Our Purpose:
· To stimulate interest in handweaving and other fiber arts within our membership and in the community;
· To encourage high quality of workmanship and originality in handweaving and other fiber arts;
· To make information on handweaving and other fiber arts available to members;
· To recognize and stimulate interest in special interest groups and activities in the fiber arts, such as study groups, exhibitions and group sales.

Our meetings: DWG meetings, followed by programs, are generally held on the second Saturday of each month from September through May from 10:00 - 12:00 noon in the Westchester Public Library Service Center (100 West Indiana St., Chesterton, IN). Workshops are offered following selected programs. Please use the web site "Events" link to see information about the current year's programs, workshops and shows.

Membership: DWG membership dues are currently $25 per year. If you would like to join the Guild, please send an email to phylknit@sbcglobal.net and/or simply attend a meeting.

DWG Library Collection: Our extensive collection of books, magazines and video tapes on weaving and other fiber arts is available for members (only) to borrow.  A list of  the collection is available on this web site.   Use the web site "Library" link to access it.

I want to learn to weave.  Where do I start?

Books, magazines, and videotapes
    Books, magazines, DVDs and videotapes are available for members to check out at our guild’s library. 

Classes/tutoring
    Contact Phyllis Gruszka who may organize a hands-on class on how to warp a loom if you are interested. 219(736-6019) phylknit@sbcglobal.net

    DWG members may be willing to give you private tutoring.  You can put a notice in this newsletter if this is something you would be interested in.  Larry Vallem is our newsletter chairman. Send your notice to Larry by e-mail preferably (which saves Larry from having to type it out) at lars.val@frontier.net or by U.S. Mail at 2465 Shelby St. Lake Station, IN  46405.  One member who is willing to tutor is Margaret Jones.  Margaret charges $15/hour (several members could arrange to attend sessions and split the cost).

     The Fine Line Creative Arts Center in St. Charles, Illinois (suburb of Chicago) offers weaving classes.  Check out their website at www.finelineca.org or call at (630) 584-9443 or email at info@finelineca.org

     If you want to immerse yourself in 5-day workshops there are various schools such as Sievers School of Fiber Arts on Washington Island, Wisonsin that offer such workshops.  Sievers' phone: 920-847-2264;  E-Mail: Sievers@itol.com ; website: www.sieversschool.com.  Check the advertisements in Handwoven magazine (available at our guild library) for other options.

Conferences
     Convergence: This is the biennial, international conference sponsored and organized by the Handweavers Guild of America, Inc. (HGA).  It is held every 2 years.  The most recent one was in Albuquerque, NM, and the next one will be in Long Beach, CA July 15-22, 2012.  More information about the conference is available at the HGA website www.weavespindye.org.  Convergence is expensive, but it is a wonderful experience if you have the time and money: World class fashion shows with handwoven fabrics, workshops, lectures, vendors.

    Midwest: This is a smaller version of Convergence.  It is sponsored by the Midwest Weavers (MWA) and takes place every two years (alternating with the Convergence years).   The most recent one was in Hancock, MI June 23-25, 2011,  with preconference workshops June 20-22, 2011.  For more information about MWA conferences see the MWA website www.midwestweavers.org.  Scholarships are available for attending the Midwest conferences.  See the MWA website for information. 

    Michigan League of Handweavers Conference
This is a smaller, more affordable, version of  Convergence and Midwest.  Offered each summer in one of two formats:  One summer as a workshop-only conference and the next, as a full conference with fashion show, special exhibits, mini and full workshops, etc.  Usually at Hope College in Holland, Michigan.
Check www.mlhguild.com/events.htm for more information about upcoming conferences..