WELCOME! WELCOME!! WELCOME!!!
The time has come for another fabulous, informative, stimulating Montana Association of Weavers and Spinners (MAWS) conference loaded with opportunities at every level for learning, laughter, and fun. Come, feed your creative hunger, nourish your intellectual curiosity, indulge your fiber fantasies, and nurture friendships, old and new.
On May 15, we will be posting an a la carte menu for those of you who can only get away for a short time. Look through the class offerings and come join us, if only for a day!
Currently, there is one opening each in Rigid Heddle Weaving and Flax Processing and Spinning. The following classes are full: Drawloom Weaving, Turkish Spindle, Woolen Watercolors, Dyeing at the Farm (conference session), and Tapestry Weaving. Several other classes are near the maximum number of participants. We will keep you posted.
PRE-CONFERENCE workshops on June 21-23, 2022, provide fiber enthusiasts opportunities for extended study with nationally- and locally-known experts. And, with 13 instructors to choose from, there is something for everyone. The conference starts on Thursday evening, June 23, and runs until noon on Sunday, June 26.
Registration
Schedules
Workshops
Carroll College Campus Map
Instructors
Conference Gift Bags
Meals
Housing Options
Evening Programs
Exhibits & Shows
Vendors
Registration
Registration has closed; this event is past.
Schedules
The final conference schedule with room assignments will be printed in the conference program provided to each participant at the registration desk. The workshop schedule is a list of the classes, by number.
Download conference schedule
Download workshop schedule
Carroll College Campus Map
View or download a map of the Carroll College campus.
Conference Gift Bags
We have beautiful handmade bags for participants. Each bag is custom-created and you get to pick your very own. Guilds from around the state have provided many clever and useful gifts—as well as a little bling—to make the bags like a Christmas stocking filled with surprises! Each bag will include a conference booklet, class schedule, what to do around Helena leaflet, and Carroll College map.
Meals
The conference meal package will be offered in the Carroll College cafeteria, which provides a wide variety of foods to accommodate special dietary preferences. If you have specific food restrictions, please provide that information when you register. Lunch will be included during the pre-conference full-day classes. A list of local restaurants within walking distance will be provided in the conference program.
Housing Options
When you register online there will be 2 options on the form for Carroll College housing, as well as an option for NO housing.
1. Basic Dorm Room: This no-frills option has a room for 2 occupants, no elevator, no refrigerator, no microwave, and a bathroom down the hall.
2. Trinity Suites: This dorm provides 2–4 private sleeping rooms joined by a shared bathroom, a communal living area with couch, and a kitchenette with refrigerator and cooktop. It is equipped with elevators. There are no utensils in the kitchen.
BOTH housing options come with a linen package consisting of a pillow, blanket, sheet set, and a set of towels. The linen fee has been added into the cost of the room for your convenience. The Montana Hospitality Tax will also be included in the housing fees.
Should you prefer to stay off-campus, Helena has a full range of motels and hotels. Carroll College does not allow camping on the premises, including self-contained RVs.
Evening Programs
Starting Thursday night we have planned some interesting and exciting programs.
THURSDAY—MARY MEIGS ATWATER
Thursday night there will be a presentation about Mary Meigs Atwater by her great-granddaughter, Dr. Mary Biehl. She will talk about the many hats Mary wore during her life. It will be embellished by a show of some of her original weavings as well as contemporary weavings of Atwater’s Recipe Book patterns. Join in by weaving something from the Recipe Book to share!
FRIDAY—A LIVING TREASURES RECITAL
Tonight is the night when the newest Montana Living Treasures are honored for their contributions to the fiber arts community. We will listen to accolades of their amazing abilities and then hear from the new “Treasures” themselves about their journeys. All Living Treasures are encouraged to share Words of Wisdom and Tricks of the Trade that will be made into posters for viewing around the conference venue.
SATURDAY—OUTTA SIGHT PARTY AND DESSERT!
Straighten your spectacles so you can see all the crazy new spinning “techniques”, which are sure to produce more laughs than yarn! Tonight we will have a laid-back Spin-In, a towel and skein exchange, an awards presentation, and listen to some “groovy” music. Wear your gaudiest glasses and a big smile as you compete for the title of 2022 Fiber Visionary. (Hint: it’s all about the glasses!)
Exhibits & Shows
EYE FOR STYLE: FASHION SHOW AND BRUNCH
Sunday morning, after the MAWS Biennial Meeting, we will have a Brunch Buffet and Fashion show of handcrafted garments and accessories! Participants will model their finest garments and give the audience a close up look as they walk through the dining tables. Prizes will be given to the People’s Choice in each category. This show is totally dependent on the attendee’s participation! Let’s make it PARIS WORTHY! (Additional tickets are available for the Fashion Show/Brunch).
Entry form download.
CREATIVE VISIONS: OPEN SHOW 2022
The Open Show will showcase the Creative Visions of the participants. Entries will be turned in at registration for jurying and then hung for all to see! This is a wonderful opportunity to exhibit and to view the amazing work of fellow fiber artists! Prizes will be given for the top awards and ribbons for the first and second in each category. As an added bonus, both HGA and Complex Weavers will be providing awards for the pieces that best exemplify their criteria. These include ribbons as well as publication of the winners in their respective magazines. Imagine, a photograph and description of your piece in a national publication!
Entry form download.
OUR TRUE COLORS: GUILD BOOTHS
Each participating guild is invited to present a show of their accomplishments for the last four years. It can be a study project, community service achievement, or a collection of beautiful works done by guild members. The booths are a real highlight of the conference. Ribbons will be awarded for Best Use of Color (Full Spectrum), Best Use of Conference Theme, Most Creative, and People’s Choice! Put on your visionary glasses and cook up a booth!
Vendors
2 Farms and a Kitchen
Hand-dyed yarns, hand-dyed spinning fibers, fine wool weaving yarns, sculptured felt bowls, felt trivets, Jacquard dyes, needle felting supplies, dyed mohair locks
BLUE SAVANNAH
Kristin Milloway
hand dyed yarn, playsilks, specialty handmade items.
bluesavannah.com
Lone Pine Wool Emporium and MT Aspen Designs
Raw fleece, roving, yarn, wool batts, wool socks, spinning stools.
lonepinewoolemporium.com
Notlwonk Springs
Raw fleece, roving, wool batts, yarn, felt, and finished products—dryer balls, mug rugs, scarves, dog leashes, tanned hides, and knickknacks.
facebook.com/NotlwonkSprings
Ranching Tradition Fiber
Homegrown Targee/Rambouillet wool yarns/roving both dyed and undyed, Ashford dealer, Valkyrie dealer, Unicorn washes. Copper K Festival information.
ranchingtraditionfiber.com
SUZA DESIGNS
Suza Wooldridge
Books, yarn, weaving equipment, looms
Weaverbird Studio / Bev Polk Handweaver
Handwoven bags of different sizes, towels, cards, scarves, ponchos, vests, and runners.
bevpolkhandweaver.com
WHISTLE CREEK POTTERY
Ellen Childress
Functional wheel thrown stoneware pottery, yarn bowls, thread pots, mugs, butter bells, piggy banks, full line of plates, bowls, etc.
whistlecreek.blogspot.com/