New England Weavers' Seminar: Sample Library
The Sample Library consists of notebooks of handwoven swatches and drafts. Most of the books contain one weave structure for each notebook with appropriate 4, 8, or more harness samples. The other part of the library is a special group of notebooks representing all of the entries of the Gallery and Fashion Juried Exhibits from each of the Seminar conferences, and are THE archival record of all entries into the exhibitions of the past New England Weavers Seminars. These archival notebooks are able to be viewed but are not available to circulate out of the library location.
All note books can be viewed in person , by appointment, at its new location in Rockland, Massachusetts.
The Sample library, (other than the Archival NEWS Exhibition Record Notebooks) are allowed to circulate. In order to borrow a notebook, you must be a member, in good standing, of one of the NEWS participating Guilds. Membership must be verified by the Guild’s Rep before borrowing. Notebooks will not be out for circulation during New England Weavers Seminar Dates.
Donate to the Library
Submitting a woven sample to the library is a way of sharing with other weavers something you have woven, a structure you have designed or manipulated, a tactile design you have tried out, planned and achieved, or simply a woven sample that you think would be an inspiration to fellow weavers.
If you would like to submit a sample and draft to the library, please prepare a 4"x4” sample by securing the sample’s edges from raveling by stitching, tape, or glue (Fray Check). Attach your sample to a draft sheet, and include all the appropriate information including:
Description of the weave atructure, ( i.e.. 8 Harness, Summer and Winter, or 16 Harness, Twill etc.)
Warp and weft material, and fibers used
Ends per inch (EPI)
Picks per inch (PPI)
Other information concerning the weaving of your sample, including your personal comments as to origin of the weave, and the intended usage for your fabric.
You can use the NEWS draft sheet, or any draft produced by Weaving software such as Fiberworks PCW, or WeavePoint ,etc. to attach your sample. Please enclose your sample in a 3-ring binder plastic sleeve , for its protection during and after mailing. When you mail your sample in, it is added to the notebook for that particular weave structure.
Use the Contact Form Button to request a NEWS draft sheet and the mailing address for your sample to be sent.
Please consider adding to the Woven Sample Library collection for future weavers to enjoy.
Borrowing Notebooks
Only woven sample notebooks of weave structures are available for circulation. Each notebook is available for up to 3 months at a time. All notebooks are available to view at their location in Rockland, MA, by appointment by using the Contact Form button.
Guilds can borrow sample notebooks for guild programs. It is the responsibility of the guild’s NEWS Rep to pick up the notebooks and return them to Rockland. Arrangements for notebook transportation can also be made by using the Contact Form button.
In the past notebooks have been sent by USPS, via Flat Rate only. The largest flat rate box can only fit 1-2 notebooks. Postage is quite expensive and paid for by the guild member, both ways. The postage has increased over the past few years. It is certainly advisable to come view the notebooks you may want to borrow, in person. Note all notebooks do not have the same amount of samples.
All woven samples have been donated to the Sample Library by individual weavers throughout the years. Some samples are original drafts, many are not. It was encouraged by NEWS for anyone to submit a woven sample of any weave structure, for any woven projects anyone worked on. Many of the samples entered the library starting from the beginning of NEWS as part of the Organized SWAPS program that took place at each conference. Now all samples are simply donated to the library by individuals.