With Shirley Wright, on Wednesday, October 7, 10:00 to 2:00 pm, location TBA, cost $60 per member, $70.00 non member.
Shirley Wright was a Home Economics teacher back in the 70’s, where she taught textiles, foods and fabric arts. This included wool spinning, nature dyeing, 4 harness loom weaving, felting and all the traditional crafts of the day.
Ten years ago she joined the Britannia 55+ Community Centre in Vancouver and was immersed in the Indigenous community. Here she was guided by an Elder named Grandma Margaret Harris and was taught about the Indigenous culture as well as all the regalia from her Cree and Gitsan nations. She also learned Haida cedar weaving from Todd DeVries, which included bracelets, baskets and hat weaving.
Basic pine needle weaving was taught by a lady named Dancing Water. Shirley has since been experimenting with different materials.
In this workshop Shirley is going to teach you how to do some pine needle weaving. She will be supplying each student a kit (including tapestry needles, pine needles, ziplock bag for extra pine needles to take home, and plastic straws. Students will need to bring needle nose pliers, scissors, tea towel (to get wet), and plastic bag for your finished project. You can also bring extra wool, string, sinew, ribbon, thick waxed polyester thread if want a specific color or look. If anyone has access to fatter straws or small metal tube these would be good. Shirley will supply wool for everyone to share.
The pine needles you will be using are dry. If you want to bring your own pine needles they should be five to six inches or longer. Dry needles are preferred. Fresh needles are useable and easier for beginners, however, after the project dries, it won’t be as tight or rigid, because the moisture in the needles will dry out.
