Scandinavian Weavers Study Group

Month: May 2017

  • Traditional Norwegian Weaving: American Reboot

    Traditional Norwegian Weaving: American Reboot


    Traditional Norwegian Weaving: American Reboot
    An Exhibit at Norway House: July 20-September 10, 2017
    Sponsored by Norway House and the Weavers Guild of Minnesota

     

    Vesterheim-krokbragd
    A traditional krokbragd coverlet from the collection of the Vesterheim Norwegian American Museum

    Make Minneapolis your destination thus summer for an exhibit joining Norwegian weaving past and present. Inspired by historical textiles, American weavers have used Norwegian weaving techniques to create a new body of work, contemporary in design or materials. Enjoy traditional pieces from the collection of the Vesterheim Norwegian American Museum and outstanding weavings from recent decades that honor the past and break through with modern expression.  

    The exhibit of invited pieces (40 in all) is based around several techniques, including rya; tapestry; krokbragd and other boundweave variants; band weaving; and overshot weaves such as monks belt and skilbragd.  Other pieces are chosen to illustrate where American weavers learned their skills in Norwegian techniques, and where weaving in the Norwegian tradition has been exhibited over the years.

    Related events include lectures and classes and weaving demonstrations.  A loom will be set up in the gallery where members of the Scandinavian Weavers Study Group will weave a rutevev (square weave) runner.

    • Opening celebration: Thursday, July 20, 2017, 5-8 pm.
    • Gallery talks: Sundays, July 23 and August 13, 2 pm.
    • Weaving demonstrations: Wednesdays and Sundays from July 23-September 10, 12 pm-3 pm
    • Afternoon with an Expert, featuring Laurann Gilbertson, Curator, Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum: Saturday, September 9, 1-3:30 pm.  Following the lecture, “Warmth and Color: Traditional Norwegian Coverlets,” Gilbertson will conduct an Antique ID clinic.  Members of the public are encouraged to bring Nordic textiles to learn more about their age, origin, and function (but no appraisals).   
    • Classes: Sami-style Band Weaving, Mondays, August 14 and 21, 12-4 pm; Make a Viking Knit Bracelet, Monday, July 24, 10 am-2 pm; Cardboard Loom Weaving for Kids, Monday, August 7, 10 am – noon.

    IMG_5189Information on the exhibit is also found on the Norway House website. Be sure to sign up for Sami-style Band Weaving with Keith Pierce, or Make a Viking Knit Bracelet with Melba Granlund. Maybe you know a kid to sign up for the fun introduction to weaving. This is a special opportunity to see the weaving exhibit in depth, as these Weavers Guild classes will be held at Norway House, right in the main gallery.

    Also, follow the Scandinavian Weavers Study Group blog in the coming weeks to read about many of the individual pieces.

    This 19th century “boat rya,” a treasure of the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum, will hang next to several contemporary rya weavings.

     

  • The Dukagång Experiment–Cut off the Loom

    Several curious Scandinavian Weavers Group members gathered to cut the dukagång group warp off the Glimakra last night.  It was so fun to see the completed pieces, right side up, and not just peeking from the back of the loom as they rolled around the beam.  Jan Mostrom, who should be duly thanked for her work setting up the project and getting the yarn, clipped it off. (There was a section of unwoven warp at the very end, which Lisa Torvik is going to use for firfletting.)

    IMG_3316

    Mary Skoy brought her sewing machine and sewed fine, straight seams between the pieces so they could be cut apart without raveling.

    IMG_3317

    Melba Granlund was the designated snipper.

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    Oh, you wanted to see the individual pieces?  Coming soon.  They will be displayed on a wall of the Weavers Guild, and published here, on Friday.

  • Grene Demonstration on a Warp-Weighted Loom

    Grene Demonstration on a Warp-Weighted Loom

    Melba Granlund set up a warp-weighted loom (courtesy of the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum) at the 2017 Shepherd’s Harvest Festival, as part of the Weavers Guild of Minnesota booth.  She started work on a traditional Sami-style grene, a banded coverlet technique woven with thick, lofty wool.  It was a smashing success!  Though she planned to give a formal presentation at one point, that never happened.  Instead, she was inundated with questions from curious visitors from beginning to end.  And all that didn’t leave time for much actual weaving progress, only about 4-1/2 inches.

    melba-grene

    With the festival over, and the loom moved back to her home, Melba is continuing the project.  Watch the blog for updates on the grene, and a description of the wonderful yarn she is using.

    melba-grene-2

    Did you miss this cool loom at the Shepherd’s Harvest Festival this year?  There’s always 2018.  Melba said that there was so much interest that a warp-weighted loom demo would be great for next year, too.