08/31/2026
Calling all WHI members. It's time to resume monthly meetings, and we're kicking things off at the Sheep & Wool Festival in Jefferson on Saturday, September 12th at Noon. This is a great time of year for new members to join and not miss any of the 2026-2027 events. To join, visit www.wihandweavers.org today. See below for details about the September 12th meeting.
2026-2027 PROGRAMS AND WORKSHOPS
Welcome Back! We are looking forward to an exciting year for our guild as we celebrate our Diamond Jubilee. For 75 years Wisconsin weavers have enjoyed gathering, teaching, learning, and just sharing our love for the art and craft of weaving.
Hosting the Midwest Weavers Conference, Weave Wisconsin, is an ambitious undertaking for WHI. Fortunately, we have assembled a great group of leaders who have spent months planning and preparing for the conference. There is, of course, still much to be done and we are counting on our members to step up and volunteer.
For our WHI monthly meetings, we are planning in-person gatherings at various locations around the area. Throughout the year information for meetings will be posted on our website, wihandweavers.org and the Wisconsin Handweavers page as well as in the WHI Newsletter. Always check the time and location before you venture out to meetings.
SEPTEMBER 12, 2026, 12:00 PM Join your fellow WHI members for lunch and a meeting at the Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival, Jefferson County Fair Park, 503 N. Jackson Avenue, Jefferson Wisconsin. Please note that there is a $10 admission fee to get into the festival. If you would like to be reimbursed for the cost of admission email our treasurer and you will receive a check
Each year, Wisconsin Handweavers host an informational table at the Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival. Many of our members take classes, enter the competitions, visit the exhibitors, enjoy the shows and take advantage of the great shopping. If you haven’t been there before, you should know that this regional powerhouse is one of the country's top destinations for fiber arts education, stock dog trials, and local sheep heritage.
Purchase or bring a lunch and join us at noon in the Activity Center Building on Saturday, September 12. We will be sharing stories from the summer and discussing updates and plans for the upcoming Midwest Weavers Conference. Everything you need to know about the Sheep and Wool Festival can be found at https://wisconsinsheepandwoolfestival.com.
FALL PROGRAMS AND WORKSHOPS
Here is a look at what WHI will be offering in the coming months.
OCTOBER 10, 2026, 10:15 DIAMOND TOWEL INSPIRATIONS: Designing, Warping and Weaving with Judie Yamamoto. This meeting will be held at the North Shore Library in its new location at 711 Grace Street in Bayside. In recognition of our 75 years as a guild, WHI members are invited to join the Diamond Jubilee Towel Challenge. We plan to exhibit 75 towels at the Midwest Weavers Conference. To make it even more interesting and fun, we are especially looking for weaving patterns that incorporate diamond shapes. Join us October for ideas and inspiration.
NOVEMBER 14, 2026 10:00 FELTING: AN ANCIENT ART FOR MODERN TIMES with Kati Fritz-Jung, at the ABK Weaving Center in Gaenslen School, 1250 E. Burleigh in Milwaukee.
NOVEMBER 14, FELTED MINI-VESSEL WORKSHOP 12:30-3:30 in the ABK Weaving Center Classroom. Following our morning meeting, Kati will offer a workshop in which you will create a small 3-dimensional felted vessel. Look for the registration form and more information in this newsletter and sign up online at the website.
DECEMBER 12, 2026, 10:00 GOODY PROJECT MAKE-IT DAY 10 at the ABK Weaving Center. Everyone who attends the Midwest Conference receives a “Goody Bag” filled with items donated by businesses and participating guilds. At our December meeting we will be making WHI’s Goody Bag gifts. Plan to come for a day of busy hands and friendly conversation.
UPCOMING IN SPRING OF 2027
WHI does not meet in January.
FEBRUARY 13, 2027, Location and Program TBD.
MARCH 13, 2027, 10:00 FUN WITH NAME DRAFTS with Sandra Buhler, 10:00 am at ABK Weaving Center at Gaenslen School.
APRIL10, 2027 FILLING THE MWC GIFT BAGS TOGETHER, 10:00 am, ABK Weaving Center.
MAY 8, EXPLORING THE TEXTILES OF JAPAN, 10:00 am at the Charles Allis Art Museum. Several members of WHI will share their experiences with textile-focused touring in Japan.
