SWA: Spinning and Weaving Association
Spinning and Weaving Association

News & Events

Recent Events

Stitches West
February 22–27, 2007

Bo Peep and Striptease Sheep Crash the Big Knitting Party

To give our new theme for Spinning and Weaving Week a trial run, SWA sponsored “From Fiber to Fabric: Spin It! Weave It! You Can Do It!” in the demonstration area at Stitches West in Santa Clara, California. We know that knitters love yarns, but how many of them really know how yarn is made? Do knitters know that besides knitting, they can also weave fabulous fabrics with commercial or handspun yarns?

Our goal was to show them the exciting world of spinning and weaving in a way that captures their imagination and tickles their funny bone. Live animals are not allowed in the convention center, so Little Bo Peep presided over the “shearing” of a costumed sheep to demonstrate this first step in making yarn. Fiber was provided by Cindy Howard-Gibbons from Foxglove Fiberarts and Natasha Leher of Esther's Place. Spindles & Flyers, the San Francisco Guild headed by Nancy Alegria, was in charge of demonstrating spinning and weaving throughout the show. Bob Kruger from AVL brought a small dobby loom to add excitement and highlight the possibilities of weaving in the 21st century. Joan Williams from Monarch Knitting acted as our publicist. SWA directed would-be spinners and weavers to your business by distributing our membership directory as well as the updated Spinning & Weaving Week bookmark with the address of our new and improved web site.

Special thanks to Irene Schmoller from Cotton Clouds for dreaming up this event and pulling it all together. SWA also plans to hold a similar event at Stitches East in October 2007. Carol Woolcock from The Mannings will be organizing this effort.

^ top

Convergence 2006: New B2B Opportunity
June 2006

SWA offered a new benefit at Convergence 2006 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, for wholesale members. In the morning hours before the vendor hall opened to the public, our member wholesalers had the opportunity to meet with retailers to take orders. Wholesalers had until June 1 to schedule appointments with retailers and submit their schedule to SWA. SWA allowed only scheduled retailers into the vendor hall for these before-hour appointments. To ensure security, retailers were escorted to their appointments by SWA volunteers. This special service was only available to SWA member wholesalers. Are you interested in participating in a similar event at Convergence 2008 in Tampa, Florida? Contact us!

^ top

TNNA
January 2005

SWA hosted another booth at The National Needlearts Association (TNNA) trade show in Longbeach, California. Spinning and weaving were demonstrated (see photo) and wholesalers talked to many knitting shops about the advantages of introducing spinning and weaving supplies in their shops.

^ top