Way) Beyond the Rolag
Convergence 2024, Wichita, KS (one class: Saturday, July 13th, 2024; 9:00 a.m.-12: 00 p.m.)
Dust off that blending board and prepare to be inspired! Learn how this all-in-one, space-efficient blending tool provides a nearly unlimited backdrop for fiber preparation. We’ll explore several of the many uses for the blending board, and Debbie will share her proven pro tips for unlocking its true blending powers. Students warm up to the board with hands-on practice in creating both smooth and textured rolags — rolags that not only look good but draft with ease. From there we move on to more advanced fiber preparation, including custom-blended pulled sliver, dizzed roving, full-sized batts, making a tweed roving, planning for large projects, and more. If you’ve never quite meshed with your blending board, come find out what all the fuss is about!
Students will leave class with the fiber they’ve prepared (and it’s a lot!), as well as a whole new appreciation for the space-saving and versatile blending board.
Level of Spinning: This class is for any handspinner who loves playing with color. There are no spinning prerequisites.
Students should bring: A blending board of their choice, including the brush(es) and dowels it came with. There will be one blending board available for borrowing and it must be claimed in advance. If you own a diz, bring it, but we will have some to share.
Supplies Provided by Instructor: Tons of fiber and add-ins to play with, as well as other blending tools to share in class. Class fee: $25
Learn to Spin: Basics For Beginners
In this three-session class, you’ll learn how to spin a continuous, stable yarn, and you’ll learn the basics of plying and finishing a skein of handspun. You’ll also learn about spinning wheel mechanics, how to care for your wheel, the basics of twist and its impact on your yarn, and how to skein and tie off your spun yarn before wet finishing it to set the twist. We’ll start on a drop spindle (provided) to focus on controlling both the quantity of fibers entering your singles and the amount of twist added, and then move to the wheel to build your skills. You’ll leave a confident new spinner and ready to move on to Debbie’s next series of classes, “Spin The Yarn You Want: Building Blocks for Better Spinning (details TBA),” where you will learn how to spin for specific, intentional yarns.
Required Supplies:
- Working spinning wheel (If you don’t have your own spinning wheel, a couple of wheels will be available to use during class on a first-come, first-served basis.)
- 3 bobbins
- Spinning wheel oil
Class Schedule: Class will be in person at the SEFAA Center from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on the following days:
- Sunday, October 22nd
- Sunday, October 29th
- Sunday, November 5th