Ventura Handweavers & Spinners Guild

• Balanced thermal insulation properties: Warm in winter and cool in the summer.
• Hypo-allergenic: Resistant to bacteria, mold, and mildew.
• Absorbs harmful pollutants: Does not re-emit them.
• Resists house dust mite: Microscopic pores make it unfavorable for the growth and breeding of the house dust mite.
• Anti-static: Keeps it much cleaner for longer.
• Fabrics clean easily: The outside surface of the wool fiber consists of a series of overlapping scales.
• Resists wrinkles: Natural crimp allows it to return to its natural shape.
• Naturally flame resistant: Wool is difficult to ignite, has low flame spread and heat release properties. It does not melt. It has superior self- extinguishing qualities.
• Eco-friendly and Sustainable: Wool is a totally natural product, entirely renewable and sustainable. And it is 100% biodegradable (a very important feature in a world that is increasingly concerned about the environment).

Source: https://www.worldofwool.co.uk/apps/base/blog/amazing-benefits-of-wool

• Strength: Stronger per same fineness.
• Warmth per weight: Approx. 3x the insulating capacity of sheep's wool. Garments are VERY light and VERY warm.
• Hypo-allergenic: Incidence of allergic reactions is dramatically lower than other fibers.
• Feel: Has no lanolin and very low "prickle factor." There is less shrinkage. It has superior comfort and a superior comfort range.
• Yield: Is as soft and fine as cashmere fiber. Alpaca will yield 7-10 Ibs. of fiber yearly vs. a cashmere goat yield of 2-3 lbs. of fiber a year.
• Colors in herd: There are 23 recognized natural colors which accept both natural plant-based and acid dyes.
• Advantages over synthetic fiber:
  
  • Superior breathability
  • Wicks away body moisture
  • Warm when wet
  • Won't mat or pill
  • Naturally windproof
  • Flame-resistant
  • Doesn't melt
  • Low static electricity
  • Doesn't hold debris
  • Stain resistant
  • Resists acquired odors
  • Has a natural sheen
  • All natural and biodegradable

Source: http://www.fibersoftheworld.com/fiber-animals/fiber-for-sale/benefits-of-alpaca-fiber/

• Alpacas at Windy Hills, Moorpark (over 200 head, the largest Alpaca ranch in California)
• Rancho Keleje Alpacas, Fillmore
• Alpacas and Beyond, Somis
• New Hope Alpacas, Thousand Oaks
• Faith and Fleece Alpacas, Somis
• Two Trees Alpacas, Somis
• Alpacas FurEver, Ventura
• Angel Dreams Alpacas, Thousand Oaks
• Moonshadow Management, Simi Valley
• Kate's Fiber Arts, Somis
• Apex Alpacas, Simi Valley
• Harmony Hills Alpacas, Somis
• Cloudwalker Farms, Moorpark
• Plus, countless alpacas are owned by individuals on small acreages.

• Moisture Control: Cotton fabric is breathable. It naturally wicks away moisture.
• Insulation: Cotton provides thermal insulation as the cotton fabric traps air between the fabric fibers
• Hypoallergenic: It is used in medical products like bandages and gauze, and is the fabric of choice when it comes to baby clothing.
• Weatherproof: A tight, dense fabric with a weather-repellent finish makes weather resistant clothing. The cotton fabric retains its comfort and breathability.
• Comfort: A high tensile strength makes it strong, durable, and less likely to rip or tear. It is 30% stronger when wet, withstanding many washings in hot water.
• Durability: Cotton clothing is soft and easily stretches for comfort. It is often used in underwear and undershirts.
• Balanced thermal insulation properties: It is warm in winter and cool in the summer.

Source: https://www.livestrong.com/article/59826-advantages-cotton-clothing

• Cotton Blossom
• Seed Pod or "boll"
• Mature Cotton Boll Opens
• Cotton has many Seeds
  • Ginning Removes the Seeds

• Cotton Spins Easily on Gandhi's Charka Design
• Cotton has Beautiful Natural Colors

• Cotton has been used for at least 5000 years
• U.S. average harvest: 10.3 million acres (17.9 million bales), generating $27 billion in revenues and supporting millions of jobs
• One bale (500 Ibs) of cotton = 1,217 men's T-shirts or 313,600 $100 bills!

• People who make our clothing (the majority living in third world countries) are paid subsistence wages and subject to workplace abuses and unsafe conditions.
• Water pollution from dye and textile waste runoff.
• Microplastics in our food and water supply.
• Global warming from over-production of clothing, most of which end up in landfills. Broken supply chain problems which make operating within our local fibershed next-to-impossible.

Also Made by Participants

• Hooded Poncho
• Cotton Sweater
• Cotton Skirt
• Panel Skirt from Organic Cotton
• Felted Boots
• Rag Rugs

Participants

• Deb Thompson & Michelle Gannes (Co-Coordinators)
• Shannon Anderson
• Melissa Hanson
• Susie Meach
• Teresa Camarillo
• Judy Hersh
• Allyson Swaney
• Kait Hilliard
• Cindy Hahn
• Deborah Low
• Betty Villafana

Thank you all for sharing your adventure with us!!

• Oxalis - Collected from local fields in the spring - Ojai and Oxnard
• Marigold - Collected from the dye garden, plus purchase of additional large bouquet from local fruit and vegetable stand in Ventura County
• Roselle Hibiscus - Locally grown in Santa Paula and purchased at the Channel Islands Harbor Sunday Farmers Market
• Indigo - Purchased Organic Indigo dye kit from Graham Keegan, Los Angeles
• Cochineal - Combination of wild cochineal collected in Thousand Oaks, CA and organic cochineal purchased for Anini Designs, listed in the SoCal Fibershed Producer Directory

The Next Steps

• Making Yarn
• Weaving

The Complete Ensemble

• Dorest Buttons
• Tam
• Mitts
• Purse
• Scarf

• Fiber & Dye Processing
  Clean, card, spin, & dye fibers and weave or knit into fabric
• Designers & Makers
  Design, cut, & sew textiles / garments
• Garments
  Recycle the nutrients
• Compost
  Apply to pasture and farmland
• Rangeland, Farmland, & Carbon Sink
  Provide Nutrients
• Sheep, Cotton, Bast, Fiber, & Dye
  Provide fiber & dyes\

Fibers Used
Huacaya Alpaca from Ojai and very fine Cormo (Corriedale / Merino) Sheep from San Bernardino

We spun each individually and plied into yarn.

• Indigo (also between each sample) - Wool
• Red Heart Wood Alum
• Pandelions + Indian Blanket Flowers
• Indian Blanket Flowers Alum Wool
• Beet Greens + Artichoke Alam + Backing Soda Beats - (Dark Artichoke) - (Yellow Wool)
• Alum
• Oxalis Wool
• Marigolds Alum
• Black Beans Wool
• Mint Alum Wool

• Black Beans Wool
• Mint Alum Wool
• Mint Leaves Overdyed with Indigo Wool
• Statice Overdyed with Indigo Wool
• Onion Skins Alum DK Wool (Med - Wool) (H - Cotton)
• Eucalyptus Wool
• Hopi Black Sunflower Seeds Wool
• Hibiscus Tea Wool
• Avocado Skins + Pits (Dark - Wool) (Light - Cotton)

• Avocado Skins + Pits (Dark - Wool) (Light - Cotton)
• Hopi Black Sunflower Seeds (Dark - Wool) (Light - Cotton)
• - Alum Wool
• - Wool
• Cochineal (Dark - Natural) (Light - Processed) Wool
• Pomegranate
• Statice Wool
• Radish Tops Alum
• -
• - Alum Cotton
• - Alum Wool
• Seaweed Alum Wool

• Sheep to Shawl
  • The first Friday of the Fair
• Community Demos
  • Scandinavian Days
  • Olivas Adobe
• Spinning ContestThe first Friday of the Fair

Textile dyeing dates back to the Neolithic period. The essential process has changed little over time.

• The dye material is put in a pot of water;
• The textiles are added:
• A chemical, called "mordant," is added to bind the dye to the fibers;
• The water is heated and stirred until the dye is transferred.

Historically, local plant-based dyes were raised commercially and were important trade goods Scarce dye stuffs were highly prized trade treasures.

A Selection of Natural Dye Plants

• Alder Bark
• Birch Leaves
• Black Oak Bark
• Black Walnut Shells
• Blue Flower Lupine
• Brazilwood
• Broomsedge
• Butternut
• Chamomile Flowers
• Chinese Aster
• Cochineal (a bug)
• Coffee Beans
• Coreopsis Flowers
• Cotton Flowers
• Cutch
• Dahlia Flowers
• Dock
• Dyer's Broom
• Fustic
• Goldenrod
• Hickory Nut Hulls
• Hollygrape Root
• Indian Paint Brush
• Indigo
• Iron Buff
• Juniper Berries
• Leaves: Black Tea
• Mountain-Laurel,
• Poplar, Privet, Tulip
• Tree
• Lichens
• Logwood
• Madder
• Marigold Flowers
• Onion Skins
• Osage Orange
• Peach
• Pecan Hulls
• Persian Berries
• Pokeberry
• Prickly Pear Cactus
• Purple Beeplant
• Rose Hips
• Safflower
• Sagebrush
• Sassafras Root
• Bark
• Sumac Berries
• Sunflowers
• Turmeric
• Walnut Hulls
• Weld
• White Oak Bark
• Woad
• Zinnia Flowers

With increasing numbers of harnesses on a loom comes the possibility of more complex patterns in weaving. Our group is studying the different structures made possible by this increase in complexity. So far, we have studied twills, rep weave and network drafting. Displayed is a Twill weaving drawdown and sample pieces woven from these drawdowns.

We cover equipment: spinning wheels from simple to powered, spindles to e-spinners. Fibers-wools, silks, plant fibers, ecofibers. Techniques: treadling, drafting, take up, long draw worsted to woolen.

Please join us to see if the addictive world of handspinning is for you. "Moonspinners: They're naiads."

• Choosing weaving techniques, loom and yarn
• Choosing a design to sew
• Adjusting the pattern to fit your measurements
• Adjusting the pattern for cutting your handwoven fabric
• How to prepare & cut your handwoven fabric
• Special sewing techniques
• Share your skills and design ideas with the group
• Work on projects as a group or individually
• Zoom meetings and "How To" presentations
• Occasional In Person Meetings at Members Homes
• Field Trips (FIDM, museums, other fashion related events)