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Demonstrating
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Founded in 1973 in Waterford for the purpose of sharing and teaching fiber arts such as weaving, spinning and dyeing, the Waterford Weavers Guild includes members with skills ranging from beginner to master weaver. Other members are experts in the arts of knitting, crocheting, tatting and felting. Items produced run the gamut from hats, ponchos, jackets, scarves, towels, blankets and table linens to wall hangings, tapestries, ties, tartans, baskets and bell pulls.
The Waterford Homes Tour & Crafts Exhibit, aka the Waterford Fair, is the primary event celebrated by the Guild each year. Presented by The Waterford Foundation the first weekend in October in the quaint, 18th-century community of Waterford, the fair attracts about 10,000 daily visitors. The emphasis at the fair is on the quality of the crafters. The Guild has been an active participant at the Waterford fair for over 30 years. All Guild members don period clothing as they demonstrate weaving and spinning. They offer a variety of one-of-a-kind items for sale, some made of handspun yarns. The Guild has also participated in the Celtic Festival and Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival.
In keeping with the Guild founders' original intent toshare knowledge, the Guild annually presents a grant or two, from profits earned at the Waterford fair. The grants, which support programs in Loudoun and Fairfax County public schools, are awarded to teachers who present winning proposals for educational programs in fiber arts. Upon special request, the Guild also supports local elementary schools by giving private weaving demonstrations.
Since there is always more to learn, the Guild also holds workshops throughout the year to enhance member skills. An annual dyeing workshop has included painting warps and indigo dyeing. Mini-workshops are also offered each month during the regular Guild meetings.
Guild members continue to be grateful for the friendships they have created, the children and adults they have taught and the ageless craft of weaving.
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Waterford Weavers
or
write us at:
Waterford Weavers Guild
PO Box 111
Waterford, VA 20197
ASCII keywords: textiles, fibers, weaving, weavers, looms, fiber art, waterford virginia, VA, zip 20197, va, loudoun county, crafts, unique gift items, hats, ponchos, jackets, scarves, towels, blankets, table linens, wall hangings, tapestries, ties, tartans, baskets, bell pulls
