The Salem Fiberarts Guild is an active guild for weavers and spinners and makes its home in the Textile Learning Center on the fourth floor of the Mill Building. Membership is open to anyone interested in fiber arts. Programs are presented at each meeting on various aspects of weaving, spinning and related fiber arts. Salem Fiberarts Guild is a member of the state organization;Weaving Guilds of Oregon (WeGO); regional, Associated Northwest Weaving Guilds (ANWG); and national, Handweavers Guild of America (HGA). SFG meets monthly on the 4th Wednesday - 10am to noon. Dues are $20 for individuals, $27.50 for family. SFG also meets informally every Friday, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm, for textile questions, answers, sharing projects and lunch!!

 The Saturday Spinners spend the first Saturday of each month, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm, in a casual gathering, sharing their love of spinning. They can be found either on the second floor, or in the Card Room in the main mill building.

Tatting and Lace Making Group meets on the 2nd Saturday of each month from 10:00 am -12:00 pm on the 2nd floor of the mill building.

Class Schedule
The classes available through our Textile Learning Center offer something for everyone, from the merely curious to the advanced fiber artist. To register for classes, call 503-585-7012 or email Kathleen Schulte.

Not just a well-equipped classroom space, the fourth floor of the old Thomas Kay Woolen Mill is also home to the Salem Fiberarts Guild. In addition to scheduled class times the center is available for studio time on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, and Fridays for Guild members, also 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Visitors are welcome to view the center during these times.

Fall Textile Learning Center Independent Study Courses: 

Beginning Knitting
Three one-hour sessions as arranged with Instructor Betsy Bailey
$60 members, $65 non-members

Betsy takes students through the essentials of beginning knitting; casting on and off, knit and purl stitches and how to increase and decrease. Students choose a project to complete. A very good beginner’s class for this practical and creative craft.

Weaving I
Four two-hour sessions as arranged with Instructor Donna Stor
$130 members, $145 non-members

These are a series for four private lessons with an experienced weaver, one of the best ways to learn a new art form. Together you tackle basic four harness weaving, including warping, threading, and some of the weave structures important for a beginner to understand. Students choose a project to complete within the time frame, giving them something to show for their efforts.

Weaving II
Four one hour sessions as arranged with Instructor Donna Stor
$70 members, $80 non-members

Beyond the basics of weaving, this class allows you to focus on the next level in this textile art. Donna will assist you with study in your choice of areas, such as double weave, designing cloth for specific uses and the basics of weave structures. An option available with this teacher is Inkle Loom weaving. This creates a narrow warp faced band, with vertical or horizontal stripes. Techniques and ideas from many parts of the world are part of these sessions, such as Latin America and the Baltic Countries. Beginning weaving skills are required for these more advanced classes.

Bobbin Lace or Tatted Lace
As arranged with Instructor Venessa Godfrey
$65 members, $75 non-members

Lace making as a textile art is a specialized skill rarely seen today, though before the Industrial Revolution it would have been prevalent. Venessa will introduce you to this fine hand work useful in embellishments and finishing touches for your creations. Beginners are welcome. A supply list will be provided.

Open Studio
Tuesday, Thursdays and Fridays from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Monthly: $27 members, $30 non-members

Open studio provides students and weavers with an opportunity to use the Textile Learning Center. Studio use includes various multiple harness looms, a surface design table, textile tools and a resource library. Plan a project, try out different equipment or simply enjoy the company of fellow textile artists. A basic knowledge of the equipment you intend to use (i.e. the ability to thread a loom) is required. Formal instruction and project materials are not included. Open studio is staffed by volunteer weavers. Open studio is limited to 10 students.
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Would you like to teach at the Textile Learning Center? We are always looking for fresh faces to share information on a new subject or shed their unique perspectives and techniques on an old favorite. Contact Kathleen Schulte for more information.  503-585-7012 or kathleens@willametteheritage.org.