Weaving on Ethnic Looms at Fiber Guild Meeting

The Space Coast Weavers & Fiber Artists will meet at 10 am on Saturday , June 22 at the Merritt Island Public Library, 1195 N. Courtenay Parkway. Following a short meeting, Sharon Kersten will present a program on “Weaving on Ethnic Looms”

Sharon is a multi-talented fiber artist, proficient in processes that change fiber to yarn, yarn to fabric, and fabric to garments. She will bring several types of simple ethnic looms which do not require the expense and instruction that a floor loom would entail. She will demonstrate how to weave on them and show how they can be made easily and inexpensively. Attendees will be able to try weaving on a variety of looms. You will be amazed the ancient backstrap loom can be used to create beautiful multicolored textiles

Sharon has been exploring the fiber arts since a childhood, learning knitting from one grandmother, and tatting from the other. Her mother is a quilter and spinner. She learned to spin with a pencil and potato drop spindle! As an adult she researched and read scientific and academic articles and experimented with various techniques until she mastered most of the fiber arts.

Sharon says “My favorite weaving is the “black and light” or double faced pickup techniques used by South American weavers, much of it done on simple backstrap looms.”

Since 1983 SCW&FA has been Brevard’s go to guild for fiber arts: spinning, weaving, basketry, rug hooking, and more.  The guild helps fiber artists, beginning or advanced, learn through workshops and the informal exchange of ideas. They also work to educate the public about the fiber arts.  Meetings are free and open to the public. For more information, call Jeanie McCormack at 321-266-1610.