UPCOMING EVENTS AND WORKSHOPS

January 7 - Please join us for MAFA Virtual’s first ever St Distaff Day Celebration! Non-spinners are welcome too, all are welcome!

Hosted by David Heustess @followthespiralstudios & Gigi Matthews @brooklyncrafter our celebration will take place on Zoom on Sunday, January 12th from Noon to 5pm, Eastern. Drop in when you can, help us celebrate the history of handspinning, and raise a handful of fiber to its future! This will be an informal event for spinning together and sharing fiber wisdom. Special guests to be announced!

St. Distaff’s Day, also known as Distaff Day or Roc Day, is an unofficial holiday celebrated on January 7th, the day after the feast of the Epiphany. It is a day when European women would resume spinning after the Christmas festivities, and is a symbol of the importance of spinning in the medieval era.

Email Gigi Matthews at ✨ meetup@mafafiber.org ✨ for the Zoom link! Please share this post!https://www.lessonface.com/mafa

July 2025 MAFA Conference

Join me in Pennsylvania for my workshop “Suminagashi and Japanese Stitch Bound Books”. https://mafafiber.org

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Below are a few of my favorites, but other workshops can be designed to fit the needs/interests of your group and I am open to working 1:1 as well. It all starts with a question, so feel free to contact me at david@davidheustess.com

All Knotted Up - Shibori Knots on Silk

One of several “mini workshops from Shibori, participants will design two silk scarves using the knotting techniques from Japanese Shibori. Learn the process of knotting the silk, dyeing the scarves and rinsing and untying them to reveal the patterns, design or image created. Open to all levels of experience.

Twisted Shibori

I designed this class to use the basic idea of compressing the fabric in a way that allows participants to learn the basics of using Procion dyes and discharge techniques on silk scarves. Hand dyed silk scarves are a wonderful take away from a workshop and the techniques covered can work on any natural fiber such as cotton or linen. Step by step directions and handouts let students continue to explore on their own after the workshop is over. Open to all levels of experiences.

Suminagashi (Japanese Marbling) And Asian Stab Bound Books

With a tray of water, inks, and some simple tools you can learn to create colorful and elaborate marbled designs on paper and fabric. The papers are great for origami, handmade books, stationery, even wrapping paper. Marbled fabrics make beautiful scarves, are amazing for quilts and in garment making. Everyone from 5 years to 105 years will have wonderful fun with this ancient technique from Japan. Open to all levels of experience.

A Taste of Tapestry

A workshop designed for beginning students, this class is open to anyone wanting the chance to explore more about the art of weaving a tapestry. Participants will use small frame looms to begin warping and weaving the samples of various weaving and knotting techniques used in this art form. While learning the process from start to finish, everyone has a chance to explore ideas and approaches that best interest them - images, texture, color, and improvisation - are among the many ways to experience this early weaving technique, Open to all levels of experience.

Other Workshops Available

Cold Batched Painted Warps

Right Angle Bead Weaving - From Cloth to Sculpture

Double Weave Pick Up

I am also available for consulting to individuals who would like assistance in creating as portfolio, writing artist statements to bios, working on a series, or even how to begin teaching. Again, it all starts with an email. Feel free to contact me at vdavid@davidheustess.com