New England Weavers' Seminar
NEWS 2025
July 8 - 13, 2025
Westfield State University
Westfield, MA
The tour is ON for Wednesday, July 9. Thank you to Penny Lacroix and
Leslyn Hall for stepping up to keep this opportunity a part of NEWS!
One of our favorite parts of attending NEWS is getting to meet new fiber friends.
We're trying to provide more opportunities for casual interaction by setting aside time
at the beginning of the conference to do some knitting, spinning, inkle weaving, or other portable
craft or just hang out and talk. Gathering places, times, and hosts will be announced later.
Public registration begins Sunday, February 9.
Early registration for members of our ten participating guilds (see here
for a list) will begin Sunday, February 2. You must be a recognized member
of one of the guilds by January 1, 2025 to take advantage of this.
This is a weekly preview of planned course offerings.
Our program is still being finalized and changes are possible.
F6: Fabulous Fascinators: A Millinery Finale
Instructor: Laurie Carlson Steger
1/2 day, Sunday, July 13, 8:30 am - 11:30 am, $80
Fabulous and daring with a touch of mystique is how you feel when wearing a special hat. This workshop starts with a tutorial about fascinator styles as inspiration toward making a beautiful fascinator of your own. A Basic Black Cocktail Hat base will be embellished with your choice of silk flowers, feathers or sculptural sinamay, and crinoline. Netting and veiling around the creative design will flatter your personal features as the final touch. Basic items will be supplied, while you are free to find special decorative elements. Option: add a fiberoptic Flashbraid to light the fascinator for evening parties. Skills include sew/tack décor to base, ribbon flowers, tacking veil or net.
P1: Weaving for Beginners on the 4-Harness Floor Loom
Instructor: Deanna Moore
3 1/2 day, Thursday, July 10, 8:30 am -
Sunday, July 13, 11:30 am, $450
This lively and intensive course is designed as an introduction to the basic techniques of weaving: winding a warp, dressing the loom, and weaving a finished piece. The focus will be on exploring the basic weave structures — plain weave and twills in their many variations — designing and drafting a project and calculating yarn requirements. You will also learn about looms and equipment, yarns, and finishing techniques. In addition, you will be able to take full advantage of NEWS: attending general lectures and exhibits while meeting other weavers. After completing this workshop, you will be able to warp a loom, weave on your own, and know where help is readily available. Looms are provided.
