History
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| Whidbey Weavers Guild History |
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| The germ that started the Whidbey Weavers Guild happened in 1965. It was a textile exhibit at the Coupeville Recreation Hall. Mary Ellen Littke, Thelma Brown and Doris Macomber brought their looms to demonstrate weaving and had a display of photographs. Mary Fullington brought her mothers' handwoven things, including a dress she had woven from her handspun.
In 1966 the group demonstrated on the loading platform of the Coupeville dock at the Coupeville Arts and Crafts Festival. In 1968 Treva Carter, from the art center at Oak Harbor, talked Doris into teaching a weaving class to five gals. After the class the group felt they needed a weaver's guild for continued growth. The Whidbey Weavers Guild started in December 1969 with seven members who met in Doris' home for five years. The original members were Thelma, Mary Ellen, Lynn Murphy, Elaine Hadden, Joy Fantry, Treva Carter and Doris. Mary Fullington became an active member of the group, as did Ann Meerkerk. Virginia Harvey was the first program speaker, talking about textiles. She, along with Mildred Sherwood and Anita Luvera Mayer soon became active members. As the group grew, they decided a leader was necessary. Ann followed Doris as the second "leader" of the group, planning the meetings and programs. When she became ill and was not able to do the planning, she asked Mildred to take over. Mildred lead the group until 1981 when she asked Suzanne Ramsey to become the leader. Suzanne led the group until 1987. By this time the group had grown to about 30 members, meeting in Coupeville at the Methodist Church. |
In 1972 Spin-In was formed by Ann, Lynn and Laura Vanderbeek. Spin-in is an Australian word meaning "joyful gathering". As a result of this gathering Ann, Lynn and Laura started raising sheep. In 1986 a decision was made to legally organize the guild, setting dues and electing officers. The new Constitution and By-Laws were accepted in April 1987, with Virginia Dusenbury elected the first President. Subsequent presidents were Pauline Doyle, Lucetta Walker, Evelyn Boyd, Alphild Johnson, Nita Coates, Jean Nelson, Rene Delight-La Torre, Sally Starnes, Pat Oetken, Nancy Baggott and Linda Thom. The yearly Auction in December has raised a great deal of money to be applied to further education in the fiber arts field as well as a wonderful potluck lunch and time to visit with other interesting members. The Guild has also presented several fashion shows to the community. Study Groups formed, Crazy 8's being the first followed by Blockbusters, Braidy Bunch (see further details under The Braidy Bunch), Firehouse Spinners, Foursomes, Dye Study, Foursomes, Firehouse Spinners, NW Regional Spinners, Samplers (formerly Twill Group), Sixteen Shaft Group and South Whidbey Spinners. In the early years the guild demonstrated carding, spinning and weaving at the Coupeville Arts and Crafts Festival, even had dye pots going. Members also went into the school classrooms to demonstrate the fiber arts. Yearly participation in the Island County Fair has brought members many blue ribbons in weaving, spinning, surface design, to mention a few of the fiber arts that are now being created by the Whidbey Weavers Guild. In 2004 Carys Hamer undertook the leadership of our first Annual Guild Member Sale. It was held at the Coupeville Recreation Center for three years and then moved to Greenbank Farm in 2007. By Judy Lynn, Suzanne Ramsey and Sally Starnes, 2008 |
| Photo of Ranier Phlox cluster by J Dodge. Updated March 2008 | Copyright © 2007-2008 Whidbey Weavers Guild. All rights reserved. |