MAWS - Montana Association of Weavers and Spinners
Expanding and Exploring the Future World of our Fiber Traditions
August 1-4, 2024
Billings Hotel and Convention Center - Click here to view more on the Venue and Housing
Inspirational Instructors, Shows and Vendors
Supported in part by a grant from the
Montana Arts Council,
an agency of State Government.
Conference Schedule
August 1 - Thursday
11:00 - 7:00
Registration
10:00 - 4:00
Pre-Conference Beginning Spinning
10:00 - 4:00
Pre-Conference Beginning Weaving
August 2 - Friday
8:00 - 1:00
Registration
9:00 - 12:00
Classes
1:30 - 4:30
Classes
7:00 - 8:30
Living Treasures Presentation
August 3 - Saturday
8:00 - 1:00
Registration
9:00 - 12:00
Classes
1:30 - 4:30
Classes
7:00 - 8:30
Keynote Speakers
August 4 - Sunday
9:00 - 12:00
Brunch
10:00 - 12:00
Fashion Show
1:30 - 4:30
Post Conference Classes
August 5 - Monday
8:00 - 1:00
Registration
9:00 - 12:00
Post Conference Classes
1:30 - 4:30
Post Conference Classes
August 5 - Tuesday
9:00 - 4:30
Post Conference Classes
Classes
Click on the Classes Page to view classes and instructors or
Keynote Speakers Billy Maxwell and LaVonne Stucky
Three Montanans Join Together to Produce Reproduction Point Blankets
LaVonne Stucky from Belgrade, Billy Maxwell from Whitehall and Laina Therrien from Terry have joined together to in a project to recreate 1700’s era point blankets such as those that Lewis and Clark would have used on their Western
expedition as trade goods with the Native Americans. These blankets are being made with a medium, long staple length Montana grown wool. After washing and fulling, the blankets have a fine halo and do not pill. The drape of the cloth in these reproduction blankets is very much like that of their vintage counterparts. The modern blankets also have unique qualities of their own. A 3-point blanket weighs in at 4.5 pounds and is 68 inches x 86 inches.
LaVonne raises the sheep near Belgrade, MT. After shearing, the wool is processed and spun at LaVonne’s in The Wool Mill. A small portion of the yarn is sent to Billy Maxwell to hand-dye with Indigo. Then the yarns travel to Laina at
Wood-n-Woven in Terry for weaving. For each run, Laina warps her loom with enough thread to weave ten blankets. Currently the Wool Mill is taking orders for its fifth run of blankets.
This project was the brainchild of cultural anthropologist, Billy Maxwell. Billy and LaVonne will tell us how this project came about after they met in 2020. During their presentation, they will highlight the many steps needed to bring this
project to fruition and describe a few of the backsteps they took along the way.
Scholarships
Limited $200 scholarships are available to conference attendees. Please fill out and return the application below to be considered for one of the scholarships. Due by Feb. 8
Vendors
Please see the documents below for more information.
Open Show
Please see the documents below for more information on the open show. It is never too early to begin your items.
Living Treasure Application
The Montana Association of Weaver and Spinners’ (MAWS) Living Treasure Award is designed to recognize and honor MAWS members who have made outstanding contributions in the field of fiber arts. The award is bestowed biennially on a fiber artist who has demonstrated excellence in craftsmanship, provided leadership or has been a source of inspiration and encouragement to others, or who has contributed to the betterment and development of the fiber arts at the local, state, regional or national level. It is these Montana “treasures” to whom we wish to pay tribute. Applications are due March 1, 2024.
Living Treasure 2024 Application (Word Document)
Living Treasure 2024 Application (Fillable PDF)
Fashion Show Entry Form
Please see the documents below for more information on the fashion show. The deadline for your form is July 15th, 2024
Worldly Wonders Towel and Skein Exchange
Following a long tradition, the Our Fiber Planet Conference will facilitate a one-for-one swap of handwoven towels or handspun skeins. Bring your items to the Registration Table by 7:30 Thursday evening August 1, limited to one exchange towel and/or one handspun skein. Please have each item in a gift bag labeled with your name, construction details, and your contact details inside. Label outside of the gift bag with Towel or Skein. The items will be swapped anonymously.
Your handwoven hand or kitchen towel may be any yarn and pattern. Your handspun skein must be at least 4 ounces if the skein is knitting worsted yarn or larger and if finer yarn at least 2 ounces.
Come to the registration desk at 4:45 on Friday for the Exchange. This is a fun way to make more special memories of the Conference.