Teacher - Jean Newsted

Jean Newsted is an avid spinner with a lifelong interest in the fibre arts.  She learned to spin when she moved to Canada in 1977.  After accumulating a houseful of spinning wheels, fleeces and fibres, she began giving flax workshops in 1991, hoping to foster the love of linen and the bast fibres in spinners everywhere.  In addition to teaching spinning and knitting, she has published articles in Spin-Off and elsewhere, as well as entering her work in exhibitions and juried shows.  She has raised angora rabbits, using their fur in her creations.  Jean has also lived in England and New Zealand where she acquired even more fleeces and fibres.  She moved to the Comox Valley in 2000, where she is pursuing her keen interest in growing and using plants to dye all that handspun yarn.  The fleeces and fibres continue to multiply.

 We are very fortunate to have Jean teaching and lecturing

Growing and using Japanese Indigo

    

 Jean with be lecturing about her adventures in growing and using Indigo to dye yarns and fabric. I saw a very informal demo of this at a spinning retreat once and was amazed at the wealth of knowledge Jean has on this subject. She will have many sample and slides to present. So if you are interseted in growing and usinf Indigo for dying you don't want to miss this.

Friday May 3  3-5pm
Class cost is $27.

Spinning the bast fibres:  an introduction to Flax, Hemp, and Ramie

      

           In this workshop students will learn the special techniques involved in spinning and processing of flax, hemp and ramie, as well as various bast fibre blends.  We will also talk about the cultivation, processing and uses of these fibres in both historical and ethnological contexts.

          Students should be at the advanced beginner spinning level, comfortable with the wheel, and able to control the grist of their yarn.

             Maximum number of students: 12

This workshop will be on Sunday, May 5th, from 10 A.M.to 4:30 or 5:00 P.M.  

               Jean will bring everything the students need, except their spinning wheels, and will charge a $10 dollar materials fee.

Class cost is $80.

Registration for these workshops will begin March 4. More details about registration will be coming soon.