Bisbee weaving workshop teaches intricate patterns

Huck and Swedish lace, 4 and 8 harness may sound alien to just about anybody — as does overshot, boundweave and supplemental warps. Yet to the women who were struggling with these intricate designs, they were as familiar as the names of their children.

Joan Ruane, one of the founders, says the Bisbee guild is one of the best in the nation.

"We won an international award last year from Handwoven's Fiber Hearts. It was quite an honor. And we do have one of the most comprehensive guilds. Others are envious of what we have here in Bisbee."

Since 1999, the Bisbee Fiber Arts Guild has provided the opportunity to learn the ancient arts of spinning and weaving in a studio on the lower floor of the Bisbee YMCA.

Thanks to the $500 monetary award that comes with the Handwoven's recognition and the annual $500 donation from the Bisbee Foundation and fundraisers, the guild can offer classes at a reduced rate so people who wouldn't ordinarily be able to afford such classes can take them, she pointed out.

The Tucson guild helps out with donated yarns, books and lots of support.

Then there's the public. Thanks to some generous hearts, the guild boasts more than a dozen looms. One of the larger ones is worth $6,000.

During the class, though, everyone worked on the smaller looms that could hold a piece about 3 feet wide. Since it was a three-day class teaching six structures, the looms were warped on a smaller scale. Warping is stringing the loom with the base thread, usually a neutral-colored heavy-duty cotton that runs vertically through the weave and sets the width of the fabric, said Ruane.

"Generally, everybody specializes in one type of pattern. They find a niche. This class opens up new potential. Some of these patterns are quite intricate and can take a long time," she added.

Darquise Decoz was busy working on a boundweave pattern of red and gold.

"This is so much fun. It really goes quickly," she said of her 8-inch-long weaving that took a few hours to do. "We go from one structure to another, so we all get the chance to try these designs."

Decoz also dyes and spins her own fibers into yarn. Some guild members own alpacas, sheep or goats and bring in the fibers after shearing. The guild has spinning machines as well.

"Most of the women in the class had had some training in the past," Ruane explained. "In order to use the guild's looms, you have to be a member and take at least one class so you know what you're doing."

Jan Taylor of Sierra Vista has been weaving for six years and says she loves it. "I've always had an interest in spinning and weaving," she said.

She was working on a Baby Wolf — a small, portable loom.

"I have a medium-sized one and a large one at home, but I want one I can take with me," she said. "And here, we have a unique situation. There are not many guilds in the country that have a nice setup like this. It's nice to find talented people who can teach us. Joan is a wonderful teacher."

Ruane taught the workshop's instructor Lynn Silberschlag, who lives in Tucson. Silberschlag teaches classes for the city of Tucson and Pima County. In the past 17 years, she has built up quite a reputation in the weaving world.

"I have taught hundreds and hundreds," she said. "And I had a good teacher."