Ysabeau Chanteuse kindly agreed to convene a meeting of the Fibre Guild at the recent Fields of Gold event, and record (most excellent) Minutes. My grateful thanks to Ysabeau for taking this on in my absence!
Eleonora Rose, Guildmistress
Attending:
Ysabeau Chanteuse (Megan Arthur), Asny in Freknotta, Igulfridr, Clara Bone-Aventure (Lara Mucha), Mathild de Lilburne (Julie Willis), Miriamm Galbraith (Laura Iseman), Ragnhildr Freysteindottir (Helen Brinsmead), Katherne Rischer
Observing:
Medb ingen Magnusa Ruaidh (Kate Lyons)
Opening Remarks
Ysabeau opened the meeting by noting that Guildmistress Eleanora Rose had sent her apologies for not being able to attend. Ysabeau proposed that two of the items for discussion at the previous Guild meeting be further discussed today, with a view to deciding the way forward on at least one of them.
Static Display
The meeting agreed that the creation of a static display should be a priority for the Guild. The following design points were agreed upon:
- Must be mobile – i.e. not something that is only used at Rowany Festival. Ideally if the Guild is being represented at an event, the static display would also be present.
- Must have its own (waterproof) cover, and include a sewing kit with light & dark thread, needles & scissors
- Two set sizes for samples 10x10cm & 5x20cm, two choices of backing fabric (dark & light)
- Once mounted on the backing fabric, samples must be lightly tacked on to the display fabric.
- Samples – no set colour scheme
Other items of discussion on this topic:
- Ask for FAT/RAT funds to cover fabric and purchase pre-paid envelopes Action: Guildmistress.
- Aim to have a preliminary static display at Festival XXV.
- This project requires a Project Manager: Ragnhildr will discuss taking on the role with the Guildmistress, noting that due to upcoming family complexity she may need someone to join her in the role. Action: Ragnhildr.
- How will we recruit volunteers for sample creation? We need a list of options on the website, based on the categories that are currently included in the Guild Charter. On the reverse of the backing fabric, there must be information sheets which use a standard template e.g.creator’s name, date range, fibre, usage etc. When nominating to complete a sample, each person must submit a photo of a worked example.
- The items on the Static Display will change over time as guild members improve their skills in different fields – the samples are exemplars and so must demonstrate a high-quality product, within a range of styles.
Rankings
The guild members present don’t want grading to be compulsory for membership.
Ragnhildr described how rankings had worked in the previous iteration of the Guild. Ysabeau described the various resources for ranking currently available on the Guild website. The members present were happy to continue with the previous rankings system.
Other items of discussion on this topic:
- We need to make sure that the possible categories are reviewed regularly. There needs to be a way for people to submit new categories as they become a thing, which must be able to be verified (preferably by Fibre Masters).
Email list
Given the state of flux currently happening in the social media landscape, the potential of a Guild email list was raised. The guild members present agreed that this would be useful to have, particularly for announcements, posting of meeting minutes and other such administrative elements. Could the Guildmistress please discuss the options available with the Masonry team? Action: Guildmistress.
Question Time:
Katherne has recently obtained a loom and has many questions. Warping up a loom is a hands-on teaching 2 person gig. Various experienced weavers provided her with suggestions regarding first steps and possible sources of mentoring and supplies.
Katherne’s questions led to discussion about a central resource for starting out resources – can we have a set of them on the website? (If we did, the resource lists would need to include a date of last review, as business practices and product availability can change over time.) Can we ask companies for SCA/Guild member only discounts?
Rowan has a floor loom at home that needs a new home. It was made for her grandmother by her grandfather. Rowan will provide photos & dimensions to the Guild members, once Nico has made the necessary repairs. Rowan will investigate the possibility of having some information regarding the provenance of the loom permanently attached to it.
Show & Tell
Igulfridr brought along three sprang items: a bag, a hair net, and photos of her current project, a rainbow bag.
Ysabeau brought along three knitted items: a Monmouth cap, a striped purse (not quite finished, which is a sample for a class on knitting in the round), and her current project, gloves based on a find from a Copenhagen dig.