Trudy Newman (founding Editor)
As a designer weaver for over twenty years, I participate in textile and fibre exhibitions locally and throughout NSW. Retail outlets are supplied with wearables of scarves, wraps and throws created in the home-based production studio, using three Australian designed 16 shaft Noble looms. Computer aided design allows experimentation and the extension of simple weave patterns into seemingly complex ones, giving a contemporary look to designs that could be centuries old. A great love of the differing qualities of fine Australian wool in conjunctions with the wonderful sheen of silk has been a continuing influence.
As a weaver who has spent most of my life in country areas, I felt a need to have more contact with others in the same boat. Apparently I was not the only one, as everyone at the first meeting of Weavers Forum at the Textile Fibre Forum, held in April 1998, seemed to also think it was a good idea. As well as contact with others, it seemed a way that information, weaving news, tutors and exhibitions could be shared more easily. Queries could be dealt with, books requested, websites found and equipment listed for sale. It is pleasing to me that the newsletter is still speeding its way around Australia and New Zealand, and that the membership is increasing.
About two or more years ago when I became pre-occupied with an aged parent, Helen was kind enough to take over the job of editor. She has been gradually tweaking the format of the newsletter to good effect and she is working towards setting up a Weavers Forum website, hoping that it will be in operation for the inaugural Weavers Forum Exhibition in Tamworth late next year. An exhibition has been on the agenda for many years now, but it has always seemed too difficult to organise. It is especially pleasing that it will be held during the 10th anniversary year of Weavers Forum. Get weaving everyone!
Trudy
Helen Halpin (current Editor)
I have been a weaver for over 25 years and was first introduced to weaving at the Bondi Evening College in Sydney where the late Jack Harrison was the tutor. I completed two years of the weaving course at TAFE in the mid 80s and I have attended various workshops at the Handweavers & Spinners Guild of NSW and Textile Fibre Forum at Mittagong and Orange.
I like to weave fabric for scarves, vests, cushions and placemats using wool, silk and cotton. I tend to be drawn to variegated/space dyed yarns in strong and intense colours. I like to use these yarns in the warp to have the colour variation running vertically in a piece. I love twills, especially on eight shafts – see pink shawl on home page.
I thoroughly enjoy putting the quarterly newsletter together for the Weavers Forum, delighted that our membership continues to grow and hope that members will find the website useful. It will be basic at first, however hopefully it will continue to grow and be a successful website with a gallery for members’ work, exchange of ideas etc.
Like Trudy, I am thrilled that an exhibition is now in the planning stages and will be held during the 10th anniversary year of Weavers Forum – more information will be in Nov 07 newsletter.
Helen